For the first time on April 5th, 2024 Catawba College in Salisbury, NC invited Winston-Salem State for a joint spring scrimmage. The two schools have matched up in non-conference games in previous years but this year they decided to go against each other in the spring.
The two institutions connected for offensive and defensive drills against one another to see where they match up.
“It was great to match up and compete against someone else other than ourselves,” Winston-Salem State Head Coach Robert Massey said after the scrimmage in Salisbury.
Massey expressed how his team has been practicing against themselves during the spring and said it was good to see how the work they have been putting in would compare and show up to a different opponent.
“I would love to continue to do these joint practices and help put more money into our institutions,” Massey said. “I just hope the Division I schools don’t steal it.”
This is the first year the NCAA has allowed the joint practice and scrimmages to be allowed, Massey loves the idea of it and would love to continue it with different schools but is scared the Division I/ FBS schools will take it and they will miss out on money that could be used to help other institutions.
Winston Salem State is in the CIAA while Catawba, located in Salisbury is in the South Atlantic Conference, both teams didn’t waste any time to ramp up the competition. From the first set of drills, both teams were very competitive. From the O-line vs DLine to Wide Receiver to Defensive Backs, both teams were going at each other.
Massey was asked about the competitiveness and the toughness being displayed during the spring scrimmage against Catawba.
“I loved the fact we came out and competed, again it’s been a lot of Winston vs Winston but to finally be able to practice and compete against someone else was great! I was very impressed with the way a lot of our young guys have stepped up and how our veterans surrounded them. I really love the way we came together and competed today and that’s what I’m most happy about from today’s performance.”
The Winston-Salem State Spring game is coming up on Saturday, April 13th, 2024 ending WSSU’s spring season. The 2024 season will open up with North Carolina A&T for a highly anticipated matchup.