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Western Carolinian Volume 64 (65) Number 01 Fall Sports Preview

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  • August 18, 1999 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW A3 Football Year of the Catamount by Mike Poston Staff Writer Don't laugh. This is serious. After many years of hope and disappointment with the Catamount football program, this could be the year that the fans have been waiting for. A Catamount football team has not been to the Division 1-AA playoffs in 16 years. Last year success and this year's prospect has the Cats hopeful for a return. Bill Bleil, head of the Cats, said, "Our players want to be a playoff team. [Because of last year's success], there is a higher level of expectation from the players, coaches, and alumni." This year marks the return of Shawn Snyder who was lost for the season last year after the second game of the season against The Citadel. He worked out during the summer and said he feels comfortable with the offense. Bleil said, " Sometimes when you get hurt you see how much you really miss football and you work harder to get back playing. I sense that in Snyder." On the Cats have lost two of their key players on defense. Middle linebacker Brett Chapell, who signed with the San Diego Chargers as a free agent and All-America Eric Johnson who signed a professional baseball contract with the Cleveland Indians after bring selected in the third round of the draft. Offense The offense could be the most balanced offense in years for the Cats. Last year the Cats focused on the run and were successful in executing the run. However, there was little presence of a passing game. This year the Cats look to wreak havoc on other team's defenses. They have a one-two punch offense. The other part of the one-two offense is Hoover. With Snyder back it should open the offense up for Hoover to run. Last year teams keyed on Hoover and the run. With a balanced offense the Cats will be able to either free Hoover or have a field day passing the ball. Hoover said," A more balanced offense will open it up for me." Joining Snyder and Hoover are a very talented corps of wide receivers. Junior Aaron Wright, who led the Cats in receiving yards, and Lamont Williams, who started all 11 games last season will lead the receiving corps. Joining Wright and Williams are junior Ceasar Campana, red- shirt freshmen Michael Banks and Jeremy Carter, who was the Southern Conference's Track and Field Freshman of the year. Defense In years passed it was the aggressive play of the defense that won football games for the Cats. However, this year the defense is without Chappell and Eric Johnson. The Cats also lost strong safety Cranston > Brad Hoover & Company hope to take the Cats to Johnson and cornerback DeNorris Burton. Despite all the losses the defense has suffered they have build a strong defense again this year. Bleil said," [the defense] is as strong as they have ever been." The defense will be led this year by defensive tackle Anthony Jenkins and linebacker Cedric Crudup. Last year Jenkins had 68 tackles and 6.5 sacks. Crudup had 56 tackles and 2 sacks. With a balanced offense and a defense that is strong as well as deep the expectations are high. This year could very well be the year of the Catamounts. Schedule If the Cats are to make a historic trip to the playoffs, they couldn't have picked a tougher schedule to attempt the feat. Three of the top four teams in the Southern Conference (Georgia Southern, Appalachian State and East Tennessee State) will play host to the Cats. Included in the rugged road schedule is the September 11 contest at Maryland. Bleil was hoping to gain an advantage on the Terps due to the September 2 Thursday game against Mars Hill, which gives the Cats nine days to prepare. "I thought it was a real advantage until Maryland changed their game against Temple to Thursday night," Bleil said. 'We believe we have to win three games on the road to be a playoff team," Bleil said. Don't laugh. The Cats are serious contenders. the I-AA Playoffs for the first time since 1983. photo by T.K. Roberts .nVnl 1999 I Kl \MM W\ Football Schedule Date Opponent Site Sept. 2 MARS HILL CULLOWHEE Sept. 11 at Maryland College Park, Md. Sept. 18 THE CITADEL CULLOWHEE Sept. 25 at E. Tenn. St. Johnson City, Tenn. Oct. 2 FURMAN (Parents' Day) CULLOWHEE Oct. 9 at Ga. Southern Statesboro, Ga. Oct. 16 WOFFORD CULLOWHEE Oct. 23 at Chattanooga Chattanooga, Tenn. Oct. 30 VMI (Homecoming) CULLOWHEE Nov. 6 SAMFORD CULLOWHEE (Hall of Fame Day) Nov. 13 App. State Boone (Retaining the Jug Day)
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