Arkansas Sports 360.com - July 2008 - (Page 35) Gulf South (continued from Page 33) West Georgia, 43 points to Delta State, 56 points to Southern Arkansas and 62 points to Harding. Tech was hurt by the loss of quarterback Cole Barthel during the middle of the season. The Wonder Boys look to be much better this year with the return of eight starters on offense and seven starters on defense. Barthel, a former University of Arkansas quarterback and before that a minor-league baseball player, returns for his senior season along with a talented corps of wide receivers that includes senior Tracey Stiger of Russellville. On the defensive side of the ball, there’s a quality end in Josh Govan of Crossett. The kicking game is solid with the return of punter Michael Podobnik (named a first-team preseason All-American by Lindy’s) and kicker Travis Cockerham from Bryant. Ouachita also looks to be improved in 2008. The Tigers, who finished 4-6 a year ago, always seem to be most dangerous when they have a senior quarterback. And they have just that in Lance Parker from Bryant, the grandson of legendary coach Jimmy “Red” Parker. Parker is backed up by sophomore Eli Cranor from Russellville, a player the Tiger coaching staff thinks has star potential. Ouachita has six starters back on both sides of the ball, including senior wide receiver Julius Pruitt from Newport, one of the league’s best. On defense, sophomore tackle Brian Church from Warren, who had 12 tackles for losses as a freshman, is already regarded as one of the top tackles in the GSC. The kicking game isn’t a concern due to the return of senior kicker Zach Wright from Conway. Southern Arkansas finished the 2007 season with a 3-7 record, but the Muleriders improved late, defeating Arkansas Tech in a 56-49 shootout. Coach Steve Quinn led the Muleriders to the Division II national playoffs in 2003, but SAU has experienced back-to-back losing seasons, and only three starters return on offense. Quinn must replace all of his skill position players on offense. The Muleriders will depend on a defense that welcomes back eight starters. The defensive front is anchored by end Ryan Terry, end Cedric Thornton, end Quentin Taylor and noseguard DeRalph Guy. Senior linebacker Steven Dauenhauer returns after having led the team in tackles a year ago. Also returning are placekicker Noe Cuevas and punter Zach Massingill. At the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Coach Gwaine Mathews went 1-10 in each of his first two seasons and then improved to 4-7 last year with wins over Harding, Missouri-Rolla, West Georgia and West Alabama. Scott Buisson was the GSC freshman of the year at quarterback. He earned national offensive player of the week honors twice. He ranked second in the conference in total offense (266 yards per game), fourth in passing (214.5 yards per game) and eighth in rushing (51.5 yards per game). He’s joined by eight other returning starters on offense. That includes receivers Clarence Denmark, Jywin Ceasar and Tim Harris. The defense also returns nine starters. m OUTFITTING ARKANSAS ATHLETES SINCE 1978 TEAM DEALERS $125 YOUTH FOOTBALL PACKAGE 10720 RODNEY PARHAM, LITTLE ROCK (501)224-4033 www.teamsportstop.com Best in Basketball $ 899 Starting at 00 FINANCING AVAILABLE T W HenderSon State UniverSity FREE RAZORBACK POLE PAD WITH THIS AD reddie return: Bernard Palmer looks for an opening in Gulf South action. 8400 WEST MARKHAM LITTLE ROCK July 2008 501.219.1182 ArkansasSports360.com 35 http://www.teamsportstop.com http://www.teamsportstop.com http://ArkansasSports360.com
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