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MITCHELL — Dakota Wesleyan Tigers football is in the middle of spring ball – and over the next several days, we will be covering some of the top storylines, leading up to next Wednesday’s Spring Game at Joe Quintal Field.

One of the biggest headlines coming out of the send of last fall was the return of some seniors for a fifth year of eligibility that was granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wide Receiver Jacob Oxos, special teamer Tate Gale, and cornerback Jacob Zamora all announced they would be returning for a fifth year of eligibility – but probably no name struck a bigger chord with the DWU faithful – inside and outside the program as did left tackle TJ Benton, who will also be using his fifth year of eligibility.

Benton has been a stalwart of the left side of offensive line for the Tigers for years, and said he wasn’t ready to walk away yet from a game that has been such a big part of his life.

“One of the biggest thing the program always emphasizes is not wasting any opportunities that you’re given,” Benton said. “Basketball, if I’m offered a fifth year, I can realistically think about that a little bit more because there’s tournaments, there’s teams. There’s stuff you can do. It won’t ever be the same as college, but you can still get a pick up game going.  Whereas football, there’s a limited time when you can put on pads and strap on the helmet.”

Benton is hoping that he and his fellow fifth-year seniors can have a positive influence on the team.

“Not only just experience on the field, but experience off the field,” Benton said. “Football is a sport, where a lot of things you learn, you can translate to the field or in life. I think it brings wisdom to the team and also just gives the team guys who you can look to when they need something.”

Junior running back Jamin Arend rushed for 895 yards and five touchdowns last year – and also caught 30 balls for 263 yards and a score. Arend said he was at the top of people happy to hear Benton was returning.

“He just bring everything,” Arend said. “He brings it all every day and is a great leader.”

Head coach Ross Cimpl is working through several unknowns as he prepares for the 2022 season in the fall. Whether it’s the quarterback position, which we will look closer at in the coming days – or the linebacking void left by graduating five fifth-year guys – Cimpl said that when it came to his returning four COVID seniors, that’s at least one spot he won’t need to worry about as much.

“They know what to do, so their coaching points are probably a little more at a deeper level than a young guy coming in,” Cimpl said. ”

Spring Ball will wrap up for DWU football next Wednesday, April 13, with the Spring Game at Joe Quintal Field at 6:30 p.m.