Pointers Football Ready For New Season

It’s a new year for the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point football team.

After finishing last year 2-8, the Pointers are ready to turn the page on the past and focus on the present, which they believe is very bright.

“We are excited about the future of our program and excited for this season because of how hard everyone has worked,” said Head Coach, Tom Journell.

“The seniors ran practices throughout the summer where a bunch of us guys would get together and work out and practice together,” said senior linebacker, Cody Seibel.

“We worked on becoming a closer knit team and that has helped us to work together and communicate better.”

The Pointers certainly started their season on the right note, defeating Rockford University, 49-20, in the Pointer’s season opener.

DeJuan Wright makes a move on the field after receiving the ball. Wright contributed two touchdowns helping the Pointers defeat Rockford University 49-20. Photo by Jack McLaughlin.

DeJuan Wright makes a move on the field after receiving the ball. Wright contributed two touchdowns helping the Pointers defeat Rockford University 49-20. Photo by Jack McLaughlin.

It’s a good start, but UWSP has a long way to go in achieving their goals for this season.

“One goal we have set as a team is to play to our fullest potential every game,” Seibel said.

“We know that if we do that we will accomplish all our other goals, which start with winning all three preseason games, then win our conference, and, ultimately, win a national title.”

In order to achieve these goals, the Pointers football team has set expectations for their players.

They begin with their primary expectations; to have toughness, give effort in everything they do, and execute their objectives.

“It’s a philosophy that’s on and off the field,” Journell said.

The team has expectations of everyone, but some players put expectations on themselves, including junior running back and transfer student, DeJuan Wright.

“I want to be as successful off the field as I am on the field,” Wright said. “Also to be a leader and lead by my actions not words.”

A big reason for the optimism this season is the fact that the team has a good nucleus of experienced players, with 40 juniors and seniors combined.

With more experience come players with a better understanding of the offensive and defensive schemes,making them more comfortable with their jobs on the field.

“Our defensive guys have been playing this same scheme since they came here. Our offense is now in its second year as well,” Journell said It’s not just that the players are comfortable in their schemes; they are also stepping up as leaders as well. “When we voted for captains this year, we had 20 seniors, and 12 to 15 of those guys could be captains,” Journell said. “When you have that many people, you don’t just rely on one or two, you rely on the entire senior class.” Journell explained that not only are the seniors stepping up as leaders, but that juniors, sophomores, and even freshman, have shown great leadership qualities.
So now comes the question everyone is asking, how good can this team be? Journell knows that they can be successful. “We have a bunch of guys that care about each other. When you have that, you can be pretty good,” Journell said. Seibel and Wright believe that the sky is the limit for this team. “I think we have all the pieces to make it to the national championship and win our conference,” Wright said.

“I know everyone looks at last year and looks at how bad we were, but this team believes that we will surprise a lot of people this year,” Seibel said.

Will Rossmiller

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