SWAC Football Preview - Alcorn State
SWAC.org
Nate Hughes
location: Alcorn State, MS 39096
nickname: Braves
school colors: Purple and Gold
stadium: Jack Spinks
capacity: 22,500
surface: Natural Grass
first year of football: 1921
all-time record: 410-285-39
head coach: Johnny Thomas
alma mater/year: Alcorn State, 1978
overall record/years: 46-53 (10 yrs.)
school record/years: 46-53 (10 yrs.)
After a 6-5 season that did not garner a trip to the SWAC Championship, the Alcorn State Braves are looking to head in the 2007 season with renewed hopes of rising to the top of the Eastern Division of the SWAC. With a number of decisions to be made, the Braves are counting on seasoned players to step up and assist in leading them to SWAC supremacy.
OFFENSE
In 2006, the Braves offense was fairly balanced. Although many of the names will change, the balanced offense will remain. Departures such as Ken Williams, Michael Shepherd, Jermaine Pruitt, Ocie Brown, Jr., and Charlie Spiller will be missed as part of the dynamic offense that the Braves are used to.
Several players will be factors for the quarterback role. Junior Tony Hobson, Jr. (Jackson, MS/Jim Hill), senior Chris Walker (Jacksonville, FL/Ribault HS) and Tim Buckley (Madison, MS/Madison Central HS) all will be in competition for the starting spot of the play caller for the Braves. Hobson and Walker both split time at quarterback during the 2006 season. Walker completed 48.8 percent of his passes for 1,233 yards and 10 touchdowns; Hobson completed 47.2 percent of his passes for 669 yards and four touchdowns.
Other returnees on offense are senior wide receiver Nate Hughes (Macon, MS/Starkville HS) who was first on the team with 40 receptions, junior wide receiver Emmanuel Arceneaux (Alexandria, LA/Peabody HS) senior running back Vernardus Cooper (Greenwood, MS/Greenwood HS). Hughes, one of the conference's more versatile athletes, finished with 371 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns while garnering more than 1,100 all-purpose yards. Cooper, who rushed for 698 yards on the season, will be called upon to provide balance in the ground attack of the Braves. Senior lineman Justin Telemaque (Miami, FL/Miami Beach HS) and fullback Jacob Davis (Baton Rouge, LA/Southern Lab HS) will be key factors in guiding the Alcorn State offense.
DEFENSE
In 2006, the Braves defense ranked No. 1 in the conference in sacks. The defense will miss defensive linemen Mark Butler and Martin Jackson. Butler tallied 66 total stops and seven sacks last season while Jackson had 11.5 tackles for loss along with 44 tackles from the defensive end position.
The linebacker position will return the entire squad, who collectively combined for a total of 301 tackles on the season. Leading the Braves in tackles in 2006, were senior Antonio Cooper (Birmingham, AL/Wenonah HS) and junior Lee Robinson (Gloster, MS/Amite County HS) with 81 and 79 tackles, respectively. Cooper also had six tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks; Robinson tallied 79 total tackles (49 solo) along with 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. Both will have to step up big to lead the Braves' defensive unit.
On the defensive line, senior Robert Browne (Wiggins, MS/Stone County HS) will have the assistance of Joe Keys, Nick Brown and Malcolm Taylor to contain some of the conference's premier offenses. Browne, last season, finished with 43 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Keys - garnering 5.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks - could become a major factor in the defensive line.
Seniors Deshaun Lewis (Harvey, LA/L.B. Landry HS), Oliver Bozeman (Ft. Lauderdale, FL/Dillard HS) and Dewayne Taylor (New Orleans, LA/McDonogh 35 HS) must overcome inconsistencies to become a primary force on the defensive side. Lewis last season tallied three interceptions along with 34 total tackles (22 solo). He also had six pass breakups.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Special teams will be a total overhaul for the Braves, due to position movement and transfers. The Braves will rely heavily on newcomers to be ready when the season begins.