‘CAN’T PICK ON US ANYMORE’
HUSKIES COMING OFF YEAR IN WHICH THEY SHOWED THEY’RE NOT PUSHOVERS
Opponents can no longer beat up on Houston Baptist and name the score. The program is far from a finished product, but the Huskies have made gains since coach Vic Shealy started up the program in 2013.
Beginning its fourth full season of football, HBU is coming off a competitive four-win 2016 campaign. That includes three Southland Conference wins and its first league road victory.
“Our first away game we won against Lamar was important. We had coaches crying,” said senior running back Terrance Peters, a Stratford graduate. “Our program has taken a great leap over the years.”
Last season, the Huskies had eight all-conference players in going 4-7 overall. The Huskies have five players on the 2017 preseason all-SLC teams: Three-time all-conference linebacker Garrett Dolan, senior linebacker Cody Moncure, senior cornerback Derek Broussard, senior punter Christian Guzman and junior kicker Alec Chadwick, who made a NCAA Division I-long 60 yard-field goal last year.
“It’s a different feel this year than the previous three campaigns,” Shealy said. “Greater expectations. Last year showed we could win Southland football games. It’s not magic, it’s about going to work.”
Lots of experience
Returning 30 seniors and 17 starters, HBU is experienced, has a number of playmakers, and the program has progressed each year.
“Offenses see us as the little brother of the conference,” said Dolan, from Barbers Hill, who was second in FCS with 12.3 tackles per game in 2016. “We’re here to show them that they can’t pick on us anymore, and we’re here to stay.”
The linebacker position with Dolan and Moncure, a senior from Travis, is the strength of the team. An area the Huskies would like to improve on defensively is the pass rush.
Offensively, the biggest divot that needs replacing is quarterback Tony Dawson, who last year passed for 1,702 yards and rushed for a teamhigh 784. The three candidates include freshman Bailey Zappe, who passed for 3,770 yards and 37 touchdowns last season at Victoria East. As a junior, he threw 42 touchdowns.
Zappe is expected to be competitive from day one for the starting position.
“I like the way he throws, he has touch on the ball. He’s got confidence,” said receiver Ethan Fry, one of 13 fifth-year seniors with the program from the beginning.
Also in the quarterback mix are redshirt freshman Andrew Haidet and sophomore Jack Swenson. At 6-4, 225 pounds, Haidet has a great deal of skill level and a strong arm to go with his large frame.
A need of being more mature and physical resulted in the addition of three junior college players on the offensive line, including center Cody Hooks (Blinn) and guard Robbie Acosta (Glendale CC).
In this year’s freshman class, the Huskies signed three running backs that could play immediately in LaDarius Dickens, James Brown and Dreshawn Minnieweather.
Playing its first four games away from Husky Stadium presents a challenge. HBU’s first home game is Oct. 7 versus Central Arkansas.
“It’s a unique situation,” Shealy said. “You can sit around and cry about it, or go out there and beat somebody.”
Richard Dean is a Texas Sports Nation contributor.