Monday, December 29, 2008

Breaking News - Guy Morriss to Commerce?

We're hearing Guy Morriss (former Head Coach at Kentucky/Baylor) may be the next Head Coach at A&M-Commerce.

Stay tuned for more info.

LSC Roundup 12-28

ACU baseball team ranked No. 11 in nation
The Abilene Christian University Wildcats will begin the 2009 baseball season ranked No. 11 in the nation, according to the Collegiate Baseball magazine NCAA Division II preseason poll that was released last week.

ACU finished 44-17 last season (topping the 40-win mark for the 10th time in Bonneau's tenure) and won the Lone Star Conference regular-season title with a 35-7 conference record. The Wildcats finished as the runner-up at the LSC Post-Season Tournament for the third straight season, falling to sixth-seeded Texas A&M-Kingsville. The Wildcats, who advanced to the NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament for the seventh time in Bonneau's career at ACU, have not won the LSC championship since 2002.

Freshmen six
Northeastern State University freshman basketball player Jasmine Wright of Richardson, Texas won a contest for strangest person on the team by her teammates as she is willing to dance anywhere and anytime, with or without music.

The rest of the Northeastern State basketball team might want to consider dancing as well.


The best of the best
With 2008 coming to a close, the time has come to remember the best this year had to offer.

The sports staff of the Abilene Reporter-News has selected the top stories of 2008, and presents this retrospective.

The stories are in no particular order.


Lady Buffs cruise to win in Colorado
West Texas A&M, ranked No. 4 in NCAA Division II women's basketball, showed no effects from a 12-day layoff as they routed host Mesa State, 93-50, on Sunday in the Holiday Inn Christmas Bash at Grand Junction, Colo.

The Lady Buffs, who improved to 9-1 after suffering their first loss of the season Dec. 15 at Southeastern Oklahoma State, never trailed against the Mavericks, who lost their sixth straight to fall to 3-8.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

LSC Roundup 12-23

Richardson, MSU roll again, upset No. 16 Ouachita Baptist
Nolan Richardson became the first Midwestern State player in nearly 55 years to pour in at least 30 points in three-straight games as the senior guard poured in 32 points to lead the Mustangs to a 77-72 upset of No. 16 Ouachita Baptist Sunday afternoon in the River City Classic at Bill Greehey Arena.

For the second straight day, the Mustangs erased double-digit opening-half deficit with a patented run of their own in the second half.

“We’ve finally put some pieces together and now we hate to go to the break now that we’ve got some people back,” MSU coach Jeff Ray said.


ACU ex added to Masters
The final official shot of 2008 was a tap-in birdie by Richard Sterne to win the South African Open in a playoff, capping his unlikely climb in the world rankings to be among 15 players Sunday earning a Masters invitation.

The 15 players not otherwise eligible except for their top-50 ranking were Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Ross Fisher, Luke Donald, Shingo Kayatama, Graeme McDowell, Rory Sabbatini, former Abilene Christian University standout Jeev Milkha Singh, Aaron Baddeley, McIlroy, Oliver Wilson, Sterne, Soren Hansen, Tang and Soren Kjeldsen.

LSC Weekly Basketball Release

Complete Release


Players of the Week
LSC North Women's
Britney Jordan, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Sr., G, Peoria, Ill./Peoria Woodruff
Jordan helped A&M-Commerce extend its winning streak to three straight after road wins over Midwestern State and Tarleton State. She opened the week with 30 points against MSU, and followed with 34 against Tarleton, which tied a season-high. After falling behind 55-54 with 2:30 remaining against the TexAnns, Jordan scored 11 straight to give the Lions the lead and the win. She also recorded 11 steals, 14 rebounds and hit 81.5 percent from the free throw line throughout the week.

LSC South Women's
Regiane Araujo, Midwestern State University, Sr., Center, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Araujo notched double-doubles in each of Midwestern State's three contests last week as the Mustangs defeated Texas-Permian Basin and battled LSC North Division contenders Texas A&M-Commerce and Texas Woman's University down to the wire. The senior transfer averaged 19.3 points and 12.3 rebounds while shooting 67.6 percent (25-of-37) from the field. Araujo scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against A&M-C on Wednesday before recording 16 points and 10 rebounds in a 73-67 win over UTPB. She capped off the week by getting the best of TWU's Renee Renz, who came into the contest averaging 21.5 point and 13.3 rebounds. Araujo notched a game high 22 points and 16 rebounds while holding last season's All-LSC South Division Newcomer of the Year to nine points and six rebounds.

LSC North Men's
William Slones, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Jr., C, Orlando, Fla./Maynard Evans
Slones helped Southeastern to a 1-1 record at the River City Classic in San Antonio, Texas, including an 81-80 overtime victory over Nebraska-Omaha. In that contest Slones poured in 29 points and completed his LSC best sixth double-double with 13 rebounds. For the week he averaged a double-double with 23.0 ppg and 11 rpg. He also maintained his league lead in blocked shots, racking up eight over the two games, including six against UNO.

LSC South Men's
Nolan Richardson, Midwestern State University, Sr., Guard, Tulsa, Okla./Central HS
Richardson became the first MSU player in nearly 55 years to score 30-or-more points in three-straight games to lead the Mustangs to wins over Texas A&M-Commerce, Northwest Missouri State and No. 16 Ouachita Baptist last week. He averaged 32.7 points while shooting 49 percent (25-of-51) from the field including a 9-for-22 effort (40.9 percent) from the 3-point arc. Richardson remained aggressive on the dribble penetration to convert 39 of his 42 free-throw attempts during his historic run. He joins former Midwestern standout Ray "Pops" Schumann as the only players in school history to record three consecutive 30-point performances. Schumann splashed in 31 against Wayland Baptist on Jan. 9, 1954 before scoring 39 in consecutive games at Trinity in San Antonio on Jan. 14 an 15, 1954. Richardson poured in a career-high 34 points in a 70-67 overtime win over A&M-C on Wednesday before notching 32 points in each of MSU's wins over NWMSU (84-78) and OBU (77-72) at the River City Classic.

Monday, December 22, 2008

LSC Roundup 12-22

Arkansas Tech Surprises Bronchos
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Dec. 21) – No. 5-ranked Central Oklahoma suffered through its worst shooting performance of the season in dropping an 89-75 decision to Arkansas Tech here Sunday afternoon on the second day of the River City Classic.

Rams' lead disappears in 2nd half
The Angelo State University men's basketball team's quest to match the program's best 10-game start ever was denied Saturday by Incarnate Word.

The Cardinals used a strong second half to send the Rams to their second loss of the season, 72-63, at the Junell Center.

UCO Subdues Tigers In Showdown
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Dec. 20) – A five-minute scoring surge midway through the second half turned the game in Central Oklahoma’s favor and carried the No. 5-ranked Bronchos past No. 16 Ouachita Baptist here Saturday on the first day of the River City Classic.


Three-point barrage fuels Tarleton
Tarleton State had four scorers in double figures and took advantage of senior guard Marlin Cloudy’s perfect shooting night in a 78-62 defeat of St. Edward’s at Wisdom Gym Thursday.

Aggies exact revenge on Patriots
LAWTON, Oklahoma (December 20) – Not only did the Cameron Aggie men’s basketball team (5-4, 0-0 LSC North) even up the season series with the Dallas Baptist Patriots (8-1, 0-0 Heartland) tonight, but they knocked off an undefeated opponent for the second straight game. CU upset DBU 63-60 in the Aggie Gym this evening to remain undefeated (5-0) at home. The Patriots beat the Aggies 72-63 last weekend in Dallas, Texas.

Yarbrough Sparks Bronchos
Tigers edged by PR-Bayamon, 83-82
Puerto Rico-Bayamon bounces Lady Tigers
Lady Tigers rip Puerto Rico-Cayey
Hounds Fall to Northwest Missouri State at River City Classic
Wilson Records Career-High 20 Points in Loss to Arkansas Tech
Webb, Sams Lead NSU to Win
M. Basketball: Nationally-Ranked Harding Sneaks Past Southeastern
M. Basketball: Slones Powers SE past UNO in Overtime
Javelinas Keep Winning
Jones Leads Javs to Victory
Durr delivers in Pioneers' win over Midwestern State


Little-known Florida linebacker to play for K-State
Elder Taylor chooses UCLA
ACU coach staying; star back signs with agent
San Antonio expanding its focus on sports

Thursday, December 18, 2008

AP Little America Team

Quarterback — Ted Schlafke, senior, 6-foot, 185 pounds, Minnesota-Duluth.
Running backs — Bernard Scott, senior, 5-11, 200, Abilene Christian; Nate Kmic, senior, 5-9, 193, Mount Union.
Wide receivers — Charly Martin, senior, 6-2, 210, West Texas A&M; Johnny Spevak, junior, 6-3, 200, Central Washington.
Linemen — Bill Eisenhardt, senior, 6-3, 275, Grand Valley State; Roger Allen, senior, 6-4, 315, Missouri Western; Jeremy Davis, senior, 6-3, 300, Northwest Missouri State; Thomas Battle, senior, 6-3, 315, Carson-Newman; Sean James, senior, 6-3, 305, Cortland State.
Tight end — Jared Bronson, senior, 6-4, 255, Central Washington.
All-purpose player — Dyshaun Edwards, senior, 5-11, 188, Tiffin.
Kicker — Tom Schneider, senior, 6-0, 195, North Alabama.
Defense
Linemen — Jake Visser, senior, 6-2, 275, Ferris State; Dan Skutta, senior, 6-3, 265, Grand Valley State; Troy Pribnow, 6-4, 225, senior, Wayne State; Jacob Calderon, senior, 6-0, 235, California Lutheran.
Linebacker — Jared Brock, senior, 6-1, 232, West Texas A&M; Jeffrey Cargile, senior, 5-9, 200, Morehouse; Jace Rindahl, senior, 6-3, 230, Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Backs — Sherard Reynolds, senior, 5-10, 182, Valdosta State; Darren Banks, 5-10, 188, West Liberty State; Peter Ittersagen, senior, 5-10, 190, Wheaton; Myles Burnsides, junior, 5-11, 195, Northwest Missouri State.
Punter — Nick Krut, senior, 5-11, 185, East Stroudsburg.

SECOND TEAM
Offense
Quarterback — Jason Boltus, senior, Hartwick.
Running backs — Tunde Ogun, junior, Christopher-Newport; Jerry Seymour, senior, Glenville State.
Wide receivers — Mike Washington, senior, West Chester; Jack Phelan, senior, Hartwick
Linemen — Sam Hathorn, junior, North Alabama; Terence Crosby, junior, Catawba; Sam Collins, senior, Abilene Christian; Yancy Edwards, senior, Kenyon; Nate Baier, senior, Minnesota Duluth.
Tight end — Jarrell NeSmith, junior, Tusculum.
All-purpose player — Larry Beavers, senior, Wesley.
Kicker — Jeff Schebler, junior, Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Defense
Linemen — Louis Ellis, senior, Shaw; Jarrell Chandler, senior, Salisbury; D.J. DeWitt, senior, Waynesburg; Ricky Hope, senior, Texas A&M-Commerce.
Linebackers — Terrence Jackson, Indiana, Pa.; Owen Koeppen, senior, Carroll College; Lardester Hicks-Green, junior, Delta State,
Backs _Terrence Johnson, junior, California, Pa.; Matt Meyer, senior, Aurora; Darnell Brown, senior, Langston; David Raymond, senior, North Alabama.
Punter — T.J. Grzesikowski, sophomore, Ferrum.

THIRD TEAM
Offense
Quarterback — Mike Reilly, senior, Central Washington.
Running backs — LaRon Council, junior, Northwest Missouri State; Brian McNeil, senior, Nebraska-Omaha.
Wide receivers — Travis Poole, senior, American International; Michael Jennings, junior, Illinois College.
Linemen — Beau Weiss, senior, Bethel, Tenn.; Tony Washington, junior, Abilene Christian; Nick Urban, senior, Winona; Blaine Westemeyer, junior, Augustana, Ill.; Kendall Molz, senior, Pittsburg State.
Tight end — Brian Weverbergh, senior, Ithaca.
All-purpose player — Samuel Tranks, junior, Seton Hill.
Kicker — Jared Keating, senior, Mesa State.

Defense
Linemen — Brock Arndt, senior, Redlands; Tighe Burk, senior, Knox; Marcus Kennedy, senior, St. Augustine; John Jacobs, junior, Saginaw Valley.
Linebackers — Eric Henri, senior, Mary Hardin-Baylor; Mark Meng, senior, Fort Lewis; Matt Freed, sophomore, East Stroudsburg.
Backs — Bobby Bott, junior, Case Western; Drew Ziller, senior, Carleton; Tyler Yelk, senior, Minnesota Duluth; Jabir Perkins, senior, Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Punter — Will Batson, junior, North Alabama.

Tarleton: OC Munoz resigns, Carey promoted

Carey named the offensive coordinator
Courtesy Tarleton Sports



STEPHENVILLE – Tarleton head football coach Sam McElroy has announced the promotion of Scott Carey to offensive coordinator.

Carey, who has been a member of the Texan football staff for the last three seasons, will continue to coach the offensive line while moving to the play-calling position.

“Scott has been here for three seasons and really knows the offensive system, and he is prepared to and ready to step in and assume this role,” McElroy said. “He has a great love for the program, I believe he will jump in and do a great job of leading our offense.”

The new offensive coordinator was a four-year letterman for the Texans who played from 1994-97 before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and sports studies. He came to the Texan coaching staff during the 2006 spring semester.

Under the direction of Carey, the Texan offensive line has blocked for some of the best running backs in the Lone Star Conference. He has coached several all-Lone Star Conference honorees during that time.

After graduating from Tarleton, Carey served as a graduate assistant at Northeastern State from 2000-02 while obtaining his master’s degree. He then became the offensive line coach at Colorado School of Mines from 2002-05 where he helped the team win the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in 2004. While there, he also coached a two-year all-american. Carey was the offensive line coach for the line that blocked for the 2004 Harlon Hill Trophy Winner, the award for the best NCAA Division II football player. He coached the RMAC Offensive Lineman of the Year while also mentoring several all-conference honorees.

Carey replaces Jason Munoz who resigned after a year with the Texan football program.

“I want to thank Jason for his hard work and dedication to the program,” McElroy said. “I wish him the very best of luck as he pursues other opportunities.”

The Texans finished the 2008 season 8-3 overall and narrowly missed the NCAA Division II playoffs for the third straight season.

Weekly Basketball Roundup

Complete Release

Players of the Week
LSC North Women's
Ashley Tucker, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Sr., G, Drumright, Okla./Drumright
Tucker averaged 17.0 ppg last week to lead Southeastern to a pair of wins, including a 69-65 upset of then-No. 3 West Texas A&M. Tucker turned in 11 points in the win over WT, including an impressive 3-for-5 effort from behind the arc. She matched her career-high in points with a 23 point outing against Eastern New Mexico in an 84-61 victory. Tucker also averaged 3.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds and a block per game for the weekend.

LSC South Women's
Emily Brister, West Texas A&M University, Sr., G, Amarillo, Texas/Amarillo
As the Lady Buffs' all-time leading scorer, Brister continues to lead the team in scoring. Last week, she registered 44 points, averaging 22.0 points per game. Against Southeastern, she tallied 27 points and tied her career-high of four blocks. She also recorded three assists and three steals. In the Lady Buffs win against East Central, Brister scored 17 points and grabbed four rebounds to go along with an assist and three steals. She currently leads the Lady Buffs in steals and assists. This season, Brister is averaging 24.2 points per game and has scored a total of 218 points in nine games. "


LSC North Men's
William Slones, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Jr., C, Orlando, Fla./Maynard Evans
Slones helped Southeastern snap a 26 game losing skid with a 44-42 win over Eastern New Mexico, followed by a 63-58 victory over West Texas A&M. Slones averaged 13.5 ppg in the contests, including posting a double-double of 17 points and 10 boards against the Greyhounds, his fifth of the year which leads the LSC. He also added 10 points and eight rebounds against WT. He maintained his role as the conference's best shot blocker, collecting eight over the two contests, four in each game.

LSC South Men's
Shavar Burch, Angelo State University, Jr., F, New York, N.Y./Heritage Christian Academy
Burch led the Rams in scoring and rebounding in both of ASU's games last week, falling one rebound short of a double-double in both contests. Against Southwestern Oklahoma, he tied for game-high honors with 24 points on a 7-for-9 shooting night, 10-of-11 from the free-throw line, and pulled down a game-high nine rebounds. Against Cameron, Burch led the Rams with 18 points, 6-of-8 from the field and 6-of-8 from the free-throw line, and grabbed a game-high 11 boards. For the week, Burch averaged 21 points, 10 rebounds, recorded two blocks and two steals, shot .765 from the field and converted 84.2 percent of his free-throws.

Daily Roundup 12-18

West Texas A&M releases 2009 football schedule
West Texas A&M released its football schedule for 2009, and the Buffs will face three teams that qualified for this past season's NCAA Division II playoffs.

WT opens the season at home against perennial power Grand Valley State. Abilene Christian and Central Oklahoma are the other playoff teams on the schedule, which has five home games and six road games.

WT plays Texas A&M-Kingsville at home Sept. 26, and that will mark the 50th anniversary of the Buffs' first game at Kimbrough. On Sept. 26, 1959, the Buffs played Arizona State in the first football game Kimbrough.

Aug. 29: vs. Grand Valley State
Sept. 5: vs. Central Oklahoma
Sept. 12: at Central Washington
Sept. 19: at Southwestern Oklahoma State
Sept. 26: vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville
Oct. 3: at Midwestern State
Oct. 10: vs. Eastern New Mexico
Oct. 17: at Abilene Christian
Oct. 24: vs. Angelo State
Oct. 31: at Northeastern State
Nov. 7: at Tarleton State

Coaching saga at LSU is on final legs
NSU was making tentative plans for a press conference for Friday or Monday to announce a new coach.

ASU roundup
Buffs face OPSU
Texas A&M-Kingsville surges past MSSU women
ACU takes third straight victory
College notebook
Commerce star nets 30, has help to beat MSU

Harding's Ross Conn Selected to Cactus Bowl
Washington and Dowdell to Play in Cactus Bowl

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Gaskamp to Join Ram Staff

Angelo State head football coach Dale Carr has announced the addition of Russell Gaskamp to his coaching staff, effective Jan. 5, 2009. Gaskamp will serve as offensive line coach for the Rams.

No stranger to the Lone Star Conference, Gaskamp comes to ASU after spending the past three seasons as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Southwestern Oklahoma in Weatherford, Okla. While with the Bulldogs, Gaskamp led an offensive unit that improved each season and ranked sixth in the LSC in both total offense and passing offense and seventh in rushing offense in 2008. Prior to his arrival at SWOSU, the Bulldogs ranked 13th in the conference in total offense, rushing offense and scoring offense, and 10th in passing offense.

“When we played SWOSU this season I was impressed with the play of their offensive line,” said Carr. “They were exceptionally young but they were very well coached and they worked well together. It was apparent that Russell had recruited solid players from the high schools and was doing a nice job of developing them.”

Prior to his three seasons at SWOSU, Gaskamp served as the offensive line coach at Texas A&M-Commerce. In his one season with the Lions, he helped A&M-C improve from the 12th-ranked rushing team in the LSC to the third-best ground squad with more than a 140 yard-per-game improvement.

“I’m extremely excited about coming back to the state of Texas,” Gaskamp said. “The move will put me and my wife closer to our families. I’m also excited about the opportunity to continue to coach in the Lone Star Conference, one of the most competitive leagues in NCAA Division II. San Angelo is a beautiful city and will be a wonderful place to recruit players and become part of what can be outstanding football team.”

A native of Weatherford, Okla., Gaskamp is a 1999 graduate of Texas where he was a second team All-Big 12 selection for the Longhorns at center. He started all 13 games for Texas as a senior, blocking for Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams. He was later voted to the Longhorn All-Decade Team, being part of three conference championship teams and a participant in the Sun, Sugar, Fiesta and Cotton Bowls during his career. Gaskamp earned his master’s degree from Sam Houston State in 2005.

As a prep, Gaskamp was part of back-to-back state championship teams at Weatherford High School in 1991 and 1992. The USA Today All-American became the first Oklahoma high school product to sign with the Longhorns in 17 years.

Russell and his wife, Justine, have plans to move San Angelo in the coming months.

LSC Daily Update 12-17

NSU interviews end today
LSU co-defensive coordinator Bradley Dale Peveto is expected in Natchitoches today for his interview for the vacant Northwestern State head football coach's position.

Peveto will be the sixth, and final, candidate interviewed for the job.

"We anticipate ending our interview process (today)," NSU athletic director Greg Burke said.


Injured Mustangs out to end slide
As the injury list grows longer, so does the losing streak for the Midwestern State men’s basketball team.

“I haven’t had a workout this year with our entire team,” MSU coach Jeff Ray said. “We have 14 players on our team, and we are working out with eight or nine guys a lot. That makes it hard to put together a team.

The Mustangs will be short-handed again tonight when they try to snap a three-game losing streak and get their first Lone Star Conference crossover win of the season at home against Texas A&M-Commerce.
Related: MSU women's preview

Javs women look to continue home dominance
The Texas A&M-Kingsville women's basketball team is hoping for a little more home success before two road contests to close the 2008 portion of the season.

The Javelinas host Missouri Southern tonight and travel to Austin for the St. Edward's tournament Friday and Saturday. A&M-Kingsville (4-4) plays St. Edward's Friday afternoon and Texas A&M-International on Saturday.



Grand Valley State RB Jimmy Berezik pleads not guilty to felony charge
WNMU's Means going to Cactus Bowl
Tiger football player Burl picked for Cactus Bowl
Cox tabbed for Cactus Bowl
Jarrett Byers Headed to 2009 Valero Cactus Bowl

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Scott deserves chance to be great
It is easy to like Bernard Scott. Quiet, soft-spoken and modest, he isn’t your typical football star.

And yes, though you probably have never heard of him, he is a star.

The Vernon native is one of the most productive backs in NCAA Division II history. Justifiably, this past weekend he was awarded the coveted Harlon Hill Trophy, known to most as the Division II Heisman.
-----------------------------------------------
“The kid is a very interesting as a prospect because he has some major pluses and some major minuses,” an AFC scout said. “You can’t deny the numbers; you cannot, under any circumstances, discount the kid’s production. But …”

“If he hadn’t had some of those issues he has had, he would be a draftable kid, but (teams) are going to be more hesitant,” the scout said. “He has great vision, patience, and balance, and to put up those kinds of numbers is remarkable, so he’ll still get a shot.”


SW Oklahoma names grid coach; one vacancy remains in LSC
Savage Storm upset Buffs for 2nd win
Third-ranked Lady Buffs dealt first loss of season
MSU women fall in overtime
Mustangs lose on late free throw

Cactus Bowl articles
Matt Black and Desi Mayner Selected for 2009 Cactus Bowl
ESU's Krut, Mitchell selected for bowl
NSIC has 8 named to Valero Cactus Bowl
ESU's Nick Krut, Lionel Mitchell selected to play in Division II ...
Farabi, Nelson tabbed for Cactus Bowl
Two UMD football players make all-star game
Cactus Bowl invites 10 MIAA seniors to play for West team
Ubran, Burkoth To Play In Cactus Bowl
Pair of Mavericks Named to the Cactus Bowl
Hollins Named to Cactus Bowl Roster
West Liberty's Banks to play in Cactus Bowl

Monday, December 15, 2008

LSC Roundup 12-15

Late A&I star was born too soon to play at UT

Austin native Ed Scott probably would have played football at the University of Texas if the Longhorns' program hadn't been lily-white when he graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1966.

Scott grew up dreaming of playing for the Longhorns, although he was told he had virtually no chance because he was African American. Still, he hoped things would change before it came time for him to play college ball.

Unfortunately for Scott, who died of a stroke last Tuesday in Austin at age 60, he graduated when the doors to the UT locker room were still closed to African Americans.
-----------------------------------------------
Scott found a home at A&I, now Texas A&M-Kingsville, and reliable mentors in coach Gil Steinke, now deceased, and defensive coordinator Freddy Jonas.

“I loved both of those men and still think about them quite often,” Scott said. “Coach Steinke, he didn't care what color you were. He just cared about whether you could play.”


The Best

Bernard Scott was on top of the world Friday night.

The 24-year-old Abilene Christian University senior won the Harlon Hill Trophy, given to the best player in Division II football, in Florence, Ala.

It was an unbelievable moment for the running back from Vernon. There he was basking in the limelight, when just three years ago Scott was out of football and heading down a dark path.

"I didn't think I would be playing ball again," Scott said, after he had been kicked off the Central Arkansas University team for disciplinary reasons in the spring of '05. He found himself back in Vernon and running with the wrong crowd.


Buffs go after seventh victory
Lady Buffs seek to even score
Red-hot Rams improve to 7-0
Grads cap long journey
TexAnns can’t stretch win streak, fall 77-61
Texans’ strong D leads to 48-41 victory

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Carthel applying for other jobs

West Texas A&M football coach Don Carthel has applied for at least two coaching jobs, including NCAA Division I New Mexico State.

According to the Las Cruces (N.M.) Sun-News, Carthel sent in paperwork to NMSU, which is seeking a successor to Hal Mumme. Mumme, an assistant coach at WT in 1980-81, was dismissed after his fourth season.

The Alexandria (La.) Town Talk published an online list that included Carthel and two other Lone Star Conference coaches among 38 applicants to succeed Northwestern State coach Scott Stoker, whose contract was not renewed after his seventh season.

Northwestern State is a member of Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA).

"I'm not interested in the job," Carthel said Friday of the NSU post. Carthel declined further comment.

Carthel recently completed his fourth season at WT, where he has a 44-7 record, four postseason appearances and three Lone Star Conference championships.

His base salary is close to $100,000, according to university records. With TV, radio and bonuses, his annual salary is between $120,000 and $130,000.

By comparison, Mike Leach, coach of Division I Texas Tech, has a base salary of $1.75 million.

"Our intent over the past three years is to reward and compensate our coaches who have been successful over the long haul. Don has been exceptional," WT athletic director Michael McBroom said. "We want our coaches to be compensated among the best in the conference and the region. We have made significant progress in that regard.

"If there is a better opportunity than ours, a coach owes it to his family to check it out. It's part of the business. I believe WT is a pretty good place to be a head coach, and I think Don feels the same way."...


For the rest of the story go to the Amarillo Globe News

Chris Thomsen Update

LSC Scoop sources have confirmed that ACU Head Coach Chris Thomsen is heading back to Northwestern State for a second interview. It appears a decision may be made - one way or another - within the next few days.

Stay tuned for updates.

Cactus Bowl Rosters announced

Quarterback - Keith Null, West Texas A&M
Running back - Daniel Thomas, Angelo State
Wide receiver - Jarrett Byers, Northeastern (Okla.) State
Wide receiver - Johnathan Ferguson, Abilene Christian
Wide receiver - Charly Martin (1), West Texas
Wide receiverJareko Taylor, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Offensive lineman - Devin Livingston, Tarleton State
Offensive lineman - Darron Sheppard, Texas A&M-Commerce
Offensive lineman - Joseph Thompson (2), ACU
Offensive lineman - Dustin Finn, Central Oklahoma
Cornerback - Gerrett Burl, East Central (Okla.)
Cornerback - Tremaine Wright, Tarleton State
Safety - Jabir Perkins (2), Texas A&M-Kingsville
Linebacker - K.C. Asiodu, Central Oklahoma
Linebacker - Jared Brock (A,1), West Texas A&M
Defensive lineman -Ronald Green, Eastern New Mexico

Notes
A - AFCA All-American; 1 - Daktronics first-team All-American; 2 - Daktronics second-teamer

COMPLETE ROSTERS


Taylor, Perkins to represent Javelinas in Cactus Bowl
Null, Brock, Martin in Cactus Bowl
Lady Cats get win to open season
Henderson State Player Wounded in Shooting; 3 Arrested
Henderson St. Player
CWU QB Mike Reilly prepares for pro future
Mesa's Keating will kick in Cactus Bowl

SWO announces new Head Coach

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 13, 2008
Contact: Justin Tinder, SWOSU Sports Information Director, 580-774-7162

SWOSU HIRES NEW FOOTBALL COACH

WEATHERFORD – Southwestern Oklahoma State University was able to lure away one of the most prominent and successful coaches in the Oklahoma high school ranks to take the controls of the Bulldog football program for 2009 and beyond.

Dan Cocannouer, who has spent the previous eight seasons as head coach at Edmond Santa Fe School, was formally announced as SWOSU’s new head football coach on Saturday.

Cocannouer, 52, compiled a 70-26 record (.729 winning percentage) at the Edmond school where he led the Wolves to the Class 6A finals in 2003 and semifinal appearances in 2001 and 2004. This past season the Wolves finished with a 9-3 record and advanced to the state quarterfinals.
He becomes the 21st head coach in 103 years of Bulldog football and replaces Ryan Held who resigned after four seasons after compiling a 16-28 record.

All total, Cocannouer has coached more than 30 years on the football field, including the last 24 as a head coach. He is widely respected in high school coaching circles and is a past president of the Oklahoma Football Coaches Association. He had previously led high school programs at John Marshall, Chandler, Alva and Pauls Valley and was an assistant at a number of others.

SWOSU Athletic Director Todd Thurman said Cocannouer was the overwhelming choice by a university committee that screened more than 60 applicants.“We are very excited to hire a coach with Dan's background of success. He is a SWOSU graduate and the right person to get our alumni, community and supporters excited again about Bulldog football. Obviously, his vast knowledge of the state of Oklahoma coupled with his extensive networks of coaching contacts will pay long-term dividends to our program and its recruitment," Thurman said. “I was most impressed with his leadership, his commitment to his players -- on and off the field -- his integrity and his long history of building character in young men. He is a great fit for our university in terms of where we want to go with our football program."

Cocannouer played at SWOSU after earning all-state honors as a running back at Tuttle High School. He played four seasons under legendary coach Otis Delaporte where the Bulldogs won two conference titles in 1974 and 1977. Cocannouer was a senior leader on a Bulldog team that won a school record 11 games and finished as the NAIA National Runner-up in 1977.

“This is a great opportunity for me, and I am both humbled and excited. It has always been a long-term goal of mine to become a college football coach at a program such as SWOSU," Cocannouer said. "This is where I got my start more than 30 years ago, and it always has been a special place to me.”

Cocannouer, who has been the target of a number of college coaching searches in the past, said finally deciding to make the move was one of the hardest decisions he has ever made.

“I have a lot of love for my association with Edmond Santa Fe High School. This decision was made through a lot of tears and heavy emotion by both me and my wife,” Cocannouer said. “I feel so strongly about the kids, the administration and the coaching staff that has supported so much over the last eight years here. All have played such a vital role in making Santa Fe football a success.”

Cocannouer said he became convinced the time was now right after his visit to the SWOSU campus and meeting with university officials.

“Seeing what is in place and learning more about their commitment to fielding a quality football program, it only confirmed what I had felt about the direction SWOSU is going,” he said. “We are going to become a program where high school football players from the state of Oklahoma want to attend our school and be a part of something special.”

Cocannouer inherits a SWOSU team that finished 3-8 overall in 2008. The Bulldogs will welcome back nine starters on offense, including record-setting senior quarterback Steve Day who played previously for Cocannouer at Santa Fe High School. The defense returns six starters and finished as the third best unit in the Lone Star Conference behind NCAA Division II playoff participants West Texas A&M and Abilene Christian.

His wife, Jeri Lyn, is the director of elementary education at Guthrie Public Schools and the couple has two daughters, Janie and Josie

Scott wins Harlon Hill Trophy

From the ACU Sports Information Department

FLORENCE, Ala. – ACU running back Bernard Scott’s goal before the 2008 season was to be in northern Alabama in mid-December to pick up two trophies: a Harlon Hill as the nation’s top player and the NCAA Division II national championship trophy.

And while his and the Wildcats’ goal of winning the national championship was put to an end in the quarterfinal round by Northwest Missouri State, Scott’s goal of winning the Harlon Hill Trophy was realized Friday night when he was named the 19th winner of the award at the 23rd annual awards dinner at the Florence Convention Center.

Scott beat out a pair of record-setting quarterbacks in Central Washington’s Mike Reilly and North Alabama’s A.J. Milwee. The three finalists in 2008 made up one of the most-decorated and most talented trios of finalists in the award’s history. Scott had a 168 point margin of victory in the voting with 253 points. Reilly and Milwee tied for second with 85 apiece. The 253 points is the third-highest point total in the history of the award.

Scott is the fifth player in the award’s history to win the trophy the year after finishing as the runner-up. Former Texas A&M-Kingsville great Johnny Bailey finished as the runner-up for the first trophy in 1986 and then won the award three straight years. Emporia State running back Brian Shay finished second in 1997 before winning the award in 1998. Northern Colorado quarterback Corte McGuffey finished second to Shay in 1998 before taking home the trophy in 1999, and Grand Valley State quarterback Curt Anes finished second in 2001 before he won the award in 2002.

Scott – last year’s runner-up to two-time winner Danny Woodhead of Chadron State (Neb.) – became the first ACU player to win the award, which is the NCAA Division II version of the Heisman Trophy. Scott is only the second Lone Star Conference player to ever win the award, joining Bailey (winner from 1987-89) on the short list.

“None of the things I’ve been able to accomplish would have happened without the play of great teammates,” Scott said. “I’ve been blessed to run behind the best offensive line in Division II football the last two seasons, and I want to thank them for the job they’ve done. Our offense has been blessed to be led by a great quarterback, and we’ve had great receivers. All of those guys have done their job, and that’s allowed me to do my job.

“When I was here last year I said that my goal this year was to get back here for this ceremony and to play in the national championship game,” he continued. “Our team put together a great 2008 season, but we fell just short of our goal of playing for the national championship. Still, the things we accomplished together this season will provide lifelong memories for all of us, and a piece of this award goes to each one of my teammates.

”In just two seasons as a Wildcat, Scott rushed for 4,321 to become the school’s all-time career rushing leader. He topped the 2,000-yard mark twice, becoming the only player in LSC history to put together multiple 2,000-yard rushing seasons. His 63 rushing touchdowns are second in ACU history, and his 73 total touchdowns are second in both ACU and LSC history.

This season he rushed for 2,156 yards (second in LSC and ACU single-season history behind his 2,165 yards in 2007) and 28 touchdowns and caught 47 passes for 826 yards and another six touchdowns. He led NCAA Division II in points per game (17.0) and all-purpose yards (256.8 yards per game) and was second in rushing, averaging 179.7 yards per game.

He led ACU to an 11-1 record, the program’s first outright Lone Star Conference championship since 1973, the program’s highest-ever NCAA Division II national ranking (No. 2) and to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. Scott averaged 8.4 yards per carry and rushed for more than 200 yards in four of the Wildcats’ final six games of the 2008 season. Scott ran for at least 100 yards in his last 17 games dating back to the 2007 season.

Scott was at his best in the big games as he helped ACU to an 8-3 record against top-25 opponents over the last two seasons. In those 11 games he rushed for 2,277 yards (207.0 per game), scored 38 rushing touchdowns and caught four touchdown passes while posting 631 receiving yards (57.4 per game).

He made his case for this year’s Harlon Hill Trophy in two games against West Texas A&M when he shredded the Buffaloes’ defense in leading the Wildcats to a pair of wins. In a 52-35 win over the Buffs in Canyon on Oct. 18, Scott rushed for 268 yards and two touchdowns and caught seven passes for 141 yards and one touchdown to set an LSC and ACU single-game record with 409 all-purpose yards.

In the Wildcats’ wild 93-68 NCAA Division II second-round playoff win over the Buffs on Nov. 22, Scott rushed for 292 yards and six touchdowns and caught three passes for 61 yards and one touchdown. His six rushing touchdowns, seven total touchdowns and 42 total points were all NCAA Division II Playoff, NCAA Division II, LSC and ACU single-game records.

Friday, December 12, 2008

LSC Scoop 2008 All-LSC Football Team

LSC Player of the Year
Bernard Scott - Abilene Christian University
Scott's second LSC season was every bit as good as his first - 2,156 yds rushing and 28 TDs, plus another 826 yds and 6 TDs receiving. Hist 2,982 all-purpose yards broke his own record of 2,730 set the prior year, and he led the nation with 248.5 all purpose yards per game. In his two seasons at ACU, Scott rushed for 4,321 yds, fifth on the All-Time LSC charts, and scored 73 TDs, breaking the record of 70 held by Wilbert Montgomery of ACU and Johnny Bailey of Texas A&I. He has been named first team All-American by the AFCA and Daktronics and is a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy.




Offensive MVP
Charly Martin - West Texas A&M University
Charly Martin ended his Buffalo career with an LSC record 323 yd, 5 TD performance against Abilene Christian in the second round of the NCAA playoffs. For the season he had receptions for 1,867 yds and 22 TDs, the latter two broke LSC records as well. He led the nation with 7.3 receptions per game, as well as 143.6 yds per contest. For his career, Martin now holds the LSC records for receptions (244), receiving yards (4,108) and receiving TDs (45). In addition to being named first team LSC-South for the third time, and LSC-South receiver of the year, Martin was also named to the first team of the Daktronics All-American team.







Defensive MVP
Ricky Hope - Texas A&M Commerce

Set a school record with 19.5 tackles for losses, led the LSC with 10.5 sacks, and 6 forced fumbles. Hope was selected as the Defensive Lineman of the Year for the LSC-North, as well as first team LSC-North, Daktronics first team all-South Central Region, and Daktronics second team All-American.







Coach of the Year

Chris Thomsen - Abilene Christian

Led the Wildcats to their first outright LSC title in 35 years, and to the regional final for the first time since joining the NCAA. Along the way, ACU defeated 3 ranked teams, including Northwest Missouri in the season opener in Maryville, MO, and West Texas A&M twice. In four seasons at ACU, Thomsen's record is 33-13.





QB Billy Malone - Abilene Christian Passed for 3,213 yds and 36 TDs, led nation with a QB rating of 189.7, while leading ACU to their first outright LSC championship in 35 years. Finished career as all-time LSC leader passing yards (12,012) and TDs (114).

RB Roderick Smith - Tarleton State Rushed for 1,024 yds and 13 TDs, averaging 7.5 yds per carry. Has rushed for 2,408 yds in career with another year to go.

RB Daniel Thomas - Angelo State Led the Rams with 1,020 yds and 5 TDs rushing. Finished career with 3,094 yds and 26 TDs rushing.

WR Johnny Knox - Abilene Christian Knox had 56 receptions for 1,069 yds and 13 TDs for ACU. In two seasons, Knox had 118 receptions for 2,227 yds and 30 TDs.

WR Jareko Taylor - Texas A&M-Kingsville Caught a team record 66 passes for 1,090 yds and 11 TDs, including an 85 yard score vs. ACU. In two seasons, Taylor had 120 receptions for 1,833 yds and 19 TDs.

TE - Joe Sawyer, SWO - 46 receptions, 519 yds, 5 TDs

OT - Tony Washington, ACU - helped pave the way for nation's top offense, Daktronics first team All-American

OT - J'Marcus Webb, WTAM - filled big hole in WT's line, Daktronics second team All-Region

OG - Joseph Thompson, ACU
- helped pave the way for nation's top offense, Daktronics second team All-American

OG - Devin Livingston, TSU - Daktronics second team All-Region

C - Sam Collins, ACU - helped pave the way for nation's top offense, Daktronics first team All-American



DE - Aston Whiteside, ACU - 30 tackles, 9 sacks, 16 TFL, 4 fumble recoveries

DE - Eugene Sims, WTAM - 56 tackles, 10 sacks, 13 TFL

DT - Ronald Green, ENMU - 79 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 17.5 TFL, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries

DT - Jermelle Cudjo, UCO - 60 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 15.5 TFL

LB - Jared Brock, WTAM - 83 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 14 TFL, 2 fumble recoveries

LB - K C Asioudu, UCO - 74 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 13.5 TFL, 3 Ints, 5 passes broken up, 3 forced fumbles

LB - Ruzell McCoy, SWO - 107 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 20.5 TFL, 4 passes broken up, 3 forced fumbles

S - Jabir Perkins, TAMK - 61 tackles, 1 sack, 5 TFL, 5 Ints, 2 passes broken up

S - Broderick Mondy, NSU - 90 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2 Ints, 7 passes broken up, 2 fumble recoveries

CB - Curtis Mayfield, NSU - 46 tackles, 1 TFL, 6 Ints, 11 passes broken up, 2 fumble recoveries

CB - Cameron Sparks, SOSU - 70 tackles, 1 TFL, 6 Ints, 12 passes broken up



P - Cody Smith, TAMK - 43.0 avg, 12 inside 20, 11 50+ yds

K - Matt Adams, ACU - 13-16 FG, 78-81 PAT, 117 pts

PR - BeeJay Mathis, MSU - 15.6 yd avg

KR - Jabir Perkins, TAMK - 36.6 yd avg, 2 TDs

LSC Roundup 12-12

'He still loved football'
Coaches at Texas A&I University considered Edward Lee Scott an NFL-caliber defensive back in 1970. He was quick, wily and knew how to tackle.

His defensive coordinator, Freddy Jonas, remembers watching Scott apply a by-the-book hit on a receiver for East Texas State on Oct. 10 of that year in Commerce. Jonas said he was surprised when Scott didn't get up.

"He broke his neck," a coach told Jonas later.
-------------------------------------------------
After his injury, Scott taught middle-school math in Austin, worked at Austin Community College and registered livestock by telephone for the Texas Animal Health Commission, said his wife of 31 years, Edna. He loved jazz music and helping his grandsons with their homework.

"He liked trying to make an impression on them that they had to be successful in school to get somewhere," Edna Scott said. Her husband retired in 1998 after suffering a stroke.
Scott said she recently organized his football scrapbook.

"He was quite proud of it," she said. "He has all of his articles and all of his pictures together.

"He still loved football."


Thomsen up for NSU post
Three head football coaches in the Lone Star Conference, including Chris Thomsen of Abilene Christian University, are among candidates to fill the opening for head football coach at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La.

According to published reports, other candidates from the LSC are Don Carthel of West Texas A&M and Bill Maskill of Midwestern State.

Thomsen confirmed Thursday afternoon before leaving for Florence, Ala., that he has talked to NSU director of athletics Greg Burke about the opening to coach the Demons. Thomsen will be in Florence this weekend for the announcement of the Harlon Hill award and the NCAA Division II championship game.

"I have been contacted," Thomsen said. "You would have to ask them if I'm actually a candidate. They asked me to come for an interview, but they are supposed to call me back. I'm waiting for them to call back so it may be a little premature for me to talk about it now."


NSU coach search down to 6 finalists
Northwestern State University began the process of interviewing head football coach candidates on Thursday in Natchitoches.

NSU athletic director Greg Burke said he planned on bringing six candidates to campus, but would not reveal the name of the six finalists.

However, it has been learned that the six finalists include NSU defensive coordinator Brad Laird, Arkansas State co-defensive coordinator Kevin Corless, former Ole Miss offensive coordinator Dan Werner, Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College head coach Steve Campbell, Abilene Christian coach Chris Thomsen, and LSU co-defensive coordinator Bradley Dale Peveto.


Second home
Bernard Scott suffers no shortage of motivation.

Whether it's the marker-written memorials on his taped-up wrists for every game or the memory of his last trip to the Shoals, the Abilene Christian senior running back always had something to keep him grounded and fuel his competitive fire this season.

Back in Florence for the first time since he finished second in voting for last year's Harlon Hill Trophy, Scott credited those inspirations for his return as a finalist for the second-straight year for the award given annually to the best Division II college football player.


McCarty meets and greets ECU fans
Tim McCarty put in a little overtime during the first official function of his second tour as East Central University football coach.

Chosen last week to replace Kurt Nichols, McCarty — the Tigers’ head man in 2004-2005 before leaving to becoming the No. 1 assistant to Ron Prince at Kansas State — was officially introduced to media, fans, players and alumni Monday morning at a well-attended press conference at the Estep Center inside the ECU student center.



Unfinished Business: Scott looks to claim Hill Trophy
A year ago, Bernard Scott was just happy to one of three finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy.

Well, sort of.

The Abilene Christian University running back was a runner-up last year, and the competitor in him wasn't completely happy with being anything less than No. 1.

"I had a good time," he said. "But I had a bitter taste in my mouth. I thought I should have won it."


WT's Martin, Brock named All-Americans
Jared Brock made it two-for-two and Charly Martin joined the party as both West Texas A&M players were named Thursday to the Daktronics Division II All-America Team.

The Buffs seniors were first-team selections, with Martin the top vote-getter at his position.


Not LSC, not even D2, but D3 Mary Hardin-Baylor is in the national semifinals this weekend...Good luck to the Cru....
Commentary: UMHB, Copperas Cove programs linked by success, consistency
It’s no accident that Mary Hardin-Baylor and Copperas Cove still are playing football in mid-December, and it’s not a coincidence, either. Success and consistency are the hallmarks of both programs. UMHB has reached the NCAA Division III playoffs five consecutive seasons and is in the national semifinals for the third time during that stretch.

Letting their Cru flag fly: UMHB fans fired up about prospect of Division III national championship
Visions of sugarplums dance in the heads of University of Mary Hardin-Baylor fans who are placing all bets their Crusaders will defeat Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Warhawks on Saturday in the NCAA Division III semifinals at Tiger Field. The Crusaders and Warhawks are two of the remaining four teams vying for a shot at No. 1 in the Stagg Bowl on Dec. 20.

He's a playmaker: Receiver Davis thrives in role as UMHB's big-play threat
BELTON - From the time he steps on the practice field for the week’s first workout to the moment he steps to the line of scrimmage on Saturdays, one term dominates Pi’Dadro Davis’ thoughts: playmaker.

So consumed is the Mary Hardin-Baylor junior receiver with being an integral part of the fourth-ranked Crusaders’ success that even during conversation, the words playmaker and big play come up half a dozen times.

In 10 years, Mary Hardin-Baylor has become a powerhouse
Pete Fredenburg had barely finished laying down the last of the dumbbells in Mary Hardin-Baylor's newly constructed Anderson Field House 10 years ago when they began marching in — all 217 of them.

Mary Hardin-Baylor has warm, fuzzy feeling about semifinals
A year ago, coach Pete Fredenburg and his Mary Hardin-Baylor football players feared they might return home missing a few fingers or toes. It was a frostbite-inducing encounter for Mary Hardin-Baylor in the NCAA Division III semifinals at snowy Wisconsin-Whitewater. "My gosh," Fredenburg said. "What an experience. I still tell stories about it."

Been there, done that: Defending national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater battles Mary Hardin-Baylor again
Lance Leipold has spent all but about 14 years of his life in Wisconsin and many of them as a player or coach at Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he has become familiar with four- or five-hour rides up Interstate 94 to places such as River Falls, La Crosse and Eau Claire.

So it must feel a bit odd that in his second season as the Warhawks’ coach, Leipold is preparing for the third time to face Mary Hardin-Baylor - which would be about a 17-hour ride through a handful of states.

“I think we have about 10 game films of Mary Hardin-Baylor from just last season and this season, and that’s not including the times we’ve played them,” Leipold said by phone Wednesday. “We might be more familiar with them than we are some of our conference opponents.”

Thursday, December 11, 2008

LSC Roundup 12-11

Catch of the Day? NSU football job attracting some big fish
Wow.

That was my first reaction on seeing some of the names among the people applying to be Northwestern State's next football coach.
--------------------------------------------
The new coach could just as easily be a familiar face, like former NSU defensive coordinator Kevin Corless.

Or he could come from a qualified group of lower division head coaches, such as Don Carthel (West Texas A&M), Chris Thomsen (Abilene Christian), Willie Fritz (Central Missouri) or Bill Maskill (Midwestern State).


ACU’s Scott named AFCA All-American
The awards keep coming for Bernard Scott. The Abilene Christian University running back was named to the American Football Coaches Association All-American team, which was announced Wednesday.

“I feel pretty good about it,” Scott said. “I’ve been working hard all summer and all off-season. I’m pretty excited about it.”

Scott, a senior from Vernon, finished second in the country with 2,156 rushing yards, but he led the nation in scoring with 34 total touchdowns, 28 of those rushing, which also led the nation. He also led the nation in all-purpose yards, with 826 yards receiving on 47 catches to go with his rushing yards.


Buffs' Brock honored
For the third time in four seasons, West Texas A&M landed a player on the American Football Coaches Association All-America Team.

Jared Brock, a senior from Abernathy, capped a stellar career at linebacker by earning one of 25 positions selected by NCAA Division II coaches.

"This is the top honor in Division II football," WT coach Don Carthel said. "Those don't come around very often. Jared is most deserving because he worked so hard."

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Conley blaims Budget, Administration Change and AD changes for dismissal

COMMERCE — After five years and a record of 24-27, Winnsboro native Scotty Conley was released as head football coach at Texas A&M-Commerce University.

Conley, 60, blamed the change on a shift in administration. “The president who hired me (Dr. Keith McFarland) retired over the summer,” Conley said. “The new president doesn’t know me. I coached there five years and I served under four different athletic directors. I did not fit in with the plans they had.”

Conley said he did rank his five years at the university as a positive experience, despite his release on Dec. 1.

“I got to work with some good people,” Conley said. “We had some quality young men I was fortunate enough to coach. I also worked with some very good and talented young coaches.”

Conley added “Texas A&M Commerce has a lot of potential. But I did not think I was on a level playing field with the other teams in the conference due to the budget. Our lower budget made a great difference in what we wanted to do. It was a battle.”

The coach said he was not ready to retire and wanted to stay in college coaching or take a job in school administration.

“I have been in contact with lots of friends, I made over the years,” Conley said. “I have been coaching in college since 1980, this is what I know best. I won’t rule out any option.”

Conley said he has enjoyed his association with coaching, dating back to an early job coaching in Sulphur Springs on the seventh grade level.

“I think this is the profession I know the best. I will listen to offers and see what comes up. I’ve had a lot of support from friends and that helps,” Conley said.

In a prepared statement Texas A&M University-Commerce athletic director Carlton Cooper announced effective Dec, 1 that he has relieved head football coach Scotty Conley of his duties.

"We are thankful for Scotty and his contributions to our football program, but as an organization we have decided to go in a new direction for our football program," said Cooper.

In 2008, Conley and the Lions opened up the season with a No. 18 nationally ranked and finished second in the Lone Star Conference North Division. A&M-Commerce posted a 5-5 record and a 3-2 mark in the LSC North. The Lions also made a return appearance in the inaugural Harvey Martin Classic at the Cotton Bowl, posting a 27-15 win over East Central. In 2007, A&M-Commerce shared a LSC North Division title after posting a 5-6 overall mark and 3-2 in the LSC North. The Lions also made an appearance on national television in its season opener against Pittsburg State.

“Winning constantly is something we expect to do at A&M-Commerce and it has been a challenge for our institution before the arrival of Coach Conley. I thank Coach Conley and his entire staff for their effort and attitude in attempting to improve our program. We have not met our expectations for football,” said Cooper.

A national search for a new football coach will begin immediately....


For the rest of the story, go to the Sulphur Springs News Telegram

2008 Season Review - Abilene Christian

2008 was the most successful ACU season since the 1978 team won the NAIA national championship. The Wildcats won the outright LSC Championship for the first time since 1973, advanced to the NCAA regional championship game for the first time, and fielded the nation's top offense. Along the way, ACU beat four nationally ranked teams, scored 36+ points and racked up 450+ yds in every game. In the end, ACU fell to a Northwest Missouri team that is competing in the national championship game for the fourth consecutive year. Coach Chris Thomsen was named LSC Coach of the Year for the team's accomplishments.

The offense was the focal point for ACU, leading the nation in total offense and scoring offense. The team set LSC records for single game yards (810), season pts per game (52.3), and season kicking pts (117), but amazingly the season yards per game record still stands (569.9 Texas A&I-1976). QB Billy Malone finished his ACU career with LSC records for pass attempts (1,320), pass completions (818), passing yards (12,012), and passing touchdowns (114). RB Bernard Scott finished 5th on the LSC career rushing charts (4,321 yds in just 2 seasons) and became the first LSC player to have multiple 2,000 yds rushing in a season. He also scored 73 TDs in his 2 years. WR Johnny Knox finished his two year career with 118 receptions for 2,227 yds and 30 TDs. The LSC honored the offense with 11 first team and 3 second team all LSC-South selections. Bernard Scott was named offensive back of the year and Tony Washington was selected as offensive lineman of the year.

The defense was improved over 2007 as well, allowing 7 fewer points and 87 fewer yards per game. The team allowed under 280 in seven games this year with just WTAM, NWMSU and TAMK offenses accumulating more yardage. Just two teams broke the 30 point barrier as well (WT and NWMSU). For its efforts, 5 Wildcats received first team and 4 received second team LSC-South honors. Aston Whiteside shared the defensive lineman of the year award and was named freshman of the year.

2008 Statistical Rankings
#1 Scoring offense
#1 Total offense
#1 Rushing offense
#1 Passing efficiency
#1 Sacks
#1 Sacks allowed
#1 Turnover Margin
#2 Passing offense
#2 Scoring defense
#2 Rushing defense
#3 Pass defense efficiency
#5 Total defense

#9 Passing defense
#10 Penalties

2008 Standout Players
QB Billy Malone - 1st LSC-South
RB Bernard Scott - 1st LSC-South
FB Emery Dudnsing - 1st LSC-South
WR Johnny Knox - 1st LSC-South
WR Edmund Gates - 1st LSC-South
WR Jonathan Ferguson - 2nd LSC-South
TE Kendrick Holloway - 1st LSC-South
TE Trey Simeone - 1st LSC-South
OL Joseph Thompson - 1st LSC-South, 2nd team Daktronics All-American
OL Tony Washington - 1st LSC-South, 1st team Daktronics All-American
OL Sam Collins - 1st LSC-South, 1st team Daktronics All-American
OL Trevis Turner - 2nd LSC-South
OL Royland Tubbs - 2nd LSC-South
DL Aston Whiteside - 1st LSC-South
DL Vantrise Studivant - 1st LSC-South
LB Mike Kern - 1st LSC-South
LB Fred Thompson - 1st LSC-South
LB Bryson Lewis - 2nd LSC-South
LB Eric Evans - HM LSC-South
DB Tony Harp - 1st LSC-South
DB Alex Harbison - 2nd LSC-South
DB Craig Harris - 2nd LSC-South
DB Nick Fellows - 2nd LSC-South
K Matt Adams - 1st LSC-South, 2nd team Daktronics All-American

Seniors moving on
QB Billy Malone - 1st LSC-South 2006, 2008, 2nd 2007; 12,012 yds, 114 TDs, 161.00 QB efficiency rating for career
RB Bernard Scott - 1st LSC-South 2007, 2008, 1st team Daktronics All-American 2007, 2008, Runner-up Harlon Hill 2007; 4,321 yds, 63 TDs rushing, 93 receptions, 1,391 yds, 10 TDs receiving in 2 seasons
WR Johnny Knox - 1st LSC-South 2007, 2008, 1st team Daktronics All-American 2008; 118 receptions, 2,227 yds, 30 TDs in 2 seasons

RB Taber Minner - 1st LSC-South 2006 ; 1,804 yds, 22 TDs rushing, 72 receptions, 656 yds, 2 TDs receiving
RB Chancy Campbell - 2nd LSC-South 2006 ; 984 yds, 11 TDs in 2 seasons
WR Jonathan Ferguson - 2nd LSC-South 2008; 61 receptions, 867 yds, 6 TDs
WR Rodney Freeman - 7 receptions, 137 yds, 2 TDs in 2 seasons
WR Tyjuan Manning - 14 receptions, 231 yds, 4 TDs
WR Chris Morris - 66 receptions, 852 yds, 6 TDs
TE Kendrick Holloway - 1st LSC-South 2008, 2nd 2007 ; 31 receptions, 320 yds, 6 TDs
TE Ryan Keeling - 7 receptions, 56 yds in 1 season
OL Sam Collins - 1st LSC-South 2007, 2008, 1st team Daktronics All-American 2008, 2nd 2007
OL Joseph Thompson - 1st LSC-South 2007, 2008, 2nd team Daktronics All-American 2008
DL Willis Hogan - HM LSC-South 2006; 58 tackles, 15 TFL, 5.5 sacks for career
DL Vantrise Studivant - 1st LSC-South 2008; 25 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks in 1 season
DL Chenry Lewis - 18 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 3 sacks in 1 season
LB Eliot Allen - 16 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks in 1 season
LB Mike Kern - 1st LSC-South 2008; 136 tackles, 14 TFL, 2 Int for career
DB Nick Fellows - 2nd LSC-South 2007; 128 tackles, 3 TFL, 4 Ints, 4 passes broken up in 2 seasons
DB Josh Henry - 23 tackles, 3 Int, 4 passes broken up in 2 seasons
DB Quentin Wilson - 48 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 2 Ints, 11 passes broken up in 2 seasons
K Matt Adams - 1st LSC-South 2007, 2008, 1st team Daktronics All-American 2008 - 339 career points
P Ricardo Navarro

Preseason Outlook
Best Case Scenario 10-0 in the regular season and win the SW region.
The Wildcats offense, led by the nations top trio of skill players stays at the same level as last year. The defense, with an influx of talent and healthy returnees, improves enough to keep the team out of shootouts.

Worst Case Scenario 6-4 and no playoffs.
The Wildcats start off with Northwest Missouri, runner-up in the last three national championship games, follow that up with Texas A&M Commerce and then close out the season with West Texas A&M, Tarleton State and Midwestern State over the last four weeks of the season. If the defense doesn't improve, that tough schedule could make for a disappointing season when hopes are so high in Abilene.

The defense was certainly improved, but not quite enough to allow ACU to escape the tough Super Region 4. The season was certainly a success and the Wildcats are to be commended.

AFCA - 2008 All American Football Team

WR Mike Washington West Chester
WR Johnny Spevak Central Washington
OL Jeremy Davis Northwest Missouri St.
OL Bill Eisenhardt Grand Valley St.
OL Roger Allen Missouri Western St.
OL Nick Urban Winona St.
OL Terence Crosby Catawba
QB Billy Cundiff Ashland
QB Ted Schlafke Minnesota-Duluth
RB Jerry Seymour Glenville St.
RB Bernard Scott Abilene Christian

DL Ryan Kees St. Cloud State
DL Jake Visser* Ferris State
DL Troy Pribnow Wayne St. (Neb.)
DL Marcus Kennedy St. Augustine’s
LB Will Newell Newberry
LB Jared Brock West Texas A&M
LB Terrence Jackson Indiana (Pa.)
LB Mark Meng Fort Lewis
DB Terrence Johnson California (Pa.)
DB Andrew Jackson Merrimack
DB Jeffrey Cargile Morehouse

P Will Batson North Alabama
PK Travis Atter Chadron St.
AP Chad Schroeder Delta St.

LSC Weekly Basketball Release

Complete Release

Players of the Week
LSC North Women's
Lizzie Brenner, University of Central Oklahoma, Sr., Forward, Woodward, Okla./Woodward
Brenner became UCO's all-time leading scorer last week during a dominating three-game stretch that saw her average 24.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 3.7 steals and 1.7 blocked shots a game while shooting 65.8 percent (25-of-38) from the field. The senior star nearly had a triple-double in a 106-57 rout of Midwestern State with 22 points, 18 rebounds and eight assists in 25 minutes of playing time, followed that with a 21-point, seven-rebound outing in an 86-79 loss at No. 3 West Texas A&M and ended the week by hitting 10-of-13 shots in scoring 29 points and adding four steals in a 90-72 rout of Eastern New Mexico. Brenner, who already owns school career records for steals, blocks, and free throws made and attempted, became UCO's all-time points leader in the ENMU contest and now has 1,409.

LSC South Women's
Emily Brister, West Texas A&M University, Sr., Guard, Amarillo, Texas/Amarillo
Brister led the Lady Buffs to a 2-0 outing last week against Central Oklahoma and Northeastern State to remain undefeated with an overall record of 7-0. Brister led the team in scoring in both games, registering a season-high 34 points against UCO and 26 points against Northeastern. She also contributed a combined 12 rebounds, seven assists, and eight steals. For the week, she was 21-40 (52.5%) from field goal range, 7-13 (53.8%) from behind the arc, and 11-15 (73.3%) from the free throw line.

LSC North Men's
Kendall Smith, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Sr., G, Cherokee, Okla.
Smith scored a season-high 29 points in Southwestern Oklahoma State's 74-67 victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville. He made 73% of his shots from the field on eight-of-11 attempts and was five-of-seven from behind the arc. It was the Bulldogs first win at Kingsville since joining the LSC in 1997.

LSC South Men's
Ryan Bennett, Angelo State University, Sr., Guard, Fort Worth, Texas/Eastern Hills
Bennett led the Rams in scoring for the week and pulled off the first triple-double at ASU in three seasons against East Central last Saturday. He poured in 14 points, pulled down 11 boards and dished out 10 assists in the Rams' 93-83 win over ECU to keep ASU perfect on the season. In the first game of the week at St. Mary's, Bennett led the Rams with 16 points, including a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line, in ASU's 65-60 win over the Rattlers. Against Southeastern Oklahoma last Thursday, Bennett registered 13 points and tied for game-high honors with three assists as the Rams defeated the Savage Storm, 73-60. For the week, Bennett averaged 14.3 points in three games, 4.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Daktronics 2008 Division II All-America Football Team

RON LENZ OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Bernard Scott, RB, 5-11, 200, Sr, Abilene Christian (Texas)
RON LENZ DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Myles Burnsides, S, 5-11, 195, Jr, Northwest Missouri State

+ indicates top vote getter at a position

OFFENSE
First Team

+QB Mike Reilly, 6-3, 212, Sr, Central Washington
RB LaRon Council, 5-10, 210, Jr, Northwest Missouri State
+RB Bernard Scott, 5-11, 200, Sr., Abilene Christian (Texas)
+WR Charly Martin, 6-2, 210, Sr, West Texas A&M
WR Mike Washington, 6-0, 190, Sr, West Chester (Pa.)
+TE Jarrell NeSmith, 6-2, 215, Jr, Tusculum (Tenn.)
OL Thomas Battle, 6-3, 315, Sr, Carson-Newman (Tenn.)
OL Sam Collins, 6-2, 270, Sr, Abilene Christian (Texas)
+OL Jeremy Davis, 6-3, 300, Sr, Northwest Missouri State
OL Billy Eisenhardt, 6-2, 275, Sr, Grand Valley State (Mich.)
OL Tony Washington, 6-7, 300, Jr, Abilene Christian (Texas)

+Ret Spec Deante Steele, 5-7, 175, So, Shepherd (W.Va.)
+Kicker Tom Schneider, 6-0, 195, Sr, North Alabama

DEFENSE
First Team
DL Sean Paddock, 6-2, 255, Jr, Northwest Missouri State
+ DL Dan Skuta, 6-3, 265, Sr, Grand Valley State (Mich.)
DL Jake Visser, 6-2, 275, Sr, Ferris State (Mich.)
LB Jared Brock, 6-1, 232, Sr, West Texas A&M
LB Matt Freed, 5-10, 205, So, East Stroudsburg (Pa.)
+LB Lardester Hicks-Green, 6-1, 235, Jr, Delta State (Miss.)
LB Mike Johnson, 6-4, 250, Jr, North Alabama
+CB Darren Banks, 5-10, 188, Sr, West Liberty State (W.Va.)
CB David Raymond, 5-11, 190, Sr, North Alabama
+S Myles Burnsides, 5-11, 195, Jr, Northwest Missouri State
S Sherard Reynolds, 5-10, 182, Sr, Valdosta State (Ga.)

+Punter Nick Krut, 5-11, 185, Sr, East Stroudsburg (Pa.)

Second Team
QB Corey Russell, 6-4, 190, Sr, Tusculum (Tenn.)
Bobby Coy, 5-10, 205, Jr, Mesa State (Colo.)
Jerry Seymour, 5-7, 205, Sr, Glenville State (W.Va.)
WR Johnny Knox, 6-1, 190, Sr., Abilene Christian (Texas)
WR Garrett Manning, 6-4, 210, Sr, Henderson State (Ark.)
TE Jared Bronson, 6-4, 255, Sr, Central Washington
OL Sam Allen, 6-5, 305, Sr, Grand Valley State (Mich.)
OL Nate Baier, 6-3, 290, Sr, Minnesota-Duluth
OL Sam Hathorn, 6-2, 255, Jr, North Alabama
OL Kendall Molz, 6-4, 275, Sr, Pittsburg State (Kan.)
OL Joseph Thompson, 6-3, 315, Sr, Abilene Christian (Texas)

Ret Spec Kendall Wright, 5-11, 175, Sr, Northwest Missouri State
Kicker Matt Adams, 5-10, 180, Sr, Abilene Christian (Texas)

DL Louis Ellis, 6-3, 312, Sr, Shaw (N.C.)
DL Ricky Hope, 6-1, 250, Sr, Texas A&M-Commerce
DL Troy Pribnow, 6-3, 250, Sr, Wayne State (Neb.)
LB Jared Brawner, 6-1, 237, Jr, Missouri Southern
LB Jeffrey Cargile, 5-9, 200, Sr, Morehouse (Ga.)
LB John Jacobs, 6-2, 225, Jr, Saginaw Valley State (Mich.)
LB Gary Pack, 6-1, 230, Sr, West Alabama
CB Devon Hughes, 5-11, 180, Sr, Henderson State (Ark.)
CB Terrence Johnson, 6-0, 195, Jr, California (Pa.)
S Jabir Perkins, 6-0, 200, Sr, Texas A&M-Kingsville
S Tyler Yelk, 6-0, 200, Sr, Minnesota-Duluth

Punter Will Batson, 6-4, 210, Jr, North Alabama

AVCA Announces NCAA Division II All-American Teams

CANYON, Texas - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) is proud to announce the 28th annual AVCA All-America teams for NCAA Division II women's volleyball, officials released Wednesday. Laura Prinsen was selected to the AVCA All-American first team and Melissa Harper and Katie Rickwartz were selected as AVCA All-American honorable mentions.

The 2008 All-America selections were made by the AVCA Division II All-America Committee: Laurie Lokash, Slippery Rock University, chairperson; Mario Andaya, Central Washington University; Christy Benner, Wheeling Jesuit University; Jim Boos, University of Minnesota Duluth; Todd Caughlin, St. Mary's University; Shelton Collier, Wingate University; Sandy Hoffman, Bentley College; Deanne Scanlon, Grand Valley State University; and Jill Stephens, Florida Southern College.

Laura Prinsen, a 5-9 right-side/opposite for West Texas A&M University, is a junior from Spring, Texas. This season Prinsen, who is ranked in the top-10 nationally in kills per set, led the Lady Buffs to their third-consecutive conference title and into the semifinals of the South Central Region Tournament. For her efforts, she earned the LSC Offensive Player of the Year award, was named to the All-LSC First-Team and now receives her first AVCA All-America honor.

Rickwartz earned honorable mention honors last season. This is the first AVCA All-America honor for Harper.

Post-Season Soccer Honors

Taylor Jordan and Meagan Lasley Earn All-American Honors
Texas A&M University-Commerce junior goalkeeper Taylor Jordan and junior forward Meagan Lasley were named second and third team NSCAA/adidas All-American, respectively on Sunday afternoon.

Jordan and Lasley become the second and third All-Americans in school history after Tiffany Adams became the first to earn All-American honors in 2004.

Jordan, a transfer from Ouachita Baptist, was an honorable mention all-Lone Star Conference selection in 2008. In 22 games in goal, she posted a 13-4-1 record with six shutouts and made 102 saves. Her 102 saves are the fifth most in a single season in A&M-Commerce history. She was also named to the all-tournament team at the LSC Tournament and earned LSC Goalkeeper of the Week recognition on September 17th

Lasley emerged as the top offensive threat for an A&M-Commerce soccer team that advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. She set the school single-season record for points with 52 (20 goals and 12 assists). Her 20 goals tied the single-season mark that was shared by Emily Bruggemann (2002) and Tiffany Adams (2003). She was also named first team all-Lone Star Conference and Daktronics South Central All-Region Region second team. She will enter her senior campaign in 2009 with tied for second all time with 32 goals and her 22 assists ranks tied fourth in school history.

In addition, Jordan, Lasley, junior Sarah Reed and senior Melissa DoRemus were named to the first team NSCAA/adidas all-South Central region team and sophomore Chelsey Haight was a second team selection.

Jordan, Lasley and the Lions finished the 2008 season with a 16-4-3 overall record and the 16 wins match the 1999 team for the most in a season in school history. Also, A&M-Commerce made its fourth appearance in school history to the NCAA Tournament, where they advanced to the third round for the second time in program history.


Lady Buff's Markussen Named D-II All-American Honorable Mention

CANYON, Texas - West Texas A&M's senior forward, Elisabeth Markussen, has been named to the NCAA Division II All-American Honorable Mention team, announced Tuesday afternoon.

Markussen became one of the most explosive offensive forces in the region this past season, scoring 18 goals and adding nine assists for the Lady Buffs who won their second consecutive Lone Star Conference Championship in 2008.

Markussen tallied three hat-tricks during the season, as well as upping her career total in goals to 48, which is second all-time in WT history. Markussen was named the Lone Star Conference Preseason and Regular Season Offensive Player of the Year.

Rambelle Soccer Honored, Again
For the seventh consecutive season, the Angelo State women's soccer team has been recognized with the NSCAA College Team Academic Award.

The Rambelles picked up the award for the 2007-08 academic year after posting a team grade point average of 3.46, the highest among the Lone Star Conference. ASU was one of just four LSC women's programs to be honored by the NSCAA this year.ASU has been recognized each season since 2002 and and won the award in 2000, giving the Rambelles eight awards over the past nine years.

To be eligible for this award, a team must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 for the academic year. A total of 366 soccer teams (104 men, 262 women) posted a team GPA of 3.00 or higher in 2007-08 to earn the award. The Rambelles were one of 47 women's program to boast a team GPA of 3.40 or better.

Bristow gains Daktronics Division II All-America honorable mention

WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Midwestern State Kari Bristow's commitment to success this season played a big role this season for the Mustangs.

Bristow's big leg and playmaking ability resulted in eight goals and seven assists as the junior from Tyler helped Midwestern to a late-season eight-match winning streak, a 14-7 record and berth in the Lone Star Conference Championship Tournament for the 13th consecutive season.
Bristow garnered Daktronics honorable mention All-America honors Wednesday when the College Sports Information Directors of America released its annual awards.


Martinez named Daktronics Third-Team All American

WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Midwestern State rated 13th in NCAA Division II in goals-average and boasted the nation's ninth-best shutout percentage as the Mustangs advanced to the national quarterfinals for the second-straight season.

Junior defender Brian Martinez garnered third-team Daktronics All-America honors for his role in helping Midwestern to a 19-3 record as the Mustangs carried a No. 1 national ranking for four-consecutive weeks in 2008.


Miller Earns Another Honor

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Dec. 2) – Central Oklahoma soccer star Alli Miller earned honorable mention recognition on the Daktronics NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer All-America Team that was released Tuesday.

A junior fullback from Norman, Miller was a first-team pick on the All-South Central Regional Team in making it on the All-America ballot, which was voted on by sports information directors of Division II soccer-playing institutions. She led UCO’s defensive efforts in 2008 and was named Lone Star Conference Player of the Year while also earning first-team All-LSC honors for the third consecutive season.

Lone Star Conference

Angelo State University

Cameron University

Eastern New Mexico University

MSUMustangs.com

Texas A&M-Commerce

Tarleton State University

Texas A&M-Kingsville

Texas Woman's College

University of Texas of the Permian Basin

West Texas A&M University

Western New Mexico