HAMMOND, La. – As the second week of fall football camp winds down, the young Southeastern Louisiana secondary continues to make progress in preparation for the 2016 season.
 
The Lions will head into the season with its youngest defensive back group in recent memory. Head coach Ron Roberts is confident that his group will come together quickly.
 
"We definitely won't be as experienced in the secondary as we've been the past several years," Roberts commented. "But we have a bunch of talent in the back and we feel like we have a group that can grow together as the season progresses."
 
Southeastern does have some veteran pass defenders returning amongst all the new faces. Senior Will Hines, senior Demarayeh Lane, junior Ryan Sigers, sophomore Aaron Craig and junior Courtney Rutledge have each seen action previously. Junior Javon Tillman, who was granted a medical redshirt after an early-season injury in 2015, will also return.
 
The veteran corps will be fortified by a bevy of newcomers. Juniors Torrance Mosley, Mayori Ellison, Max Lyons and Deijon Lynch, among others, are poised to make an immediate impact.
 
The talent in place has fostered a lot of competition in camp, according to assistant coach Kevin Weston, who works with the team's defensive backs.
 
"We're very much still in the evaluation period," Weston said. "We have a lot of talent and guys competing at all five spots.
 
"Demarayeh Lane has done a great job communicating," Weston added. "We've been pleased with Javon Tillman's ability to be in the right place and we've also been pleased with the play we're getting out of Will Hines."
 
The Lions will practice on Friday at 10 a.m. in Strawberry Stadium, before participating in Lionpawlooza, part of "Hot August Nights". Practices are open to Touchdown Club members only.
 
SLU will host the inaugural Lionpawlooza as part of the Hammond Downtown Development District's "Hot August Night". The event will be held on West Charles Street in the block located between the Hammond Post Office and Regions Bank. Southeastern's mascot, Roomie the Lion, is getting a new look for 2016-17 and Lionpawlooza will be the first event Southeastern fans can check out Roomie's new appearance. 
 
Members of the Hammond community will have an opportunity to enjoy a pep rally to start the event at 6 p.m. on the La Carreta stage with Lionpawlooza festivities running until 7:30 p.m. In addition to the entertainment provided by the Southeastern cheerleaders, Lionettes and the Spirit of the Southland marching band, fans will have the opportunity to receive autographs from Southeastern football, soccer and volleyball student-athletes.
 
At the event, representatives of the Southeastern bookstore will be in attendance selling Lion gear and merchandise. Fans will also have the opportunity to spin the prize wheel to earn Lion Athletics gear, purchase football season tickets or join the Lion Athletics Association and the Cub Club at the event.
 
The first scrimmage of the fall is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. In conjunction with the event, Southeastern Athletics will treat season ticket holders to the inaugural Kickoff Appreciation Event.
 
The event is scheduled for 6:30-7:30 p.m. and is open to 2016 football season ticket holders only. Fans wishing to purchase season tickets will also have an opportunity to do so at the event.
 
Fans are asked to enter Strawberry Stadium at the southwest corner of the stadium near the Billups Room entrance. Refreshments will be available with the event, which will be held in conjunction with the Lions' 7 p.m. scrimmage.
 
The 2016 season officially kicks off on Sept. 3, when the Lions travel to Stillwater, Oklahoma to face OSU at 2:30 p.m.
 
The Lions' five-game home schedule opens on Sept. 24, when they welcome league rival Northwestern State for a 6 p.m. contest. Season tickets are available by contacting the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visiting LionSports.net and LionUp.com.
 
2016 Southeastern Football Preseason Practice Schedule
Friday, Aug. 12 – 10 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 13 – 7 p.m. (Scrimmage); 6:30 p.m. (Kickoff Appreciation Event for Season Ticket Holders)
Sunday, Aug. 14 – 7:30 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 15 – 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 16 – 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 17 – 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 18 – 4:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 19 – 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 20 – 10 a.m. (Scrimmage); 2 p.m. (Media Day)
Sunday, Aug. 21 – 7 p.m.