2011 Season Preview:Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils
SWAC.org
Aug. 5, 2011
Courtesy Mississippi Valley State Sports Information Office -
The 2011 campaign of Mississippi Valley State football will operate under one motto: "One Team, One Valley". That has been the mindset since spring camp opened in March. One Team - not a group of separate units under one jersey, but one collective unit of individuals brought together for one common purpose. One Valley - a team looking to represent MVSU and reunite the spirit of the Valley faithful.
With the memory of a 0-10 season in the not-so-distant past, this year's team will look to revive the spirit and tradition of MVSU football. However, with a fresh cast of characters and a renewed vision and plan, MVSU Football 2011 looks to be a season of optimism, athleticism, and determination - a campaign in which "a special team with special players will look to make special plays."
OFFENSE
The MVSU offense will be looking to get on track this season after struggling in 2010. Sophomore quarterback Carl Davis (6-1, 175) will likely be the starter when the season begins. Davis injured his ankle during the South Carolina State contest and missed the remainder of the season. Then-junior QB Oliver Hughes (6-0, 195) was given the reins. Hughes was injured late during spring practice and will likely miss the 2011 campaign. Davis performed well during the spring scrimmage and should be in line for the start again this season. Michael Shaw (6-1, 190) will also compete for playing time during the season.
In the skill positions, the MVSU wide receivers should return to form with experience, youth and speed. Senior Paul Cox (6-5, 205) and junior Chris Williams (6-0, 176) return to lead this group of athletes. Cox led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns, finishing with 520 yards and five touchdowns on 21 receptions. Williams averaged nearly ten yards per catch while finishing with 32 receptions and 315 yards. Joining them will be senior Malcolm Sam (5-6, 172) and junior Donta Reed (5-10, 175) along with sophomores Kenneth Dabney (5-7, 151), Rafus Davis (6-1, 175), Keir McLemore (6-1, 185) and Tevin Nelson (6-1, 170).
The offensive backfield should be exciting with newcomers leading the charge. With the top four rushers gone from last season, the competition for the feature back spot is wide open. Junior college transfers Rathael Bateaste (5-9, 232), Brandon Stansell (5-7, 185), and Dytanyl Greer (6-1, 240) along with freshman Cedric Blue (6-1, 195) and returnees Torian Nickleberry (5-9, 175) and Joshua Nelson (5-7, 170) will all compete to be the frontrunners in establishing a ground attack to complement the speed on the outside. Jonathan Henderson (6-1, 226) looks to be the starter at tight end with Greer as a capable backup.
A concern during spring drills was the offensive line. With only five active performers in camp, the work in the trenches was limited. However, with the signing of five freshmen to the group should be ready to compete in the fall. Players to watch include junior Antonio Griggs (6-1, 279), sophomore Wesley Steele (6-2, 283) and senior Bryant Taylor (6-3, 305).
DEFENSE
The defensive unit for the Delta Devils will be playing for more than just defensive stops. Pride and respect will be on the line as the unit takes the field.
On the defensive line, seniors Javaris Fritz and Leployer Franklin along with sophomore tackle Robert Simpson will have to play big and strong if the second line of defense is to be effective. Fritz (6-1, 220) registered 32 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks. Franklin (6-3, 250) is the team's top returning defensive lineman with 33 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks while Simpson had 26 stops, three quarterback hurries and a tackle for loss.
At linebacker, a fast and agile group of players look to become solid performers and anchor the MVSU defense. Leading the charge will be two of the team's top five tacklers from last season. Terrell Johnson (6-2, 210) will look to better his 58-tackle, 4.5-tackle for loss performance from last season. Marcus Thompson (5-10, 225) will make the move from defensive end to linebacker. He finished his freshman campaign with 41 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Joshua Rounds (5-11, 220) will look to become even better at middle linebacker. He finished 2010 with 28 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks. A newcomer who showed a lot of promise during the spring, Rico Mazique (6-0, 200) brings two years of experience from Holmes Community College and a lot of fire and passion to the position.
In the defensive backfield, a host of experience athletes will find themselves playing major minutes. While they fly under the radar, they hope to keep opponents from flying into the end zone. At cornerback, Marquis McFadden and Michael Boykins are expected to start. McFadden (5-9, 171) registered 34 tackles and six passes defended while Boykins tallied 41 tackles, 1.5 sacks and four passes defended. Gerard Hall and Alex Brown look to be also in the mix to produce on the outside. Hall (5-9, 190) had 16 tackles in limited action last season while Brown (5-10, 175), a junior college transfer from Pasadena Community College, proved that he could be effective during spring drills. At safety, Carlos Hollis and Jeremy Langston look to be in the starting role. Hollis (6-0, 183) had 52 tackles last season (3rd on the team) and two interceptions while Langston (5-11, 185) finished with 29 tackles and five passes defended. Armon Williams (5-11, 195) will move back to the secondary after playing 2010 as an outside linebacker. His 51 tackles and four forced fumbles tallied last season proved his ability to be a competitor on the field. Lakendrick Carter (6-1, 200) is a transfer from East Mississippi Community College who capped a productive spring with an excellent showing during the final scrimmage.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The kicking game for the Delta Devils looks to be solid again this season. Handling the kicking duties will primarily fall on the right foot of senior kicker/punter Carlos Sanchez (6-1, 170). Sanchez has been the primary kicker for the team for the past two seasons. Newcomer Shelby Waddell (6-2, 230), a transfer from Itawamba Community College should provide some competition and needed support in this area.
In the return game, freshman upstart Kenneth Dabney should see a lot of touches. The short speedy receiver proved last season that he can provide substantial plays as a returner. Returning receivers Paul Cox and Chris Williams along with defensive back Gerard Hall will also see time returning kickoffs and punts.
SCHEDULE
The season opener for the Delta Devils will be on September 3 when MVSU hosts the Hornets of Alabama State. Following that contest, the Devils will invite the Murray State Racers to the confines of Rice-Totten Stadium. The Racers went 6-5 last season, opening the season losing their first three games before closing out the season winning their last three contests. A member of the Ohio Valley Conference, this will be the first meeting between the Racers and the Delta Devils. MVSU will take on in-state rival Alcorn State (Sept. 17) followed by 2009 conference champion Prairie View A&M (Sept. 24).
The month of October will see MVSU host Southern (Oct. 1), travel to Alabama A&M (Oct. 8), host Jackson State (Oct. 15), travel to Grambling State (Oct. 22) and host 2010 SWAC champion Texas Southern (Oct. 29). The game against the TSU Tigers will be the highlight of Homecoming 2011.
The month of November will see MVSU travel to Mobile, Alabama to face the Jaguars of South Alabama on a Thursday night contest on November 3. The game will be the first time the Jaguars will take on a member of the SWAC in football. The regular season concludes as the Delta Devils host conference rival Arkansas-Pine Bluff on November 12.
KEY TO SUCCESS
For the Delta Devils, success can be measured in a couple of different methods. On the surface, getting Karl Morgan's initial victory on the field will be a milestone. However, for this program, the idea of a singular win is not enough to measure success. This program looks to get out of the statistical cellar and will look to become a major player in the SWAC's Eastern Division.