Eagles spring into games

Chadron State started their spring season with a scrimmage against the University of Northern Colorado, Saturday in Greeley, Colorado. The Eagles seemed to struggle against the Grizzlies, losing 43-6. 

“It was a good opportunity for us to go out and for all the players to be able to show case what they can bring to the field,” Jake Norris, senior of Fort Morgan, Colorado said. “Overall, I think both teams gained a lot. We were able to see a variety of players and different environments than what we are used to.” 

Many familiar faces returned to the field while also featuring players who usually miss out on field time to participate, the point of the game being that every player would be able to play against the opposing team. 

With the informality of the scrimmage, the Grizzlies didn’t keep track of statistics throughout the game, but there were still remembered big plays. 

Cole Thurness, senior of Rapid City, South Dakota, was the receiver to catch the touchdown scoring pass from Dalton Holst, senior of Gillette, Wyoming, in the second quarter of the game. Holst had even made his way off the field before halftime. 

While on defense, there were big stops like three sacks and several tackles for loss, familiar names being called like cornerback Bobby Peele, junior of Fresno, California; defensive lineman Hunter O’Connor, freshman of Thornton, Colorado, and linebacker Noah Kerchal, junior of Benkelman.

Jake Norris was able to face his younger brother, Nick at the beginning of the third quarter. Northern Colorado defensive lineman Nick Norris, freshman of Fort Morgan, Colorado, originally considered following Jake to Chadron State but instead signed to play for Northern Colorado in 2020.  

“We are both very competitive.” “It’s just your sibling rivalry. For me going in, I didn’t overhype it too much. I’ve always been the bigger brother and I’ve always won. I wasn’t thinking there was going to be any other possibility.” 

Jake Norris said that this game was the first time he was on the same football field as his brother, giving the age gap between the two, they were unable to play on the same team in high school. 

“No matter what they say, there’s film that proves that I beat him on that play. I was joking with him, trying to coach him on the field saying, ‘oh you’re not fast enough to get around that.’ Just big brother stuff, trying to get in his head as much as I could.”

The Eagles will finish their spring season against Wayne State College, Saturday, April 24 at Elliott Field. The teams will partake in drills at 10:30 a.m. and will play out about an hour of live competition at noon. 

Visitors are encouraged to spectate and will be asked to follow CSC’s Face Covering Policy and practice social distancing. 

“It’ll be sweet playing at Elliott Field, just because there’s no better place in football than Elliott Field,” Norris said. 

“So many people are excited about it and that just goes to show how special the town of Chadron is toward out team, which I appreciate immensely.”