Rhett Bomar has four good reasons to be excited about returning under center for the Bearkats following a 2007 season cut short by injury.
The Sam Houston State senior quarterback already had three of his reasons in place, as wide receivers Catron Houston, Trey Payne and Justin Wells bring a combined 100 receptions back to an offense that ranked among the Football Championship Subdivision’s best last season.
The fourth came in February, when coach Todd Whitten delivered 6-5 junior college transfer Jason Madkins to the receiving corps.
Bomar’s excitement was further bolstered in the spring, as Madkins more than lived up to expectations, giving the Bearkats yet another reason to believe they can overtake conference power and two-time defending champion McNeese State.
"There’s no question Jason’s going to help us a lot,"
said Bomar, who sat out the spring rehabbing a knee injury he suffered against Nicholls State on Nov. 3. "I think the biggest thing he’ll provide for us is a big target that’s going to cause matchup problems."
"Our returning receivers aren’t big guys, so he provides an element that will work to our advantage."
Madkins will help fill the void left by All-American tight end Blake Martin, whose 46 receptions tied him with Houston for the team lead.
"Jason’s a very physical player who simply likes to play football,"
said Whitten. "He’s not only made an impact on the offense, but he was outstanding on special teams in the spring. He wants to be on the field and do whatever it takes to win."
Martin’s departure will force defenses to pick their poison against Sam Houston. Last season, defenses locked in on Martin as the then-young receiving corps began to find its stride.
"That’s not going to be the case this year,"
said Bomar.
Houston and Wells averaged over 13 yards per reception, while Payne came on strong during the spring and could be on the verge of a breakout campaign. The Baylor transfer has drawn comparisons to former Bearkat great and new receivers coach Jonothon Cooper, who — like Payne — got his start playing for a state title team in La Marque.
"The comparisons with him and Coop are spot on,"
said Whitten. "Trey’s a very talented receiver who’s worked hard to put himself into a position to where we think he can do some great things on the field for us."
The potential of the receivers has Bomar counting down the days until Sam Houston’s Aug. 28 season opener against East Central Oklahoma.
The passing game will have to pick up the slack early as the Bearkats look to find a replacement for running back Chris Poullard, whose 1,038 yards and 13 touchdowns were lost due to academic issues. Sophomore TyMagic Robinson is projected as the starter, but Texas State transfer James Ashton (Katy’s all-time leading rusher) and freshman Will Clay are also expected to gather carries in what could become a committee of runners.
Clay ran for 3,143 yards and 42 touchdowns last season at Snyder, and the 6-1, 200-pounder’s nose for the end zone has already left an impression on the coaching staff.
"We’ll have to have a balance between the run and the pass in order to be successful,"
said Whitten.
Sam Houston closed the 2007 season with five straight wins, one reason why the Bearkats were picked second behind McNeese State in the Southland Conference preseason poll. While the Oct. 18 home date against the Cowboys is criticial to Sam Houston’s postseason fate, the visit to Central Arkansas on Oct. 11 has taken on more meaning.
The Beakats had — in the eyes of Bomar and senior defensive end Chris Brown — their worst game of the season when the Bears ambushed them 35-14 at Bowers Stadium. The loss was the third in a string of four straight defeats that destroyed any hopes of a conference title.
"That’s definitely on our calendar,"
said Brown, who is expected to thrive in the team’s new 4-3 defensive scheme.
A non-conference schedule that includes Prairie View and a trip to Kansas should prepare the Bearkats for an SLC season which is shaping up to be more competitive than normal.
"Going to Lawrence (on Sept. 20) will be a challenge,"
said Bomar. "Having Prairie View come to town (Sept. 13) is going to be a great game for fans of both schools, but will also prepare both of us for what’s going to be down the road."
A road that the Bearkats hope leads them to their first playoff trip since 2004.
