Greenville, S.C. The Citadel Football team is expected to finish sixth in the conference, according to the 2008 Preseason Coaches Poll released Wednesday at the Southern Conference Football Rouser presented by Carolina Ford Dealers. Defensive lineman Terrence Reese earned first team honors, while wide receiver Andre Roberts, offensive lineman Dan DeHaven and defensive lineman Kevin McCaskill were named to the second teams.
“After losing a record-setting quarterback and running back, as well as the second, third, and fourth leading receivers plus our top three defensive players, I can see how the coaches chose us as the sixth ranked team in the Southern Conference,” said Bulldog Head Coach Kevin Higgins. “Also, knowing that so many of our opponents have a great deal of players coming back makes it even more challenging.”
Three-time defending national champions Appalachian State were the coaches' preseason favorite. The Mountaineers topped the poll with eight first place votes for a total of 64 points. Elon, who earned one first place vote, returns 21 starters and was selected to finish second with 47 points, while Wofford and Georgia Southern came in a close third and fourth place with 45 and 44 points, respectively.
Furman was picked to finish fifth (41), while The Citadel came in sixth with 37 points. Chattanooga, Western Carolina and SoCon-newcomer Samford were predicted to finish in the final three positions.
After two impressive seasons at The Citadel, junior defensive lineman Terrence Reese stands as the only first team preseason selection for the Bulldogs. Junior All-American wide receiver Andre Roberts earned second team honors on offense, while senior linemen Dan DeHaven on offense and Kevin McCaskill on defense earned second team preseason honors. Also earning second team preseason honors was punter Mark Kaspar.
“We are excited about Terrence Reese and Kevin McCaskill and the progress they have made,” Higgins added. “We are expecting a lot from them this coming season if our defense is going to continue to excel.
“Dan DeHaven and the rest of the offensive line must do a great job stepping up after losing so much of our running game with the departure of Tory Cooper, while Andre Roberts is expected to make a significant contribution this season as one of our leaders on the field.”
Tying for third place in the Southern Conference, The Citadel concluded the season 7-4, marking the first seven-win season since the Bulldogs won the SoCon Championship in 1992. The Citadel kicks off the 2008 season on Aug. 30 against Webber International in the “White Out” game sponsored by AT&T.
For more information on Bulldog Football, go to the official home of The Citadel Athletics at www.CitadelSports.com.
2008 SoCon Football Preseason Coaches' Poll
Place School (First-place votes) Points
1. Appalachian State (8) 64
2. Elon (1) 47
3. Wofford 45
4. Georgia Southern 44
5. Furman 41
6. The Citadel 37
7. Chattanooga 19
8. Western Carolina 17
9. Samford 10
2008 Southern Conference Preseason All-Conference Teams
Offensive Player of the Year: Armanti Edwards, Jr., QB, Appalachian State
Defensive Player of the Year: Pierre Banks, Sr., LB, Appalachian State
OFFENSE
First Team
QB Armanti, Edwards, Appalachian State
RB Bryan Fitzgerald, Chattanooga
RB Devon Moore, Appalachian State
OL Brad Coley, Appalachian State
OL Joel Bell, Furman
OL Derek Wooten, Wofford
OL Ben Quick, Wofford
OL (tie) Mario Acitelli, Appalachian State
OL (tie) Thomas Slaughter, Furman
TE Larry Hedden, Furman
WR Terrell Hudgins, Elon
WR CoCo Hillary, Appalachian State
Second Team
QB Scott Riddle, Elon
RB Mike Brown, Furman
RB Dane Romero, Wofford
OL William Giles, Chattanooga
OL Ben Miller, Wofford
OL Chris Werden, Elon
OL Kevin Wiggins, Western Carolina
OL Dan DeHaven, The Citadel
TE Fenn Allen, Wofford
WR Andre Roberts, The Citadel
WR (tie) Blue Cooper, Chattanooga
WR (tie) Bo Williamson, Elon
DEFENSE
First Team
DL Larry Beard, Georgia Southern
DL Tony Robertson, Appalachian State
DL Terrence Reese, The Citadel
DL Anthony Williams, Appalachian State
LB Corey Weaver, Elon
LB Pierre Banks, Appalachian State
LB Seth Goldwire, Wofford
DB Carson Hill, Georgia Southern
DB Thomas Twitty, Furman
DB Leonard Love, Appalachian State
DB Chris Covington, Georgia Southern
Second Team
DL Kevin McCaskill, The Citadel
DL Neil Brown, Chattanooga
DL Layton Baker, Wofford
DL Jeff Bradley, Western Carolina
LB Quintin Phillips, Western Carolina
LB Jacque Roman, Appalachian State
LB Joseph Thornton, Chattanooga
DB Raeshon Ball, Chattanooga
DB Cortez Gilbert, Appalachian State
DB Karlos Sullivan, Elon
DB (tie) William Middleton, Furman
DB (tie) Cameron McGlenn, Elon
SPECIALISTS
First Team
PK Jesse Hartley, Georgia Southern
P Brandon Lane, Elon
RS CoCo Hillary, Appalachian State
Second Team
PK Patrick Mugan, Wofford
P Mark Kaspar, The Citadel
RS Mike Brown, Furman
