Red team outscores white team 45-44

Chadron State’s football team drew its spring season to a close 10 a.m. Saturday, at the annual Spring Football Game. The offense squared up against the defense during the fun scrimmage at Elliott Field.

Community members and The Big Event volunteers watched the close game that ended with a last minute touchdown for the offensive red team, who won 45-44. After the game, the volunteers assembled in their assigned groups and went to The Big Event job sites.

According to Head Coach Jay Long, the coaches normally draft teams, but this year they modified the scoring system to allow for the offense vs. defense setup.

Using this system, the defense could score points by making big plays, such as the interception by Brian Wood, junior of Stockton, California, that put up the first points of the game.

Long said the game is mostly for fun, as they had an evaluation scrimmage on Tuesday.

The spring season started March 30, with the team having a total of 15 practices on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays, weather permitting.

Long said spring ball is essential because, “We can go at a learning pace, whereas in the fall we have to go faster.”

“The biggest thing is we are evaluating ourselves and brought in some great recruits,” Long said in regards to the upcoming fall season. “We have been focusing on getting better with our leadership.”

He said both Matt Vinson, junior of Box Elder, South Dakota, and T.D. Stein, sophomore of Chadron, have been consistent and will share the spot of quarterback next season.

“We can achieve our goals with both quarterbacks,” Long said.

Stein did not play in the Spring Game due to a sprained ankle.

The team will reconvene Aug. 10 to begin fall practices.