NATCHITOCHES – Former players, coaches and staff members of Northwestern State's 1988 Southland Conference champion football team are gathering during the Demons' 2013 homecoming celebration Oct. 18-19 to mark the 25th anniversary of their great season.
 
Team members are asked to contact Adam Jonson, NSU's associate athletic director, at jonsona@nsula.edu or 318-357-5251 to confirm their participation and get details on the reunion.  Registration is also available online at the NSUDemons.com/1988reunion. A Friday night reception after the homecoming parade and pep rally downtown will be held for those arriving early.
 
The 1988 team will be recognized on the field during the  6 p.m. game between the Demons and Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday, Oct. 19.
 
Coach Sam Goodwin's squad that stormed unbeaten through the Southland Conference, posting an overall 10-3 record and making NSU's first ever Division I football playoff appearance.
 
The "Road Warriors" earned that tag with a string of five straight Southland or playoff wins away from Turpin Stadium. Two of those victories came over teams, North Texas and Stephen F. Austin, which had been ranked No. 1 nationally. The season-ending 20-17 NSU triumph at SFA came in a showdown for the conference crown. No other Southland coach picked the Demons to beat top-ranked "Stephen F. Awesome" but NSU rolled up 437 yards against the nation's No. 1 defense.
 
The Demons won their first-ever playoff game in wintry weather, 22-13 at Boise State. A return trip to Big Sky country ended with a dramatic 38-30 loss at Idaho, capping a season that netted NSU's most wins in 49 seasons.
 
Setting school single-season records for points, touchdowns and rushing yards, Northwestern was led by 17 players who received All-Southland recognition. The Demons finished with a No. 8 national ranking.
 
Registration is requested by Oct. 9 to receive parking and game tickets, and a tailgating pass, through the mail. Those who register after then will need to pick up their packets at the NSU Athletic Fieldhouse.