By CONNOR GRAY, Student Reporter
The cancellation of the spring football season left Northwestern’s football team with only one scheduled event for the semester.
Northwestern’s football team traveled to Fort Hays State University in Fort Hays, Kansas, on March 6 to compete in a joint practice against the Tigers. As of press time, the team does not have any more plans to compete against another team.
The News reported in an earlier issue that the season was canceled, and a joint practice against Fort Hays would still be played as scheduled.
Head coach Matt Walter said playing a team that has made the playoffs five out of the last seven years was a test for the Rangers.
“Just the opportunity to play someone different instead of typically playing each other in the spring all the time,” Walter said prior to the joint practice with Fort Hays on March 6. “I wanted to see us against someone outside of the conference. In the GAC, you don’t play outside of the conference. You only play conference games. It’s a unique situation that we hope our players take advantage of.”
For Walter and his coaching staff, this practice gave the team an opportunity to play a non-conference opponent. Their opponent for the joint practice, Fort Hays, is a member of the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Redshirt-junior linebacker Xavier Woodkins said he was disappointed after the spring season was canceled, leaving only one event for team during the semester.
“For me, I was looking forward to it because I’m trying to get on the field as soon as possible,” Woodkins said. “I’m just itching, but I understood why we had to do it. I just told myself, ‘We have to use the time to get better and train every day.’”
Woodkins said he looked forward to getting back on the field for the joint practice after missing two seasons because of an injury.
“I got a lot to look forward to and a lot to prove,” Woodkins said. “I have never gone without football, but it has been three years now. So, like, getting back into it, training my muscles to be back to how they were. Injuries are real tough. A lot of people don’t know.”
Injuries like his shoulder and Achilles injuries have kept him off the field for the Rangers. He has played eight games over his three-season career.
He said the team played well against Fort Hays and did not give up too many big plays on defense.
Stephen McCluskey, a junior wide receiver, said he was looking forward to showing what the offense’s new playbook can do against opponents.
“I’m looking forward to wearing uniforms again,” McCluskey said prior to Saturday’s joint practice. “I like getting all dressed up and hitting someone else other than my teammates. That can get pretty boring.”
McCluskey said the team did well with the new playbook and that the plays helped them score touchdowns against Fort Hays’ defense during the joint practice.
The joint practice was the first football event for the Rangers in more than 15 months. As of press time, the Rangers’ next scheduled football event will be against Southern Arkansas University on Sept. 4 in Alva.
