Pirates players hit the gridiron
Will open against Hardin-Simmons
Whitworth University football officially opens the 2009 season Monday afternoon when 85 players put on a Pirates helmet for the first practice of the season.
The players check in today, picking up equipment and going through physicals. The first practice will be at 3:30 p.m. Monday.
Whitworth returns eight offensive and eight defensive starters this season from a team that finished 6-3 overall and 4-2 (third place) in the Northwest Conference in 2008. The Pirates are picked third in the 2009 NWC preseason coaches’ poll.
The Pirates’ offense will again be led by senior running back Adam Anderson (Riverside High School), a two-time NWC Offensive Player of the Year. He led the nation in all-purpose yards and scored 25 TDs last season.
Anderson will run behind a big and experienced offensive line anchored by first-team All-NWC tackle Jeff Kintner (Sr., Wenatchee).
Brandon Martin (Sr., DT, Sweet Home, Ore.) returns as a first-team All-NWC honoree on the defensive line.
Whitworth opens the season in Abilene, Texas, on Sept. 5 at fifth-ranked Hardin-Simmons University. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. PDT and will be heard on KSBN 1230-AM with Bob Castle calling the play-by-play action.
Whitworth’s home opener is Sept. 19 against Redlands, Calif.