Bearkat Football Team More Focused Than Ever
by Cheval John
The Sam Houston State Bearkats football team looked really great in the Spring game that occured last night at Elliot T. Bowers Stadium, with a total of 80 plays and the offense having six total touchdowns.
On the defensive side of the ball, they got two turnovers for the game. They did not keep score this year in the scrimmage, so they were no winners or losers in the game.
“All spring we had a hard time moving the ball on our defense and today, we did a very good job on offense,” junior running back Tim Flanders said.
After going 14-1 in the 2011 season that included an NCAA Division I FCS Championship Final Appearance in Frisco, Texas, the road will be a little tougher as the Bearkats will play the 2012 schedule with only three home games and two against FBS schools, Baylor Bears and the Texas A&M Aggies.
They only lost 12 senior letterman from the team and also their offensive co-ordinator Bob DeBeese, assistant coach and wide receiver coach Jeff Conway and offensive line coach Derek Warehime, but they are poised for a great season.
They feel confident because of the pedigree that are returning and with the additions of wide receivers coach Matt Barrett, offensive coordinator Doug Ruse and offensive line coach Bart Tatum.
The coaches have adjusted pretty well to the Bearkat system as they will be working with 50 returning letterman including 19 starters, with five being named All-Americans from last year’s team.
For example, junior quarterback Brian Bell, who passed for 2,059 yards last year, had a decent spring game.
He looked pretty solid as he completed 11 of 17 for 161 yards and a touchdown.
“It was an awesome way to finish spring ball,” Bell said. “Coming out here offensively, we finished real strong and that is definitely were we needed to be.”
“He throws the ball really well on the run and with only 15 practices in the new format, he had good command of the offense,” head coach Willie Fritz said.
Senior wide receiver Trey Diller was the recipient of most of Bell’s passes, with seven catches for a total of 118 yards including a diving touchdown grab.
“We come a long way since day 1 of spring practice…now we have six touchdowns against one of the best defenses in the country,” Diller said.
The Bearkat 2012 football season will begin on Saturday, September 8 against Sacred Heart.
