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We start the second installment with the ENMU Hounds. The Hounds were last-year's underdog and most improved team. They completed their first winning season since 2004. They shocked and awed all teams in the LSC, stunning 2 ranked teams in back-to-back weeks. Yep! Back-to-back weeks... The Hounds came out and beat #15 West Texas A&M and #12 Midwestern State. It will be exciting to see if they can add to their success from late in the 2013 season.
Eastern New Mexico Information:
2013 Season Record: Overall (7-3) LSC Record (5-1): Lone Star Conference Co-Champions.Lost 1 LSC game to Tarleton State(Co-Champ) and ended the season on a 6-game win streak.
Head Coach: Josh Lynn (AFCA Region 4 Coach of the Year)
Returning Starters:
The Hounds Offense have 8 offensive starters returning from last season.
Key Returners: Jordan Wells, RB; Jeremy Buurma, QB; Elon Spight, FB; and Jacob Johnson, WR
The Hounds Defense have 9 defensive starters returning from last season.
Key Returners: Kevin Reaves, S; Darralyn McCloud, CB; Benjamin Pedro-Langford, OLB; Seth Bailey, LB; Julian Yearwood, LB
The Hounds Offense: Triple Option
The Hounds Defense: 3-4 Formation
2014 ENMU Schedule:
Sept. 6 @New Mexico Highlands
Sept. 13 v. Adams State
Sept. 20 v. Midwestern State - LSC Festival
Sept. 27 v. Texas A&M Commerce - Homecoming
Oct. 4 @ Texas A&M Kingsville
Oct. 11 @ McMurry
Oct. 18 v. Tarleton State
Oct. 25 @Angelo State
Nov. 1 v. WTAMU
Nov. 8 - LSC Playoff
Nov. 16 - LSC Playoff
The Hounds were very close to being a playoff team if not for their early season losses. The Hounds starts out with a team to remember from last year, New Mexico Highlands. I talked to Jeremy Buurma and Seth Bailey specifically about this game at the LSC Media Day. They basically stated that we just were having a difficult time with getting things going and completing their assignments on the field. I will say this, the Hounds and several players probably have this game circled on the schedule. From my visit with them, they were sure adamant about seeing them again this season and being up for the challenge. I hope they remember this game from last season because it was one of the factors that hurt them trying to get to the playoffs!
The Hounds have a key matchup as the last game of the LSC festival in Midwestern State. They got the better of the Stangs last year but I bet they will all be up for this game, as it is one of their first big games. The Hounds have Commerce for their Homecoming in a really great matchup that will be a game not to miss. Overall, the season will be tough; especially, with their new found success last season. All teams will be ready for the Hounds when they roll into town. I like that they end the season with the Annual Wagon Wheel game and this year it will be in Blackwater Draw.
Coach Lynn comments about their 2014 schedule: We have a tough schedule. We play 11 D2 games. Non-Conference is NMHU and Adams State. Then the regular LSC season. I believe the league is good as it ever has been from top to bottom and you better play good ball every week. After the LSC season, comes the LSC playoff system and we shall see how that goes.
The Greyhounds have had a great spring. The focus of spring and summer workouts were to prepare us for the early part of our 2014 season. We lost three games early last year that we were not ready to win. In recruiting, we tried to focus on players that could give us depth on the Offensive and Defensive lines. I believe we did a good job of getting that done. Our focus for the entire program is not to get complacent. We are in a new set of shoes than what we have been in the past coming off the first winning season since 2004.
Thoughts on the Upcoming Season:
I think this will be a good season to see how the Hounds adjust coming off their first winning season in some time. They will need many things to go right and a few bounces their way to get back to last season. Can they do it? Absolutely. Is this a good ball team? Undoubtedly. Should teams be nervous to play the Hounds this season? I think that question was answered at the end of the season, YES! They will have to make key play action to fully take advantage with their triple option. Buurma was off several times last season on multiple deep play action passes that could have blown games wide open. Knowing him, I know that he is working on this aspect. The defense will have to be ready and up for the challenge. The team knows that everyone will be watching for them this season and that no one will overlook the ENMU GreyHounds. Will the Hounds bring the title home again this year.... Time will only tell!
Sept. 20 v. Midwestern State - LSC Festival
Sept. 27 v. Texas A&M Commerce - Homecoming
Oct. 4 @ Texas A&M Kingsville
Oct. 11 @ McMurry
Oct. 18 v. Tarleton State
Oct. 25 @Angelo State
Nov. 1 v. WTAMU
Nov. 8 - LSC Playoff
Nov. 16 - LSC Playoff
The Hounds were very close to being a playoff team if not for their early season losses. The Hounds starts out with a team to remember from last year, New Mexico Highlands. I talked to Jeremy Buurma and Seth Bailey specifically about this game at the LSC Media Day. They basically stated that we just were having a difficult time with getting things going and completing their assignments on the field. I will say this, the Hounds and several players probably have this game circled on the schedule. From my visit with them, they were sure adamant about seeing them again this season and being up for the challenge. I hope they remember this game from last season because it was one of the factors that hurt them trying to get to the playoffs!
The Hounds have a key matchup as the last game of the LSC festival in Midwestern State. They got the better of the Stangs last year but I bet they will all be up for this game, as it is one of their first big games. The Hounds have Commerce for their Homecoming in a really great matchup that will be a game not to miss. Overall, the season will be tough; especially, with their new found success last season. All teams will be ready for the Hounds when they roll into town. I like that they end the season with the Annual Wagon Wheel game and this year it will be in Blackwater Draw.
Coach Lynn comments about their 2014 schedule: We have a tough schedule. We play 11 D2 games. Non-Conference is NMHU and Adams State. Then the regular LSC season. I believe the league is good as it ever has been from top to bottom and you better play good ball every week. After the LSC season, comes the LSC playoff system and we shall see how that goes.
The Greyhounds have had a great spring. The focus of spring and summer workouts were to prepare us for the early part of our 2014 season. We lost three games early last year that we were not ready to win. In recruiting, we tried to focus on players that could give us depth on the Offensive and Defensive lines. I believe we did a good job of getting that done. Our focus for the entire program is not to get complacent. We are in a new set of shoes than what we have been in the past coming off the first winning season since 2004.
Thoughts on the Upcoming Season:
I think this will be a good season to see how the Hounds adjust coming off their first winning season in some time. They will need many things to go right and a few bounces their way to get back to last season. Can they do it? Absolutely. Is this a good ball team? Undoubtedly. Should teams be nervous to play the Hounds this season? I think that question was answered at the end of the season, YES! They will have to make key play action to fully take advantage with their triple option. Buurma was off several times last season on multiple deep play action passes that could have blown games wide open. Knowing him, I know that he is working on this aspect. The defense will have to be ready and up for the challenge. The team knows that everyone will be watching for them this season and that no one will overlook the ENMU GreyHounds. Will the Hounds bring the title home again this year.... Time will only tell!
