2009 Football Preview: Mississippi Valley State
SWAC.org
Aug. 26, 2009
Itta Bena, Miss. -
(This is the first in a series of previews of 2009 SWAC Football teams)
Mississippi Valley State Delta Davis
2008 Finish: 3-8 (1-6; 4th place Eastern Division)
2009 Preseason Prediction : 4th place Eastern Division
GUIDEDETERMINATION. DESIRE. DISCIPLINE. DELTA DEVILS.
Five words paired down to four commitments translated into three personality traits. Two words which name one team.The 2009 Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devil football team will enter the season with a dream and a goal in mind. The goal is to be a better team than they was on last season; the dream is to end the season with a conference championship. Last season, the Delta Devils opened the season with a shut out win, a glimpse of the promise that the program hoped would be its future.
However, inconsistency on offense and a lack of experience in all three phases of the game proved fatal as the Delta Devils fell to a 3-8 season record - the second in as many seasons. But with a new season comes new expectations, new aspirations and new ambitions.
The 2009 Devils come into the season after a productive spring camp that saw a number of positive influences on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. While the players have changed, the offensive mindset has not: spread the ball all over the field and move with intent. On defense, a core group of attacking, ball-hawking athletes who look to emerge from the statistical cellar of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
MVSU OFFENSE
The MVSU offense should again be one of the more potent units in the conference again this season. With experience in the skill positions and an offensive line hungry and physical, fans and opponents can expect to see the ball move both horizontally, and most important, vertically around the entire field.
QUARTERBACKS
Senior signal caller Paul Roberts enters his senior season looking to continue the momentum he built at the end of last season. He passed for just over 2,000 yards and 14 touchdowns last season and looks to be among the conference's leaders in 2009. Also a threat on the run, he rushed for 192 yards and two scores last season. Slated at backup is Eddie Ivory, a sophomore who played sparingly in four contests last season. The agile, speedy athlete showed the ability to make the deep throw as well as be versatile with his feet during spring practice. As the only two QBs in spring camp, the duo split time at the helm. However, several incoming players will look to break ranks and make their ladder. Anthony Bowie (6-0, 180, Fr.), Gavin Crumpton (6-2, 185 Fr.,), and Marvin Pittman (6-1, 185, Fr.) come into the program looking to become the next signal caller for the Delta Devils. All three were productive on the prep level and look to continue their success on the collegiate stage.
RUNNING BACKS
A variety of personnel will get their hands on the football in the offensive backfield for MVSU. Ranging from quick, scat-type backs to the power, bruising forces up the middle, the ground attack for the Delta Devils looks to be locked and loaded for 2009. The MVSU backfield will be experienced and willing as they look to add dimension and balance to the offensive unit. Stephen Robert, Chris Watkins and Milton Gaston all saw some time last season with each showing at one time or another why they would become key cogs in the Delta Devils' offensive philosophy. Robert - the team's third leading rusher behind RB Ronald Brewer and QB Paul Roberts - finished with 22 carries, 106 yards and two touchdowns. Watkins contributed 40 carries, 103 yards and a score while Gaston had 22 carries for 85 yards. While the touches were limited last season, the running backs will be counted on more this season. In addition to the previous named athletes, some new faces look to provide instant spark when they touch the field for MVSU. Chris Smith and Tristian Hudnall each had productive springs, showing the ability to run inside and outside the tackles. The addition of this duo along with Robert and Watkins gives MVSU a definite speed threat on the outside. Troy Fisher, Dontae Thomas and Jarrett Murry will be counted on to join Gaston as bruisers up the middle. One name not to be overlooked is returning senior Johey Hargrett. Before an injury kept him sidelined, Hargrett emerged as one of the toughest to bring down (164 att., 698 yards, 5 TDs in 2006 & 63 att., 247 yards, 2 TDs in 2007) - a trait that should continue in 2009.
RECEIVERS
With its top two receivers gone, 983 (37 percent) of the team's 2,682 yards passing, the Delta Devils will look to a group of young faces to pickup the slack. While limited experience was an unwelcome spot here last season, the receiver corps returns with a group of athletes who can make plays and keep opposing defenses guessing. The team's leading returnee at the position, Brandon Stargell will be counted on heavily during the season. He finished with 39 catches for 474 yards and three touchdowns. Cameron Russ led the team in touchdowns with six along with 32 catches and 462 yards. Paul Cox was productive with the catches he received: three of his 13 receptions were for touchdowns while averaging 19.6 yards per catch. Dennis Miller finished the season averaging 10.4 yards per catch (12 catches for 125 yards). Looking to find action on the outside will be Donta Reed, Bobby Calvin and Adrain Martin. Reed - a pitcher on the baseball team - will be a quick target for the MVSU quarterbacks. Calvin has shown in spring practice that he will be a hard, tough receiver - with and without the ball. Martin, a transfer from Jacksonville (AL) State University, will provide a big target at 6-foot-4, 180 pounds.
OFFENSIVE LINE
One major point of interest for the MVSU Delta Devil coaching staff will be the offensive line. Limited by number in spring practice, these guys must come together quickly if the offensive unit is to be productive early and often during the season.Robert Ogletree and Johnvonta Brooks will be expected to provide senior leadership on an offensive line short on experience but big on size. Seven of the players are above 6-foot-3 and nine of the players weigh above 300 pounds. While the team only has two seniors, the six other linemen in camp got a lot of repetitions on the field and should be more than ready when the season opens.
MVSU SPECIAL TEAMS
For the past two seasons, Zack Gilarski has handled the kicking duties for the Delta Devils. This season, with the former all-SWAC performer having a good spring at linebacker, Carlos Sanchez will be the primary while Gilarski moves to backup. Ryan Burciaga should b return as the holder while Greg Dees should take care of the snapping duties. As far as kick returners, the race is wide open as team standout and all-conference performer Clarence Cotten finished his eligibility. Stephen Robert, Cameron Russ and Chris Watkins each had limited returns last season and all will be looking to make their claim at the position.
DELTA DEVIL DEFENSE
Looking to not find themselves in the cellar of the conference statistics, the MVSU defensive unit looks to become one of the premier groups in the conference. However, the unit will be tested as a number of key figures - both on the defensive line and in the linebacker corps - have finished their eligibility. The defensive backfield will be tested as several players will be transitioning to this side of the ball and join another group of young, but eager athletes looking to do what it takes to find time on the field.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
The interior of the Delta Devil defensive line, the defensive tackles will be called up to be stubborn in the middle and disrupt the initial attack of the opposing offenses. Reginald Foster returns after finishing last season in the top five in the team in tackles with 38. He also had five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He is joined by Jared Green (33 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks), a player who has improved in the spring and has a knack for getting into the backfield. Kyle Hurt finished with 11 tackles (eight solo) in limited action.
DEFENSIVE ENDS
The outside of the MVSU defensive line, the defensive ends proved in the spring to be quick off the ball and active in their pass rushes. Chris Ivy enters his senior campaign looking to make an even bigger impact. He had 34 tackles (20 solo) along with a sack and three pass breakups. Keldrick Hooks added 17 stops and a sack. Joining the group are Bruce Nix and Javaris Fritz. Both are active on the line and will look to be major factors on the defensive line.
LINEBACKERS
The heart of the Delta Devil defense for a number of seasons, the 2009 linebacking corps looks to be no different. Several athletes will be interchangeable as the team progress throughout the season. Leading the group will be Rory Malone. The team's second-leading tackler in 2008, he finished with 72 stops, six tackles for loss and three sacks. Also returning is the team's fourth-leading defender from last season in DeKcoven Burrell. He had 59 tackles (28 solo) along with an interception adn three tackles for loss. Also expected to do well in the middle of the defense are Zack Gilarski, Sam Malone and Antonio James. Gilarski, the team's primary kicker of the past two seasons, had a terrific spring and has a nose for finding the football. Malone packs a lot of speed and power in his 5-foot-9 frame while James is a run stopper. A group of freshman will also be in the mix looking to become big hitters for the team.
SECONDARY
An area that was tested often last season, the secondary improved over the spring. The question is how they will handle opposing receivers in the pass-happy SWAC. Michael Higgins - the third-leading tackler last season - returns for his senior season. He finished 2008 with 68 tackles and three interceptions. J.R. Purnell was a tough defender with six pass deflections and 29 tackles. Finding play time for the defensive back field was essential with the young players last season. Kealon Kellybrew had 22 stops with five deflections (2 interceptions and 3 breakups) while DeShaun Thomas had 21 tackles (15 solo) and a breakup. Raymond Berry in limited action (five games) finished with 20 tackles and an interception. Desmond Spivey and Michael Wilson finished with 19 and 16 tackles, respectively. Quarterback-turned-safety Ryan Burciaga will look to be a productive member in the defensive backfield.
Courtesy of Mississippi Valley State sports information