Hillsdale fighting the injury bug

With a lot of spots to fill throughout the lineup, the last thing Hillsdale College needs this football season is guys dinged up in the preseason.

After a great season a year ago as a true freshman, defensive back Nick Galvan will spend this one rehabbing a season ending knee injury. As tough as that is for any player to take, Galvan will be eligible for a medical redshirt and still be able to get in 4 years of playing time.

A guy that Charger fans have been waiting to see on the field ever since he committed is Anthony Mifsud. Mifsud has spent the last couple of seasons as Troy Weatherhead's backup at QB, but the Charger staff has been looking for a way to get his athleticism on the field. After a nice spring practice at wide receiver, Mifsud is in the mix for the third wide receiver position with RS-Freshman Lou Cangelosi. Unfortunately, a broken hand is going to set him back until at least the 2nd week of the season.

A handful of other injuries are hampering the Chargers' depth as the race to solidify the starting lineup heatens. Hopefully trainer Lynne Neukom can get these guys patched up as the season opener approaches next Friday against Ferris State.

Don't plan to visit the George Roche Sports Complex though and expect to find Charger head coach Keith Otterbein with his head in his hands.

"Turn on Sportscenter," he told me this morning. "Everybody is unhappy that they have people hurt. One of the things that has contributed to the consistency of success over the past couple of seasons is our kids' ability to face adversity and overcome it."

"Our school motto," he continued, "is 'Strength rejoices in the challenge.' and our kids live that. We know we are always going to lose people through graduation or injury. When that happens a new guy has to be ready to carry the load. That is what we are finding out right now."