By: Doug Ireland/Sports Information Director
NATCHITOCHES – As the Northwestern State football team began full-scale preparations Friday for next Thursday evening's season opener at 6 in Turpin Stadium against Delta State, it was apparent the Demons aren't lacking in leadership.
Coach Bradley Dale Peveto named game captains, chosen by the coaching staff, and announced the results of the team's voting to choose Demon Deacons, players who represent each position group in constant dialogue with Peveto and the coaching staff. A record 19 players were elected.
Senior tight end Justin Aldredge, junior defensive end Ricky Issac and senior deep snapper David Larsen will be game captains when NSU kicks off against last year's Division II national runner-up. Each captain was introduced by Peveto and gave brief remarks to their teammates at the end of a 90-minute workout Friday afternoon in helmets and shorts at Turpin Stadium.
“It was an introduction day, even though we got our scout teams going on Monday. We really dove into what Delta State does in our practice today, and had a good one. It was a day to pull up off our legs, even coming out of the day off on Thursday, and it was more a mental practice. We'll get a little busier tomorrow morning,” said Peveto.
Seven of the 12 position groups elected two Demon Deacons. Paul Harris and Brad Henderson will represent the quarterbacks, while Aldredge and Larsen are the tight ends. Also with two Demon Deacons: the running backs (Sterling Endsley, Sidney Riley), defensive ends (Issac, Wade Williams), cornerbacks (Jeremy Lane, Cashas Pollard), linebackers (Yaser Elqutub, Derek Rose) and safeties (Phil LeBlanc, Jamaal White). Others elected: Zach Case (offensive line), Brant Legendre (fullbacks), Quinn Anthony (defensive tackles), and John Shaughnessy (specialists).
“We're always looking for depth at every position. Well, the voting for the Demon Deacons shows we have great depth in leadership,” said Peveto.
“We elect one at every position, but if we have two who are neck and neck, we'll go with two at a position,” he said. “We've not had this many in my three years here and I can't recall being around a team with this many. They are all guys who have worked very, very hard. I'm very proud of this group.”
Northwestern will practice Saturday morning at 9:40 at Turpin Stadium.
