SAN ANTONIO- Last season the Lions finished in Kansas City hoisting their first NCAA National title (14-1) over West Florida. Their lone loss came to conference foe Midwestern State, who finished three points shy of first in the preseason poll. The Lions not only start the season picked to finish first in conference but are riding a 10-game winning streak, the longest active in Division ll.
A&M-Commerce has a top 10 preseason nationalranking in three publications, earning a No. 5 ranking from College Football America Yearbook, a No. 6 ranking from Street and Smith's, and a No. 7 ranking from Lindy's.
Last season the LSC had four teams participate in postseason play. A&M-Commerce and MSU advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs, Angelo State played in the C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl, and Tarleton State in the Corsicana Bowl.
No. Team 1st Total
1. Texas A&M-Commerce 13 201
2. Midwestern State 10 200
3. Eastern New Mexico 142
4. Angelo State 136
5. Tarleton State 130
6. Texas A&M-Kingsville 104
7. West Texas A&M 73
8. UT Permian Basin 1 57
9. Western New Mexico 37
Lions Represented on the Riverwalk
Going into his sixth season, Lions head coach Colby Carthel represented the Lions with Brucks Saathoff, Kristov Martinez, and Garrett Blubaugh. All three seniors not only come into the season with championship experience but look to be the anchor for their team this season.
Martinez and Saathoff come into the season named preseason All-Americans. Martinez, Lindy’s second team preseason All-American, looks to continue to close in on the history books as he finishes his storied college career. Saathoff has been named to the Division ll Starting Lineup. Blubaugh comes into the season as the second-leading tackler for the Lions.
Quarterback battle
Eight quarterbacks are listed on the Lions roster, most noticeably Kane Wilson. He’s joined the team after successful back to back junior college national championships at Fullerton College, earning All-American honors. The son of former New Orleans Saints quarterback Dave Wilson is 6’4” 225 lb.
Coach Carthel is confident at the position as the Lions look to replace Harlon Hill winner Luis Perez. “It’s next man up, we’ve been recruiting right, I really like where we’re at with our depth,” said Carthel.
Charlie Chitwood Wins Award
KETR’s very own Charlie Chitwood was named the winner of the Jake Trussell Award for the Lone Star Conference Sportscaster of the Year. Chitwood was the play-by-play voice of the Lions for the 2017 football national championship. He’s been the staple on the sidelines for Lions basketball calling men’s and women’s games. Chitwood is the firstwinner of the Trussell Award from A&M-Commerce since Scott Garner won the award in 2002. Other winners from A&M-Commerce and KETR-FM include John Hendry in 1992, Bill Powers in 1989, John Mark Dempsey and Dean Belcher in 1981, and Phil Ebensberger in 1976. Bill Rust of KGVL in Greenville was the 1972 winner. Chitwood is the eighth winner to represent the Lions.
KETR’s BJ Laudermilk was also on hand, he caught up with the top coachesin the LSC at media day.
Home Opener
The Lions open up the seasonat home against Texas A&M-Kingsville in the annual Chennault Cup on August 30. The Lions will look to take their seventh Cup in a row. Kingsville ranked sixth in the LSC preseason poll.