Alabama A&M
Battle of the Quarterbacks
After losing 16-15 to Grambling in the SWAC Championship, the Bulldogs look to improve. They are returning 19 starters this last year, 11 offensive players. Although junior Deaute Mason is the favored as A&M’s starting quarterback, head coach Anthony Jones did not rule out junior David Isabell. “We’ve got two quarterbacks that are very capable of leading Alabama A&M to a successful season,” said Jones.
Alabama State
Giving thanks
Reggie Barlow, the football coach for Alabama State, is excited about the availing of the school’s first on-campus stadium. The stadium will be presented Thanksgiving weekend against Tuskegee. The stadium will give fans nice seats to watch ex-Georgia Bulldog running back Isaiah Crowell, SWAC’s season depute.
Alcorn
First Caucasian coach in SWAC
The Braves welcomed the first Caucasian football coach in the SWAC in May. Although this transition appears racially elevated, Coach Jay Hopson and the Alcorn football family are focusing on football. Second year receiver Terrance Lewis admits that Coach Hopson is rough but he “never practiced this hard. (Hopson) wants us to work to earn everything we get and that’s what we’re trying to do every day.” Hopson is replacing Melvin Spears, who finished last season with a 2-8 record.
Mississippi Valley
Only one win
In two years, the only tally in the win column for the Delta Devil was against Texas Southern, 12-9, on Oct. 29, 2011. Head coach Karl Morgan is entering his third season with some improvement. Rice-Totten Stadium, the home of the Delta Devils home games, received multi-million face-lift and renovated weight room in order to improve recruitment and development.
Jackson State
Transfer Accepted
After deciding to depart ways from the Ole Miss football program on Aug. 15, Tobais Singleton hopes to find a new home in Jackson. As a Jackson State tiger, Singleton is viewed to make an instant impact. “I’ve watched him play enough to know that he’ll make a great contribution and he’ll fit in great with the guys that are here already,” head coach Rick Comegy said. Singleton was rated as the No. 20 receiver in the country and 5 in the state of Mississippi in the 2011 recutting class.
Arkansas Pine Bluff
Extension wanted
Doug Williams was not the only coach in the SWAC with contract problems. Lions head coach, Monte Coleman has made it very clear that he wants a contract extension. At this moment, the dispute has not be resolved.
Prairie View
Request Rejected
Prairie View was among more than twenty schools that requested to speak with Tyrann Mathieu. Cornerback Mathieu has recently been released from the LSU Tigers football program. According to PV school officals, their request was rejected, as well as Jackson State.
Southern
Bottom of the Rushing
Last season, the jaguars finished at the bottom in rushing. Southern’s coaching staff hope that Sylvester Nzekwe and Jerry Joseph can help the running backs with better, experienced blocking. Dray Joseph and J.P. Douglas, who split playing time as quarterback last season, returned to fight for the starting position.
Texas Southern
Another new coach
Mike Davis, Texas Southern coach, is constructing his list of new coaches for the new season.
‑ Complied by Tierrra Smith
Assistant sports editor