VUL optimistic about start of second seasonBy: Chris Humphreys | New Era Progress
Published: September 01, 2012 Updated: September 01, 2012 - 1:38 AM
www2.newsadvance.com/sports/2012/sep/01/vul-optimistic-about-start-second-season-ar-2169984/Virginia University of Lynchburg took the football field for the first time since 1954 in 2011 and despite encountering the problems that every first-year program goes through, the Dragons were surprisingly good.
VUL won four of its 10 games, lost one game in overtime by three points, lost a second game by two points and a third game by eight points.
The Dragons are still a very young program and coach Willard Bailey has work to do to keep building the program, but year one was a success.
The program is beginning to find a footing after spending most of last season practicing all over the city of Lynchburg. The Dragons now practice regularly at E.C. Glass and their wellness center is up and running.
¡¡The program has some problems scheduling opponents, evidenced by the fact that its game against the College of Faith has been cancelled. Though, landing a game with Grambling State has to be considered a major coupe.
VUL still just plays one game in Lynchburg this season. Though two games ¡ª one in Roanoke and one in Petersburg ¡ª are considered home games. Bailey sees them as an opportunity to expand the program¡¯s geographic footprint and presence in central Virginia.
This year the roster is still in flux as a number of players transferred into the school and Bailey brought in a large freshman class. There are about 60 players in the program of that, there are 16 combined juniors and seniors.
"We have good people in every area, but we can¡¯t afford to lose many," Bailey said. "We have had a lot of people transfer from other universities and a lot of freshman, but we are going to give them a sound system of football and hope for the best."
Bailey did find some keepers from last year. The Dragons return their top rusher, sophomore running back Macha Shinoster. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry. They also return three of their top four pass receivers. On defense they return four of their top five tacklers.
COACH:
Willard Bailey, second year, 4-6
2011:
4-6, 0-3 USCAA
OFFENSE:
The Dragons return their leading rusher, sophomore running back Macha Shinoster. Shinoster lead the team in rushing yards with 767 yards and eight touchdowns. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry. Avery Neloms is the only returner at quarterback to have played on the team last year. Three of the top four pass receivers return from last year including Daray Crawford, who lead the team with 18 receptions. Depth will be a problem. Senior Ronnie Dixon will anchor the offensive line.
DEFENSE:
The secondary returns three juniors that finished in the top 10 on last year¡¯s defense in tackles. Derron Hall was third with 40 stops, Monte Robinson fifth with 32 and Dontra Matthews was eight with 22. Sophomore linebacker Marquevi Myers was second on team in tackles (59) last season. Sophomore defensive lineman Mike Chatman was fourth on last year¡¯s team in tackles.
QUOTTABLE:
"We had a typical program of one being brought back (for the first tine since 1954)," Bailey said. "We had had every problem you could imagine, but I take my hat off to players coaches and administration for working together to eliminate as many of these problems as we could. Our goal as always is to go undefeated and have our young men aspire to be honor students."
OUTLOOK:
They have some talent. Depth and inexperience will be concerns on both sides of the ball for Bailey as there are only a combined 16 juniors and seniors listed on the roster. The Dragons are also facing a tough schedule that includes just one true home game, but four wins last year was impressive. It will difficult for VUL to register four wins for the second time.
BOTTOM LINE
: 2- 8
Date Opponent Time Location
Sept. 1, Ohio Dominican, 6 p.m., Columbus, Ohio
The Panthers return 17 starters off of last year¡¯s squad that won five of its last six games and finished with a 7-4 record.
Sept. 15, North Carolina A&T, 1 p.m. Greensboro, N.C.
The Aggies defeated VUL 38-7 last season. The Dragons must stop MEAC preseason player of the year running back, Michael Mayhew.
Sept. 22, UNC Pembroke, 1 p.m., Roanoke, Va. (William Fleming High)
VUL will need to slow the Braves passing attack led by quarterback Luke Charles.
Sept. 29, Southern Virginia, 1 p.m., Buena Vista, Va.
The Knights will rely heavily on sophomore running back Jerry Washington, who rushed for 906 yards and 15 TDs on his way to being named second team NAIA All-Independent honors.
Oct. 6, Concordia-Selma, 1 p.m., Selma, Ala.
he Hornets return 16 layers off of a team that went 6-4 in 2011.
Oct. 13, Wesley College, 1 p.m., Dover, Del.
The Wolverines handed the Dragons their worst defeat of the season last year (46-0) and enter the season the third ranked Division III in the country.
Oct. 20, Grambling State University, 2 p.m., Grambling, La.
The Tigers are led by the Southwest Athletic Conference¡¯s preseason player of the year running back Dawrence Roberts.
Nov. 3, Alderson-Broaddus, noon, Petersburg, Va. (Tri-City Classic, Cameron Field)
The Battlers are returning to the football field for the first time this season since 1930.
Nov. 10, North Greenville, 1 p.m., Tigerville, S.C.
The Crusaders are ranked 23rd in the AFCA Division II preseason poll. They are led on offensive by a pair preseason all-American wide receivers.
Nov. 17, Edward Waters College, 1 p.m., Lynchburg, (Senior Day, City Stadium)
The Tigers defeated VUL 29-21 last season, their first without a losing record since they returned to the football field in 2004 after a 34-year hiatus.