(Courtesy of Standard-Times San Angelo Newspaper)



LSC faithful-


The Blog is back up and running, the gas tank has been filled and I will be previewing all the teams over the next several days.
We start off with the team that is leading the way in the polls and who I believe deserves being ranked as #1 in the LSC, as it currently stands in the preseason. We all know that polls are not amazing indicators on where teams are ranked. However, I will give illustration on the early rankings in my mind before the season begins. Agree or disagree with me....You decide.



I hope all the blog readers and forum posters are doing well and are as excited as I am for a new season in the LSC!




Let's catch up on some things:


We have a new LSC Commissioner and several schools are joining LSC Football.
Jay Poerner has been selected as the new LSC Commissioner and has been with the league for 10 years. Jay has been an integral part at the LSC offices for many years and continues to help the league excel in all sports. I look forward to seeing many great things from him in the near future. I know that Jay, the LSC staff and LSC Counsel of have been working diligently to add more teams to the LSC. We know that they have added: UTPB, OPSU and WNMU for 2016. Other rumors indicate that more teams may be coming in, as well, or are at least in talks with the league (nothing solidified).

The Angelo State Rams:

2014 Season Record: Overall (9-3) LSC Record (5-2): Lost to West Texas (17 point loss) and TAMC (1 point loss)



Head Coach: Will Wagner (5th Season as Rams Head Coach) Record: 24-21 (.533%)



2014 Team Accomplishments: Won the first LSC Playoff Championship with a win over TAMC. Made the NCAA Playoffs for the first time since 2005 and won their first playoff game since 1997 with a thrilling 42-41 victory over Michigan Tech. Plus many more player and coach accolades!

Who returns to the Rams lineup?



The Rams Offense have 7 offensive starters returning from last season's campaign.



Offensive impact players:

QB, Kyle Washington: 2014 Offensive andAcademic POY, as well as, 2014 and 2015 Preseason POY
WR, Talon Smith
RB, Ryan Byrd
OT, Rance Layton



The Rams Defense have 7 defensive starters returning to the lineup.



Defensive impact players:

DE, Clayton Callicutt: 2014 Defensive Lineman of the Year and 1st Team
S, Richard Franklin
CB, Cortez Davis


Rams Offense: Pistol Formation
Rams Defense: 4-2-5 Formation

2015 Angelo State Schedule:

(Thurs.) Sept. 3 v. OPSU
Sept. 12 @ Western State CO
Sept. 19 v. Bacone College (NAIA) - LSC Festival
Sept. 26 @ West Texas A&M
Oct. 3 v. Midwestern State
Oct 10 @ TAM-Commerce
Oct. 17 v. TAM-Kingsville
Oct. 24 @ ENMU
Oct. 31 v. Tarleton State
Nov. 7 - LSC Playoff
Nov. 14 - LSC Playoff
Nov. 21 - NCAA Playoffs Begin

The Rams have a soft beginning to their schedule with OPSU, Western CO and an NAIA Bacone. Western CO is probably the toughest of the three. I don't see the Rams having much difficulty to start the season. I would almost go to say if that lose any of their first 3 games that it would be a shocker. However, this will hurt their Strength of Schedule (SOS). Just a reminder that NAIA games do not affect their SOS. I am sure like any other team that they had a difficult time scheduling foes for Out-Of-Conference Contests (OOCs), this is a typical hardship for Head Coaches and Athletic Staffs.
After the first 3 games, they head into the LSC gauntlet which will be tough week-in and week-out. Winning every LSC contest is a tall order; but, can the Rams do it?



Coach Wagner Comments about their 2015 Schedule:



Coach's Corner with Head Coach Will Wagner

No matter how we finished the previous season, we always have high expectations for our program. Winning the first playoff game and the LSC Playoff Championship has given our players more confidence in themselves and also help them realize what they are capable of accomplishing. They have a better understanding of what it takes to win the LSC and to be successful in the NCAA Playoffs.

Thank you Coach Wagner for your time and comments!




Thoughts on the Upcoming Season:

Angelo State Rams Fam have a lot to look forward this season as their players hit the field very soon for their first game. QB Kyle Washington will continue to orchestrate the offense in his senior year and hope to improve this season over their 2014 season, trying to reach even more success. The Rams lose several receivers but keep their leading receiver in Talon Smith (Omigie, Pecikonis and Yancy are all gone). They will need some of the younger receivers and/or transfers to step up for the loss of these key players. Additionally, they will have to find another return man, because, Yancy's shoes will be hard to fill in the return game. If the receivers struggle, look for Ryan Byrd and Kyle Washington to push the ball a lot more with their legs. I expect the run game to be just as good this year, as it was last season.



How does one fill the shoes of Rush Seaver? The Linebackers will have BIG shoes to fill with the graduation of Seaver (148 tackles). My main concern for the 2015 season is the Linebacker position. They return some LBs with experience but they will have to step up big to replace some holes. Defensive End, Clayton Callicutt had a heck of a season in 2014, can he improve on 20 TFLs and 8 sacks? I am intrigued to see what he does this year once he sets foot back on the gridiron.



The only big games that the Rams struggled with last season were with WT in the 2nd half and their loss to CSUP in the NCAA playoffs. Looking at this year, can the Rams make a run for the money and win a LSC title. I know the team has to be eyeing a title after their season last year. If they can get some guys to step up at WR and LB, I give them a real good chance at achieving this goal. Angelo games that I am intrigued to see are certainly TAM-Commerce and WT. Will the Rams win the LSC....Can they make a return to the NCAA playoffs....Will Kyle Washington and Clayton Callicutt prove their weight in gold and lead this team back to the NCAA Tournament........

Joe's Preseason LSC Rankings:
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Oklahoma Panhandle State (0-0) v. Angelo State (0-0), Thursday, 7p.m. Kickoff

San Angelo, TX LeGrand Stadium
Weather: High: 97 degrees Low: 73 degrees, mostly clear

The OPSU Aggies are going to get a good look at what they can expect when they join the LSC next year by playing the Rams in game 1 of the season. I expect this to be an interesting game in a sense of seeing exactly where does OPSU sit in competition level with the LSC teams. I expect both teams to make plenty of mistakes being game 1; however, I think Callicutt will be a threat to the backfield and QB all nightlong, with the defense getting multiple sacks. OPSU had a great winning record of 7-3. However, if you look closer at the foes, this record seems a little less impressive. The only comparable teams to look at on their season last year was Adams State (RMAC) and Fort Lewis (RMAC), which they lost too. The athleticism will be dominant with Angelo State as they cruise with ease and try to work on the early season kinks and problems. In my mind, this game will only go one way. Rams win big!

Prediction: Angelo State 48 OPSU 20