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The fifth installment of the Season Previews moves to an intriguing team: Texas A&M Kingsville Javelinas.
We know that some serious changes have come to Kingsville over the past 9 months. What can we expect this season? I for one don't have all the answers; but, we will take a look at some things that have been happening and who is back from last year.
Texas A&M Kingsville Javelinas:
2014 Season Record: Overall (2-9) LSC Record (0-7)
Head Coach: Daren Wilkinson (1st Season as Javelinas Head Coach) Record: 0-0 (0%)
Who returns to the Javelinas lineup or played last season?
The 2015 Javelinas will feature 53 new players that have never set foot on campus prior to preseason camp. The newcomers comprise 48.2% of the 110-man roster. With so many new faces, nearly every starting position is up for grabs prior to the first contest of the year.
The Javelinas Offense have 4 offensive starters returning from the2014 season with 3 of them being linemen.
The Offense have some experience with Shawn Vasquez (637 yards, 5 TDs); Greg Pitre (329 yards, 1 TD); and, Joe Te'o (300 yards, 4 TDs)
Per the Kingsville game notes: Myles Carr, Stevie Joe Dorman (Colorado University Transfer)and Trey Mitchell have all worked hard in camp and Saturday's start will be a game time decision between Carr and Dorman, said Wilkinson. It is not set in stone and we might put all three behind center to be honest depending on the scenario. Myles and Stevie Joe have been efficient throwing the ball and making the big plays when the opportunities have presented themselves.
The Javelinas Defense have 7 defensive starters returning to play in 2015.
S, Trevor Pesek (95 tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 sack, 2 INTs)
LB, Trevor Moses (81 tackles, 4.5 TFLs)
DL, Braedon Robinson (51 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks)
Javelinas Offense: Pro Style Offense
Javelinas Defense:Man to Man Scheme
2015 Kingsville Schedule:
Sept. 5@Incarnate Word (FCS)
Sept. 12 v.Missouri S&T
Sept. 19 v. Texas A&M Commerce
Sept. 26 v. West Alabama
Oct. 3 @ Eastern New Mexico
Oct 10 v. Tarleton State
Oct. 17 @ Angelo State
Oct. 24 v. West Texas A&M
Oct. 31 @ Midwestern State
Nov. 7 - LSC Playoff
Nov. 14 - LSC Playoff
Nov. 21 - NCAA Playoffs Begin
The Javelinas have a really good schedule that will be challenging down the road. In week 1, the Javelinas take on former conference foe Incarnate Word and then welcome GVLC's Missouri S&T. Then, on to a battle of the A&M schools with the Commerce Lions. We will see if the Javelinas are up for the challenge.
Coach WilkinsonComments about their 2015 Schedule:
We are excited to start the year with a short trip to San Antonio followed up by 3 straight home games in the month of September.
Coach's Corner with Head Coach Daren Wilkinson
Our guys have really taken to the coaching. We are trying to establish a culture here of sustainability. They have bought into hard work and effort. We are getting there in terms of our athleticism. My expectations are that we will be a much improved team in terms of effort and accountability both on and off the field. We will bring back hard nosed football and put a product on the field that will make our fans proud.
How has your transition been coming from CSUP to TAMK? This is a very special place where the tradition and history are very impressive and mean a ton to the folks around here and throughout Javelina Nation. The people here and everyone associated with the program have been tremendous in welcoming myself and my staff and giving us the things needed to succeed.
Thank you Coach Wilkinson for your time and comments!
Thoughts on the Upcoming Season:
As everyone can assume, there are lots of changes going on with the Javelinas Football Team.
Here is a depth chart for the upcoming game:
OFFENSE
QB
Myles Carr
Stevie Joe Dorman
TB
Greg Pitre
WR
Jordan Thomas
Kyle Plum
WR
Jacob Armstrong
Marcus Green
WR
Anthony Autry
Shavon Pennie
TE
Chris Cooper
Daniel Ramirez
LT
Bo Villarreal
Stuart Sanchez
LG
Luke Spies
Richard Cervantes
C
Christian Garcia
Ralph Rubalcaba
RG
Ollie Brady
RT
Aundra Long
Jake Wallace
DEFENSE
DE
Alex Kuyinu
Gaylin Griffin Jr.
DT
AA Vaaulu
Will Juarez
DE
Braedon Robinson
Brandon Jones
OLB
Trevor Moses
Jonathon General
ILB
DeMarcus Spurlock
Fred Conyers
ILB
Miles Kirksey
Shannon Joseph
OLB
Zamarcus Green
Peyton Tilley
CB
Kelechi Amushie
Joe Crowe
SS
Lamont Hills
Tre Oliver
FS
Emond Hobbs
Devonte Williams
Dashon Wade
CB
Forrest Jones
Marcus Porter
The Javelinas return several players with experience on the field. However, they have an overwhelming amount of newcomers at Kingsville.
I suspect that the running game with their experienced backs will be a major contributor coming into this season. Pitre, Vasques and Te'o had decent yardage last season for the Javelinas. I expect them to focus on the running game, especially as the teams tries to iron out all the new changes and see who will be the playmakers on the offense.
I am intrigued to see how the QB position works out. As you see my comments above, Saturday's start will be a game time decision between Carr and Dorman. We will have to wait and see who proves to be the more viable option. I think right now that the verdict is still out until the game this weekend. I expect either one of these guys to be a suitable choice for the QB position.
Taking a look at this 2015 season for theJavlelinas, there is still too many question marks to make any definitive statements prior to the season. I feel that the offense is solid at the Running Back position and will have some decent playmakers coming on defense. However, we don't know how many that started last year will win their starting jobs, again.
Joe's Preseason LSC Rankings:
- Angelo State
- .....................
- .....................
- Tarleton State
- Midwestern State
- Eastern New Mexico
- Texas A&M Kingsville
Texas A&M Kingsville (0-0) v. Incarnate Word (FCS)(0-0), Saturday, 2p.m. Kickoff
San Antonio, TX Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium
Weather: High: 95degrees Low: 76 degrees, partly sunny, SE wind 5 to 10 mph
The Javelinas will open the new year with a familiar foe in Incarnate Word. The Cardinals are still struggling, even with their move from Division 2 to FCS. The Cards only won 2 games last season and could not do much against fellow FCS teams. They only managed to beat Houston Baptist and Nicholls State.
The Cardinals have a really good Tight End named Cole Wick, who stands at 6 foot 7. I suspect him to have a bigger role this season and be one of the go-to-guy in the passing game. Look for his big size to try and hammer the ball into the end zone. Trent Brittain will be the starting QB for the birds as he steps up to take a hold of the reins for the offense. He played very minimally last season and will look to try and get things going again for the offense, as they struggled significantly last season.
I suspect the defense to continue to be lead by DE Corey Lee, as he amassed 14.5 TFLs last season for the birds. Look for him to be defensive leader trying to get in the backfield on every play. The Javelina offensive line will want to focus a lot of their willpower and strength on trying to keep him locked down.
What does this game come down to? First, It starts with the Javelinas trying to figure themselves out enough not to let everything become overwhelming to where the game is unwinnable. I suspect some big growing pains for the Javelina offense, especially in the passing game. I imagine that they may focus on running the ball more frequently because of their experience. However, don't count WR Jordan Thomas and Transfer Anthony Autry out. They will be trying to hook up with Dorman and Carr to make the big play. I suspect they will have several big plays, especially from Autry. The strength of the offense should shine on the Javelina offensive line with several returners.
I think there will be quite a bit of adjustments for the Javelinas in all aspects of the game. However, they should not be overwhelming with playig such a team as Incarnate Word. The Cards and Javelinas both have some major strides to make. However, Kingsville will be up for this game and have tended to continuously take Incarnate Word down. I don't see that changing this week. Javelinas start off on a good note!
Prediction: Texas A&M Kingsville 31 Incarnate Word 28
GO HOGS!!!!