Delta State to open football season against Mars Hill
By Andy Collier, The Bolivar Bullet
On Thursday (Aug. 29), the Delta State University Statesmen will begin another football season as they will hit the road to Mars Hill, N.C. to play the Mars Hill University Lions
The Statesmen have reestablished themselves as one of the top programs in the nation, as they’ve clinched at least a share of the Gulf South Championship the last two years advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs each year. The Statesmen went 10-2 last year and are 21-4 over the last two seasons.
The work the Statesmen have done in previous years hasn’t gone unnoticed as they are preseason ranked No. 14 in the D2football.com Preseason Poll and No. 18 in the American Football Coaches Association Football Poll. The Statesmen (two first place votes, 41 points) are also preseason picked to finish third in the Gulf South Conference behind Valdosta State University (five first place votes, 46 points) and West Florida (one first place vote, 41 points).
Delta State Head Football Coach Todd Cooley, who is entering his 12th year leading the program and 11th year on the field, said the players know what’s expected of them.
“There are expectations,” said Cooley. “We like that. That’s why we’re here at Delta State. We always want to be talked about in the national scene. Preseason rankings don’t mean that much to me, but I think it goes more to the body of work that we’ve done over the last couple of years. It’s nice for the program, but this team has not done anything yet and we know that. I like this team. I think they’re some talented guys on this team. They’re trying to do the right things. It’s been a tough camp and a long camp. We still have some position battles going on, but we kind of like where we’re at right now.”
The Gulf South Conference will be a little different this year as Erskine, located in Due West, S.C., has entered the conference, while the University of West Georgia and Shorter have left the conference. West Georgia moved to Division I and will be playing in the Atlantic Sun Conference, while Shorter will be in the Conference Carolinas in Division II. Erskine was in Conference Carolians last year. Chowan will be playing in the GSC for its second year, while VSU, UWF, North Greenville West Alabama, and Mississippi College make up the rest of the conference.
Cooley felt the schedule would be tough week in and week in not matter if its conference or non-conference, but he stressed that the big game they’re focused on is Mars Hill.
“They were 8-2 a year ago,” said Cooley. “Right now, all we’re thinking about is our football team and how to beat Mars Hill. That’s our sole purpose right now. We can’t look ahead to what’s coming the conference way, because there’s a lot of wood to chop before we get there.”
With the season about to begin, a lot of people are looking forward to who will play the quarterback position after Conerly Trophy winner Patrick Shegog graduated from last year’s team. Cole Kirk, who is entering his fifth year with the program, has been tabbed the starter. Kirk has seen some action during his time at DSU as he’s completed 124-of-213 passes for 1,332 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions and has rushed for 38 yards with a touchdown on 18 carries in 18 total games. Senior Jake Lange, who is a Division I transfer from Southern Miss, is second on the depth chart and is pushing Kirk.
“Cole has earned the right to start and that’s how we’re going to go going into Mars Hill,” said Cooley. “Jake Lange is doing some really good things, and I have no hesitation to put Jake in the game.”
The Statesmen had several players get some preseason recognitions.
Senior running back Kelvin Smith and senior offensive lineman Jaelon Brown were named to the D2football.com Elite 100 Watch list, and senior wide receiver Jalen May was named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch list.
Smith, May, Brown, senior wide receiver Jaylen Green, senior offensive lineman Nolan Troyer, graduate student offensive lineman Gavin Campbell, graduate student defensive lineman Mario Martin, senior defensive back Marlon Windham and senior place kicker Nick Herber were named Preseason All-GSC.
On offense, sophomore running back Tamaj Hoffman has also looked strong, and junior Gade Schweitzer will be another veteran returner on the offensive line.
On defense, senior defensive lineman Joseph Barton, senior defensive end Ahmir Taylor, junior linebacker William Carter, graduate student linebacker William Jenkins, senior linebacker JJ Hudson, and senior linebacker Carter Norrie are some returners that will be heavily counted on to produce for DSU. Junior Taylor Doss, a new player that transferred in from Division I Arkansas State University, will be expected to do big things at defensive back.
In the kicking game, senior punter Parker Burleson will be returning for his fifth year in the program.
There is also a competition at the long snapper position between juniors Wade Cannon and Andrew Studer.
DSU’s opponent this week, Mars Hill, has posted a record of 23-8 over the last three years.
Cooley said Mars Hill will be tough as nails on Thursday.
“They missed the playoffs last year by one game,” said Cooley. “They’re very, very good. The main stays of the coaching staff have been together for over 30 years. They do a ton of stuff on offense, defense and special teams, and they’re good at them. They look really good.”
Kickoff for Thursday’s game against Mars Hill is set for 6:00 p.m. CST/7:00 p.m. EST.