Kats ready to face challenge as preseason pick
7/29/2015 10:22:00 PM | Football
Head coach K. C. Keeler and players Jared Johnson and P. J. Hall displayed a different mindset for the Bearkats this year at 2015 Southland Conference Football Media Wednesday.
Last year, with a new coaching staff and a first game line-up that featured 18 players who had missed all or most of spring ball, the Kats were a bit of a mystery. The squad, predicted in the 2014 Southland preseason coaches' poll to finish third, got off to a 1-3 start.
But, after a turn-around that included 10 wins in their 11 games before an FCS semifinals road loss to eventual national champion North Dakota State, the Bearkats are the pick to repeat as champions in 2015.
“We know we're not going to sneak up on any one this year,” Johnson, Sam Houston's junior quarterback said at Southland Media Day at L'auberge Resort in Lake Charles. “It's going to be a great challenge to repeat. But, with so many players coming back, we understand what got us to a championship and the semifinals last year. That is taking things one game at a time.”
Keeler, Sam Houston's second-year head coach, looked back on last season's slow start and the turnaround that powered the Bearkats to a title and a fourth consecutive playoff berth.
“Our players grew from our experience last year, starting 1-3 and then ending the year by winning 10 of 11 games on the way to the semifinals,” Keeler said. “They learned about keeping away from distractions and taking games one at a time. We have great leadership on this team. There is a unique bond that came out of the way we came together as a team last year.”
Neither players nor the coaching staff thinks it will be an easy road to what would be Sam Houston's four title in five seasons.
“As the preseason pick, we know that we're not going to surprise anyone,” Hall, a sophomore defensive end who earned league freshman of the year honors in 2015. “We have to do the same things we did last year that made us successful – work hard every day and take it one game at a time.”
Southeastern Louisiana, McNeese State, Stephen F. Austin, Northwestern State and Central Arkansas finished second through sixth in the coaches' preseason voting.
“After my first year, I'm really impressed with the Southland Conference,” Keeler said. “At the top we're as good as any league in the country. There are a lot of really talented players coming back. This is a great conference. We have a lot of hurdles to get over to hoist a trophy again this November. We have a tough road schedule with games at McNeese, Abilene Christian and Central Arkansas. No one is going to give us anything along the way. Championships are not given too you. If you truly are a team that can repeat you have to take it. ”
Sam Houston returns 22 of its 24 starters from last season along with a host of talented backup players and newcomers.
“This year, we know a lot more about ourselves,” Keeler said. “This is about as deep and talented a team as I've ever coached. There's competition at every position on our roster and competition makes you a better team. Our players know that if we do the right things, we have an opportunity to do some great things this year.”
Sam Houston players report for training game on Thursday August 6. The Bearkats open the season on Sept. 5 in Lubbock against the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
“When our players open their notebooks the day they report, they'll find there is only one game listed on the schedule,” Keeler said. “That is Texas Tech.”
Tickets for Sam Houston's six home games at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium plus the 90th “Battle of the Piney Woods” are available now online at www.gobearkats.com or by calling the Athletic Ticket Office at (936) 294-1729.
