HOUSTON, Texas – The Southeastern Louisiana football team was predicted to finish fourth in the Southland Conference preseason poll, which was released at the league's Football Media Day Thursday at the Hilton Americas-Houston.
 
Defending conference champion Sam Houston State is the overwhelming preseason favorite, followed by Central Arkansas, McNeese, SLU and Nicholls in the top five. Stephen F. Austin, Lamar, Abilene Christian, Houston Baptist, Northwestern State and UIW round out the poll, which was selected by the Southland head coaches and sports information directors.
 
"We displayed tremendous work ethic and chemistry as a team throughout the spring," Roberts commented. "We've had a bunch of different guys step in as leaders for our team, which is what you want to see. We can't just have two or three guys be our leaders. When we've won conference championships in the past, we've had 12-15 guys step into leadership roles. We believe we have that this season, which is why we're confident heading into 2017."
 
On the offensive side of the ball, Roberts and his staff will be looking to replace 2016 senior quarterbacks Justin Alo and D'Shaie Landor. Junior returner Donovan Isom and sophomore transfer Lorenzo Nunez are the top candidates to win the job under center.
 
A trio of All-Southland Conference performers return on the offensive side of the ball. Junior running back Julius Maracalin (747 yards, 8 TD in 2016), senior wide receiver Juwan Dickey (42 catches, 768 yards, 7 TD) and senior offensive lineman Travis Romero (three-year starter on the offensive line) all were among the league's elite a season ago.
 
Three All-Southland Conference newcomers who were immediate impact players in their respective debut seasons in Hammond a year ago return to lead the defense. Senior linebacker Sione Teuhema (8.5 TFL, 4 sacks), senior defensive back Max Lyons (73 tackles, Southland-high three fumble recoveries) and senior defensive back Torrance Mosley (64 tackles, 7 PBU) are all back in 2017.
 
Senior Dillon Burkhard and junior Jonathan Tatum will have one of the fall's most competitive battles for the starting placekicking position with Burkhard again slated to handle kickoffs. Ivy Wall returns at punter after a solid freshman campaign, while Glenn Freeman is also back to handle the long snapping duties. In the return game, Roberts believes Lyons has the inside track on the punt returner job. Roberts also indicated that the kickoff return job will be a wide-open competition in the fall.
 
 "The talent is in place for us to compete for another Southland Conference championship," Roberts stated. "The key for us is going to be our ability to continue the growth we had as a team this spring. Winning a championship doesn't come because one or two guys make all the big plays. Our players have to come in with a 'we' attitude, not a 'me' attitude."
 
The Lions will officially report to campus on July 31 with the first practice set for August 1. Southeastern opens the 2017 season with a 6 p.m. contest at FBS in-state opponent UL Lafayette on Sept. 2. SLU will welcome Bethune-Cookman for a 7 p.m. contest on Sept. 9 to open up its five-game home schedule at Strawberry Stadium.
 
Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by contacting the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466.
 
Southland Conference Football Preseason Poll
Team (first place votes) – Points
1. Sam Houston State (20) – 200
2. Central Arkansas (2) – 177
3. McNeese – 163
4. Southeastern Louisiana – 136
5. Nicholls – 133
6. Stephen F. Austin – 114
7. Lamar – 68
8. Abilene Christian – 66
9. Houston Baptist – 56
10. Northwestern State – 49
11. UIW - 48