By Nick Eatman
FOOTBALL
In just one week, the Abilene Christian football team
experienced quite the rollercoaster ride, participating in arguably
the wildest football game in Division II history, before suffering
their only loss, which abruptly ended their season and dashed any
national championship hopes.
But undoubtedly, the 2008 season was a huge success for ACU,
which won its first conference championship with a 10-0 regular
season, becoming just the second team in the school's 87-year
history to go unbeaten.
But it was the second round of the Division II playoffs that
people will never forget about last season. ACU outlasted Lone Star
Conference rival West Texas A&M in an epic shootout, 93-68 in a
game that broke 45 NCAA, LSC and ACU records.
Unfortunately, the Wildcats couldn't build off the momentum from
that huge win, and lost at home to Northwest Missouri State in the
next round of the playoffs, finishing the season at 11-1.
Not only did the Wildcats, who led the nation in yards (555.8)
and points (52.3) per game, have team success, but individuals
stood out as well. Running back Bernard Scott won the Harlon Hill
Award and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals, as was wide
receiver Johnny Knox, a draft pick of the Chicago Bears.
Overall, the Wildcats lost 1,200 yards of offensive production
in Scott, Knox and quarterback Billy Malone.
That's why sixth-year head coach Chris Thomsen was surprised to
see his team picked to win the LSC once again in 2009.
"We lost a lot of really good football players and we have some
major holes to fill," said Thomsen, the AFCA Region IV Coach of the
Year last season. "But we've got some good players coming back. And
we're going to have to count on some young guys that we've signed
and brought in. But I am a little surprised to be picked No. 1,
considering all the guys we lost."
Thomsen will count on eight returning starters on defense,
including All-LSC first-team safety Tony Harp.
"Tony is a three-year starter for us, but he's the unquestioned
leader of our team," Thomsen said. "He's a tremendous person, he's
developed into a really good player for us, and again, he's our
defensive leader."
Harp, who has seven career interceptions, will be joined by
sophomore Aston Whiteside, the LSC's preseason
South Division Defensive Player of the Year. The defensive end
earned first-team All-LSC honors last year as a freshman, when he
led the team with nine sacks and 16 tackles for loss.
The Wildcats also return all-conference linebacker Fred
Thompson, who had 7 ½ sacks as a sophomore last
season. ACU will count on cornerback Alex Harbison
and Eric Edwards to bolster the defense.
Offensively, the Wildcats must find a way to replace Scott, who
had 2,982 yards of total offense last season alone.
"Not only did we lose Bernard, we lost three senior backs,"
Thomsen said. "So we're new at that position, and it's a huge hole
on the team. We've got some transfers there and we feel strong
about them."
Reggie Brown, a transfer from Blinn Junior
College, is expected to compete for the starting tailback spot.
At quarterback, the Wildcats will look to Clark
Harrell and Zach Stewart to compete for
the starting job and the responsibility of replacing Malone.
The offensive line will be anchored by Tony
Washington, the LSC's Offensive Lineman of the Year in
2009. But junior guard Royland Tubbs and junior
tackle Trevis Turner - both second-team All-LSC
picks, will help provide size, leadership and experience to the
front line.
Right off the bat, the Wildcats will get a chance to avenge
their only loss from last year when they host Northwest Missouri
State on Aug. 27 - a game nationally-televised on CBS College
Sports.
VOLLEYBALL
After three seasons of posting 18, 15 and then 26 wins last
year, Kellen Mock could have her best team yet as she enters her
fourth season as head coach at ACU.
There is plenty of talent coming back from a team that surged
its way to the LSC postseason tournament championship game, only to
fall to West Texas A&M, in five sets.
Once again, the Wildcats, picked to finish second in the
conference, will likely have to get through WTAMU, the preseason
favorite once again.
But Mock will have four all-conference players coming back in
2009, including junior middle blocker Shawna
Hines, the LSC's Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 and
the 2009 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Hines led
the LSC in total blocks and blocks per game, and was among the
nation's leaders in both categories.
The Wildcats also return setter Ijeoma Moronu
(10.3 assists per set), outside hitters Erin Curry
and Jennie Hutt and outside hitter
Michelle Bacon. The Wildcats also welcome
back senior middle blocker Lauren Leone, who
missed the entire 2008 season with a knee injury. She is a
three-time all-conference performer for the Wildcats.
"We've had really good workouts the first few days of practice,
but it's not where it needs to be if we want to accomplish the
things we've set our minds on doing this year," Mock said.
"It's time for us to win, and I think these girls know that means
we've got to be prepared to win every time we step on the floor."
WOMEN'S SOCCER
The Wildcats are hoping to continue their success as the soccer
program gets off the ground at ACU. In its third season of
existence, the women's soccer team improved from an 8-11-1
inaugural season in 2007 before turning the corner last year with a
9-8-2 record. The Wildcats also reached the LSC postseason
tournament for the first time.
Key returning players for head coach Casey Wilson's unit include
Crissy Lawson, the LSC's Goalkeeper of the Year,
forward Jordan Reese, forward Courtney
Wilson, defender Alyson Thomas, forward
Lyndsey Womack and midfielder Bree Craig.
The Wildcats will open the season with 10 of their first 12
matches at home, giving them a chance to get off to a good start.
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Despite finishing fourth in the NCAA Division II championship
meet last year, ending ACU's chances of an illustrious third
straight national title, head coach Sam Burroughs has enough talent
to make another title run in 2009.
Burroughs, who enters his second season at ACU, will welcome
back All-American runners Daniel Maine,
Amos Sang and Cleophas Tanui to
head the roster. Newcomers Rybicki Romain
(France), Peters Craig (England) and Lynn
Spencer (New York) will bolster the roster.
Last year the Wildcats won their 18th straight LSC championship
and went on to capture their eighth regional title in the last nine
years.
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
The Wildcats suffered through a down year in 2008, finishing
fifth at the LSC championship meet last year before finishing ninth
at the regional championship meet.
Juniors Lindsey Putman and Dorothy
Tuttle are the Wildcats' only returning athletes, while
the roster features six freshmen.