PHOTO OF THE DAY: LOCAL CONNECTION

That’s Xavier Ward, a Freeman native who on Sunday took the line for the South Dakota State University football team in its national championship showdown against Sam Houston. Ward is featured in this week’s Courier as the subject of the 5-Minute Interview, where he talks about the experience in Frisco, Texas, how his team handled the loss and his feelings about suiting up for the Jackrabbits one last time this coming fall. Online this afternoon and in print tomorrow.