College Sports

By HAROLD WILSON
Staff Writer

With key pieces from year's past not on hand, and others thought to be gone now back in the fold, Texas College concentrated on the cards left to play with during an intriguing first week of practice.

The Steers opened up fall practice with several question marks, and based on year's past, some answers to go along.

A total of 83 players reported for camp, with a handful both leaving the team and joining soon after.

Those gone from last season include the final pieces from the original team from 2003 that helped the Steers bring football back to the school following a 40-year plus absence.

The offseason brought about more losses -- the sudden death of lineman Shane Bailey the month after the 2007 ended, and most recently the departure of offensive coordinator Carlos Barocio.

In the meantime, another bulky freshman class came to town. The Steers, after leaning on transfer players the first four years, ended last season with 40 freshmen.

Sixth-year TC coach Jay Brown hopes the young guys grow from last year's 4-7 season, which saw the Steers go winless (0-4) in Central States Football League action after winning a piece of the league title in their first two years as official members (2005 and 2006).

"Just getting everybody on the field and practicing at the same time (has been the biggest challenge)," said Brown, who is handling the bulk of the offensive duties. "Of course (also) trying to figure out what some of those new guys can do and contribute this year."

Two cornerstones for the program have possibly played their final games as Steers -- Fred Tucker, a pro prospect on the offensive line at 6-4, 330 pounds, and two-time All-American defensive end Ryan Miles. Brown, saying nothing was definite yet, held out slight hope of Tucker gaining eligibility to play in the fall and of Miles having one more semester left after a lengthy college career.

One player thought to be gone for sure, junior quarterback X'Zavier Bloodsaw, returned after transferring to Texas Southern in the spring. Bloodsaw's return gives TC a formidable trio of offensive weapons, along with two four-year starters at running back (Fred Dixon) and wideout (Curtis Shaw). Dixon and Shaw have combined for more than 2,300 yards of offense and 16 touchdowns in 56 games of action over the past three years.

On defense, TC looks to big-play senior cornerback Kevin Robbins to keep opposing teams honest. Last season the 6-3 Robbins recorded 34 tackles, five interceptions and defended 15 passes, ranking 12

th

nationally in that category.

The Steers defense gained another familiar face when defensive coordinator Eule Ford returned to his old position after spending three seasons at Angelo State.

"He's back and looking good," Brown said of Robbins, a transfer who played two seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette before coming to TC. "He's a phenomenal athlete, and he's looking like he's ready for a banner year."

The Steers start the season with a tall task -- three straight games against NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) schools, starting with the season opener Aug. 30 at Mississippi Valley State. Two more games against Southwestern Athletic Conference members Prairie View (Sept. 6, away) and Texas Southern (Sept. 20, home) follow.

"We're anxious to get things going," Brown said. "We're looking for a banner year, and (toward) returning to a top level in the conference. All our guys were saying we're playing the 'SWAC schedule' early. I think they're excited about it. We're going to get in there and scrap and see what happens."