WEATHERFORD, Okla. – After nearly two years away from the field, SWOSU football returns to the gridiron at home against Henderson State on Thursday, September 2 at 6:00 pm. 
 
SWOSU was selected to finish 10th in the Great American Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll after finishing 3-8 in 2019. Head Coach Chet Pobolish and company are excited to get back in action after such a long absence with players both old and new expected to make an impact for the Bulldogs this year. 

RJ Powell, Sophomore Defensive Lineman, returns to the team after racking up eight tackles and one and a half sacks in 2019. On offense, transfer Quarterback Tanner Griffin has earned the starting spot after coming in from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, where he threw for 1,309 yards and 8 touchdowns in his only season with the Norse. 
 
The Bulldogs face off against a familiar foe in Henderson State, a team they've played nine times. The Bulldogs and the Reddies have split the last two meetings. Henderson State were picked to finish third in the GAC this season and fell just outside the Top-25 of the Preseason AFCA Poll after going 9-3 in their 2019 season. 
 
With 655 days since the last game this team played, it would make sense to want experienced leadership going into game one. Senior Wide Receiver Justin Bailey, Senior Linebacker Wesley Mathis, Sophomore Offensive Lineman Billy Nunn, and Sophomore Defensive Lineman RJ Powell will captain the team for week one and all are players that were with the team back in 2019. 

 

Leader
lead·er /ˈlēdər/
noun
1. the person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country.

Our Leaders. Our Captains.#SpotTheBall pic.twitter.com/0aCAimfHe2

— SWOSU Football (@SWOSUFootball) September 1, 2021