BY MAKENNA ALLEN
Tiger football is back. Saturday, April 13, the Fort Hays State University Tigers stepped onto the field at Lewis Field Stadium for their first scrimmage of the season. This year’s kick-off marked the fourth annual spring football event that included activities for Tiger fan interaction.
Fans will likely recall the moment when senior kicker, Dante Brown’s, mother took to the field to demonstrate the source of her son’s skill. However, the true purpose of the scrimmage lay beneath the fun and games. The two halves of 30-minute running clock provided the opportunity for coaches to take a look at the potential pool of talent for next season in a safe environment for the players.
This element of safety was one of the key focuses for Tigers’ Head Coach, Chris Brown.
“I thought our kids did a good job staying off the ground, staying healthy,” Brown said. “Today was about staying safe, staying healthy, and keeping guys off the ground and for the most part, they did that.”
Quarterback Chance Fuller underscored this position in suggesting that one of the team’s goals leading up to the 2019 season is to “stay healthy and stay off the ground.”
This remains a goal for the team as a whole. However, Fuller strives for personal health and success as he steps into the position of starting quarterback following the conclusion of Jacob Mezera’s football career at Fort Hays.
Indeed, during the first half of the scrimmage, Fuller headed-off the first of two offensive teams. Redshirt freshman, Blake Sullivan, and junior transfer, Voshon Waiters, competed for the spot as back-up quarterback. This match was not the first time the two have battled for the position, however.
“They push Chance every single day. Today’s game gave us an idea of what those guys can do. We need to get them in the film room and evaluate them a little bit more and see where we’re at there,” Brown said. “Hopefully, those guys continue to work and continue to get better and be that next guy and push Chance for that job.”
Though Fuller continues to prepare to fill his new role, Brown confirmed that the additional leadership has not altered the sophomore’s attitude in any way.
“He doesn’t change. He’s the same kid day in and day out. He’s just out here to compete and make his team better and make himself better. He’s just a great leader for everyone,” Brown said. “There’s nothing different about him from being the guy now to where he was last year. He’s just a level-headed competitor and smart and loves the game of football. He’s just going to work to make himself better every day.”
This team mentality was apparent in Fuller’s recognition of the group effort required for success in the upcoming season.
“It feels good. I’m excited,” Fuller said. “We’ve got a good team behind us and we’re ready.”
Even as Fuller began his new position as starting quarterback during the scrimmage, Brown utilized the time to watch for areas that require attention during summer camp. After losing key defensive elements like Wyatt Parker, Jose Delgado, Doyin Jibowu, Connor Shedeed, Aquil Knowles, and Malik Young, this area of the team become a key place of focus.
“We lost a lot of guys that played a lot of minutes for Fort Hays and played a lot of years,” Brown said. “A lot of them were four-year starters.”
Brown commented on the success of the defensive line and offensive line during the scrimmage. However, he also alluded to the fact that summer camp might bring new additions to the team.
“We might get a few guys here and there just to solidify some depth but I thought that overall, our guys did a great job,” Brown said.
The head coach awarded praise not only to the defense but also to the two offensive teams.
“The offense has done some great things. The defense has done some great things as well. The offense scores some touchdowns. The defense gets some turnovers. It’s good to see both sides do good things,” Brown said. “You just don’t want one side dominating the other because then you get worried about the other side of the ball. I think overall, through the spring, both sides, they got better. They improved and did some good things on both sides.”
As the Tigers patch the holes and begin to prepare for the 2019 season that kicks-off Sept. 5, they press forward through the spring with the mentality of working hard for group success. However, Brown emphasized the fact that the effort contains an individual element as well.
“They’ve just got to keep level-headed, to keep reaching to get to that national championship game,” Brown said. “It’s these kids taking ownership in this program and doing the things they need to do to make this program better.”