By Frank Rajkowski, SJU Writer/Video Producer
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – When the decision was made not to schedule games in an abbreviated spring season, senior defensive lineman Collin Franz and his other classmates on the Saint John's University football team who have decided they will not return next fall had a decision to make.
Did they forego spring practices, or continue on and spend a few final weeks on the field with their teammates – helping them get ready for the future.
Franz and several others in his position decided to stick around, meaning they will make one final appearance in a Johnnie uniform when the team brings the spring practice period to a close with an intrasquad game at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 2 at Clemens Stadium.
"This is my last hurrah," said Franz, a Hispanic studies major out of Rogers (Minn.) High School who saw action in all 14 games during the 2019 season – the last time SJU competed against opposing teams.
"It's one more chance to play some football. Even if it is an intrasquad game, it's my final chance to be out on that field, and I want to have as much fun and make as many memories as I can."
Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the MIAC announced last August that fall sports would be postponed until spring, though a fall practice period was allowed.
The conference eventually opted not to sponsor a conference schedule this spring, instead leaving the choice on whether or not to schedule games up to the individual schools. The Johnnies opted to focus on player development and not play a competitive spring schedule.
An NCAA ruling did grant another year of eligibility to seniors like Franz, but he has already accepted a teaching position at Sartell-St. Stephen (Minn.) Middle and High School starting next fall.
"It was tough to have to let that window close," said Franz, who will also help coach the football team at Sartell-St. Stephen. "That's why I definitely wanted to come back and practice this spring. It was important to me to do whatever I could to help these guys get better going into next fall.
"I made a commitment to spend a full four years here. And even though COVID has prevented us from getting the kind of ending to my career I was hoping for, I still wanted to honor that commitment."
Of course, Franz said he understands that the primary focus Sunday will be on the future.
Head coach Gary Fasching said the roster will be split into two teams – the first and second team offense and third and fourth team defense on one side and the first and second team defense and third and fourth team offense on the other.
It will be a full game except for special teams where one punt, extra point, field goal and kickoff return squad will handle duties for both teams. Return men will not be tackled, and the ball will be placed at point on the field where the official believes the ball carrier would have been stopped.
Attendance is limited to two guests of each player. But the game will be broadcast on the Johnnies' flagship radio station WBHR (660 AM in Central Minnesota and the north Twin Cities metro), and that broadcast can also be accessed on the school's athletic website (gojohnnies.com).
"We've been practicing on the field three times a week since March 16, and we've had meetings the other two days," Fasching said. "So we've had the chance to get a lot of stuff put in. Sunday sort of marks the culmination of all that. We're going to get to see some guys in action and hopefully get a better sense of who the top players are at some of our open spots heading into next fall."
Two key areas the Johnnies are looking to fill are quarterback, where the team lost All-American Jackson Erdmann '19, a four-year starter, and on the offensive line, where four of the five starters from 2019 graduated.
Fasching said injuries will keep a number of key offensive linemen out of Sunday's game. But he does expect to get a good look at the two top candidates for the starting quarterback job – senior Chris Backes (Erdmann's backup in 2019) and former Minnetonka (Minn.) High School quarterback Aaron Syverson, a transfer from Division I Colorado State.
They are expected to share quarterbacking duties for their team.
"I expect to see a lot of guys get a lot of reps," said junior wide receiver Ravi Alston, a returning All-American who had 88 catches for 1,444 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2019.
"We have some holes we need to fill and this is still a learning process. We're still trying to find out who the top guys are at some of these positions. So a lot of guys will get the chance to make a good impression."
Following the game, the seniors on the 2019 squad – which finished 12-2 and advanced to the NCAA Division III semifinals – will be honored in a ceremony. The team wasn't able to hold its postseason banquet because of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last March, so this will be a chance to honor those players.
Fasching said 21 or more of the 29 in that group are expected to be in attendance.
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