Friday, March 6, 2026
The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
Football

Eagles one spot away from making playoffs

Jordyn Hulinsky
Defensive end Zach Sandstrom, junior of Chadron, tackles New Mexico Highlands University’s quarterback, Emmanuel Lewis, Saturday at Elliott Field. — Photo by Ashley Swanson
Defensive end Zach Sandstrom, junior of Chadron, tackles New Mexico Highlands University’s quarterback, Emmanuel Lewis, Saturday at Elliott Field. — Photo by Ashley Swanson

The Eagles improve their record to 6-2 after a 31-24 win against New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, Saturday.

For his performance in the victory, Bryant Miller, senior of Bayard, was named the RMAC Defensive Player of the Week. He posted 12 tackles, a sack, and an interception.

Glen Clinton, senior of Cody, Wyo., was named the Nebraska Division II Player of the Week. He tallied 157 rushing yards for two touchdowns and 26 receiving yards.

Jonn McLain, senior of Chadron, threw 20 completions for 155 yards and two TDs.

Shea Koch, senior of Custer, S.D., led the defense with 13 tackles and one sack.

Eight players were selected as part of the RMCA All-Academic First Team. The offensive members are McLain, who was honored as the All-Academic Player of the Year in 2012; Clinton, who was placed on the team for the third straight year; Cody Roes, senior of Chadron; and Sam Parker, junior of Harrison. The defense includes Zach Sandstrom, junior of Chadron; and Pierre Etchemendy, senior of Douglas, Wyo.; both were chosen for the team last year. Koch and Tyler McFarland, senior of Boise, Idaho, are also chosen for the defense. Honorable mentions include Patrick O’Boyle, junior of Gering; Kyle Hooper, redshirt freshman of Alliance; Austen Stephens, junior of Lincoln; Isaac Holscher, junior of Scottsbluff; Taz Olson, sophomore of Prairie City, S.D.; Clay Cundall, sophomore of Greybull, Wyo.; Alex Sleep, redshirt freshman of Breckenridge, Colo.; Tyler Wright, senior of Arvada, Colo.; Conor Casey, junior of Rapid City, S.D.; and Cole Montgomery, sophomore of Casper, Wyo.

The team is ranked seventh on the initial NCAA Division II Super Region Four rankings. The top six teams move on to playoffs at the end of the regular season. The Super Region Four includes teams from the RMAC, the Lone Star Conference, the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

The Eagles will travel to Silver City, N.M., this Saturday to compete against Western New Mexico. The team will be down at least one player due to injury against New Mexico Highlands.

Courtland Joshua, sophomore of Donaldsonville, La., said Tuesday afternoon that he did suffer a concussion during Saturday’s game and was feeling better. Offensive Coordinator Chris Stein said all he could say was that Joshua is doubtful for this weekend’s game.

Stein also talked about the offense’s focus going in to the game this weekend.

“The offense’s focus is to be well rounded,” he said. “We want to throw and run equally. We need to be comfortable enough to just throw if we need, or to just run if we need, but we ultimately want to be balanced in running and throwing.”

Defensive Coordinator Jeff Larson spoke about the other side of the ball.

“Our goal (the defense’s) for the weekend is just to play consistently aggressive defense,” he said. “When we are aggressive we do well, and when we didn’t, we don’t.”

Kickoff is scheduled for noon Saturday.