Rocker adds to FAMU's RB depth

Head Coach Joe Taylor

Tallahassee, FL - On the walk back to the fieldhouse following Saturday's scrimmage, running back Eddie Rocker mingled for a few minutes with some curious fans. Most of them wanted an answer to the same question concerning the running they'd seen from a quartet out of the backfield.

Rocker, tabbed the starter at running back for Florida A&M, shared the spotlight with LaVante Page, James Owens and freshman Jordan Stanley. They combined to produce 260 yards rushing to account for just over half of the total offense by the Green team.

"Everybody was asking me how I like the new formations," Rocker said. "I think it will help us out individually because everybody brings different things to the game. It's a team effort really."

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Stillman coach sees progress in preseason camp

TUSCALOOSA | The Stillman College football players were able to leave after Saturday’s practice session, but first-year coach Teddy Keaton and his staff had more work to do.

Keaton planned to draw up a depth chart based on the results of the final scrimmage of preseason camp. The Tigers open at home on Saturday, facing Shaw University from North Carolina. Shaw University is ranked second behind Albany State in the Heritage Sports Radio Network (HSRN) Division II HBCU poll.

Keaton said the scrimmage featured live hitting, “all except for takedowns.” Keaton brought in a crew of referees, who told him it was a crisp session with only seven penalties. Keaton said the Tigers committed 14 penalties during an earlier scrimmage.

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Hampton's Wells ready to represent USA

Richmond, VA - Kellie Wells (Hampton University) has yet to wear a uniform with the USA crest across the chest, but she knows the day is coming and she can't wait.

"I look at the uniform everyday. I'm just excited to finally represent my country. I'm stepping into the place that my idols (Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Gail Devers) have been."

That will happen on Sept. 2 when Wells will don the red, white and blue and toe the starting line in the preliminary round of the women's 100-meter hurdles at the International Association of Athletics Federation 2011 World Championships in Daegu, South Korea. The championships begin Saturday.


Women's Press Conference at 2011 IAAF World Championships with Kellie Wells, Hyleas Fountain and Jillian Camarena-Williams.

For the 2002 James River High graduate, the world stage has come.

Wells ran 12.5 seconds in the 100 hurdles to capture the USA Track and Field title in Eugene, Ore., in June. The victory was special for two reasons. First, it earned her a spot on her first national team. Second, it came at the same place her career was set back three years ago.

Burt named Talladega College volleyball coach

TALLADEGA, AL — After a multiple-month coaching search, Talladega College has named Ron Burt head coach of the Lady Tornadoes volleyball team.

“I am happy to be here,” Burt said. “They had a pretty good year last year and the coach left and they were looking for a new one and I jumped at the chance. I like the program that they have; all the girls are coming back except a couple. We have a real good nucleus of girls and I am looking forward to some good things.”

Athletic Director Will Ramos believes Burt is a good fit for the Lady Tornadoes.

“I think coach Ron Burt is going to be a very good coach for this college,” Ramos said. “He is very experienced, he knows the game of volleyball very well. He is very good with the girls. The girls are very excited about him. I think the volleyball program will improve just because we have him here. At the same time we have to know the girls have been here for two years have been very successful so I think it will be a good match for both sides.”

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Concordia gets an overhaul with only 5 starters returning

Selma, AL - Shepherd Skanes won't be wearing a hard hat this fall, but no one could blame the Concordia College head football if he did. Skanes has some major rebuilding to do after the Hornets lost 12 seniors from their 2010 team that finished 6-4.

"I had the biggest graduation class I've had in a while," Skanes said. "Eight of 12 got degrees. They had been with me since 2007. We have only five starters who showed back up for this season."

Senior inside linebacker Javonne Roman and senior outside linebacker Cruz Forbes are the only two returning starters on defense, while tailback Louis Manning, wide receiver Jeremy Morris and center Steven Welch are the only three back on offense for the Selma school.

"We had some young guys, freshmen and sophomores, who played last year...

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Miles ultimate weapon: Jordan Lewis gives Golden Bears explosive running threat

FAIRFIELD, Alabama -- As far as anyone knows, scientists have not begun cloning humans. But if they started the practice today, Miles head football coach Reginald Ruffin knows he would love to clone senior running back Jordan Lewis.

"Jordan Lewis is a tough football player, mentally and physically," said Ruffin, entering his first season at Miles. "If I had more Jordan Lewises, we'd be a really good football team. Nothing gets to him. The guy's got heart. He's a grinder. That's what I love about him."

Lewis, a 5-foot-8, 175-pound junior from Fairfield High School, rushed for a modest 307 yards and four touchdowns for the Golden Bears in 2010. But this season he is expected to blossom into one of the team's explosive offensive weapons. He was named to the preseason All-SIAC second team offense.



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Alabama A&M: Bulldogs at a glance

Coach Anthony Jones

2010 record: 3-8 overall, 2-7 SWAC
Number of starters returning: 14 (6 on offense, 5 on defense, 3 specialists)
Top returning players: QB Deaunte Mason, RB Kaderius Lacey, WR G'Alonzo Milton, OL Jamaal Johnson-Webb, ILB Willie Fuller, WLB Vernon Marshall, FS Rico Porch, P/K Chance Wilson.
Team will be a contender if the offensive line protects Mason and the defensive line is relentless in getting after the quarterback.
Team will struggle if Mason doesn't play well and the defense is forced to play a lot of snaps.
Head coach's Hot Seat meter reading
Anthony Jones, (6) ... Despite leading A&M to the 2009 SWAC championship game, the Bulldogs have posted two losing seasons in the last three years. Jones, entering his 10th season with the Bulldogs, is in the final year of his contract.

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