By: John Murphy
CSC Sports Information Director
CHADRON, Neb. -- With the conclusion of spring football practices drawing near, the Chadron State College football team continues to prepare for an intrasquad scrimmage on Friday and a joint practice with Wayne State College on April 20.
Friday's scrimmage, which will begin at 3:30 p.m., will be open to the public in preparation for the official spring game in Wayne, Nebraska.
Head Coach Jay Long said Friday "will most likely not be tackle to limit injuries and will be limited to around 45 plays."
Long said with the team being a little over the hallway point of spring practices, they are hoping to start securing up the quarterback position over the remaining couple weeks.
After combining for 1586 yards and 15 touchdowns a year ago, Preston Pearson and Mason Hamilton are joined by graduate transfer DJ Ralph in the quarterback room this spring. Ralph joins the team after spending the previous two seasons as a member of the San Diego State Aztecs.
Zachary Kapushion, who appeared in one game last season, and three other redshirts from a year ago are also earning reps at the position.
The Eagles offensive line is a group that Long said has shown improvement during the spring. The unit will look to replace four-year starter Michael DeCamillis and one-year starter Malik Mashek from last season's group. Junior college transfers Iskandar Albitar and Levi Banuelos and Kyler Barrett all joined the team as offensive lineman this spring.
Defensively, a group of veterans is guiding a unit that looks to replace two senior starters from the 2023 season.
All-conference defensive line selections Tanner True and Hunter O'Connor and a young core of returnees have filled in to replace seniors Kobe Whipple and Gabe Perkins on the defensive line and Joey Geil at linebacker.
Long also noted that the secondary, which had four different junior college players join at semester, has "been improving every day."
Admission is free to Friday's scrimmage at Elliott Field. A more in depth look at CSC Football's spring practice schedule and roster will be provided prior to the joint practice against Wayne State.