The Black Hills State University football team held their annual spring game on April 12 at The Lyle Hare Stadium.

The team holds a spring game every year to test the skills and teamwork capabilities of both the newer and veteran players during offseason.

According to the rapidcityjournal.com, “We’ve had seven good practices,” BHSU head coach John Reiners said. “Last year we feel like we just didn’t get a whole lot done.”

In previous years, they weren’t as lucky to have had a sunny, 55 degree day to play on. This year, there was perfect weather for both the players and spectators. The players endured intense practices this spring, such as running up Lookout Mountain.
“This game is important because it is the Spring Game. Every Spring Game is the next step toward the following season. To the Black Hills State football team is means not only a glimpse into our future but it also serves almost as a midway point in our progression toward Fall Camp and eventually that first kickoff of the 2014 season as we take on Montana State in Bozeman, Montana,” stated Josh Schleusner,
Assistant Coach – Running Backs. “[The Spring Game] is a way for our fans, community, and supporters to see our progress and all of the hard work we put in, up to this point.”

BHSU football coaches drafted the players into two separate teams, one being Team BHSU and the other as Team Jackets. The teams played against each other as two completely different teams which challenged their strategies and athletic abilities, as they have practiced side-by-side all spring long.

The Spring Game is very important to the football team, “it is a culmination of all of our hard work from December until now,” said Ekenna Anya-Gafu, BHSU defensive end.

The football team keeps their morale high by having frequent gatherings, whether in Deadwood in celebration of the Gridiron Gathering, or in Spearfish.

The BHSU Yellow Jacket fall 2014 football schedule can be seen at http://www.bhsuathletics.com/sports/fball/2013-14/2014_FB_schedule.