The 2012 football season is still more than five months away, but the 2012 Missouri Western football team is ready to play.  Now.

“We’re all eager to hit each other,” joked offensive lineman Brian Chiles.  “We won’t get to do that until Friday.”

The Griffons opened their spring practice sessions Monday at Spratt Stadium without incident.

“Every day one is like getting the ship away from the dock a little bit to see how it floats,” explained head football coach, Jerry Partridge.  “I think the big thing is we got through it injury free, which is something we haven’t done in day one of the last two springs.”

While there are some position battles to be win, the Griffons will be focusing primarily on depth this spring.  They return 18 starters from last year’s 9-3 squad..  Partridge says this year’s team is the most experienced returning team he’s ever had.

“With the expectations that we have for ourselves it’s really just come out and do the process,” he explained.  “We want to get better every single day.”

Expectations are at an all-time high for the Griffons, who are coming off their 2nd straight NCAA playoff appearance and first home playoff game in 2011.  The players understand it and embrace it.

“The more expectations, the better,” said linebacker, Dan Ritter.

Senior wide receiver Tyron Crockom says living up to those expectations this fall begins in the spring.

“Our key word is finish,” Crockom said.  From our highest guy to our lowest guy, we are only as good as our weakest link.”

“Everyone is pushing everyone to be better”.

Partridge says he doesn’t feel the need to put added pressure on his team by pushing the expectations card, but at the same time, he embraces it.

“I think its exciting and I think they do appreciate each other,”  he said.  “And I think there’s a certain togetherness they have.”

— MWSU Sports Information —