Preseason camp opens with excitement
8/4/2008 1:00:00 AM | Football
Looking to continue the five-game winning streak with which they ended the 2007 season, the Sam Houston State football team went through its first day of pre-season camp Monday afternoon at Bowers Stadium
Head football coach Todd Whitten and his coaching staff welcomed back 39 returning lettermen and 11 redshirts from last year's 7-4 squad that finished as runner-up in the Southland Conference for the second consecutive season.
The winning streak that included victories over Northwestern State, Stephen F. Austin, Nicholls State, Southeastern Louisiana and Texas State-San Marcos has the Kats hunger for more and optimistic for the 2008 schedule.
"That run at the end of the season was huge," quarterback Rhett Bomar said. "If you look at a lot of teams that finished the year before strong, they may not have had the season they wanted, but they finished strong and that can carry over into the next season. We have some good guys back this year, so we'll see what happens."
Included among the returnees are 12 starters, six on offense and six on defense. Two special teams regulars also are back. That list includes six Bearkats who earned All-Southland Conference honors last year.
Defensive end Chris Brown was a first team selection in 2007. Kicker Taylor Wilkins and linebacker Nolan Bucek were named to the All-SLC second team. Bomar, offensive lineman Hunter Schmidt and defensive lineman Eric Mikolajchak were honorable mention All-Southland.
Also among the players reporting for camp will be nine transfers and 17 freshman signees.
Among the newcomers the Bearkats hope to fill important spots in the two-deep are wide receivers Darrell Armstead (New Mexico Military) and Jason Madkins (Navarro Junior College), tight end Jonathon Clark (Glendale Community College), defensive back D. J. Emerson (SMU), running back Torian Wilkins (Arkansas) and safety Kyle Woodall (Butler County Community College).
“Definitely everyone is excited about starting fall camp,” Whitten said. “With less than four weeks to go before the season opener, it's going to be a busy time. We've got a full class of freshman. We hope we'll be able to redshirt a lot of those guys. We're excited about the transfers as well. Several were here in the spring and we have a better idea how they will be able to contribute."
SAM HOUSTON STATE FOOTBALL
2008 PRESEASON CAMP SCHEDULE
3:30 p.m. ? Practice (Helmets, shirts and shorts)
Wednesday, August 6
3:30 p.m. ? Practice (Helmets, shoulder pads)
Thursday, August 7
3:30 p.m. ? Practice (Helmets, shoulder pads)
Friday, August 8
8:30 a.m. ? Practice (Helmets, shoulder pads)
Saturday, August 9
8:30 a.m. ? Situational Scrimmage with referees
Sunday, August 10
4:00 p.m. ? Practice (Full pads)
Monday, August 11
8:30 a.m. ? Practice (Full pads)
3:30 p.m. ? Practice (Full pads)
Tuesday, August 12
8:30 a.m. ? Practice (Full pads)
Wednesday, August 13
8:30 a.m. ? Practice (Full pads)
3:30 p.m. ? Practice (Full pads)
Thursday, August 14
8:30 a.m. ? Practice (Full pads)
Friday, August 15
8:30 a.m. ? Practice (Full pads)
Saturday, August 16
8:30 a.m. ? Scrimmage with referees
11:30 a.m. ? Kickoff Luncheon
Sunday, August 17
3:30 p.m. ? Practice (Full pads)
Monday, August 18
8:30 a.m. ? Practice (Full pads)
3:30 p.m. ? Practice (Full pads)
Tuesday, August 19
8:30 a.m. ? Practice (Full pads)
Wednesday, August 20
8:30 a.m. ? Practice (Full pads)
Thursday, August 21
8:30 a.m. ? Practice (Full pads)
Friday, August 22
8:30 a.m. ? Practice (Full pads)
Saturday, August 23
8:30 a.m. ? Practice (Full pads)
Sunday, August 24
3:30 p.m. ? Practice (Full pads)
