Chadon State College

The situation is about the same at linebacker as it is in the defensive line for the Chadron State College football team.

Last year's starters have concluded their careers, last year's backups are now on center stage, and an array of promising young players are getting a chance to earn playing time.

All three of last year's starting linebackers graduated. They were a major reason why the Eagles led the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in scoring and rushing defense and ranked 10th nationally in total defense.

Four seniors will try to fill the vacancies. They are Duke Eardley of Mountain View, Wyo., Jeff Lyster of McCook, Neb., Eric Roth of Gordon, Neb., and Thomas Wells of Albion, Neb.

Eardley plays on the inside; the others on the outside. Besides spelling the starters in the past, each has been a stalwart on special teams.

"It's their time to start, and I know they are looking forward to it," said defensive coordinator Todd Auer. "They are solid players who know the system. I expect big things from them. All of them played well in the spring and have continued to do well during our preseason camp."

Actually, Roth, who also played as a true freshman, was a starter in both 2006 and 2007, but missed last season with a stubborn knee injury that did not require surgery. He was at full speed again in the spring, when he ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash for one of the top five times on the team.

"Keeping Eric healthy this fall is really important because he puts more speed on the field," Auer said.

Except for the seniors, none of the linebackers has seen much playing time, but Auer thinks they'll do well.

Sophomore James Belville of Valentine, Neb., and junior Kelan Kahrs of Franklin, Neb., are slated to help Eardley man the middle. Auer said both have improved as they've learned the nuances of the CSC system.

Redshirt freshmen Brett Christensen of Wallace, Neb., and Kevin Lindholm of Eads, Colo., are expected to land spots on special teams because they run well and also will help at outside linebacker. Christensen was an eight-man all-stater and Lindholm was a six-man standout in high school.

Chris Streeter of Hershey, Neb., who transferred from Hastings College a year ago, also could earn some playing time. The same is true of Rudy Petersen, who came to CSC in the spring after playing two years at Glendale Community College in California. Auer said Streeter has performed well so far during preseason workouts and Petersen is "a big, fast kid who is a good prospect."

Auer added it appears the Eagles have landed some excellent freshman linebackers, but all of them are expected to redshirt this fall.