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Of course, there was no defense, but that likely wouldn’t have mattered. He hit full speed and would have been tough to bring down.
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Winona State wide reciever Tyrre Burks catches the ball during a passing drill at Monday's practice, the teams first of the season, at Maxwell Field. (photo by Katie Derus/Winona Daily News) |
Winona State University’s football team went through an uptempo first day of practice Monday, a necessity for many reasons.
The Warriors have only 19 days and 22 practices before their first game, while their roster is loaded with talent that breeds competition at nearly every position.
“You have to set the tone right away,” senior safety Craig Martindale said. “If you want to get better, you have work hard. You have to start the first day.”
Martindale and Burkoth are part of a large senior class that has been through camp’s rigors before.
In addition to fighting for playing time at their positions, part of their job is to get transfers and incoming freshmen acquainted with the Warriors’ ways.
Burkoth’s catch and run simply was him leading by example. Even the celebration — teammates jumping into his arms — showed plenty of enthusiasm for this time of year.
“Once you get that ball, that feeling with guys around you, you just have to turn it on,” said Burkoth, a 6-foot-4, 265-pound tight end. “You have to work hard and work toward that Michigan Tech game.”
WSU opens with a nonconference game Aug. 30 at Michigan Tech. Plenty will need to be decided by then.
Tom Sawyer, beginning his 13th season coaching the Warriors, said there’s more competition position by position than there’s been in quite some time.
That includes battles at key positions, including quarterback, running back and wide receiver.
“It just seems like we have the right mix, where there’s more kids at each position who are a little more evenly balanced,” Sawyer said. “We told our kids that it’s an open competition.
“The guys who have the best days in the big parts of practice are the ones who will get the most touches during the games.”
The Warriors practiced Monday and will again today in practice gear and helmets. They will put pads on Wednesday and have their first two-a-day workout Saturday.
Sawyer was pleased with the first day, but encouraged his team to continue to get better each day.
WSU is coming off a 10-2 season in which it reached the NCAA Division II playoffs for a second consecutive season and fourth in five years.
The Warriors have been ranked as high as No. 15 in a preseason poll by The Sporting News, while Lindy’s Sports Annuals ranked them No. 25.
WSU also was picked to win the South Division and finish second overall in the 14-team Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
“There’s a lot of expectations on our program,” Sawyer said. “We have a lot of seniors on our football team, so we’re building on that senior leadership. That’s why they’re so excited. The older kids know how important these days are.”
