Northwestern Tigers football keeping claws out despite large turnover of starters

The Northwestern football team has kicked off their first week of practice.

Riding two straight undefeated regular seasons they’re working on keeping their claws out by building off, and not just relying on, that solid foundation.

“Getting kids to understand that just because you put the black helmet on doesn’t mean you win every week. Maybe it takes some reality checks, these days are hopefully what those checks are. Hopefully it’s not a Friday night that teaches us that lesson,” head coach Jovin Kroll said. “The kids having to fight for spots this year with so many open positions, hopefully gets us moving in the right direction here momentum wise.”

Coach Kroll said they graduated 18 of 22 starters from the 2022 season where they finished in second round of the playoffs.

“So I’m one of three returning starters on the entire team,” senior tackle Camden Trzynka said. “I have to help out the younger kids, kids that are older that are now stepping into a starting role on the team and will have to be leaders themselves.”

Fellow senior, quarterback, Gavin Williams added, “we definitely want to set the tone in week one against Ashland. There’s a lot of people saying we’re not going to be the same team, not going to be the same Northwestern, but we’re not going anywhere.”

Northwestern kicks off their 2023 season visiting Highway 2 rivals Ashland Friday, August 18 at 7 p.m.