HAMMOND - First-year head coach Mike Lucas officially puts his mark on the Southeastern Louisiana football program when the Lions open spring practice Monday on the Southeastern Practice Fields.
The Lions will hold 15 practices that will culminate with the annual Spring Game, set for March 31 in Strawberry Stadium. The Lions will practice at 3:15 p.m. beginning Monday and Tuesday before resuming with three consecutive days of work beginning Thursday. No workouts are scheduled for Wednesday. All practices are open to the public.
Southeastern will look to shore up a defense that lost eight starters, including All-Southland Conference selections Steven Smith, Corlando McChristion, Demoris Hardiman along with four-year starters Duriel Adams and Romaliz Mayo.
The Lions return linebackers Michael Johnson and Tony Richardson, along with defensive back Tommy Connors - a second-team All-SLC selection after finishing second on the team with 68 tackles as a freshman.
On offense, nearly the entire unit returns with the most glaring loss coming at center where four-year starter Donald Usry graduated.
Southeastern returns its top four rushers, highlighted by second-team All-SLC pick Jay Lucas, along with its six receivers, led by Crawford Kilpatrick who caught 47 passes. Lucas and Mario Gilbert each averaged 5.1 yards per carry in 2006 with Lucas scoring six touchdowns on the ground while finishing second on the team with 37 receptions.
Byron Ross (31 receptions), Merrick Lanaux (28 receptions), Jamaar Garrett (25 receptions) and Krishna Muhammad (18 receptions) all return for the Lions along with three starters on the offensive line - seniors Johnny Flowers and Earl Cager along with David Ward, who started all 11 games last season as a true freshman.
Bradd Schlosser, who threw for 940 yards in eight games as a true freshman, and Brian Babin are slated to battle for the quarterback job after losing fifth-year senior Seth Babin to graduation.
Southeastern opens its season Aug. 30 at New Mexico State and will travel to Kansas and Tulane during non-conference action. The Lions face Division II Kentucky Wesleyan in their home opener on Sept. 15 and open Southland Conference action Oct. 6 against Stephen F. Austin in Strawberry Stadium.
