Heritage Hall's Sanders Jr. already drawing praise from team
By Zach West
Published: August 13, 2008
Watching Barry Sanders Jr. sprint and juke his way through two-a-day football drills, Heritage Hall coach Andy Bogert couldn't help but marvel at the freshman.
"He's already bigger than his dad,” Bogert said. "And he's only going to get bigger, stronger and faster.”
Bogert was just happy Sanders had a helmet to wear.
Sanders was one of 31 freshmen and 81 players overall who came out for the first day of high school practices on Tuesday. The record turnout — 62 was the previous high — nearly caused the Chargers to run out of equipment, including helmets.
"We got lucky and ordered another 20 extra helmets,” Bogert said.
Making matters more interesting, Bogert moved the Chargers' morning practice to the school's indoor facility because the outdoor fields were too wet. Squeezing 81 kids indoors proved challenging.
Still, slightly cramped conditions and water couldn't dampen Heritage Hall's positive outlook. After all, the Chargers are coming off a state runner-up season, return several key athletes such as senior Turner Petersen, and suddenly find themselves with more players than they quite know what to do with. Oh, and they're also welcoming the son of Barry Sanders, the legendary Oklahoma State and Detroit Lions running back.
"He's a player,” said Petersen, grinning. "We're going to love having him out there, once he gets his head on straight for some high school ball — hits some people. But he's going to be ready, and he's going to help us out a lot.”
While he likely won't start, Bogert said, the 5-foot-10, 170-pound Sanders should see the field some on offense, defense and special teams.
"He's got loads of potential,” Bogert said. "He's going to be really good.”
As for how good he is right now, everyone pointed to Friday — the first day in full pads — as a sufficient measuring stick.
"I'm pretty excited for when we first get to pad up,” Sanders said. "I think I've just gotten more mature as a football player. Coming in from eighth grade, things are a little slower, competition level wasn't as big. High school level, it's a big adjustment, but hopefully I can adjust — fast.”
Petersen has recovered from a sprained ankle suffered several weeks ago. The injury kept the seniorout of the Top Gun Challenge in Tulsa. Other than an ankle wrap, Petersen showed no ill effects on Tuesday.
"It's fine,” Petersen said. "I didn't sleep at all last night. I couldn't wait to get back out here. I was so excited for today.”
Heritage Hall's freshman group is so large that Bogert plans on fielding a freshman team with its own schedule for the first time ever.
"That helps immensely,” Bogert said. "The more you can get in the mix in a game situation, the more you can progress.”
Heritage Hall players all wore shirts with the No. 43 to honor teammate Ford Price. The senior was diagnosed this spring with Ewing's sarcoma, a cancer that has forced him to undergo chemotherapy as well as a recent surgery in Boston.
Sanders Jr. isn't sure of when his dad will make it to Oklahoma for games. He is certain of which game he wants him to attend. Week 1, the Chargers will take on Casady in the annual Polo Bowl.
"I'm definitely getting him down for the Casady game – that's a must, that's a must,” Sanders said, laughing.
