Brennan Kasbrick will have a little company at the top of the depth chart during the Prairie Football Conference season.
In 2008, Kasbrick served as the primary running back for the Regina Thunder, carrying 102 times for 474 yards and three touchdowns.
When the team opens the 2009 season Sunday against the host Edmonton Huskies, Kasbrick will be splitting duties with Mark Coons.
"Watching the guys in practice, there's just not a lot of difference," offensive co-ordinator Stefan Endsin said. "They both bring different things, but they're both very, very good. To keep one of them off the field all game or all year just doesn't make sense to us. We want the best players on the field and this is the way to kind of do that."
What Endsin and the Thunder hope is that Kasbrick (a slashing back) and Coons (a straight-ahead power runner who rushed 47 times for 185 yards and two majors in 2008) will be able to keep one another fresh while keeping the opposition guessing.
"Mark has done that extra work in terms of being a bigger power back that we think can really complement Brennan's running style," said Endsin.
While likely not an ideal situation for any football player, Kasbrick and Coons have welcomed the new look.
"If you have two guys who are capable of doing it, why not keep two fresh guys?" said Kasbrick, 6-foot-0 and 195 pounds. "I'm full out for this. Every time I go in there, I'm that much fresher and can make bigger plays and can push myself that much harder."
"We're two different running styles, so we can put a defence on edge not knowing what is coming," said Coons, 5-foot-7 and 180 pounds. "It helps me get in the game and might even help me on special teams when I see the field more regularly."
Traditional coaching systems go with one running back, allowing for that person to get in a rhythm and the Thunder doesn't plan to ignore that logic.
If either Kasbrick or Coons gets on a roll during a game, Endsin will stick with that player for the contest.
News like that only serves to motivate the two players more.
"My motto is: I want to force them to keep me in the game," said Coons, who is down 15 pounds from his 2008 playing weight, but has added more muscle.
Ever since Kasbrick and Coons stepped onto the field to begin Thunder training camp two weeks ago, they have been in steep competition. Not only with one another, but also with backups Shohruh Noraliev, formerly of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, and second-year Thunder player Matt Foord.
"I was kinda nervous with all those guys coming along," Coons said with a chuckle. "You have to keep on top of your game every play and can't take any time off."
