Entering the 2024 season, Southwest Football is putting the 2023 slate in the rear-view mirror and hoping for a stronger outing this time around. Injuries plagued the Bears last season as a number of key starters and reserves missed extensive time on the field.
On the doorstep of the upcoming season, head coach Cliff Collins is going through the preseason process one step at a time to ensure that his team is ready to compete by the end of August.
"The main thing is just getting the guys ready, as far as getting them in shape, working out and getting them bigger, faster, stronger before we hit fall camp," he said. "Camp is going to be camp and you are going to lose a lot of pounds and fluids and we are just making sure that our bodies are in the best shape it can possibly be in. We want to be healthy going into it and remain healthy throughout."
Collins, who enters year number four with Southwest is hoping to not only win but have his team grow and continue to progress and make sure and give players the chance to earn scholarships to four-year schools.
"Basically, the first year, that was our lowest year of having guys sign," he said. "After that we had 20-plus kids sign scholarships after that. If you look at the amount of kids that we have signing, that is one of the best in junior college and that is what it is all about. My job is based off of wins and losses but personally for me it is all about helping young men get to the next level. The wins and losses are going to come when you develop depth, you have to develop depth and that is what we haven't had in the past. This is going to be one of our deepest seasons when if you look at the depth chart, the No. 1 guy isn't too far away from the No. 2 guy."
Depth was a key element for the Bears last season as backups became key components due to injuries. Among one of the key losses was quarterback Jordan Mills who was lost for the year in the opening week win at Mississippi Delta. Backup Quez Goss filled in nicely but he too was plagued by the injury bug at times throughout the year.
A similar situation occurred in the running back group as starter Jalen Williams was lost for the year in Week 2 but was complemented nicely by backups Keeghan Rodgers and Tyler Reed. Reed has since moved on to Arkansas-Monticello but Rodgers is expected back and to be a key contributor.
"When you talk about backups getting banged up, it was just a bad season, just a bad luck season," Collins said. "The ball bounced that way but I believe now we are deep at quarterback, deep at running back and we have guys who are ready to step up."
The wide receivers saw some change as well as Damarcco Blanton suffered an injury in the opening drive of the Week 4 game against Co-Lin and was done for the season. Despite this, multiple names stepped up in receiving leader Jeremiah Ratliff (29 rec. 368 yds 1 TD), Tyler Daniels (20 rec. 331 yds 4 TD) and Tavaris Henshaw (25 rec. 273 yds 2 TD). While Ratliff and Daniels are getting the chance to shine at four-year programs, both in the state of Texas, Henshaw is expected to continue his stellar play along with Blanton who made a big impact on the coaching staff prior to his injury.
"Blanton is a leader and was a leader last year," Collins said. "The air went out of us when he broke his collarbone at Co-Lin. We had older guys but he was a freshman leading this team. He is everything as advertised and I'm expecting a great season out of him. He had a great season in three games last year."
One of the biggest changes for the Bears comes at offensive line where all five starters moved on to play not only at four-year schools but all in Division I. Players who are expected to step up are returners in LaDamion Williams, Zack Kammer and Anthonee Dunn.
"We have some good guys coming in there and we will do a good job," Collins said.
The defensive line is in a similar situation as multiple players have moved on to the four-year level including Jameer Lewis (Southern Miss) who led the team in sacks with 9.5. Expect players such as Maliek Robertson, Jaylon Price and Jeffrey Anderson, all of whom got playing time last year, to step up.
With the linebacking corps, a couple of familiar names in Jeffery Polk Jr and Danarius Hilliard the third and fifth leading tacklers last year, respectively, will take on more active roles. Polk finished with 47 tackles while Hilliard had 39.
"Our linebacking corps, I'm really pleased with those guys," Collins said.
The defensive backfield will also have a bit of a new identity as leading-tackler Javier Simmons (51) has moved on. Koren Harris and Kam Carter are two returners who are expected to make an impact.
As far as special teams, kicker Lyndell Boatman (5-of-6 FG and 29-29 PAT) and punter Kye Braddock (35.7 yd avg.) both return.
On the coaching staff, Dominique Sullivan returns for his ninth year overall and second as Offensive Coordinator. Quentin Saulsberry (offensive line), Brinson Johnson (wide receivers) and Stephon Huderson (running backs) are all back for their second year with the program.
The staff on the defensive side will have a new look. In addition to taking over as defensive coordinator, Collins will also be in charge of the defensive backs. Two new coaches, both of whom were graduate assistants at West Alabama, join the staff. Untareo Johnson will be in charge of linebackers while Stuart Coggins heads up the defensive line.
The 2024 season consists of five home games and four on the road. One new aspect is an open date which each team in the conference will have simultaneously on Oct. 3.
The Bears open the regular season on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. at home hosting the same team that they wrapped the 2023 campaign against in the Holmes Bulldogs.
