By: Kaleb Center, CSC Sports Information Director

<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/sports/football/stats/2021/western-colorado/boxscore/3717">Box Score</a>

&nbsp; GUNNISON, Colorado -- September 4, 2021 --&nbsp;The Chadron State College football team lost 23-10 on Saturday afternoon at Gunnison, Colorado, to Western Colorado University in a game in which CSC was plagued with miscues. "You can't win a football game with four turnovers and as many penalties as we had," said CSC Head Football Coach&nbsp;Jay Long. Your first game back, you're always going to have mistakes, and we had too many. We played sloppy." The Eagles had all the momentum early, when on the first play of their second possession of the game,&nbsp;Elijah Myles&nbsp;broke free on a run up the middle and cruised 80 yards for a touchdown, making the score 7-0 in the first quarter. After a defensive stop by the Eagles, the misfortunes began with a fumbled punt return by&nbsp;Cole Thurness&nbsp;which was recovered by the Mountaineers. That led to a 49-yard field goal make by Western kicker Alec Fonseca. CSC took possession again, up 7-3, but a muffed punt formation snap inside CSC's own 20-yard-line led to three more points for Western. Leading 7-6, CSC drove the ball inside the Mountaineers' 20-yard line in the second quarter to set up a 35-yard kick by&nbsp;Gunnar Jones&nbsp;and the Eagles went up 10-6. CSC's&nbsp;Bobby Peele&nbsp;had an interception on a deep ball thrown by Western's Connor Desch, just before the half. However, Desch led two second-quarter touchdown drives to take a 20-10 lead into the locker room. "I thought our defense stopped the run fairly well," said Long. "When they moved the ball, it was because they found something down the field. When we watch film, though, we're going to see where we would have liked a few more takeaways." The Mountaineers held CSC scoreless in the second half, with Fonseca hitting another field goal to go ahead 23-10. Late in the fourth, a CSC drive stalled on the goal line which potentially could have put the Eagles back within one score. A fourth down pass to tight end&nbsp;Riley Schliep&nbsp;sailed high, ricocheted off the goalpost, and fell incomplete near the goal line, and Western salted away about three minutes of game time. No statistics or complete play-by-play were available immediately following the game. A box score will be posted at chadroneagles.com, however, when one is generated by the host school. "On opening weekend, half the teams win and half the teams lose," said Long. We're going to fix some things, and come back and play better. When we play sloppy that comes back on us. We have to be better. We're not going to win games if we play that undisciplined."&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
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 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By: Kaleb Center, CSC Sports Information Director<a href="https://chadroneagles.com/sports/football/stats/2021/western-colorado/boxscore/3717">Box Score</a>&nbsp; GUNNISON, Colorado -- September 4, 2021 --&nbsp;The Chadron State College football team lost 23-10 on Saturday afternoon at Gunnison, Colorado, to Western Colorado University in a game in which CSC was plagued with miscues. "You can't win a football game with four turnovers and as many penalties as we had," said CSC Head Football Coach&nbsp;Jay Long. Your first game back, you're always going to have mistakes, and we had too many. We played sloppy." The Eagles had all the momentum early, when on the first play of their second possession of the game,&nbsp;Elijah Myles&nbsp;broke free on a run up the middle and cruised 80 yards for a touchdown, making the score 7-0 in the first quarter. After a defensive stop by the Eagles, the misfortunes began with a fumbled punt return by&nbsp;Cole Thurness&nbsp;which was recovered by the Mountaineers. That led to a 49-yard field goal make by Western kicker Alec Fonseca. CSC took possession again, up 7-3, but a muffed punt formation snap inside CSC's own 20-yard-line led to three more points for Western. Leading 7-6, CSC drove the ball inside the Mountaineers' 20-yard line in the second quarter to set up a 35-yard kick by&nbsp;Gunnar Jones&nbsp;and the Eagles went up 10-6. CSC's&nbsp;Bobby Peele&nbsp;had an interception on a deep ball thrown by Western's Connor Desch, just before the half. However, Desch led two second-quarter touchdown drives to take a 20-10 lead into the locker room. "I thought our defense stopped the run fairly well," said Long. "When they moved the ball, it was because they found something down the field. When we watch film, though, we're going to see where we would have liked a few more takeaways." The Mountaineers held CSC scoreless in the second half, with Fonseca hitting another field goal to go ahead 23-10. Late in the fourth, a CSC drive stalled on the goal line which potentially could have put the Eagles back within one score. A fourth down pass to tight end&nbsp;Riley Schliep&nbsp;sailed high, ricocheted off the goalpost, and fell incomplete near the goal line, and Western salted away about three minutes of game time. No statistics or complete play-by-play were available immediately following the game. A box score will be posted at chadroneagles.com, however, when one is generated by the host school. "On opening weekend, half the teams win and half the teams lose," said Long. We're going to fix some things, and come back and play better. When we play sloppy that comes back on us. We have to be better. We're not going to win games if we play that undisciplined."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mistakes cost Eagles in season opening loss at Western Colorado

By:&nbsp;Zachary Carattini, CSC Sports Information

&nbsp; PUEBLO, Colo. – September 3, 2021 –&nbsp;In their opening weekend of play, the Chadron State College volleyball team went 1-1 Friday at the Steel City Showcase hosted by CSU-Pueblo. In the morning, the Eagles won their first two sets against Mary at 25-14 and 25-23. They then lost the next two sets at 19-25 apiece. They were statistically neck and neck with the Marauders in the fifth set, but fell just shy of the mark at 14-16, losing their first match. Against Mary, right side hitter&nbsp;Amelia Berg&nbsp;stepped up to lead the team in kills with 19. Rylee Greiman&nbsp;showcased her defensive skills by coming up with 31 digs in the match. She also had four assists. Leading the team in assists was freshman setter&nbsp;Audrey Bennett&nbsp;with 31. Second to Greiman, she also got 11 digs. "For the first day, I thought we saw some great things and some things to which we definitely need to make some adjustments," said head coach&nbsp;Jennifer Stadler. "We have to keep minimizing our errors and stay aggressive throughout the set and for the full match." The Eagles won their evening match by sweeping the Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagles. No stats were available for this match as of late Friday evening. On Saturday the team will resume play at 11 a.m. MT against Fort Hays State, who also swept Minnesota-Crookston today. The Eagles will finish the tournament against Rollins at 3 p.m. MT.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630763072436.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;Zachary Carattini, CSC Sports Information&nbsp; PUEBLO, Colo. – September 3, 2021 –&nbsp;In their opening weekend of play, the Chadron State College volleyball team went 1-1 Friday at the Steel City Showcase hosted by CSU-Pueblo. In the morning, the Eagles won their first two sets against Mary at 25-14 and 25-23. They then lost the next two sets at 19-25 apiece. They were statistically neck and neck with the Marauders in the fifth set, but fell just shy of the mark at 14-16, losing their first match. Against Mary, right side hitter&nbsp;Amelia Berg&nbsp;stepped up to lead the team in kills with 19. Rylee Greiman&nbsp;showcased her defensive skills by coming up with 31 digs in the match. She also had four assists. Leading the team in assists was freshman setter&nbsp;Audrey Bennett&nbsp;with 31. Second to Greiman, she also got 11 digs. "For the first day, I thought we saw some great things and some things to which we definitely need to make some adjustments," said head coach&nbsp;Jennifer Stadler. "We have to keep minimizing our errors and stay aggressive throughout the set and for the full match." The Eagles won their evening match by sweeping the Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagles. No stats were available for this match as of late Friday evening. On Saturday the team will resume play at 11 a.m. MT against Fort Hays State, who also swept Minnesota-Crookston today. The Eagles will finish the tournament against Rollins at 3 p.m. MT.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏐| Eagles stunned in season opener, then rally to sweep Minnesota-Crookston

CHADRON, Neb. -- September 1, 2021 -- With 20 seniors on the roster, several of whom will be playing their fifth season, there's much optimism and few questions marks concerning the Chadron State College football team that will open its schedule by playing the Western Colorado Mountaineers in Gunnison on Saturday. Kickoff will be at 1 p.m.

Head Coach&nbsp;Jay Long&nbsp;said he's excited about the season. He thinks this year's team has lots of talent to go with the experience and will be well prepared after practicing all of last fall and finding a way to play four games while many teams played none, and then having 39 practices during the spring, including controlled scrimmages against Northern Colorado and Wayne State.

"I'm extremely excited about this season," Head Coach&nbsp;Jay Long&nbsp;said. "It's going to be a unique season. A lot of teams haven't played for two years. Thankfully, that doesn't include us. We think we're going to have a really good team. "We'll have to prove that one game at a time."

Long added that while many teams didn't have any games last fall because of the COVID 19 pandemic, most of them continued to practice and may have made some changes that will surprise their opponents this fall.

"Most teams have practiced at least 100 times since they played a game," the coach noted. "Every team should be knowledgeable and fired up about finally have a chance to play. I know our guys are ready to get after it against somebody besides their teammates."

Long also noted that the Eagles aren't the only team with a large number of seniors. He says many players who were slated to play their final season last fall feel they were cheated and have returned for another year of competition.

The Mountaineers appear to be something of an exception. There are only nine seniors on the roster, but eight of them have an R in front of Sr., meaning they have been redshirted and this is at least their fifth year in college.

Playing the Western Mountaineers has had an interesting sidelight in recent years. That's because their three leading coaches have Chadron State connections.

Head Coach Jas Bains was on the Eagles' staff five years, three of them as the special teams coordinator, before moving to Gunnison as an assistant. He's now in his 11th year as the head mentor.

Todd Auer spent 23 years at CSC, including the last 17 as the defensive coordinator when the Eagles often led the RMAC in numerous defensive categories. This is his sixth season in that position with the Mountaineers. CSC fans still remember Auer's competitive nature. His wife is Chadron native Kim Olson.

And, Joe McLain, one of the Eagles' all-time great players, signed on as the Western quarterback coach and passing game coordinator in 2019. While quarterbacking the Eagles 2005-08, McLain threw

for 8,011 yards and 70 touchdowns. Equally impressively, Chadron State won 38 of the 42 games that he started during his career.

Long said he has great respect for the trio and knows the Eagles will be going up against a well-coached team on Saturday.

While several of the RMAC teams did not attempt to schedule games last fall, Western tried but after Covid continued to take its toll and forced numerous cancellations, the Mountaineers managed to play just one game. It resulted in a 64-7 loss to Stephen F. Austin, a Division I program in Texas.

The Chadron State-Western rivalry dates back to the late 1930s, when they played twice. There

wasn't much scoring in that era. The Mountaineers won the 1938 game 7-0 while the next year neither team scored, resulting in a 0-0 tie.

The teams have met every year except 2020 since the Eagles joined the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in 1990. CSC won that game 43-38 while the following year Western prevailed 51-49.

The Eagles lead the all-time series 23-12-1 and have won 18 of the 20 contests this century. The first exception was in 2016, when Western's star running back, Austin Ekeler, carried 37 times for 283 yards and clinched the 24-15 decision with a 69-yard scoring jaunt midway in the fourth quarter.

For Western State, Ekeler was what Danny Woodhead had been to the Eagles a decade earlier. He's now carrying the ball for the Los Angeles Chargers and is in the midst of a four-year $24.5 million contract.

The Mountaineers also edged the Eagles in 2019, the last time the teams met in Gunnison. Western had a 27-12 halftime lead and scored only once in the second half, but it was on a 47-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Connor Desch to wide receiver Malcom Wesley with 2:35 to play and a 33-32 win.

Both Desch, a 6-3, 190-pound junior, and Wesley, a 5-11, 175-pound sophomore, are still on the Western roster. Another Mountaineer, Will Lydle, a 6-1, 270-pound defensive lineman, was a first-team all-RMAC choice at the end of the 2019 season.

Chadron State's lineup is stocked with proven players.

Quarterback&nbsp;Dalton Holst&nbsp;is the starting quarterback for the fifth season, counting last year's shortened slate. He's completed 698 passes for 9,115 yards and 76 touchdowns. He needs to throw for 1,100 yards this fall to match Jonn McLain's CSC career passing yards record.

Long, who played center for the Eagles and snapped the ball to CSC Hall of Famers Trevor Long and Matt Strand and was Jonn McLain's coach, says Holst has all the qualities those quarterbacks possessed. In addition, Long said the entire team respects Holst's leadership skills and demeanor.

Holst will be protected by the same five starters in the offensive line who were there last fall. Among them is 6-5, 315-pound senior left tackle Justine Calderon, a first-team All-RMAC choice in 2019.

The receiving corps is led by&nbsp;Cole Thurness, who also is playing his fifth year and recently earned Academic All-American honors. He's caught 139 passes for 1,911 yards and 19 touchdowns and also is an exceptional kick returner. He's twice been voted the Eagles' MVP by his teammates.

At running back, the Eagles will feature&nbsp;Elijah Myles, who carried 200 times for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2019.

The Eagles' most improvement from 2019 is expected to be on defense. While CSC ranked second in total offense in the RMAC that season at 457.7 yards a game, they were ninth in total defense after giving up 414.7 yards per game.

Since then, some transfers have been added and the unit has more experienced depth, an important commodity in an era of "hurry-up" offenses that try to run nearly 100 plays.

"We'll rotate a lot of linemen and backs on defense," Coach Long noted. "We've also got some young linebackers who will be able to give the three seniors we have there a break."

Defensive leaders include linebacker&nbsp;Travis Wilson, who led the RMAC in tackles with 124 in 2019, cornerback&nbsp;Jeremiah Gutierrez, who was credited with 12 pass breakups in '19 and lineman&nbsp;Brendan Hopkins, another fifth-year player who is 6-3, 300 pounds and helps give the defensive front more size than ever before.

Overall, the Eagles return all 15 of their leading tacklers from last fall. A newcomer a year ago, cornerback&nbsp;Bobby Peele, picked off three passes in the four games after intercepting 12 in 19 games at College of the Sequoias in California the previous two years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630708012065.jpeg" alt="Western Colorado Mountaineer Football Stadium, Dave Collins Photo Credit" />
 <figcaption>Western Colorado Mountaineer Football Stadium, Dave Collins Photo Credit</figcaption>
 </figure>By: Con Marshall, CSC Sports InformationCHADRON, Neb. -- September 1, 2021 -- With 20 seniors on the roster, several of whom will be playing their fifth season, there's much optimism and few questions marks concerning the Chadron State College football team that will open its schedule by playing the Western Colorado Mountaineers in Gunnison on Saturday. Kickoff will be at 1 p.m.Head Coach&nbsp;Jay Long&nbsp;said he's excited about the season. He thinks this year's team has lots of talent to go with the experience and will be well prepared after practicing all of last fall and finding a way to play four games while many teams played none, and then having 39 practices during the spring, including controlled scrimmages against Northern Colorado and Wayne State."I'm extremely excited about this season," Head Coach&nbsp;Jay Long&nbsp;said. "It's going to be a unique season. A lot of teams haven't played for two years. Thankfully, that doesn't include us. We think we're going to have a really good team. "We'll have to prove that one game at a time."Long added that while many teams didn't have any games last fall because of the COVID 19 pandemic, most of them continued to practice and may have made some changes that will surprise their opponents this fall."Most teams have practiced at least 100 times since they played a game," the coach noted. "Every team should be knowledgeable and fired up about finally have a chance to play. I know our guys are ready to get after it against somebody besides their teammates."Long also noted that the Eagles aren't the only team with a large number of seniors. He says many players who were slated to play their final season last fall feel they were cheated and have returned for another year of competition.The Mountaineers appear to be something of an exception. There are only nine seniors on the roster, but eight of them have an R in front of Sr., meaning they have been redshirted and this is at least their fifth year in college.Playing the Western Mountaineers has had an interesting sidelight in recent years. That's because their three leading coaches have Chadron State connections.Head Coach Jas Bains was on the Eagles' staff five years, three of them as the special teams coordinator, before moving to Gunnison as an assistant. He's now in his 11th year as the head mentor.Todd Auer spent 23 years at CSC, including the last 17 as the defensive coordinator when the Eagles often led the RMAC in numerous defensive categories. This is his sixth season in that position with the Mountaineers. CSC fans still remember Auer's competitive nature. His wife is Chadron native Kim Olson.And, Joe McLain, one of the Eagles' all-time great players, signed on as the Western quarterback coach and passing game coordinator in 2019. While quarterbacking the Eagles 2005-08, McLain threwfor 8,011 yards and 70 touchdowns. Equally impressively, Chadron State won 38 of the 42 games that he started during his career.Long said he has great respect for the trio and knows the Eagles will be going up against a well-coached team on Saturday.While several of the RMAC teams did not attempt to schedule games last fall, Western tried but after Covid continued to take its toll and forced numerous cancellations, the Mountaineers managed to play just one game. It resulted in a 64-7 loss to Stephen F. Austin, a Division I program in Texas.The Chadron State-Western rivalry dates back to the late 1930s, when they played twice. Therewasn't much scoring in that era. The Mountaineers won the 1938 game 7-0 while the next year neither team scored, resulting in a 0-0 tie.The teams have met every year except 2020 since the Eagles joined the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in 1990. CSC won that game 43-38 while the following year Western prevailed 51-49.The Eagles lead the all-time series 23-12-1 and have won 18 of the 20 contests this century. The first exception was in 2016, when Western's star running back, Austin Ekeler, carried 37 times for 283 yards and clinched the 24-15 decision with a 69-yard scoring jaunt midway in the fourth quarter.For Western State, Ekeler was what Danny Woodhead had been to the Eagles a decade earlier. He's now carrying the ball for the Los Angeles Chargers and is in the midst of a four-year $24.5 million contract.The Mountaineers also edged the Eagles in 2019, the last time the teams met in Gunnison. Western had a 27-12 halftime lead and scored only once in the second half, but it was on a 47-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Connor Desch to wide receiver Malcom Wesley with 2:35 to play and a 33-32 win.Both Desch, a 6-3, 190-pound junior, and Wesley, a 5-11, 175-pound sophomore, are still on the Western roster. Another Mountaineer, Will Lydle, a 6-1, 270-pound defensive lineman, was a first-team all-RMAC choice at the end of the 2019 season.Chadron State's lineup is stocked with proven players.Quarterback&nbsp;Dalton Holst&nbsp;is the starting quarterback for the fifth season, counting last year's shortened slate. He's completed 698 passes for 9,115 yards and 76 touchdowns. He needs to throw for 1,100 yards this fall to match Jonn McLain's CSC career passing yards record.Long, who played center for the Eagles and snapped the ball to CSC Hall of Famers Trevor Long and Matt Strand and was Jonn McLain's coach, says Holst has all the qualities those quarterbacks possessed. In addition, Long said the entire team respects Holst's leadership skills and demeanor.Holst will be protected by the same five starters in the offensive line who were there last fall. Among them is 6-5, 315-pound senior left tackle Justine Calderon, a first-team All-RMAC choice in 2019.The receiving corps is led by&nbsp;Cole Thurness, who also is playing his fifth year and recently earned Academic All-American honors. He's caught 139 passes for 1,911 yards and 19 touchdowns and also is an exceptional kick returner. He's twice been voted the Eagles' MVP by his teammates.At running back, the Eagles will feature&nbsp;Elijah Myles, who carried 200 times for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2019.The Eagles' most improvement from 2019 is expected to be on defense. While CSC ranked second in total offense in the RMAC that season at 457.7 yards a game, they were ninth in total defense after giving up 414.7 yards per game.Since then, some transfers have been added and the unit has more experienced depth, an important commodity in an era of "hurry-up" offenses that try to run nearly 100 plays."We'll rotate a lot of linemen and backs on defense," Coach Long noted. "We've also got some young linebackers who will be able to give the three seniors we have there a break."Defensive leaders include linebacker&nbsp;Travis Wilson, who led the RMAC in tackles with 124 in 2019, cornerback&nbsp;Jeremiah Gutierrez, who was credited with 12 pass breakups in '19 and lineman&nbsp;Brendan Hopkins, another fifth-year player who is 6-3, 300 pounds and helps give the defensive front more size than ever before.Overall, the Eagles return all 15 of their leading tacklers from last fall. A newcomer a year ago, cornerback&nbsp;Bobby Peele, picked off three passes in the four games after intercepting 12 in 19 games at College of the Sequoias in California the previous two years.

Chadron State kicks off 2021 football season today at Western Colorado

🏈| Panhandle High School Football Week 2 - Friday, September 3

F|&nbsp;York 27, Alliance 6 - 📻&nbsp;KCOW 92.5 FM / AM 1400

F|&nbsp;Scottsbluff 40,&nbsp; Hastings 0&nbsp;

F|&nbsp;&nbsp;at Chadron 28,&nbsp;Gordon/Rushville 7

F|&nbsp;Sidney 8, Chase County 6

F|&nbsp;Anselmo-Merna 100, Hemingford 6 - 📻 KAAQ 105.9

◼ Hitchcock County at Bayard - 6:00 - No Score Reported

F|&nbsp;Grand Island Northwest 48,&nbsp;Gering 10

CANCELED |&nbsp;Mitchell at Burns, WY&nbsp; (Mitchell Wins by Forfeit)

F|&nbsp;Sandhills/Thedford 36, Morrill 8

F|&nbsp;Ogallala 30, Holdrege 0

CANCELED |&nbsp;Kimball at Leyton&nbsp; (Leyton Wins by Forfeit)

F|&nbsp;Garden County 44, Sutherland 38

F|&nbsp;Paxton 54, Creek Valley 18

F|&nbsp;Minatare 28, Banner County 7

F|&nbsp;Potter-Dix 62, Sioux County 8

F|&nbsp;Hyannis 18, South Loup 14

F|&nbsp;Wallace 50, South Platte 12

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1630331151269.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By: Dave Collins, Sports DirectorUpdated: Saturday, 7:45 AM🏈| Panhandle High School Football Week 2 - Friday, September 3 F|&nbsp;York 27, Alliance 6 - 📻&nbsp;KCOW 92.5 FM / AM 1400F|&nbsp;Scottsbluff 40,&nbsp; Hastings 0&nbsp;F|&nbsp;&nbsp;at Chadron 28,&nbsp;Gordon/Rushville 7F|&nbsp;Centura 27, Bridgeport 0F|&nbsp;Sidney 8, Chase County 6F|&nbsp;Anselmo-Merna 100, Hemingford 6 - 📻 KAAQ 105.9◼ Hitchcock County at Bayard - 6:00 - No Score ReportedF|&nbsp;Grand Island Northwest 48,&nbsp;Gering 10CANCELED |&nbsp;Mitchell at Burns, WY&nbsp; (Mitchell Wins by Forfeit)F|&nbsp;Sandhills/Thedford 36, Morrill 8F|&nbsp;Ogallala 30, Holdrege 0CANCELED |&nbsp;Kimball at Leyton&nbsp; (Leyton Wins by Forfeit)F|&nbsp;Garden County 44, Sutherland 38F|&nbsp;Paxton 54, Creek Valley 18F|&nbsp;Minatare 28, Banner County 7F|&nbsp;Mullen 52, Twin Loup 22F|&nbsp;Potter-Dix 62, Sioux County 8F|&nbsp;Hyannis 18, South Loup 14F|&nbsp;Wallace 50, South Platte 12

🏈| Late Night Update: Panhandle High School Football Scoreboard - Week 2



CHADRON, Neb. -- September 2, 2021 --&nbsp;College athletic teams often don't know what they're getting when they add a transfer to the roster. Some pan out, others don't. It took a while, but time has proven that the Chadron State football team hit the jackpot when it landed&nbsp;Travis Wilson of Fresno, Calif.

That's the case even through the 6-foot-1, 220-pound linebacker didn't have the best grades and was nursing a sore shoulder when he arrived on campus in the spring of 2017, preventing him from playing that fall.

He's definitely has made up for lost time, both on the field and in the classroom. He's also never been injured since joining the Eagles.

Counting last fall's shortened schedule when college athletes could play without expending a year of eligibility, this will be his fourth season as a starter for the Eagles. Heading into his final year, Wilson is already regarded as one of the best linebackers Chadron State has had in recent years and maybe ever. There are some statistics and details to support those accolades.

He's also among the reasons there are high expectations for the Eagles this fall.

Wilson's achievements include leading the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in tackles during the 2019 season with 124, more than half of them solos and 13 of them for minus 57 yards. He racked up double figures in tackles in six of the 11 games, including 20, 13 of them unassisted, during the 53-48 win over South Dakota Mines

"He's definitely one of the best linebackers we've had since I played (1996-99) or coached here (since 2012)," said CSC Head Coach&nbsp;Jay Long. "He's always in the mix. He's got high football intelligence and gives relentless effort, to go with his athletic ability. I also can't say enough about his team leadership. He's a great all-around player. He should get some all-star honors this year."

Wilson comes from a football family. His father, Thomas, has been a California high school football coach for years, and was the head coach at Sunnyside High School in Fresno when Travis was a senior in 2015. The school is large with about 800 students in his class.

His older brother, Tommy, played quarterback for Northern Montana at Havre and is now a CSC graduate assistant helping coach the Eagles' tight ends.

While Travis says he always preferred playing defense, he also saw considerable action on offense, both at quarterback and running back in high school. One of his highlights as a senior was throwing for a touchdown, running for a TD and also catching a pass for a TD in one game during Sunnyside's 10-3 season.

Wilson earned all-conference honors at linebacker as both a high school junior and senior, received some all-state recognition his senior year, also was a starter on the basketball team and qualified for the state track meet in the 300 hurdles his senior year.

Following graduation, he played football the next year at Fresno City College, didn't find that too exciting and decided to expand his horizons.

"I wanted something different, to go someplace where I could play football and also graduate," he recalls. "I sent e-mails to quite a few schools, didn't get much response, but was happy when Chadron State contacted me. That's how I got here."

The contact was made by&nbsp;Dylan Furrier, who had just concluded his career as a linebacker for the Eagles and was on the CSC coaching staff as graduate assistant. One of his assignments was to check out players from California who had contacted CSC.

Furrier, now the Eagles' special team's coordinator, recalls their exchanges. Furrier liked the tone of their conversations, felt Wilson was a quality player and person and was serious about getting a degree.

Wilson arrived in January 2017, took part in spring practice but didn't make his debut with the Eagles until the following year, 2018. He's been excelling ever since.

The Eagles' defensive leaders included veteran linebackers Keenan Johnson and Tyler Lewis. They remained healthy and were on the field nearly fulltime. Johnson led the team in tackles for the third straight year with 103 and Lewis had 95.

Wilson chipped in with 48, including eight tackles for minus 45 yards that included six sacks and teamed with Lewis for a game-saving fumble recovery about a foot from the Eagles' goal line with 10 seconds remaining against South Dakota Mines in Rapid City.

Lewis caused the fumble when he hit the Hardrockers' pass receiver just shy of the goal line and Wilson claimed the ball for CSC to seal what became a 50-46 victory.

In 2019, Wilson was usually the busiest tackler. His numbers were spectacular. His 124 tackles were 23 more than any other RMAC player made.

Wilson, who received his bachelor's degree and is now taking graduate courses, also has made his mark in the weight room. He added five pounds to the CSC squat record of 500 for linebackers that was set by All-American Kevin Homer in 1997 and also holds the "all-time total" weight lifting record for linebackers of 1,160 pounds that combines hang clean, back squat and bench press totals. The old mark was set by Luke Sittner in 2003.

But Wilson is more interested in talking about this year's defense than he is about his past accomplishments. He thinks it will be improved and potent.

He sings the praises of his sidekicks at linebacker, seniors&nbsp;Noah Kerchal&nbsp;and&nbsp;Jeremiah Makahununiu, along with sophomore&nbsp;Joey Geil. He also says redshirt freshman&nbsp;Xavier Harrell&nbsp;and true freshman&nbsp;Saxon Wright&nbsp;will see action this fall and are on their way to having really bright futures.

He also points out that the defensive line is two-deep and is considerably bigger than the 2019 front. In addition, he speaks highly of the secondary, noting, "Everybody back there is experienced now and there's a lot of them."

Wilson points out that when a team has an abundance of good defensive backs, the special teams will be solid because they will include players who can run and are able to cover punts and kickoffs well.

"I think we're going to have a great team, it should be one of the best Chadron State has had in a while," he concluded.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630686668252.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By: Con Marshall, CSC Sports Information

CHADRON, Neb. -- September 2, 2021 --&nbsp;College athletic teams often don't know what they're getting when they add a transfer to the roster. Some pan out, others don't. It took a while, but time has proven that the Chadron State football team hit the jackpot when it landed&nbsp;Travis Wilson of Fresno, Calif.That's the case even through the 6-foot-1, 220-pound linebacker didn't have the best grades and was nursing a sore shoulder when he arrived on campus in the spring of 2017, preventing him from playing that fall.He's definitely has made up for lost time, both on the field and in the classroom. He's also never been injured since joining the Eagles.Counting last fall's shortened schedule when college athletes could play without expending a year of eligibility, this will be his fourth season as a starter for the Eagles. Heading into his final year, Wilson is already regarded as one of the best linebackers Chadron State has had in recent years and maybe ever. There are some statistics and details to support those accolades.He's also among the reasons there are high expectations for the Eagles this fall.Wilson's achievements include leading the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in tackles during the 2019 season with 124, more than half of them solos and 13 of them for minus 57 yards. He racked up double figures in tackles in six of the 11 games, including 20, 13 of them unassisted, during the 53-48 win over South Dakota Mines"He's definitely one of the best linebackers we've had since I played (1996-99) or coached here (since 2012)," said CSC Head Coach&nbsp;Jay Long. "He's always in the mix. He's got high football intelligence and gives relentless effort, to go with his athletic ability. I also can't say enough about his team leadership. He's a great all-around player. He should get some all-star honors this year."Wilson comes from a football family. His father, Thomas, has been a California high school football coach for years, and was the head coach at Sunnyside High School in Fresno when Travis was a senior in 2015. The school is large with about 800 students in his class.His older brother, Tommy, played quarterback for Northern Montana at Havre and is now a CSC graduate assistant helping coach the Eagles' tight ends.While Travis says he always preferred playing defense, he also saw considerable action on offense, both at quarterback and running back in high school. One of his highlights as a senior was throwing for a touchdown, running for a TD and also catching a pass for a TD in one game during Sunnyside's 10-3 season.Wilson earned all-conference honors at linebacker as both a high school junior and senior, received some all-state recognition his senior year, also was a starter on the basketball team and qualified for the state track meet in the 300 hurdles his senior year.Following graduation, he played football the next year at Fresno City College, didn't find that too exciting and decided to expand his horizons."I wanted something different, to go someplace where I could play football and also graduate," he recalls. "I sent e-mails to quite a few schools, didn't get much response, but was happy when Chadron State contacted me. That's how I got here."The contact was made by&nbsp;Dylan Furrier, who had just concluded his career as a linebacker for the Eagles and was on the CSC coaching staff as graduate assistant. One of his assignments was to check out players from California who had contacted CSC.Furrier, now the Eagles' special team's coordinator, recalls their exchanges. Furrier liked the tone of their conversations, felt Wilson was a quality player and person and was serious about getting a degree.Wilson arrived in January 2017, took part in spring practice but didn't make his debut with the Eagles until the following year, 2018. He's been excelling ever since.The Eagles' defensive leaders included veteran linebackers Keenan Johnson and Tyler Lewis. They remained healthy and were on the field nearly fulltime. Johnson led the team in tackles for the third straight year with 103 and Lewis had 95.Wilson chipped in with 48, including eight tackles for minus 45 yards that included six sacks and teamed with Lewis for a game-saving fumble recovery about a foot from the Eagles' goal line with 10 seconds remaining against South Dakota Mines in Rapid City.Lewis caused the fumble when he hit the Hardrockers' pass receiver just shy of the goal line and Wilson claimed the ball for CSC to seal what became a 50-46 victory.In 2019, Wilson was usually the busiest tackler. His numbers were spectacular. His 124 tackles were 23 more than any other RMAC player made.Wilson, who received his bachelor's degree and is now taking graduate courses, also has made his mark in the weight room. He added five pounds to the CSC squat record of 500 for linebackers that was set by All-American Kevin Homer in 1997 and also holds the "all-time total" weight lifting record for linebackers of 1,160 pounds that combines hang clean, back squat and bench press totals. The old mark was set by Luke Sittner in 2003.But Wilson is more interested in talking about this year's defense than he is about his past accomplishments. He thinks it will be improved and potent.He sings the praises of his sidekicks at linebacker, seniors&nbsp;Noah Kerchal&nbsp;and&nbsp;Jeremiah Makahununiu, along with sophomore&nbsp;Joey Geil. He also says redshirt freshman&nbsp;Xavier Harrell&nbsp;and true freshman&nbsp;Saxon Wright&nbsp;will see action this fall and are on their way to having really bright futures.He also points out that the defensive line is two-deep and is considerably bigger than the 2019 front. In addition, he speaks highly of the secondary, noting, "Everybody back there is experienced now and there's a lot of them."Wilson points out that when a team has an abundance of good defensive backs, the special teams will be solid because they will include players who can run and are able to cover punts and kickoffs well."I think we're going to have a great team, it should be one of the best Chadron State has had in a while," he concluded.

One of RMAC's best, Wilson believes CSC in store for strong season

🏐| Western Nebraska Prep Volleyball - September 2

Alliance def. Scottsbluff, 25-16, 25-23, 27-25 (3-0)

◼&nbsp;Sutherland at Garden County

Chadron def. Gordon-Rushville, 25-15, 25-19, 18-25, 25-12 (3-1)

Mitchell def. Hemingford, 25-14, 25-11, 25-9 (3-0)

◼ Hyannis Triangular: Creek Valley, Minatare

Bridgeport def. Kimball, 25-15, 25-9, 25-23 (3-0)

Bayard def. Morrill, 25-9, 25-10, 25-21 (3-0)

North Platte def. Sidney, 16-25, 25-17, 25-23 (2-1)

&nbsp; 🥎|&nbsp;Western Nebraska Prep Softball - September 2

<figure>
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 </figure>By: Dave Collins, Sports Director🏐| Western Nebraska Prep Volleyball - September 2 Alliance def. Scottsbluff, 25-16, 25-23, 27-25 (3-0)◼&nbsp;Sutherland at Garden CountyChadron def. Gordon-Rushville, 25-15, 25-19, 18-25, 25-12 (3-1)Mitchell def. Hemingford, 25-14, 25-11, 25-9 (3-0)◼ Hyannis Triangular: Creek Valley, MinatareBridgeport def. Kimball, 25-15, 25-9, 25-23 (3-0)Crawford at Niobrara County, WY (Lusk)Bayard def. Morrill, 25-9, 25-10, 25-21 (3-0)North Platte def. Sidney, 16-25, 25-17, 25-23 (2-1)Ogallala def. Sidney, 25-16, 25-20 (2-0)&nbsp; 🥎|&nbsp;Western Nebraska Prep Softball - September 2◼ Scottsbluff 14, Holyoke, CO 1

🏐🥎| Western Nebraska Prep Volleyball, Softball Scoreboards - September 2

Eagle Radio and Chadron State Athletics are partnering with local businesses to offer a brand new experience and community event!&nbsp;&nbsp;

Beginning on Wednesday, September 8 the CSC Sports Road Show presented by Security First Bank will be held at the Bean Broker Coffee House and Pub in downtown Chadron offering Eagle fans,&nbsp;Double&nbsp;Q&nbsp;Country&nbsp;listeners and area residents the opportunity to come out and enjoy a Business-After-Hours style evening while getting to visit with CSC coaches, players and fellow fans.

This casual, free event will begin at 5:30 pm and run through 7:30 pm with attendees invited to come and go as their schedules allow.

In addition, attendees can watch as Voice of the Eagles Dave Collins will be hosting a new one-hour live radio show from 6:00 to 7:00 interviewing guests on 97.5 FM and 105.9 FM.&nbsp;

Confirmed guests for the September 8 program include football head coach Jay Long, senior quarterback Dalton Holst and women's&nbsp;wrestling&nbsp;head coach Alijah Jeffery, as well as a representative from the host location at the Bean Broker.&nbsp; Other CSC representatives will likely make&nbsp;appearances&nbsp;during the evening to mingle and visit among the crowd. Door prizes will be given away during the night including CSC game tickets as well as a special VIP Game Day Experience!

Light appetizers will be available and a cash bar will be open.

In its first year, the CSC Sports Road Show will be a once-a-month event from September through April of 2022 and will be hosted among several different local businesses with a unique rotation of guests appearing on the radio show.&nbsp; 

Announcements on future shows will be made as they near.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630644847696.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Eagle Radio and Chadron State Athletics are partnering with local businesses to offer a brand new experience and community event!&nbsp;&nbsp;Beginning on Wednesday, September 8 the CSC Sports Road Show presented by Security First Bank will be held at the Bean Broker Coffee House and Pub in downtown Chadron offering Eagle fans,&nbsp;Double&nbsp;Q&nbsp;Country&nbsp;listeners and area residents the opportunity to come out and enjoy a Business-After-Hours style evening while getting to visit with CSC coaches, players and fellow fans. This casual, free event will begin at 5:30 pm and run through 7:30 pm with attendees invited to come and go as their schedules allow.In addition, attendees can watch as Voice of the Eagles Dave Collins will be hosting a new one-hour live radio show from 6:00 to 7:00 interviewing guests on 97.5 FM and 105.9 FM.&nbsp; Confirmed guests for the September 8 program include football head coach Jay Long, senior quarterback Dalton Holst and women's&nbsp;wrestling&nbsp;head coach Alijah Jeffery, as well as a representative from the host location at the Bean Broker.&nbsp; Other CSC representatives will likely make&nbsp;appearances&nbsp;during the evening to mingle and visit among the crowd. Door prizes will be given away during the night including CSC game tickets as well as a special VIP Game Day Experience!Light appetizers will be available and a cash bar will be open.In its first year, the CSC Sports Road Show will be a once-a-month event from September through April of 2022 and will be hosted among several different local businesses with a unique rotation of guests appearing on the radio show.&nbsp; Announcements on future shows will be made as they near.

Brand new CSC Sports Road Show & radio event debuting in Chadron next week

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Brendan Rodgers’ two-run double put Colorado ahead during a five-run ninth inning, and the Rockies rallied from an early 5-0 deficit to beat the Texas Rangers 9-5. Rodgers doubled to the gap in left-center off Joe Barlow, the sixth of seven Texas relievers. The Rockies scored three more runs aided by four Rangers infield errors, three by first baseman Nathaniel Lowe. The four errors tied a team record for one inning, and Lowe’s broke a club record for a player in one inning. Jhoulys Chacin, the fifth of six Colorado relievers, pitched two scoreless innings for the win. The Rockies salvaged the finale of a three-game series.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Brendan Rodgers’ two-run double put Colorado ahead during a five-run ninth inning, and the Rockies rallied from an early 5-0 deficit to beat the Texas Rangers 9-5. Rodgers doubled to the gap in left-center off Joe Barlow, the sixth of seven Texas relievers. The Rockies scored three more runs aided by four Rangers infield errors, three by first baseman Nathaniel Lowe. The four errors tied a team record for one inning, and Lowe’s broke a club record for a player in one inning. Jhoulys Chacin, the fifth of six Colorado relievers, pitched two scoreless innings for the win. The Rockies salvaged the finale of a three-game series.

Rockies rally with five in the 9th to comeback and stun Rangers

The Eagles open the volleyball season Friday in Pueblo.  Voice of the Eagles Dave Collins and Head Coach Jennifer Stadler dive deep into the make-up of this year's team, upcoming tournament opponents, how to approach a disappointing RMAC pre-season poll ranking and much more!

<div><iframe title="CSC Sports Journal: Volleyball Season Opens This Week! Head Coach Jennifer Stadler" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=3398x-10ccbdf-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&btn-skin=7"></iframe></div>The Eagles open the volleyball season Friday in Pueblo. Voice of the Eagles Dave Collins and Head Coach Jennifer Stadler dive deep into the make-up of this year's team, upcoming tournament opponents, how to approach a disappointing RMAC pre-season poll ranking and much more!<figure>
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🔊 CSC Sports Journal: Volleyball Season Opens This Week! Head Coach Jennifer Stadler

Post Podcast: AHS Volleyball Coach Jessica Kaiser previews the season

🏐| Panhandle Volleyball - Tuesday, August 31

F|&nbsp;Rapid City Christian, SD def. Alliance, 18-25, 25-22, 21-25, 25-22, 15-13 (3-2)

F|&nbsp;Scottsbluff def. Chadron, 19-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-9 (3-1)

F|&nbsp;Gering def. Torrington, WY, 25-20, 25-21, 25-21 (3-0)

F|&nbsp;Ogallala def. Hershey, 25-7, 25-18, 25-23 (3-0)

F|&nbsp;Hay Springs Triangular: Banner County, Garden County

F|&nbsp;Leyton def. Kimball, 25-8, 25-14, 25-16 (3-0)

◼ Mitchell Triangular: Bridgeport, Gordon/Rushville

F|&nbsp;Bridgeport def. Gordon-Rushville, 25-23, 25-18 (2-0)

F|&nbsp;Mitchell def. Bridgeport, 25-16, 25-20 (2-0)

F|&nbsp;Mitchell def. Gordon-Rushville, 25-12, 25-12 (2-0)

◼ Perkins County Triangular:&nbsp;

F| South Platte def. Perkins County, 17-25, 25-16, 25-13 (2-1)

F|&nbsp;South Platte def. Brady, 25-12, 25-13 (2-0)

<figure>
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 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By: Dave Collins, Sports Director🏐| Panhandle Volleyball - Tuesday, August 31 F|&nbsp;Rapid City Christian, SD def. Alliance, 18-25, 25-22, 21-25, 25-22, 15-13 (3-2)F|&nbsp;Scottsbluff def. Chadron, 19-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-9 (3-1)F|&nbsp;Gering def. Torrington, WY, 25-20, 25-21, 25-21 (3-0)F|&nbsp;Ogallala def. Hershey, 25-7, 25-18, 25-23 (3-0)F|&nbsp;Hay Springs Triangular: Banner County, Garden CountyF|&nbsp;Leyton def. Kimball, 25-8, 25-14, 25-16 (3-0)◼ Mitchell Triangular: Bridgeport, Gordon/RushvilleF|&nbsp;Bridgeport def. Gordon-Rushville, 25-23, 25-18 (2-0)F|&nbsp;Mitchell def. Bridgeport, 25-16, 25-20 (2-0)F|&nbsp;Mitchell def. Gordon-Rushville, 25-12, 25-12 (2-0)◼ Perkins County Triangular:&nbsp;F| South Platte def. Perkins County, 17-25, 25-16, 25-13 (2-1)F|&nbsp;South Platte def. Brady, 25-12, 25-13 (2-0)<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629461621684.png" alt="" />
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🏐| Panhandle Volleyball Scoreboard - Tuesday, August 31

The football season opener is this weekend!&nbsp; Voice of the Eagles Dave Collins and CSC Head Coach Jay Long break down fall camp, highlight the new names fans need to know, check out the schedule and discuss the RMAC Covid-19 protocols and team vaccination situation as a new season is upon us!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597258176784.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The football season opener is this weekend!&nbsp; Voice of the Eagles Dave Collins and CSC Head Coach Jay Long break down fall camp, highlight the new names fans need to know, check out the schedule and discuss the RMAC Covid-19 protocols and team vaccination situation as a new season is upon us!<div><iframe title="Jay Long Show - August 31, 2021" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=iahie-10cb318-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=auto&btn-skin=7"></iframe></div>

🔊 PODCAST: Jay Long Show - August 31, 2021

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1630330136526.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>By: Dave Collins, Sports Director🥎|Tuesday, August 31◼ Gering 9, Alliance 0◼ Chadron at Scottbluff

🥎| High School Softball Scoreboard - Tuesday, August 31

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — A.J. Alexy won his major league debut pitching one-hit ball through five shutout innings while DJ Peters, Leody Taveras and Nick Solak homered in consecutive innings as the Texas Rangers hung on to beat the Colorado Rockies 4-3. Alexy allowed only a second-inning double to C.J. Cron. The 23-year-old who was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock earlier in the day struck out four and walked three throwing 81 pitches. Local product Trevor Story hit a solo homer in the seventh inning and a two-run homer in the eighth for Colorado.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — A.J. Alexy won his major league debut pitching one-hit ball through five shutout innings while DJ Peters, Leody Taveras and Nick Solak homered in consecutive innings as the Texas Rangers hung on to beat the Colorado Rockies 4-3. Alexy allowed only a second-inning double to C.J. Cron. The 23-year-old who was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock earlier in the day struck out four and walked three throwing 81 pitches. Local product Trevor Story hit a solo homer in the seventh inning and a two-run homer in the eighth for Colorado.

Rockies can't write happy ending despite Story's two Texas homers

F|&nbsp;Mitchell 42, Alliance 12&nbsp;📻 KCOW 1400 AM, 92.5 FM

Halftime - Lightning Delay - POSTPONED | Fort Morgan, CO 7, Scottsbluff - 7

F|&nbsp;Gering 14, Torrington, WY 9

F|&nbsp;Ord 60, Gordon/Rushville 14

F| Garden County 46, Hemingford 0 - 📻 KAAQ 105.9 FM

CANCELED |&nbsp;Hitchcock County 2, Kimball 0

F| Hay Springs 37, Creek Valley 14

F|&nbsp;Leyton 42, Maywood/Hayes Center 0

F|&nbsp;Sandhills/Thedford 52, Mullen - 14

🏈| Western Nebraska High School Football - Thursday, August 26

CANCELED | Crawford 2, Edgemont, SD 0

F| Hyannis 52, Sandhills Valley 22

F| Dundy County-Stratton 42 Sedgwick County, CO 14

🏐| Western Nebraska High School Volleyball - Friday, August 27

F| Sedgwick County, CO def. South Platte, 25-12, 25-14, 25-9 (3-0)

F| Hay Springs def. Creek Valley, 25-19, 22-25, 25-17, 21-25, 16-14 (3-2)

F| Sandhills/Thedford def. Mullen, 25-22, 25-19, 25-17 (3-0)

F| Wallace def. Potter-Dix, 25-21, 25-9, 25-14 (3-0)

◼ Hemingford Triangular: Sioux County, Crawford

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629724083063.jpeg" alt="Football Scoreboard " />
 <figcaption>Football Scoreboard </figcaption>
 </figure>By: Dave Collins, Sports DirectorUpdate: Sunday, August 29🏈|Friday, August 27F|&nbsp;Mitchell 42, Alliance 12&nbsp;📻 KCOW 1400 AM, 92.5 FMF| Chadron 42, Chase County 0Halftime - Lightning Delay - POSTPONED | Fort Morgan, CO 7, Scottsbluff - 7F|&nbsp;Gering 14, Torrington, WY 9F|&nbsp;Sidney 36, Bridgeport 6F|&nbsp;Broken Bow 30, Ogallala 6F|&nbsp;Ord 60, Gordon/Rushville 14F|&nbsp;Bayard 78, Morrill 44F| Garden County 46, Hemingford 0 - 📻 KAAQ 105.9 FMF| McCook 27, Hastings 7CANCELED |&nbsp;Hitchcock County 2, Kimball 0F| Hay Springs 37, Creek Valley 14F|&nbsp;Leyton 42, Maywood/Hayes Center 0F|&nbsp;Sandhills/Thedford 52, Mullen - 14F| Potter-Dix 47, Wallace 22<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629461621684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>🏈| Western Nebraska High School Football - Thursday, August 26CANCELED | Crawford 2, Edgemont, SD 0F| Hyannis 52, Sandhills Valley 22F| Dundy County-Stratton 42 Sedgwick County, CO 14🏐| Western Nebraska High School Volleyball - Friday, August 27◼ Alliance at Douglas, WY TournamentF| Sedgwick County, CO def. South Platte, 25-12, 25-14, 25-9 (3-0)F| Hay Springs def. Creek Valley, 25-19, 22-25, 25-17, 21-25, 16-14 (3-2)F| Sandhills/Thedford def. Mullen, 25-22, 25-19, 25-17 (3-0)F| Wallace def. Potter-Dix, 25-21, 25-9, 25-14 (3-0)🏐| Saturday, August 28◼ Alliance at Douglas, WY Tournament◼ Hemingford Triangular: Sioux County, Crawford🥎|&nbsp;Saturday, August 28◼ Holyoke, CO at Gering◼ Scottsbluff at Chase County

🏈🏐🥎| Panhandle High School Scoreboards, Saturday Schedules

🏐| Western Nebraska High School Volleyball - Thursday, August 26

◼ Hemingford Triangular: Gordon/Rushville, Kimball

◼ Sutherland Triangular: Creek Valley, Perkins County

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629723743594.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By: Dave Collins, Sports Director🏐| Western Nebraska High School Volleyball - Thursday, August 26◼ Bridgeport at Bayard◼ Alliance at Gering◼ Sidney at Sterling, CO◼ Hemingford Triangular: Gordon/Rushville, Kimball◼ Arthur County at Hyannis◼ Sutherland Triangular: Creek Valley, Perkins County

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos are going with the steady over the spectacular.

Coach Vic Fangio informed the team Wednesday morning that&nbsp;Teddy Bridgewater edged incumbent Drew Lock&nbsp;to win the starting quarterback job.

“It was really, really close," Fangio said, adding there never really was a clear-cut winner. "We had to make a tough choice, but we feel we can win with both of them."

What broke the tie was Bridgewater's cool headedness, confidence and a veteran's savvy honed over seven seasons and five stops in the NFL over a career defined by his comeback from a devastating knee injury

Displaying all those attributes, Bridgewater took the news in stride.

“It was very exciting, “ he said. ”I'm just happy that I get an opportunity and happy that I get to just continue to lead."

Lock was understandably gutted by the decision.

“It's disappointing, every feeling you could possibly have at this point on this day in this circumstance, they're running deep,” Lock said. "I feel like I was playing some of the best football than I've ever played in the league. I was more confident than I've ever been.

“This is such a special team I was hoping and looking forward to being able to lead this team," Lock added. “But no finger-pointing. No negativity. It's going to be about me still finding ways to make this team great.”

He said he'll be the best backup he possibly can while smoothing the rough edges off his game so that he's ready whenever his time comes again.

“I’ll be ready for it whenever,” Lock said. “There won’t be any lack of work. I’m going to try to get better every single day.”

For much of training camp, the QB clash was a drudging one in which neither passer strung together stellar performances from one day to the next, and sometimes not even from one drill to another. But they elevated their play in the exhibition blowouts at Minnesota and Seattle.

Lock's preseason included an 80-yard touchdown throw to K.J. Hamler and just Tuesday he began practice with a 60-yard dime to Jerry Jeudy. But he continued to scuffle in three-wide formations and didn't show as much huddle command, pre-snap management, pocket awareness or precision with his passes as Bridgewater did.

Fangio is 12-20 in two seasons, including 0-7 in September, and he cannot afford another slow start with the Giants, Jaguars and Jets on tap next month.

That’s why Bridgewater, with his quick reads and throws that are on-time and on-target if not jaw-dropping, seems a safer bet than the more athletic Lock, a daredevil who may have a higher ceiling but also a lower floor.

Fangio said the competition at training camp sharpened both quarterbacks and he still sees Lock as an NFL starter down the line.

“His pocket awareness has improved. His command of the offense has improved. His accuracy has improved,” Fangio said. "I don't have any doubt that Drew's going to be a quality starting quarterback (again) in this league.”

Lock’s 15 interceptions last season tied for the league lead. He threw 16 TD passes and went 4-9, missing time with a right shoulder injury and for violating COVID-19 protocols as the Broncos stumbled through their fourth consecutive losing season.

Bridgewater is coming off a bad season himself. He acknowledged this summer he shouldn't have kept playing after a knee injury in Week 10, and he was also handcuffed in Carolina by an inexperienced coaching staff and the loss of star receiver Christian McCaffrey as the Panthers went 5-11.

Despite showing more maturity both physically and psychologically this summer, Lock faced long odds to keep his starting job once John Elway, who had selected him in the second round out of Missouri in 2019, stepped down as general manager after last season.

Elway's replacement, George Paton, acquired Bridgewater from the Panthers for a sixth-round pick on the eve of the draft. The next day, he bypassed Ohio State QB Justin Fields at No. 11 to select Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II in the first round.

Afterward, Fangio declared a 50-50 quarterback competition for training camp.

Bridgewater inherits an offense packed with rising young stars such as Jeudy, Hamler, Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant, Albert Okwuegbunam and Javonte Williams along with veterans Melvin Gordon II and Garett Bolles.

Paton also fortified Denver's dominant defense led by Von Miller and Justin Simmons, giving the Broncos their most promising roster since 2015.

And it's the kind of roster Bridgewater had in Minnesota that same season when he threw just 14 touchdown passes in an 11-5 breakout year that had Minnesotans abuzz. He blew out a knee at practice the following season, however, and only played one more game for Minnesota, in 2017.

After a short stint with the Jets, he served as Drew Brees’ backup for two years in New Orleans and parlayed a 5-0 stint in 2019 into a three-year, $63 million deal with the Panthers last year.

Despite completing 69.1% of his passes, Bridgewater struggled to complete drives and deliver in clutch situations last year and that led the Panthers to move on to Sam Darnold this offseason.

Bridgewater’s revised contract with the Broncos is for one year and $11.5 million. The Broncos will pay his $4,437,500 salary and the Panthers took on his $7,062,500 signing bonus. The 2022 season was deleted, so Bridgewater can be a free agent in March.

Lock is due $1.05 million this season and $1.35 million next year.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos are going with the steady over the spectacular.Coach Vic Fangio informed the team Wednesday morning that&nbsp;Teddy Bridgewater edged incumbent Drew Lock&nbsp;to win the starting quarterback job.“It was really, really close," Fangio said, adding there never really was a clear-cut winner. "We had to make a tough choice, but we feel we can win with both of them."What broke the tie was Bridgewater's cool headedness, confidence and a veteran's savvy honed over seven seasons and five stops in the NFL over a career defined by his comeback from a devastating knee injuryDisplaying all those attributes, Bridgewater took the news in stride.“It was very exciting, “ he said. ”I'm just happy that I get an opportunity and happy that I get to just continue to lead."Lock was understandably gutted by the decision.“It's disappointing, every feeling you could possibly have at this point on this day in this circumstance, they're running deep,” Lock said. "I feel like I was playing some of the best football than I've ever played in the league. I was more confident than I've ever been.“This is such a special team I was hoping and looking forward to being able to lead this team," Lock added. “But no finger-pointing. No negativity. It's going to be about me still finding ways to make this team great.”He said he'll be the best backup he possibly can while smoothing the rough edges off his game so that he's ready whenever his time comes again.“I’ll be ready for it whenever,” Lock said. “There won’t be any lack of work. I’m going to try to get better every single day.”For much of training camp, the QB clash was a drudging one in which neither passer strung together stellar performances from one day to the next, and sometimes not even from one drill to another. But they elevated their play in the exhibition blowouts at Minnesota and Seattle.Lock's preseason included an 80-yard touchdown throw to K.J. Hamler and just Tuesday he began practice with a 60-yard dime to Jerry Jeudy. But he continued to scuffle in three-wide formations and didn't show as much huddle command, pre-snap management, pocket awareness or precision with his passes as Bridgewater did.Fangio is 12-20 in two seasons, including 0-7 in September, and he cannot afford another slow start with the Giants, Jaguars and Jets on tap next month.That’s why Bridgewater, with his quick reads and throws that are on-time and on-target if not jaw-dropping, seems a safer bet than the more athletic Lock, a daredevil who may have a higher ceiling but also a lower floor.Fangio said the competition at training camp sharpened both quarterbacks and he still sees Lock as an NFL starter down the line.“His pocket awareness has improved. His command of the offense has improved. His accuracy has improved,” Fangio said. "I don't have any doubt that Drew's going to be a quality starting quarterback (again) in this league.”Lock’s 15 interceptions last season tied for the league lead. He threw 16 TD passes and went 4-9, missing time with a right shoulder injury and for violating COVID-19 protocols as the Broncos stumbled through their fourth consecutive losing season.Bridgewater is coming off a bad season himself. He acknowledged this summer he shouldn't have kept playing after a knee injury in Week 10, and he was also handcuffed in Carolina by an inexperienced coaching staff and the loss of star receiver Christian McCaffrey as the Panthers went 5-11.Despite showing more maturity both physically and psychologically this summer, Lock faced long odds to keep his starting job once John Elway, who had selected him in the second round out of Missouri in 2019, stepped down as general manager after last season.Elway's replacement, George Paton, acquired Bridgewater from the Panthers for a sixth-round pick on the eve of the draft. The next day, he bypassed Ohio State QB Justin Fields at No. 11 to select Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II in the first round.Afterward, Fangio declared a 50-50 quarterback competition for training camp.Bridgewater inherits an offense packed with rising young stars such as Jeudy, Hamler, Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant, Albert Okwuegbunam and Javonte Williams along with veterans Melvin Gordon II and Garett Bolles.Paton also fortified Denver's dominant defense led by Von Miller and Justin Simmons, giving the Broncos their most promising roster since 2015.And it's the kind of roster Bridgewater had in Minnesota that same season when he threw just 14 touchdown passes in an 11-5 breakout year that had Minnesotans abuzz. He blew out a knee at practice the following season, however, and only played one more game for Minnesota, in 2017.After a short stint with the Jets, he served as Drew Brees’ backup for two years in New Orleans and parlayed a 5-0 stint in 2019 into a three-year, $63 million deal with the Panthers last year.Despite completing 69.1% of his passes, Bridgewater struggled to complete drives and deliver in clutch situations last year and that led the Panthers to move on to Sam Darnold this offseason.Bridgewater’s revised contract with the Broncos is for one year and $11.5 million. The Broncos will pay his $4,437,500 salary and the Panthers took on his $7,062,500 signing bonus. The 2022 season was deleted, so Bridgewater can be a free agent in March.Lock is due $1.05 million this season and $1.35 million next year.