2004

WEEK OF {] l \J

Warriors From Page 20

Underwood stated. Although the Warriors will be some·what inexperi– enced on offense. he's been impressed \Vith the talents of his freshman quarter– backs. Jarius Neal and Rob– bie Morse. Morse is a 6-4, 225-pound product of Wal– ton High School in Defuni– ak Springs, Fla. The backfield features returnees Darryl Mapp, Clinton Thomas, Kelvin Horne and Justin Ficklin (5· 10, 225) of Morton and fresh– man Terence McFadden (5· 9. 215). a product of Ameri– can Heritage High School in Sunrise, Fla.. all of whom earned Underwood's praise: "Mapp runs hard. has great vision and is very physical. Thomas is also a quality back as is Horne, \Vho we moved to fullback from linebacker during the season last year. Horne is also very physical and is an excellent blocket: Ficklin played a lot last ~ear and '~e expect him lo ha\e another good season. McFadden is the lone freshman of the group. He has qmck feet. great vision and is an excep– tional talent. So I really feel that the backfield has great potential this year." Underwood is also pleased with the receiving corps: "Harris has great hands and is getting better every day. Chris Smith (5-10, 165 of Ridgeland) is also a quality receiver who was a starter last year and should do great things for us this sea– son. We are also impressed with Chris Lark (6·2, 211· pound product of Pickens County High School). who will see a lot of action at receiver." In addition to quality players on this year's squad, Underwood is also pleased with his coaching staff, which includes four new

members. Tim Coats returns as offensive coordinator and also serves as assistant head coach and quarter– backs/ receivers coach. Chris Boone joins the staff as defensive coordinator. He will also coach defensive backs and works with spe– cial teams. Boone is a for– mer assistant at Nicholls State University in Thibo– daux, La. New staff members also include Carey Melvin, who serves as defensive line coach and assists with spe-

cial teams; Ter cy Evans. whose main area of respon– sibility will be coaching running backs; and James Keys, who's reswnsible for coaching linebackers and working with special teams. Melvin worked with Boone at Nicholls State, Evans is a former ru sistant at Wayne County High School, and Keys is a former football standout at ECCC and 1\orthwestern Oklahoma State University. Fredrick Lyons, who normally serves as defensive line coach, is on a military leave for Oper-

was not included in the pre– season rankings, five War– riors were named NJCAA preseason honorable men– tion All-Americans run– ning back Kelvin Horne (6', 225), a product of Northeast auderdale High School in Meridian, tight end Cameron Tawater (6·1, 235) of Philadelphia, offensive lineman James Ozment (6-5, 350) of Sumter (Ala.) Acade– my and linebacker Sed Eichelberger (6', 230) of Noxapater. Other top returnees include wide receiver Der– rick Harris (6·1, 179) of Union, fullback Clinton llamas (5-9, 210) of Ripley, ~ilbacks Derrick Mapp (5- 190) of Newton County 1d Kenshay Hunter (5-10, ) of Philadelphia, tight d Willie Hickmon (6-4, ~5) of Lake, strong safeties ney Edison (6',190) of :Pllins and Jay McMillin (5· :tf., 185) of Winston Acade– :Il}y, free safety Brian :McNair (G-4, 180) of Flo- nee, nose guard Henry mith (6-3, 306) of :Aliceville. Ala., and defen– iSive lineman Michael John– !son (5-10, 245) of Newton !County. : Underwood said the play– !ers who received preseason NJCAA honors along with :the top returnees indicate the talent level on this year's squad. · "I feel ve,ry sb·ongly about !this team from a talent :Prospective and also from a -sophomore leadership ~rospective,' Underwood aid. "We brought back a olid corps of freshmen, oabout seven or eight guys, ~at played a lot on the :fJ.efensive side. We probably have four m· five who saw a great deal of playing time on offense.

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