By: Briyanna Thompson
Paulson Stadium, home to Georgia Southern’s football team, is where every Eagle wants to be on Saturday for game day. A packed out stadium, screaming fans, pre-game tailgates, everything Statesboro has to give in order to support their home football team. But it doesn’t just start on game day, prior to there are weeks of training camp and weeks leading up to the big day.
Khaleb Hood and Derwin Burgess Jr. joined us before the Eagles first home football game against The Citadel, an old rival team for Georgia Southern.
For Khaleb and Derwin it starts on the practice field, making sure they are prepared for their match. “ During a bye week it’s the same intensity, We still attack it as if it’s a regular game week,” said Burgess.
Film is also an important part of preparing for an upcoming game. “ We probably watch film about four times a week,” said Burgess, “Bye week, regular week don’t matter, we keep the same mindset and the same hunger, We can never slip up on a bye week.”
For student athletes, school always comes first, Hood expressed that Coach Helton instills in his players that “When you do one thing, it has to be the same way you do something else.”
“To play on the football field, you have to get school (work) done too,” said Hood, “So if you really love the game, you’re going to take school just as seriously as you take football.”
Khaleb and Derwin also gave us some of the things they do personally to make sure they are ready for game days. Playing wide receiver, Hood makes sure that is getting plenty of catches in practice and making sure his body is always feeling right. “For me, you always have to talk to God, (I) always let the good Lord takeover,” said Hood.
Derwin, with a similar routine, mentioned that his coaches tell the team to make sure they keep a routine and don’t let that routine slip up. “I listen to gospel music, I pray of course, I pray with my friends,” said Burgess “I just try to keep a routine and go by that everyday.”
Then comes Saturday nights in Paulson, as they prepare to leave everything on the field in front of all their family, friends and fans. “It’s always protect Paulson, but it means a little bit more knowing that you have people outside of the team that’s cheering you on and want you to be great,” said Hood “It means alot more when the stadiums all packed and everyone is screaming go eagles, GATA, it makes me smile personally.”
“For me I can say that it’s a privilege. We go out there and I feel great, I think about my friends and family that’s in the stands. I try to give it everything I got,” said Burgess.
The Eagles played against The Citadel this last Saturday winning 34-0. They will play at home again September 9th at 6 p.m. against University of Alabama at Birmingham.
