Sunday, August 26, 2007

MEAC Projections (Tallahassee Democrat)

Photo: Rattler freshman Phillip Sylvester,#27

ALL-MEAC OFFENSE
QB ... Albert Chester II
Sr. ... Florida A&M
Rattlers' leader threw for 18 TDs in '06.

RB ... Chad Simpson
Sr. ... Morgan State
Averaged 72.3 yds per game last year.

RB ... William Ford
So. ... S.C. State
Ran for 6.7 yards per carry as a sophomore.

WR ... Shaheer McBride
Sr. ... Delaware State
11 TDs in '06; averaged 77.5 ypg.

WR ... Willie Hayward
Sr. ... Florida A&M
Led Rattlers with 674 yards receiving.

OL ... Jeremy Breath
Sr. ... Delaware State
Senior has started every game past 3 years

OL ... Justin Delancy
Sr. ... Florida A&M
At 6-2, 328 he's an anchor on the line.

OL ... Dennis Conley
Jr. ... Hampton
Cleared way for Alonzo Coleman's 256-yd, 7 TD night at FAMU.

OL ... James Lee
Sr. ... S. C. State
Belle Glade Glades High powerhouse is 6-6, 300.

C ... Raymond Harrison
Jr. ... S.C. State
Major reason Bulldogs won 6 of last 7.

TE ... Corey Council
Jr. ... Bethune-Cookman
Valdosta product averaged 12 yds a catch.

PK ... Wesley Taylor
Sr. ... Florida A&M
The league's dominant kicker past two years.

ALL-MEAC DEFENSE
DL ... Kelly Rouse
Sr. ... Delaware State
Led team in sacks (3.5) and fumble recoveries (3).

DL ... Kendall Langford
Sr. ... Hampton
A 6-6 tower of power; 8 sacks in '06.

DL ... Rudolph Hardie
Sr. ... Howard
Coming off season with 9 sacks and 20 tackles for loss.

DL ... Dennis Marsh
Jr. ... Norfolk State
Accounted for 51 tackles as a sophomore.

LB ... Maguell Davis
Sr. ... Norfolk State
Led Spartans with 81 tackles last season.

LB ... Russell Reeves
Sr. ... Delaware State
Hornets' leading tackler last year.

LB ... Veron Wilder
Sr. ... Florida A&M
Rattlers' leader notched 89 tackles as junior.

DB ... Bobbie Williams
Sr. ... Bethune-Cookman
Ball hawk picked off 6 passes in '06.

DB ... Akeem Green
Sr. ... Delaware State
Senior has been strong against the run.

DB ... Thomas Claiborn
Sr. ... Howard
Returned a fumble 70 yds for TD; broke up 7 passes.

DB ... Marshall McFadden
Jr. ... S.C. State
22 solo tackles were second-best on team.

P ... Wesley Taylor
Sr. ... Florida A&M
Averaged 41.3 a boot, with a season-best 61-yarder.

Offensive Player of the Year
Defensive Player of the Year: DE Kendall Langford, Sr., Hampton. Finished 2006 second in the MEAC in tackles for loss per game (1.29) and third in sacks (eight).

Freshman of the Year: RB Phillip Sylvester, Fr., Florida A&M. Injuries have put speedy freshman into starting role that he may never relinquish.

Coach of the Year: Al Lavan, Delaware State. Has Delaware State primed once again for a run at the MEAC Championship.

Coach on the hot seat: Lee Fobbs, North Carolina A&T. Aggieland won't stand for another winless season.

Game of the Year: Delaware State at South Carolina State, Oct. 27. Delaware State beat S.C. State at home 10-9 last season.

MEAC STANDINGS
1. ... Delaware State
The Hornets may have the most complete team in the MEAC this season.

2. ... Hampton
Don't think for a second the Pirates are in a rebuilding year.

3. ... South Carolina State
A suspect defense may prevent Bulldogs from winning MEAC title.

4. ... Florida A&M
The Rattlers are close, but must do a better job against the run.

5. ... Morgan State
The Bears are a sleeper pick, because they return almost everybody from last season.

6. ... Bethune-Cookman
The Wildcats can score, but they also give up a lot of points.

7. ... Norfolk State
Quarterback Casey Hansen could lead the MEAC in passing yards this season.

8. ... Howard
The offense needs to help out the defense more this season.

9. ... North Carolina A&T
Head coach Lee Fobbs doesn't want to wait too long for that first victory.

10. ... Winston-Salem State*
The Rams play a full MEAC schedule this season.
*Not eligible for MEAC Championship until 2009

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