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Cincinnati Christian football coach Nate Johnson doesn't expect a large turnout for his spring strength training sessions.

Of the approximately 35 players on the Cincinnati Christian football roster, the majority play multiple sports.

Johnson said he is OK with that. In fact, he encourages it.

"Having so many guys (who play multiple sports), it affects us greatly," Johnson said. "But I believe they shouldn't specialize. At this age, they should play as many sports as they want."

Johnson said that attendance at his workouts — three days a week, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. — fluctuates "usually from 10 to 20."

One of his regulars is Mike Zeller, a junior fullback who is one of the few to "specialize" in football.

"The turnout's been good. There's been a lot more kids than all the other three years I've been here," Zeller said.

Johnson, who implemented a spread offense upon arrival in 2007, has shifted the emphasis of his workouts to speed training.

"Our real focus has been improving foot speed," he said. "Endurance is critical with what we do."

"We do a lot of running, because our goal is to be the most conditioned team in the conference," Zeller said. "We also work on upper arms, upper body, a lot of core exercises — abs, push-ups, sit-ups, leg lifts."

CCS plans to host a combine in late march, Zeller said.

"We'll be getting together with a couple teams," Zeller said. "We'll run the 40 (yard dash), do a pull-up competition, things like that."

CCS went 1-9 last season and has won just five games in the program's first four seasons.

"We're getting bigger and quicker," Zeller said. "I expect us to win at least four or five games next year."

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5128 or edawisha@coxohio.com.