BY JESSALYN KIRCHHOFF
VIDEO BY CORBIN INGRIM
The 2021 Fort Hays State University Football season came to a short close this past fall with a losing record of 5-6. In this upcoming year, the Tigers are looking to make improvements on last season’s record and these developments are starting now with spring ball preparations.
Head coach Chris Brown comments on the improvements that he has already seen over the duration of the off-season.
“The improvements that have been made since last fall are our players’ attitudes and work ethic,” Brown said. “Our communication as players, coaches and as a family have significantly improved.”
Chance Fuller, QB1, has also noticed some noteworthy changes on and off the field.
“Since the end of the fall season, we have strived to make improvements as a team and individually. We have focused on doing everything right, such as being early to everything, giving our best every rep, and holding ourselves as well as other teammates accountable,” Fuller said.
Defensive standout Myles Menges touches on the improvements he has seen within the team’s chemistry.
“There have been a couple [of] improvements that have stood out to me, but I would say the main thing is how much closer we’ve become as a team,” he said.
Brown makes sure to point out that although the program strives to make better football players, it is also cultivating better young men.
“We are all in this together and doing whatever we can to make sure that we improve not only as players but as people every day,” Brown said.
Before digging into the following season, Brown wanted to mention a few non-returning senior players that will be missed in the next season. On the defensive side of the ball, Brown notes the contributions of Jordan Starks and Jhimon Preston – both of whom chose not to take advantage of their COVID year granting them an additional season of eligibility.
“They have both graduated and had the opportunity to come back to play, but ultimately chose not to come back,” Brown said. “They both had different, very understandable reasons, but you never know, they might really miss it and come back for another season.”
Brown also noted graduating offense players offensive lineman Amari Angram-Boldin and quarterback Voshon Waiters – whose athletic ability will be missed according to Brown.
Fuller noted that he will miss having Angram-Boldin both for his football skill and leadership abilities.
“Offensively, we will for sure miss Amari as a great offensive lineman, but also an outstanding team captain,” Fuller said.
While those seniors will be missed, FHSU fans can expect to see some new faces on the field as these spots will be refilled.
“I think defensively Ty Cooper, Hunter Brown, Mason Perez, Sam Brandt, and Tyler Cummings will step up to fill the shoes of those that left,” Brown said. “Will White as well as a few others are also getting their opportunity this spring to prove themselves. Offensively, we have a few young guys and added some transfers to hopefully help with team-depth purposes.”
Brown adds how impressed he is with the hard work these players have put in and expresses his faith in each one to perform.
“I know each one of these guys have worked tremendously hard in the off-season. Now, it comes down to those players getting comfortable and believing in their own abilities to step on the field to play,” he said. “I feel each one is very capable of getting the job done, they just have to believe that they can get the job done.”
“We have some guys that are ready to step up when the time comes,” Menges added.
Fuller is also confident with the incoming crew and their ability to take over.
“I think we have a lot of guys that will be able to fill in for the seniors that have left,” he said. “Our group of young guys work very hard and are always prepared for when it is their time.”
Brown continues to list off a number of other standout returners that fans can cheer on in this upcoming season. “Offensively – QB Chance Fuller, OL – Kris Stroughter, Ted Hessing, Pat Kelly, WR – Manny Ramsey, RB – Adrian Soto, and TE – Hunter Budke. Defensively – LB Layke Heimerman, Myles Menges, John Johnson, DL – Jerome Afe, Evan Darville, Naszir Mallory, Safety – Ty Cooper, Mason Perez, Will White, Hunter Brown, Corners – Jaqualen Brown, Devin White, Trevion Mitchell, and David Arteaga.”
With the offseason being so important for developing as a team, Brown said the team has spent their time doing off-season lifting and morning runs that have gone well.
“We lifted five days a week and ran twice a week for the first three weeks after Christmas Break. Then we cut it back to lifting four times a week, running twice a week, and meeting two times a week with position coaches to watch film or work on fundamentals/techniques at their specific position,” Brown said. “We will have 15 practices in a five-week period. During this time we will practice three days a week, lift and meet three days a week, and then have a full day off for recovery.”
In the words of Menges, “the offseason workouts have been a grind.”
Brown goes on to break down the logistics and specify the team’s cultural set standard.
“We have been preparing for spring by lifting, running, having meetings, and just making sure we do all the little things right. It is holding each other accountable and not accepting average. It is working to be our best every day in the classroom, on the football field, and in our community,” Brown said. “It is making decisions that benefit our program and making sacrifices that will help improve us mentally and physically. It is each coach and player being all in and giving their all each day to one another.”
Brown states that his goal for this year is to focus on the things that they can control as a team, and then the successes will follow – which includes the goal of winning a conference and national championship.
“We are working on making our weaknesses into strengths and making our strengths even stronger. We are determined to have a champion’s work ethic every day and do the things that will help us improve all around as a team,” Brown said. “We are working on becoming a more physical team and believe in our abilities that God has given us. We are focusing on not wasting any opportunity to get better.”
While last season didn’t end how the team hoped, Brown said he is satisfied with the team’s current direction and he has growing confidence they will go further than last season.
“We have a group of young men that have a purpose every day to get better at everything they do. We have guys that are working to get stronger, faster, and more knowledgeable about the game of football,” Brown said. “We have a group of guys that have really bought into what we are trying to accomplish and are doing everything they can to make sure what happened last year doesn’t happen again.”
The Tigers will conclude spring ball with their annual spring football game at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. Gates of Lewis Field Stadium will open at 2:30 and Tiger fans will be able to tailgate in the north lot of Lewis beginning at 11:30 a.m. Admission to the scrimmage is free for all.