There is a definite sense of optimism on the campus of The University of the South this August. With 49 returners in better shape than they were a year ago and a record 43 freshmen from 17 states expected to produce some immediate results, the Tigers expect to turn some of their losses in 2007's 1-8 record into victories this year. The players have chosen the motto “finish” for the coming season.
A crucial element to any improvement this season is the return of Hickory's own
Patrick Shelton at quarterback. Patrick won the job early last season and went 98-of-176 for 1,119 yards and six touchdowns. He also netted 106 yards rushing on 65 carries. The success of Sewanee's new pro-style offense will rest largely on his shoulders. At 6'1, 215 pounds Shelton has certainly been busy in the off-season preparing to lead his team.
"Last year I began by splitting time and ended up starting the last six games of the year," said Shelton. "We are intending to throw the ball more this year and I am hoping to complete over 60% of my passes and improve my efficiency rating from 111.25.
"Stats are nice," Shelton added. "But the real goal is to win games, and in order to do so we will need to score more points. I hope to put my team in a better position to do that this year. With an experienced corps of receivers coming back I feel that we could develop into a very potent passing attack."
Head coach Robert Black is pleased with the conditioning of his returning players and is confident that the hard work will pay off. He feels that the team should be more comfortable with the pro-style offense it used the last part of the 2007 season, focusing on high-percentage passes, but will keep the option game available as a change-of-pace.
5 QUESTIONS FOR PATRICK SHELTON 1. What is your major? What career are you interested in pursuing after you graduate?
"I am majoring in Economics with an interest in Sports administration and management."
2. How would you assess the level of play in Division III football, particularly in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference?
"The level of play in Division III has dramatically increased over the years due to a larger pool of talent throughout the country. The SCAC is a very prestigious conference that sends competitive teams to the playoffs every year. One member, Trinity University, played for the Division III National Championship a couple of years back and thet are annually ranked in the Top 25. It's small college football but it's still college football."
3. Who else is in the SCAC?
"Conference members include Colorado College, Trinity University and Austin College in Texas, Depauw University in Indiana, Centre College in Kentucky, Millsaps College in Mississippi, Birmingham-Southern College in Alabama, and along with Sewanee in Tennessee is Rhodes College, which is in Memphis.
4. What is your favorite memory of playing football at Hickory High?
"Beating Maiden and Bandys in “thrillers” my senior season in front of capacity crowds were two of my favorite sports moments as they helped us wrap up the school’s first conference title in over five years. Also, just being able to play under the lights with friends that I grew up with was special."
5. What advice would you offer your brother Kevin as he enters his senior season at Hickory?
"I would offer Kevin a lot of advice but most importantly just to have fun and enjoy it because it’s once in a lifetime. There is nothing like high school football. I would love to get to play just one more game for HHS. I wish him all the best and hope he leads his team to an outstanding and unforgettable season."
Sewanee opens its season September 6th on the road at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri.
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, semifinalists must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. Established to honor former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback who developed the Izod and Lacoste brands, the award comes with a 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship.
