Football | 8/12/2016 4:26:00 PM

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Aug. 12) -- The Central Washington University football team reported to camp Wednesday in preparation for their 2016 season.  After hours of paperwork, head shots, and team meetings the team finally hit the field Thursday afternoon for their first official practice of the season.
 
With nearly 30 incoming freshmen, a handful of transfers and a new defensive scheme, head coach Ian Shoemaker was pleased with what he saw on the field.
 
"There is always a learning curve when you start camp, especially for our new players, but even for our returners," Shoemaker said.  "They guys worked hard and it didn't feel like our typical first day of camp.  There was a lot of energy by our players and staff. I am excited to get back out there again today."
 
With the team's first game against NCAA Division I-AA, and 12^th ranked Portland State, just 22 days away each and every day is vital to the team's preparation, especially on the defensive side of the ball where defensive coordinator Scott Power's newly implemented defense is still being learned.
 
"We are much further along right now then we were in the spring." Power said.  "We have a long way to go, but so far the players are getting a good grasp of our concepts and our calls.  The more reps we get, the more film we break down, the better we will get.  It will be just a matter of time before we get to where we want to be.  There is always going to be room for improvement and we will continuously be teaching, but with the effort and focus we have seen so far, we will be ready come Sept. 3."
 
The Wildcats are scheduled for one practice a day through the weekend with the first set of two-a-days coming next Tuesday and Thursday.  Single day practices start at 2:45 p.m. (Aug. 13-15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29), while two-a-day practices start at 8:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. (Aug. 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26).
 
There are two scrimmages on the August calendar, the first on Saturday, Aug. 20, and the second on the 25^th at 3:45 p.m.