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(Images Courtesy of SU Athletics, VSU Athletics, & UWG Athletics)
This week I preview the three Gulf South Conference schools in the state of Georgia. Next week, I will wrap up my pre-season coverage by previewing the two GSC teams from the state of Mississippi.
Shorter University Hawks
Location: Rome, GA
Enrollment: 1,100
Stadium: Historic Barron Stadium
Capacity: 5,300
Surface: Synthetic Turf
2015 Record: 2-8
Last Playoff Appearance: N/A
Head Coach: Aaron Kelton
Alma Mater: Springfield College (1992)
Career Record: 23-25 (5 seasons)
Record at School: First Season
Location: Rome, GA
Enrollment: 1,100
Stadium: Historic Barron Stadium
Capacity: 5,300
Surface: Synthetic Turf
2015 Record: 2-8
Last Playoff Appearance: N/A
Head Coach: Aaron Kelton
Alma Mater: Springfield College (1992)
Career Record: 23-25 (5 seasons)
Record at School: First Season
Valdosta State University Blazers
Location: Valdosta, GA
Enrollment: 11,563
Stadium: Bazemore-Hyder Stadium
Capacity: 11,249
Surface: Synthetic Turf
2015 Record: 9-3
Last Playoff Appearance: 2015
Head Coach: Kerwin Bell
Alma Mater: Florida (1988)
Career Record: 66-35 (9 seasons)
Record at School: First Season
Location: Valdosta, GA
Enrollment: 11,563
Stadium: Bazemore-Hyder Stadium
Capacity: 11,249
Surface: Synthetic Turf
2015 Record: 9-3
Last Playoff Appearance: 2015
Head Coach: Kerwin Bell
Alma Mater: Florida (1988)
Career Record: 66-35 (9 seasons)
Record at School: First Season
University of West Georgia Wolves
Location: Carrollton, GA
Enrollment: 12,206
Stadium: University Stadium
Capacity: 9,500
Surface: Natural Grass
2015 Record: 12-2
Last Playoff Appearance: 2015
Head Coach: Will Hall
Alma Mater: North Alabama (2004)
Career Record: 49-16 (5 seasons)
Record at School: 24-5 (2 seasons)
Location: Carrollton, GA
Enrollment: 12,206
Stadium: University Stadium
Capacity: 9,500
Surface: Natural Grass
2015 Record: 12-2
Last Playoff Appearance: 2015
Head Coach: Will Hall
Alma Mater: North Alabama (2004)
Career Record: 49-16 (5 seasons)
Record at School: 24-5 (2 seasons)
In just two seasons Coach Will Hall has led the West Georgia program to more wins than they had in the eight seasons combined prior to his arrival in Carrollton. His Wolves plan to continue on that path of winning this year as they return numerous starters to the team including 10 All-GSC performers. They are the reigning GSC Co-Champions and have advanced to the national semifinals for the past two seasons.
On offense, UWG returns All-GSC honorees sophomore running back Devontae Jackson (5-7, 165), junior wide receiver Qa Walker (6-1, 175), and junior center Harley Vaughn (6-3, 292). Jackson had 1057 yards in 2015 and rushed for 12 touchdowns, while Walker led the team with 809 receiving yards and 10 touchdown catches along with ranking second in the nation as he averaged 23.8 yards per catch. They will be joined by two other returning starters in sophomore tight end Brandon Walton (6-6, 245) and senior lineman Austin Kastl (6-5, 292).
The Wolves defensive unit finished 2015 ranked third in the nation for Total Defense by only allowing 248.9 yards per game and return numerous starters including All-GSC performers senior All-American linemen Alex Armah (6-2, 235) and Dylan Donahue (6-3, 235) as well as senior linebacker Gabe Freeman (6-1, 234). Armah had 52 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and forces two fumbles last season while Donahue had 52 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and four quarterback hurries. Freeman tallied 61 total tackles and one interception in 2015. Other starters returning on defense include senior tackle Jason Carr (6-6, 294), junior safety Zed Brown (6-0, 197), and senior cornerbacks Marcus Sayles (5-10, 165) and David Singleton (6-0, 155).
On special teams, West Georgia returns three All-GSC team members in senior kicker Hunter Heck (5-10, 198) and senior utility players Marcus Sayles and Curtis Lindsay (6-0, 200). Heck made 14 out of 18 field goal attempts last year and connected on 52 out of 53 extra points.
Those veteran players will be joined by numerous off-season recruits including several transfers from Division I schools including graduate transfer Will Gardner (6-5, 224), from Louisville; sophomore running back Joshua Thomas (5-11, 225) from Iowa State; senior safety A.J. Leggett (6-0, 199) from Marshall; and senior defensive end Jason Hatcher (6-3, 225), from Kentucky. Gardner started seven games for the Cardinals in 2014 throwing for 1669 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Thomas led the Cyclones with seven touchdowns in 2015. The Wolves also picked up a key GSC transfer as senior All-GSC punter Jordan Ikner transferred from West Alabama to play for his former coach.
UWG opens the season by hosting SAC Champion and playoff participant Catawba before traveling to face Miles, the reigning SIAC champion. After hosting Delta State in the third week of the season, the Wolves will travel to face the SIAC runners-up, Albany State before continuing in GSC play by traveling to North Alabama and Valdosta State in back-to-back weeks.