By Con Marshall
With about 130 players reporting on Saturday to have their pictures snapped, take physicals, fill out forms and check out equipment, football practice at Chadron State College got underway Monday morning.
Area fans will have lots of opportunities the watch the Eagles this fall. Seven of the 11 games will be played at home, including the season-opener at 6 o’clock on Thursday, Aug. 29 when Nebraska-Kearney visits Elliott Field.
The preliminary roster includes 20 seniors, 26 juniors, 17 sophomores, 23 redshirt freshmen and 49 brand new freshmen. Thirty-eight of the returnees earned letters last year, when the Eagles finished with a 5-6 record overall and had a 4-5 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference mark.
After injuries sidelined a couple of them, only six seniors saw much playing time a year ago. That means the Eagles will have experienced players at most positions this fall. However, it’s anticipated that several newcomers who were impressive during spring practice will break into the lineup.
Three Eagles—defensive linemen Hunter O’Connor and Tanner True and wide receiver Tommy Thomas—were First-Team All-Conference last fall while tight end Peter Krohn, punter Brodie Eisenbraun and placekicker Wilson Yee were Second-Team choices.