Offensive line must pave the way for offense
8/15/2010 8:29:00 AM | Football
By Cody Stark
Huntsville Item Assistant Sports Editor
Sam Houston's success on offense this season is going to depend on the big guys up front.
The Bearkats face a lot of uncertainty at the skill positions. There are currently heated battles at quarterback, running back and wide receiver.
Senior quarterback Bryan Randolph is the only player on the roster who has taken snaps in an NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision game and his experience is limited.
Wide receivers Brandon Closner and Melvis Pride have a combined 10 catches between them and there isn't a single running back in camp who has a carry in a Bearkat game.
While those guys go through the process of learning new offensive coordinator Bob Debesse's system, the offensive line is going to be responsible for easing the transition.
As far as returning starters from 2009 are concerned, SHSU's offensive line doesn't have many. Sophomores Kaleb Hopson and Cameron Pound combined to start 16 games last season because of injuries.
But the good news is that the Bearkats have a lot of experience on the depth chart. Junior Chris Crocket and sophomore Travis Watson both red-shirted last season but both started for the Kats in 2008.
"I talked to them in our first meeting of fall camp about having some consistency up front," Bearkats offensive line coach Derek Warehime said. "We have to develop a unity on the line, but we are also responsible for the rest of the offense. We have to help develop a quarterback, giving him the confidence to set his feet and throw because we are giving him time to do it. We have to help the young runningbacks find creases because they are still learning where to line up.
"The better that we can execute our technique and create space and give the quarterback time, the better those guys are going to develop and build confidence."
It was tough to lose Crockett and Watson last season, but as far as the future is concerned, some good came out of it.
The Bearkats lost center Jordan Bowersox, All-Southland guard Hunter Schmidt, tackle R. C. Fairchild and guard Travis Best to graduation. But instead of having to replace the entire unit this year, Sam Houston is basically returning four starters.
Crocket and Watson, who is making the move from tackle to center, might have missed a year but they know what it takes to compete on the FCS level.
Hopson, who filled in for Watson, and Pound, who started six games when Best went down with a hand injury, gained valuable starting experience instead of riding the bench.
"It was rough when me and Crockett went down, but the good thing is that the young guys got experience," Watson said. "The younger guys got to play and it was a rough year, but we are better for it. Kaleb got experience and now we are both returning. We don't have one senior on the line, but we have experience and I feel good about it."
Even though Hopson and Pound were thrown into the fire last season, they both got better because of it.
"The first year is pretty bad, but you just start playing and you get better and better," Hopson said. "Then you come back the next year and you are used to it, used to seeing things and used to the speed. It gets easier and easier."
Even though the line is Sam Houston's most experienced offensive unit heading into the season, the depth chart isn't set in stone. There are still guys battling for positions.
The first team unit so far looks like Hopson and Crockett at tackles, sophomore Riley Smith and Pound at guard and Watson at center.
There are several others making their case for a chance to start in preseason camp including red-shirt freshman Matt Boyles and Laney Junior College transfer Dondre White.
"Inside, Cameron Pound, Matt Boyles and Riley Smith all are battling for those two guard spots," Warehime said. "Matt and Dondre White are mxing in at center. I told Dondre that if he continues to come along assignment-wise, he is going to be right in the mix because he is a talented football player.
"You want to see competition in preseason camp and see what you've got. It is easy for a guy that has a defined spot to just go to work and not have anybody push him. But we have some guys pushing each other, so it is fun to watch."
Preseason camp will run to the opening day of classes August 25. The Bearkats expect to hold four full-contact scrimmages during preseason work.
Sam Houston will open the 2010 slate Saturday, Sept. 4 against the Baylor Bears at Waco. The first home game will be Saturday, Sept. 25 when Gardner-Webb visits Bowers Stadium for Bearkat "Family Weekend."
The game Sept. 25 will feature a guest appearance by the Houston Texans Cheerleaders, a fireworks display and special halftime activities.
Other home games will be Oct. 16 (Homecoming) vs. Southeastern Louisiana, Nov. 6 vs. McNeese State and Nov. 20 vs. Texas State. The final three home games will kickoff at 2 p.m.
Season tickets for Bearkat football at Bowers Stadium are available through the new exciting "2-2-2" offer, order your tickets now by going to the Bearkat tickets page on www.gobearkats.com or call (936) 294-1729.
The "2-2-2" offer also includes two corner tickets to the "Battle of the Piney Woods" game with Stephen F. Austin at Reliant Stadium in Houston on October 23.
Fans also may visit the Sam Houston athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House located in the south end zone of Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
