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North Alabama
Valdosta State
West Georgia
Florida Tech
In just four seasons as a program and affiliated with one of the best conferences in D2 Football, FIT seriously contended for the conference title while earning their first ever berth into the playoffs last year.
Senior quarterback Mark Cato and junior running back Antwuan Haynes were selected to the Preseason All-GSC list, as were defensive student-athletes junior lineman Adonis Davis and senior back Jo Jackson. Haynes and Davis were both first team all-conference last year and had standout numbers. Haynes led the conference in both rushing (1,076) and all-purpose yards (1,783) while Davis was in the GSC top five in forced fumbles (3), sacks (6.5), and tackles for loss (15.0). Cato led the GSC in passing efficiency in 2016 (152.2), while passing for 2,263 yards, rushing for 455 yards and scoring 28 touchdowns.
Newcomers to watch for include transfers linebacker Kendall Duckworth (Kansas), receiver Demetrius Frazier (Middle Tennessee State), linebacker/safety JT Hassell (South Dakota State), and tight end Mason Wilfong (Southern Illinois). The Panthers play ten NCAA games with only one D2 OOC game, which will be a rematch with North Greenville on the road later in the year. Otherwise, their OOC games are at DI-FCS McNeese State in Cowboys Stadium and the season opener at home against Virginia University of Lynchburg (which is not a NCAA school).
West Alabama
The West Alabama Tigers were a strong part of the conference title and playoff discussion last year. They probably return the most starters of any team in the league going into the 2017 season. This could definitely be the season Coach Gilliland has been building to produce.
Leading the team will be all-conference preseason picks, wide receiver Donta Armstrong, running back Lakendric Thomas, defensive lineman Darius Ellis, linebacker Terry Samuel, and kicker Jordan Bennett. Armstrong was a Harlon Hill nominee and First Team All-GSC performer who finished the season with the most receptions in the conference. His 91 catches were 20 more than second place. He finished second in receiving yards (904), tied for sixth in receiving touchdowns (6), led the GSC in average yards per punt return (17.1) and returned two punts for touchdowns. Bennett was also a 2016 All-GSC selection after leading UWA in scoring with 62 points. He made 10-of-14 field goals (71%) and converted 32-of-35 extra points.
Four other Tigers were recognized by the GSC as 2017 newcomers to watch. They are all transfers from DI schools including offensive tackle Dontavius Blair (Tennessee), safety Khalia Hackett (Arkansas), cornerback Tevin Madison (Texas Tech), and receiver Broc Malcom (Idaho State). The Tigers play OOC games against Lenoir-Rhyne of the SAC, Samford from FCS, and future GSC foe North Greenville.
Delta State
West Florida
Mississippi College
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