HAMMOND – The defending Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana football team will begin its on-field preparation for 2014 when spring practice opens up on Tuesday.
The Lions, who finished 11-3 overall, advanced to the quarterfinals of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs and finished ranked No. 6 in the final national polls, will take the practice field for the first time on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
2013 Southland Conference, Louisiana and AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year
Ron Roberts' Lions will practice every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for the next five weeks. On April 5, the Lions will host a 2 p.m. scrimmage in Strawberry Stadium. Spring drills culminate with the Spring Game on April 12. The 12 p.m. contest will be part of the Lion Athletics Association's Super Lion Saturday.
New Southeastern offensive coordinator
Chet Pobolish will oversee a Lion offense that returns the 2013 Southland Conference and Louisiana Player of the Year
Bryan Bennett. Bennett, who will be a senior in 2014, threw for 3,165 yards and 21 touchdowns last season, while also rushing for 1,046 yards and a single-season school record 16 touchdowns.
Bennett will be the lynchpin of a Lion offense that returns a myriad of productive skill position players. Junior running backs
Rasheed Harrell (640 rushing yards, eight touchdowns),
Xavier Roberson (538, 6 TD),
Kody Sutton (391, 6 TD) and Darius Guy (224, 2 TD) all return in the backfield. Junior
Jeff Smiley (57 catches, 744 yards, six receiving touchdowns) is the top returning receiver for the Lions.
On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Pete Golding oversees an aggressive group of playmakers. The team's top pass rushers in 2013 – 2014 seniors
Isiah Corbett (17.5 TFL, seven sacks) and
Jacob Newman (13.5 TFL, seven sacks) – return to lead the defense. 2013 All-Southland performers
Harlan Miller,
Marice Sutton and
Tyler Stoddard will lead a talented secondary that will be bolstered by an influx of FBS and junior college transfers.
Roberson is the top returner on special teams, as the Atlanta was a consensus All-America kick returner after leading the nation with a 35.2 kickoff return average. New special teams coordinator
Patrick Toney will be charged with finding replacements for All-American place-kicker
Seth Sebastian and All-Southland punter
Matt McCormick – both seniors in 2013.
The Lions will open up the 2014 season on Aug. 30, welcoming Jacksonville to Strawberry Stadium.
2014 Southeastern Louisiana Football Spring Practice Schedule
Tuesday, March 11 – 4 p.m.
Thursday, March 13 – 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 15 – 11 a.m.
Tuesday, March 18 – 4 p.m.
Thursday, March 20 – 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 22 – 11 a.m.
Tuesday, March 25 – 4 p.m.
Thursday, March 27 – 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 29 – 11 a.m.
Tuesday, April 1 – 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 3 – 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 5 – 2 p.m. (Scrimmage)
Tuesday, April 8 – 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 10 – 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 12 – 12 p.m. (Spring Game)
