It’s been two weeks since MSU-Northern football played a game. It’s been nearly a month since they took the field at home. On Saturday afternoon, both those stats will be updated as the Lights host No. 9 Carroll College.
New Media Broadcasters caught up with Lights head coach Jerome Souers, who said what the team has done to help get themselves back into game mode leading to the end of Thursday practice.
“We did quite a bit more 11-on-11 than you might normally do,” Souers said. “We practiced twice last week (with) good intensity and then this week, we got after it from Monday all the way to (Thursday).”
“I was pleased with the energy that we had (Thursday),” Souers continued. “It’s time to take another step forward.”
The Fightin’ Saints have a lot of weapons in all three phases of the game. Souers breaks down what he’s seen on film.
“They’re very solid,” Souers said. “Their offense can attack with balance (and t)hey can run the ball inside (and) outside.”
“Their quarterback (Jack Prka) is intelligent (and) an accurate thrower,” Souers continued. “His numbers support that. He’s a winner.”
“Defensively, they’re led by a front that is just well coached,” Souers said. “They’re big, physical, strong. And they really rally in the secondary.”
Saturday’s game will mark the end of homecoming week at MSU-Northern. When asked about the circumstances of the event, Coach Souers downplayed the spectacle and said the team is preparing to play as if it was any other contest.
“For us as coaches, all the games are the same,” Souers said. “We try to get our players to do it that way, too, that we don’t amp them up any more than we have to, or we get too amped up.”
“We’re always trying to find that balance and do it every week,” Souers continued. “That’s what really tough about traditional rivalry games; you’ll see nerves play a factor.”
“We try to avoid that (and) just come out and compete,” Souers said. “The joy of that should be enough.”
Carroll College and MSU-Northern will play football on Saturday with a 1pm kickoff from Tilleman Field. Listen on KPQX-92.5FM with Noah Friedman behind the mic.
