Spring practice opens Monday
3/20/2011 3:00:00 AM | Football
almost every starter back from a squad that, after an 0-2 start, finished the 2010 season by winning six of their final nine games, second year head coach Willie Fritz and his staff can't wait to get things going when 2011 spring football practice begins Monday.
"Since that final whistle after the Texas State victory last November, the staff has been looking forward to getting back down on the practice field with these guys," Fritz said.
Certainly the accomplishments of the young 2010 team whose three conference losses were decide by a total of only 14 points (losses by a field goal to SFA and Northwestern State and five points to McNeese) are reasons for optimism in 2011.
Sam Houston returns the players who accounted for 293.2 of the Bearkats' 336.4 total offense yards per game last year.
That includes Southland Conference "Newcomer of the Year" Tim Flanders who rushed for 948 yards (94.8 per game) and scored 13 rushing touchdowns; quarterback Brian Bell who led the team with 1,371 yards passing, leading receiver Seth Patterson who caught 35 passes for 370 yards and All-Southland Conference kick return specialist Brandon Closner who averaged 11.5 yards returning punts and 25.8 yards on kickoff returns.
Defensively, 11 of the top 12 team leaders in tackles are back including Darnell Taylor (64 stops), Kenneth Jenkins (58), Will Henry (48) and Robert Shaw.
The first spring practice Monday, March 21, is one of 15 sessions at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium running for three weeks through April 12.
For the first time ever, the annual Orange-White Spring Football Classic will be held on a week night. The contest, which annually climaxes spring work will be held Thursday night, April 14 at 7 p.m.
"As we begin our second season here at Sam Houston, the whole staff is looking forward to the opportunity to spring practice," Fritz said. "Without the weekly pressures of game preparation, it's a great time to get to know each of the players better and see what each young man can do. It's going to be a great spring."
Sam Houston spring football practice sessions are open to the public. Practice session dates and times are subject to change due to weather and other factors.
The Bearkats will play six home games at Bowers Stadium in 2011 plus the "Battle of the Piney Woods" with SFA at Reliant Stadium in Houston. Renewal forms for Sam Houston season ticket holders will be mailed by Tuesday, March 29, with a deadline to renew by May 2. Season tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, April 1.
The price of 2011 season tickets for new season ticket holder and Bearkat Champions is $275 per seat. The cost includes a chairback seat, tax deduction, parking pass and a Bearkat football "Special Event" invitation.
Bleacher reserved season ticket holders will pay $100 for their seven-game season ticket.
Fans can order their season tickets online at www.gobearkats.com/tickets or at the Sam Houston athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone number is (936) 294-1729.
The schedule for 2011 Sam Houston spring football:
|
PRACTICE #: |
DATE: |
TIME: |
|
1 |
Monday, March 21 |
3:30 |
|
2 |
Wednesday, March 23 |
3:30 |
|
3 |
Friday, March 25 |
3:30 |
|
4 |
Saturday, March 26 |
9:30 am |
|
5 |
Monday, March 28 |
3:30 |
|
6 |
Wednesday, March 30 |
3:30 |
|
7 |
Friday, April 1 |
3:30 |
|
8 |
Saturday, April 2 |
9:30 am |
|
9 |
Monday, April 4 |
3:30 |
|
10 |
Wednesdday, April 6 |
3:30 |
|
11 |
Thursday, April 7 |
3:30 |
|
12 |
Saturday, April 9 |
9:30 am |
|
13 |
Monday, April 11 |
3:30 |
|
14 |
Wednesday, April 13 |
3:30 |
|
SPRING GAME |
Thursday, April 14 |
7:00 pm |
With
