Tuskegee, Stillman season preview: SIAC contenders facing different challenges

TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- A year after winning the SIAC championship, Tuskegee was unanimously picked to win the conference's Western Division. Hold your horses, 10th-year head coach Willie Slater says.

"Sounds like the high expectations (belong to) the ones who did the polls," Slater said of the league's coaches. "I'm a little concerned because we're going to be young in some areas that are very important areas."

Leading receiver Marquel Gardner and returning offensive tackle Kelvin Shelton were preseason All-SIAC honorees on offense. Linebacker Jewel Ratliff, defensive end Julian Morgan and safety Michael Robinson earned defensive honors.

Ratliff had 8.5 sacks and three interceptions from his defensive end position. Morgan had 13.5 tackles, 9.5 for loss.

Linebacker Osband Thompson, defensive end Darian Hall and defensive back Cedric Huff also return to spark the defense.

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