By: Dave Collins, Sports Director
Chadron State is bringing a highly-experienced offensive line along during spring ball. There's a ton of talent and the excitement from two of the veterans up front was obvious at practice this week.
Left guard Austin Rapp and and left tackle Justin Calderon talked with me on the field and are glad to have spring practices back after Covid-19 wiped out everything last spring.
Austin: "I think it feels great, it's awesome that we get that extra time just to get better work in for next fall and hopefully that will give us the edge next year in the RMAC."
Justin: "I think it's great that we've got some games, some scrimmages we're playing too. It'll help us out next year."
The first of those scrimmages is Saturday when Chadron State goes to the University of Northern Colorado to face the Bears. Seeing a Division I defensive line will be a strong test for the Eagles, but Rapp and Calderon know they're also getting great preparation by facing their own teammates everyday in the spring.
Austin on CSC's defensive line: "We've got a good core over there "The Hippos", you know they make us better every day."
If the D-Line are the Hippos, what is the CSC O-Line's nickname?
Justin: "Hogs. I guess we call ourselves the hogs."
Austin: "If you're a small lineman maybe a piglet...(laughing)"
The guys outlined their goals for spring too.
Austin: "It's mostly just trying to get our scheme down and making sure we're ready for the fall. The (pandemic gave us) extra time and everybody is trying to get their scheme and technique right so that way when we get there we don't have as many issues when we start the fall."
Justin: "I want to show them (the younger players) how to do things the right way. Put in extra work after practice and make sure you give 100 percent every time."
Austin: "I'd say the same thing, teach them to be tough and physical because that's how it's been here for (so) long, so just being good O-lineman and what all the guys did before us, and showing the tradition."
How good can the Eagle OL be this fall?
Austin: "I feel like what the strength staff has done is put us all in great shape for gaining power and weight that we should be ready to go next fall."
Justin: "We're one of the best O-lines in the RMAC, if not THE best."
There you have it, the big fellas are ready to roll!