KINGSVILLE - Despite residing in the NCAA doghouse the past couple
of years, Texas A&M-Kingsville may have surprised many last season with its rapid
return to supremacy in the Lone Star Conference.
The trick now is to sustain the success, just as the storied program
has been able to do in the past.
"If everybody shows up, if we start off well and build some kind
of momentum, we could be very good," said coach Richard Cundiff, who is coming
off heart surgery in the offseason. "But there's so many variables."
Those variables worked in the favor of A&M-Kingsville, the overwhelming
pick to again win the LSC South Division. Starting his third year as coach, Cundiff
will be the first to admit that fortune smiled on the Javelinas a year ago, who
were coming off 4-7 and 5-6 seasons.
There were no major injuries to clutter the mix. With nary a "marquee"
player - save for perhaps Harlon Hill nominee Abel Gonzalez, the multi-talented
Eric Spencer or All-American linebacker Kiah Johnson - A&M-Kingsville got the
production it needed on both sides of the ball to win nine of 11 games. The Javs
shared the LSC South and overall championship with Tarleton State and reached
the first round of the Division II playoffs, where they were narrowly beaten by
California Davis, 37-32.
"The turnaround, first of all, was because Abel had a great year
and stayed healthy," Cundiff said of his quarterback. "So the quarterback stayed
in place. The receivers, the three, four we had were the best group in the conference,
bar none. The offensive line was good enough - not great, but good enough, and
when they weren't, we were able to get something from the others.
"The tight ends (Kevin) Palmer and (King-ex Jonathan) Moody and the
running backs, as a group, were good. We as a group didn't have a star. If you
want to say we did, maybe Eric Spencer or Abel. As far as a no-name offense, we
had those two to stand out.
"Defensively, we had great leadership, great speed and they were
able to keep us in ballgames last year. Now that was what was able to turn us
from 4-7 to 9-2. We were one of the more lucky teams in the nation to stay healthy."
If that health holds again, the Javelinas could be marching to their
24th LSC title and 11th appearance in the Division II playoffs. Sixteen starters
- seven on both sides of the ball plus two kickers - are among the 29 lettermen
who will take the field in the opener Sept. 7 against Southwest Texas State, the
Javs' longtime Division I-AA rival.
Quarterback
It all starts with Gonzalez, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound scrambling
senior who set nine school records last season out of A&M-Kingsville's multi-faceted
offense. The South's preseason player of the year, Gonzalez threw for 2,570 yards
and 20 touchdowns and also led the Javs in rushing with 603 yards on 134 carries.
"I hate to say this out loud 'cause I hate to jinx us, but when we're
in a one-back offense, it's like we've got two because of Abel," said Cundiff,
the Javs' longtime defensive coordinator before assuming the head job in 2000.
"They've got to account for him. This year, I hope that opens something else if
they're paying attention to Abel. I know how hard it is, coaching defense, to
account for a quarterback like Abel. I'd much rather play against someone who
stands back there and throws it."
Behind Gonzalez are senior letterman Ed Porter, Bay City's Chad Lee,
a Cisco Junior College transfer, and redshirt freshmen Todd Knutson and Mathis'
Justin Soza.
Running backs
The stable isn't empty. But Cundiff has to find some new horses to
take the place of the departed Redford Borel and Ahmad Carter, who accounted for
50.6 percent of A&M-Kingsville rush yards. Larry Williams, hampered by injuries
throughout his stay in Kingsville, returns for his junior year after running for
285 yards and two TDs.
"I think we've have a little more speed," Cundiff said. "We probably
don't have anybody as big as Ahmad (6-1, 230) but I think we've got some guys
who've muscled up. As a group, we'll be better. If we can get one to step up,
we'll really be better."
Kingsville's David Esquivel had limited time a year ago, running
for 26 yards on nine carries. The cast of candidates include ex-West Oso standout
DeAndre Fillmore, former Tarleton State runner Jerome Smith, Herman Ho Ching,
a former Oregon player, Missouri City freshman Clay Woodard, walk-on Byron Johnson
and speedy Carroll ex Johnny Smith.
Offensive line
Big, beefy and better. Seniors Walter Wigfall (6-6, 365, first-team
LSC South), T.J. Maroulis (6-0, 270) and Luke Byrnes (6-5, 305) and sophomores
Diego Saenz (6-4, 320) and Alice's Andre Willie (6-4, 320) return. Palmer (6-2,
225) moves from tight end to center, leaving Moody (6-3, 235) and a couple of
large freshmen - Ronnie Perard (6-3, 230) and Arthur Wende (6-4, 240) to fill
Palmer's spot.
Those four 300-pounders are part of the 11-player contingent checking
in at 300 or heavier, and 15 other Javs are at 250 or better.
"Kevin will be the small one at 6-2, 225," Cundiff said. "I don't
care how big a kid is, as long as he can move."
Receivers
Spencer, last year's top receiver with 53 catches for 613 yards and
11 TDs, will be missed. Senior Gary Lusk (39-699, seven TDs) and junior Brent
Holmes (15-256, two TDs in spot play) return but Andre Cyrus (36-621) is an academic
casualty.
It is a key spot considering the Javs' newfound penchant for the
pass game, which will continue under new offensive coordinator Neal LaHue. The
Javs have Cisco JC transfer Robert Jones and Kilgore JC transfer Terrance Pearson,
and Johnny Smith also could fit in the mix as well.
"I think Holmes can do every bit of what Cyrus did," Cundiff said.
"We just have to find somebody to do what Brent did."
Defensive line
As solid corps for the Javs. Seniors Mike Clay (6-3, 275), Brian
Randle (6-3, 253) and Terrance Mouton (6-4, 265) and graduate student Cody Eatmon
(6-2, 215) return up front. Keave Giles (6-7, 310) returns to the defensive front
for his senior year after playing offense last season.
Backing those players will be sophomore Steven Lackey, George West
redshirt J.R. Wood and Blinn JC transfer Huris Simien (6-4, 285).
"We could have depth there that are real good hard players," Cundiff
said. "They're going to be good, solid, accountable kids."
Linebackers
There is no replacing Kiah Johnson, the multi-decorated All-American
who was second in tackles a year ago. Senior Davylyn Nelson, third in tackles,
returns, along with backup Kenneth Benoit and Andy Mangum, mainly a special teams
player last year. Redshirt David Grace in on board, but the Javs need help from
JC transfers.
Secondary
Arguably the weakest point of the squad in 2001, though part of it
lies in the fact that opponents couldn't run the ball on A&M-Kingsville - the
Javs allowed only 631 rushing yards in the regular season. Simply put, Cundiff
said, "I hope we're better."
Senior rover Nicholas Davis, the team's top tackler with 80, returns,
as does senior free safety Nick Jaques, the leader in interceptions with six.
Jaques will be pushed by Los Angeles Valley CC transfer Jeremy Rolle.
Transfers Jason Lee (Kilgore JC) and Eddie Moten (Trinity Valley)
will battle for cornerback spots. Strong safety is a question, although Cundiff
said League City's Harris Princeton, an Iowa State transfer, could step in.
Special teams
Another strong point, although replacing Spencer's talents as a return
man won't be easy.
Junior Kevin Walter stepped into the place-kicking role last season,
taking over for Victor Sauceda. Walter converted on 27 of 28 extra-point attempts
and four of six field goals. A&M-Kingsville also signed San Antonio East Central's
Richard Hammond, who kicked for the South in the high school all-star game.
Sauceda, a senior, averaged 39.1 yards per punt. The Javs also signed
San Antonio Reagan punter Andrew Rodriguez.
"I want to feel good about our kicking game, of course, that's a
hard thing," Cundiff said. "They have to perform."
That will be the trick - in all cases.
KINGSVILLE - Despite residing in the NCAA doghouse the past couple
of years, Texas A&M-Kingsville may have surprised many last season with its rapid
return to supremacy in the Lone Star Conference.