For the 15 sophomores on the Minnesota West CTC football roster, today is their last chance to play at Trojan Field. The homecoming game begins at 11 a.m.
"The guys are excited to play tomorrow," Minnesota West head coach Jeff Linder said Friday. "For some of the guys it's going to be the last time some of the players wear a Bluejay uniform, and we have to do what we can do to earn ourselves a victory."
Today's opponent, Fond du Lac College, is the 1-6.
With their lone victory coming against Rochester due to forfeit because of an eligibility issue, the Jays should be ready.
"We've gotten to know these guys for two years," Linder said. "That last game is tough on everybody. It's the end of a chapter in their lives, and it's the end of a chapter in our program. I always tell them, 'Once a Bluejay, always a Bluejay.'"
Lining up on the other side of the ball, is a Thunder squad that is equally hungry for a win. Riding a six-game losing streak, Fond du Lac's lone victory came in a Week 1 encounter with M State-Fergus Falls.
"We just need to do our thing," Linder said. "We need to go out there and take care of the football and minimize mistakes. Both teams are hungry. Both teams want the win. Both teams are 1-6 and both want this one. It's going to be a great game."
The turnover battle will be a key factor to the game. Both teams have struggled to hang onto the ball, and whichever team manages to do so should find itself in a position to win. Thunder quarterback Matthew Iovine has thrown 10 interceptions this year, including three in last week's 31-8 loss to Itasca. The Fond du Lac offense as a whole has turned the ball over 17 times in its seven games.
That propensity for turnovers plays right into the hands of the Bluejays defense that excels at takeaways. Minnesota West has intercepted 15 passes this season, good for fifth nationally in NJCAA. Defensive back Trey Murdock leads the team with five interceptions, while Andrew Sorensen and Farod Anderson have three and Shuron Jackson has two.
Meanwhile, the Bluejays have given the ball away 24 times in seven games, including four times in their 31-0 loss to North Dakota SCS last Saturday.