Kats listed as contender by Texas Football
7/8/2011 9:53:00 AM | Athletics
"Fritz's youthful Kats could contend for title" reads the headline from Dennis Hall's preview article.
With 11 offensive and nine defensive starters returning from a team that won six of its last nine games and tied for third place in the league last year, the Texas Football writer believes the Sam Houston has the potential to make noise in the league race.
Stephen F. Austin has drawn Texas Football's nod as the Southland favorite. Central Arkansas is tabbed to finish second followed by McNeese State third and Sam Houston fourth. Northwestern State, Lamar, Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls are predicted to place fifth through eighth, respectively.
The magazine points to Sam Houston's rushing attack as a team strength.
"The Bearkats have one of the conference's top young running backs in Tim Flanders, the conference freshman of the year after rushing for 948 yards as a true freshman," the magazine says. "Most of the offensive line returns and should be a big strength. Center Travis Watson was all-conference last season and is the line's unquestioned leader."
Ryan Wilson and Ridgeway Frank strengthen the running game. Dan Jenkins, Chris Crockett, Riley Smith and Caleb Hopson all return in the offensive line.
Texas Football points to improvement in the passing game as a team goal. The publication also sees special teams play as a plus, saying the Bearkats possess "arguably the best kicker-punter-returner combo in the league."
Brian Bell returns at quarterback and will have a stable of returning receivers including Torrance Williams, Richard Sincere, Grant Merritt, Seth Patterson and Kevin Matthews along with redshirt Trey Diller.
Return specialist Brandon Closner ranked among the top three in the Southland in punt and kickoff returns and all-purpose yardage as a junior. Matt Foster and Miquel and Antonio are back to handle punting and kicking duties, respectively.
Defensively, the Bearkats look to be strong as well.
"Sam Houston has good size and speed, led by safety Darnell Taylor, but it also blitzes frequently and plays plenty of man coverage," the magazine reads. "Linebacker is without a doubt the team strength where the Kats have the size and speed to rush the passer and chase down ball carriers."
Will Henry, Eric Fieilo, Kash David and Darius Taylor comprise the linebacker squad for the Bearkats. Preston Sanders, Gary Lorance, J. T. Cleveland and Eddie Decambre are front line starters. Daxton Swanson, Bookie Sneed, Robert Shaw, Kenneth Jenkins, Mike Littleton, Chuck Obi and Randy Stewart all return in the secondary.
The publication emphasizes the parity in the league this season.
"You have to bring your lunch pail and hard hat every Saturday," Central Arkansas head coach Clint Conque is quoted in Texas Football. "The Southland is a very balanced league. Any team can beat any other team on a given week. There's probably five teams at least who could step in and win the title this season."
Sam Houston State will play six home games at Bowers Stadium during the 2011 season and the Bearkats will play a seventh contest only 70 miles away in the annual "Battle of the Piney Woods" with Stephen F. Austin at Reliant Stadium in Houston October 8.
Season ticket packages for all seven games are available now online at www.gobearkats.com/tickets or at the Sam Houston State athletic ticket office.
The ticket office is located in the Ron Mafrige Field House in the south end zone at Elliott T. 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.
