OGDEN — There are times when he's stoic, almost emotionless on the sideline.
Saturday during Weber State's scrimmage, however, Ron McBride was full of emotion. The veteran coach now guiding the Wildcats through a second spring of MAFU-ball was practically giddy as he embraced players after making the kind of effort that just might lift WSU from the middle of the Big Sky standings to the I-AA playoffs.
"I'm happy if somebody makes a play," McBride said. "You want to let them know it's important. The only way to let them know that did it right is to change your emotions."
McBride's emotions were at their high when sophomore tight end Zach Hekker grabbed a pass from Ian Pizarro from 20 yards out and fought through a tackle to stretch his arm across the line for a touchdown.
McBride let out a holler, jumped up and down and rush to congratulate his tight end for a job well done. Seizing on the moment, McBride blew his whistle and gathered the team, ending the scrimmage on a high note.
"I'm really pleased with the way we're progressing," McBride said. "We're improving in all areas, and that means a lot."
Pizarro had a solid scrimmage as he threw for 117 yards and a touchdown on 10-of-18 passing. Still, the senior said he's got some improvement to make.
"I always need to look at myself and ask what I can do better," Pizarro said. "We've got a new offensive coordinator (Ed Larson), and we're calling the plays different things and doing them differently. It's still pretty much the same system, but everything's different at the same time. So I'm still learning."
Pizarro's favorite target figures to be Terry Larsen. The senior receiver grabbed 39 catches a year ago and has already proven to be a go-to guy.
When McBride called for 7-on-7 drills, Larsen grabbed three touchdowns — including a diving catch in the left corner — in just a handful of plays before getting a huge hug and a pat on the helmet from a well-pleased coach.
"I want to make my presence known," Larsen said. "I'm still here."
The Wildcats have taken advantage of the recent better weather. After having several spring practices moved to indoor soccer facilities around the valley, Weber State has been able to go full speed for the past week. That difference in space has made a big difference in what's happened with the team.
"It's huge," Pizarro said. "We couldn't run anything inside. I think the receivers and quarterbacks didn't learn much in those practices. We're probably a week behind where we should be . . . but when I look at this team, I believe we're well ahead of where we were at this point last year."
The Wildcats have one more week of practices before things wrap up Saturday with the annual spring game.
"We're looking pretty good," McBride said. "The offensive line has really progressed and the backers, as a group, have really improved. We're getting there."
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