Players talk about 2011 league outlook
7/29/2011 8:27:00 AM | Football
Following are quotes from the players who will be making headlines around the league this season:
SAM HOUSTON STATE
Offensive Lineman Travis Watson
"As an offensive lineman, it's great to have running backs like Tim Flanders, Ryan Wilson and Ridgeway Frank. Tim was the leading rusher in the conference and league freshman of the year. He is just an amazing back - you give him an inch and he takes a mile. And he's so humble. It's a pleasure to block for all three of these guys.
"Our quarterback Brian Bell really stepped up last year as a true freshman. He always seems calm in the huddle and keeps you calm. We worked hard in spring on the passing game and we're going to see Brian moving us down the field in the air and on the ground."
SAM HOUSTON STATE
Defensive Lineman Eddie Decambre
"Coach (Willie) Fritz is such a great leader he has really helped us as seniors become leaders. Each group - the defensive line, the secondary, linebackers, the offense, special teams - is working hard on getting better every day and that's going to help us all come together as a team this fall.
"Last year, we were No. 1 in the league against the rush but we came into spring ball knowing we've got to strengthen our passing defense. That's been our number one focus.
"A major goal for us is to put more pressure on the quarterback. If we start getting more sacks we're going to create more interceptions and turnovers and give our offense the opportunity to put some points on the board."
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Quarterback Nathan Dick
"This is my third year in the system and my second year under a great quarterback coach in Nathan Brown. He knows the system as well as anyone after playing in it for four years. Having him around makes me more confident every time we meet and talk football.
"I'm a lot more comfortable with our system and I feel like I can go out there and be a coach on the field, which is what a quarterback needs to be. I'm looking forward to Sept. 1 to get this season started.
"I think we can be one of the top teams in the conference. I think the only thing that can stop us, if we play to our potential, is ourselves. We have a lot of potential and if we all do what we're capable of doing, I think we can have a very good year."
LAMAR
Wide Receiver Marcus Jackson
"We have the whole team coming back and have more depth this year. We believe we can compete with the other Southland Conference teams, and we're very excited that we can do something special this year.
"The Golden Triangle is a great place for football and you can really feel how much they love the sport in the area."
McNEESE STATE
Offensive Guard Miguel Gauthreaux
"We want to build on what we had last year. A goal is not to allow a sack or at least hold to one per game. Our conference has some pretty good defensive ends and linebackers so it's going to be a challenge for us. The offensive lines in the past have set a good tradition and we hope to be able to continue it."
NICHOLLS STATE
Defensive end Desmund Lighten
On shifting to defensive end from defensive tackle "A difference is that I will be going up against a tight end instead of some of those 300 pound offensive tackles. I played at end during some third down situations last year. It's going to give me a little more running room."
NORTHWESTERN STATE
Tight End Justin Aldredge
"We're all excited about the upcoming season. We had a really good summer with almost everybody on campus participating in workouts. Everyone is on board. We all have one thing on our mind and that's winning a championship.
"This conference is so wide open. It's hard to sit at the beginning of the season and guess who can win it all. The polls, I know they mean a lot and smart people vote on it, I just don't take it into account because we're all going to play the same way no matter what."
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA
Wide Receiver Simmie Yarborough
"We're more disciplined and we've come a long way from this time last year. We have really been focused on leadership and we've been able to see the positive effects of that focus during summer workouts."
"We've started to gel and we've have great chemistry. The difference between spring practice and now is huge and we've definitely seen a lot of progress."
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN
Offensive Lineman George Bias
"We did lose our quarterback Jeremy (Moses) but what most people seem to be overlooking is that we are still running the same system. Moses was a great player, but we have several talented guys waiting to take over that starting role this year. They might be young, but they will be surrounded by a lot of veteran guys. We are very excited about the season, and the new quarterbacks."
"We take great pride in protecting our quarterback, and that is instilled in us from our coach (Chris Truax). He talks about it every day that we are not to let anyone touch our quarterback. I really think this year will be the best line that I've played with. It is rare that you have three first-team all-conference guys on the same line."
The Sam Houston football team will report for 2011 preseason camp on Wednesday, August 3.
The Bearkats will play six home games at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium this fall. The Kats open the season on Thursday Sept. 1 at home with a 6 p.m. contest versus the Western Illinois Leathernecks.
Season tickets for Sam Houston State football are on sale now online at www.gobearkats.com/tickets or at the Bearkat 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.
