Southland head coaches head to media day
7/24/2011 8:01:00 AM | Football, Athletics
For the third year in a row the event will be held at L'Auberge du Lac Resort in Lake Charles, La. Highlights of media day Wednesday will be the announcement of the 2011 preseason head coaches' poll and the preseason All-Southland team.
Fritz heads into media day with a different outlook in 2011.
In his first season as head coach at Sam Houston State in 2010, the Bearkats were set to field one of the youngest Southland Conference football squads ever. Only 29
returning lettermen and six seniors dotted the 90-man roster. The first day of preseason practice there were more newcomers in camp than veterans.
But that group of youngsters responded to the challenge by meshing together into a squad that won six of its final nine games. Picked to finish next to last in the preseason poll, Sam Houston tied for third in the league race.
The three conference losses were decided by a total of only 11 points (losses by a
field goal to SFA and Northwestern State and five points to McNeese).
Now, in 2011, Fritz comes to media day ready to welcome back11 starters on offense, nine on defense and three specialist starters plus 23 other returning lettermen.
"We're still a young team with a lot of growing to do, but these guys have shown they can compete in the Southland Conference," Fritz said. "It's going to be another great season with any team capable of winning on a given Saturday. We're looking forward to getting started."
Among the returning players for Sam Houston are Southland Conference "Freshman of the Year" Tim Flanders (5-9, 208) who rushed for 948 yards (94.8 per game) and scored 13 rushing touchdowns; quarterback Brian Bell (6-2, 162) who led the team with 1,371 yards passing; leading receiver Seth Patterson (6-3, 200) who caught 35 passes for 370 yards and All-Southland Conference kick return specialist Brandon Closner (5-10, 170) who averaged 11.5 yards returning punts and 25.8 yards on kickoff returns.
In 2011, the head coach's top goal is to become more explosive on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
"Last year, with our youth, we were a ball control team, trying to use up as much clock as we could off ensively," Fritz said. "But I've told the players this season that one-play touchdown drives are fi ne. We need to make more plays down the fi eld, catching the ball and getting more yards after the catch."
Sam Houston football players will report for preseason drills on Wednesday August 3. The Bearkats will open the season on Thursday Sept. 1 with a 6 p.m. matchup at Bowers Stadium against 2010 NCAA Division I playoff participant Western Illinois.
Season tickets for all 2011 six home games at Bowers Stadium plus the "Battle of the Piney Woods" contest with SFA at Reliant Stadium in Houston Oct. 8 are available now online at www.gobearkats.com/tickets .
Fans also can purchase season tickets by calling or visiting the SHSU athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House in the south end zone of 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.
