Football Preview: Southeastern Louisiana
Armed with a solid coaching staff led by third-year mentor Mike Lucas, one of the most efficient quarterbacks in school history in fifth-year senior Brian Babin, a solid nucleus of offensive skill players and some strong defenders led by All-American defensive back Tommy Connors, Southeastern Louisiana is poised to take the next step and compete for the Southland Conference title and national prowess in 2009.
Now entering its seventh year since its historic return, the Lions have regained their stability under Lucas, who has produced three solid recruiting classes since assuming head coaching duties with a strong emphasis on in-state athletes.
Babin has enjoyed success the past two seasons with a strong arsenal of skill players and 2009 will be no exception. Returning lettermen Chris Wilson, Andre Cryer and Simmie Yarborough, the reigning 2008 Southland Freshman of the Year, return from productive campaigns to form one of the best receiving trios in the league. Bolstering the receiving corps is the return of fifth-year senior Merrick Lanaux, who missed the entire 2008 campaign with an injury.
Offensively, the Lions must find a replacement for three-year starter and all-purpose threat Jay Lucas, but a stable of running backs led by senior Jasper Ducksworth and bruising redshirt freshman Zeke Jones is ready to take over the ground game.
Southeastern enters 2009 with more depth on the offensive line since 2003. Returning letterwinners Kevin Hughes and David Ward each established themselves as key leaders up front, starting all 12 games last season. Returning letterwinners Josh Penton and Josh Bridges figure to see considerable action on the line, along with redshirt freshman Paul Roppolo and junior college transfers Michael Stallworth and Evan Niles.
The biggest change on defense will be the Lions move to the 4-3 after employing a 3-3-5 scheme the past two seasons. With quality depth along the defensive line, highlighted by ends Nathan Clophus and Ryan Anderson, Southeastern will look to contain the run while providing pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Run stuffers in Devin Boutwell and Brian Rodgers will man the interior part of the line while sophomore Lindsey Leavoy and the redshirt freshmen tandem of Grant Laurent and Tramaine Lucas will see significant action.
Sure-tacklers Quinten Pierre, Ryan Godare and Mark Newbill highlight a very deep linebacking corp that runs eight players deep. Sophomores Kendrick Jackson and Avery Crooks are slated the patrol the middle for the Lions while special teams ace Tim Richardson and redshirt freshman Zach Albin will compete for playing time.
Connors, a three-time All-Southland Conference selection, finished as the league's second-leading tackler in 2008 while pacing the conference in interceptions. Named to the Buchanan Watch list as the top defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision, Connors looks to conclude on a solid career that has seen his name etched in the Southeastern record books.
Returning letterwinners Brian Reynolds, Re'Keem Wilson and Craig Duronslet enter fall camp as the starters, but a solid recruiting class that featured eight defensive backs is waiting to challenge for playing time.
After being named an honorable mention All-America in 2007, Jeff Turner looks to regain that form as he heads into his final season. The most accurate field goal kicker in school history, Turner looks to etch his name as the school's all-time leading scorer as he enters the 2009 campaign 17 points shy of the career record.