Road to the 2007 MEAC Championship

The road to the 2007 MEAC championship starts at the front door of Delaware State University. The Hornets are the sleeper of the MEAC big three and will determine if its Hampton U or South Carolina State that will represent the league in the '07 Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

DSU has a rare luxury of having two head coaches (in experience and abilities) with the addition of former Howard U head coach Ray Petty. Coach Petty is the new defensive coordinator at DSU and will need a season of recruiting under his belt to get the type of defensive players needed to make DSU a serious contender. Not this year DSU, as the FAMU Rattlers have you circled on the calendar for a good ole fashion whipping... (beepbeep)

Winton holds key to DSU success

By KRISTIAN POPE, The News Journal

DOVER -- How do you improve on your school's best football record in 15 years?
If you're Delaware State coach Al Lavan, you ask yourself some serious questions.
The Hornets' 8-3 record last season -- 6-2 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference -- pushed the program to the brink of a share of the league championship. It was their best record since 1991.

Entering his fourth season at DSU, Lavan is trying to squeeze out one more victory this season, which could be the difference in qualifying for the program's first Football Championship Subdivision (formerly NCAA Division I-AA) postseason bid.

With the Hornets reporting today and starting preseason drills Monday at Alumni Stadium, these are some of the questions Lavan might be asking himself:
How hurt is Vashon Winton? The junior quarterback went down with a broken ankle in the 10th game last season, all but ending the Hornets' chances for a share of the MEAC title. Coaches say he's ready to play after having surgery and rehabilitating all spring and summer.

Winton has to play. Lavan has few other viable options, despite getting transfer Calvin Tolliver from Northland (Ga.) College. Winton was fourth in the conference in passing with 117 yards a game.

How good is Kareem Jones? Lavan might have the answer to his running game problems in the Syracuse transfer. Tailback Lennox Norville was in line to replace 1,000-yard rusher Emmanuel Marc, but that was before Jones committed to DSU last spring.

He was mostly a kick return specialist for the Orange, but against MEAC competition Jones should fare well at his natural position of running back.

How fast is Chris Strother? Even with the addition of Jones, speedy running back Strother -- unofficially deemed the "fastest dude" on the team -- returns after sitting out last season because of grades. Coaches say he's been cleared to play, and the transfer from Central Florida should make an impact quickly.

Strother could be a fine addition as a kick return specialist if Jones finds a home in the starting offensive unit.

How talented is Shaheer McBride? According to DSU, the MEAC preseason offensive player of the year needs nine receptions and 70 receiving yards to tie the DSU career record in each category. He might get them in the opener.

How important is McBride? He should benefit from the addition of receiver Eddie Brown, who offers a legitimate complement to McBride and should prevent defenses from ganging up on him.
Brown, from Harper (Ill.) College, has impressed Lavan enough that the coach believes this is his best receivers group since he's been at DSU.

How bare is the defense? With the offense stocked, DSU has to get creative on defense, especially in the secondary. This group could become the team's biggest liability.
The Hornets return one secondary starter, Akeem Green. Safety Ryan Robinson has the most potential, and Reggie McCoy should also help buffer the losses somewhat.

How smart is the new defensive coordinator? If anyone can work with the challenges on defense, it's Ray Petty. His 4-3 scheme as head coach at Howard was one of the league's more dominant defenses in recent years.

DSU has used a 3-4 alignment, which means some players will be moved around. But even though the Hornets officially played a 3-4, they acted like a 4-3 defense (by putting a linebacker on the line).

How adaptable is Kelly Rouse? The senior finds himself at a new position under Petty. He goes to defensive end from linebacker, where he made 47 tackles a year ago.
How strong is Russell Reeves? The linebacker, one of the team's most intelligent players, needs to become the strong leader DSU is seeking.

How "special" are special teams? They possibly will be quite special. Placekicker Peter Gaertner has told coaches he intends to return for his final season. He got a medical red-shirt for 2006 and decided in the offseason he would return, hoping to match his All-MEAC form from 2005.
That's a good thing. Gaertner's return means senior punter Josh Brite can concentrate on his position after having to do double-duty last year with Gaertner's absence.