Kat linebackers have potential to lead
8/19/2010 7:30:00 AM | Football
By Cody Stark
Huntsville Item
Last season, the Sam Houston defense went through a lot of growing pains under new coordinator Scott Stoker.
The former Northwestern State head coach brought his blitz-heavy scheme with him to Huntsville and, early on, the young Bearkats looked like fish out of water with a number of busted assignments which led to big plays for the opposing offenses.
But there was one unit that stood out above the rest and it very well could be Sam Houston's deepest and most talented group in 2010.
The Bearkats linebacking corp has to replace All-Southland Conference performer Luke McCall, the guy who anchored the defense the past two seasons. Not a problem.
All-Southland junior Will Henry will lead a unit which will see junior Kash David move into the other starting role in the 4-2-5 defense.
Sophomores Darius Taylor and Eric Fieilo will serve as the primary backups and both are looking to build off solid freshmen campaigns.
"I think the big thing is chemistry," Stoker said. "We have four guys that there are not a whole lot of differences between them starting-wise. Those guys will play a lot. They have been under the system for a year, and as far as the checks, we are so much further ahead than we were last year at making the right reads. That is a big factor among those linebackers."
Sam Houston's defense should show a lot of improvement in year two under Stoker. The secondary started three freshmen at times last season. Now those guys have a much better grasp of waht is going on.
About the only question is on the defensive front, but much of the success falls on the linebackers because they are the ones who are resonsible for calling out changes and making sure everyone is in the right spot.
The linebackers are the quarterbacks of the defense. Henry, David, Taylor and Fieilo seem to have a pretty good idea of what is going on.
"Linebacker-wise, we really have our plays down and everything down really good," Henry said. The linebacker led the team in tackles for loss (11) last season. "Even our backups have a really good knowledge of what is going on too. We work hard in practice every day because any of us is capable of starting."
Depth is why this is such a strong position for the Bearkats. Henry has a nose for getting to the football. David has a ton of potential and he finally gets his chance to shine after serving as a backup for two years.
Taylor and Fieilo combined for 31 tackles off the bench in 2009. After getting thrown in the first as true freshmen, they have a valuable year of experience under their belt.
"It is coming along great," David said. "Everyone is doing a lot better than a year ago. It is starting to become mostly memory now and it is mostly clicking on all cylinders. Our two-deep is as strong as I have ever seen it in the two years I have been here."
With two juniors and two sophomores slated to take the majority of snaps this season, which gives the newcomers plenty of time to grow in the system, the Bearkat linebackers have the chance to be one of the best units in the Southland Conference for years to come.
"Those guys have to make all the call and all the checks and I have four guys right now that I trust can do that," Stoker said. "They are the ones responsible for everyone lining up right and that is 90 percent of the success your defense is going to have right there. I think right now and the way we have continued to progress, our linebackers have done a great job in that aspect."
Preseason camp will run to the opening day of classes August 25. The Bearkats expect to hold four full-contact scrimmages during preseason work. The third scrimmage is slated for Friday morning at 9 a.m.
Sam Houston opens the 2010 season 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.
