After four games into Guy Morriss’ first season at Commerce, even the former Kentucky and Baylor head coach might have wondered what he was getting into during the early stages of the 2009 season.

   But after a 0-4 start that included a 76-56 loss at Eastern New Mexico, things suddenly turned around for the Lions. Who would’ve thought A&M-Commerce not only would win five of its next six games, but win the LSC North with a perfect 5-0 record.

   One of the reasons for the change was quarterback Adam Farkes, who took over in the middle of the season.

   “He made the most of that opportunity,” Morris said of Farkes, a senior and former transfer from the University of Maine. “It wasn’t too far after that, that our offense really started to gel and come together. It allowed us to win five ballgames. He’s done a great job. His leadership is exactly what you’re looking for from a quarterback.”

   Farkes will have some offensive weapons to throw to, including junior receiver Adam Jones, who led the squad with 33 catches last year, while junior receiver Taylor Fore led the team in receiving yards with 491 and four scores. Blake Patton also had 359 receiving yards as well.

   At tailback, Marcus Graham was a first-team All-LSC pick, rushing for 677 yards and seven touchdowns. The offensive line is anchored by guard David Sudderth, another All-LSC first-teamer.

   Place-kicker Ahmed Abo-Mahmood was a first-team All-LSC pick, booting 7-of-9 field goals and all 29 extra-point attempts.

   Defensively, senior linebacker Cory Whitfield was the LSC’s Linebacker of the Year and first-team all-conference pick. Whitfield led the Lions last year with 111 tackles and had six straight games of double-digit tackles. Next to him will be Stephen DeGrate, who had 58 tackles last year and was an honorable mention all-conference choice.

   Cornerback Israel Hughes, another All-LSC first-teamer had two picks last year and also returned a kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown. 

   The defensive players returning for the Lions have all-conference experience, but that’s about it when it comes to returning starters.

   “Defensively, we have to do some work,” Morriss said. “We lost about eight players on defense. I’m not going to tell you how good or how bad we’ll be, because we don’t know. But we will be young. But overall, our kids have worked very hard this spring and summer. I hope it pays off this season.”

   Once again, the Lions were picked by the league coaches to finish first in the LSC North, but Morriss isn’t buying it just yet.

   “I really appreciate the vote of confidence from the other coaches and schools,” he said. “But, I’m not falling for all that. I’m not sure we’re that good. We’ll find out soon enough.”

 

   While the Lions experienced plenty of success last year, with a 25-win season and advancing to the LSC championship semifinals, there will be some changes in 2010.

   New head coach Craig Case tries to replace Mark Pryor, last year’s LSC Coach of the Year. Case returns several contributors from last year’s squad, including senior outside hitter Naomi Mays, a second-team All-LSC selection.

   Senior Rachel Shelton and Terra Ousley both return, as do sophomores Rachel Robertson, Morgan Moeller and Reagan Hayes.

   Newcomers Kayla Bond and Jordan Neal should contribute right away, and freshmen Kallie Carpenter and Dakota Crockett will try to replace departing senior Lauren Flynn, an All-American at the libero position.

   Overall, Case has some big shoes to fill as the Lions improved their win total from only nine in 2007 to 15 in 2008 and then to 25 last season. In the LSC preseason polls, A&M-Commerce was picked to finish fifth.

 

   For the first time since 2002, A&M-Commerce didn’t finish in the top three of the final LSC standings as the Lions went just 5-5 in league play and 10-8-1 overall.

   That was rather disappointing for a squad that not only tied for the LSC-title in 2008 but advanced three rounds in the NCAA tournament.

   So head coach Neil Piper, who enters his 13th season, must go back to work. And he’ll do so with a pair of returning All-LSC players, including junior midfielder Devon Herrman, a first-team selection. Herrman scored seven goals last season, including three game-winners. Junior defender Evan Stanberry was a second-team pick, while junior goalkeeper Randi Hafele started five games and should take over in the net full-time.

   Other key returning players from last year include senior forward Chelsey Haight (eight goals, four assists), senior defender Megan Monroe (five assists), junior forward Jordan McCarty and sophomore midfielder Paige Vincent, who scored two goals on just eight shots on the net.

   Second-year head coach Darren Schneider will try to improve on last year’s seventh-place finish at the LSC meet. However, his Lions squad has been picked to finish ninth by the league coaches in the preseason polls.

   Top runners for A&M-Commerce this year include Brandon Womack and Robert Reed, who missed all of last year but was a key member of the 2008 squad that finished third.

 

   Senior runner Kate Donovan leads the way once again for the Lions, looking to wrap up what has been a stellar career. Donovan will get some experienced help in the form of Jennifer Speer and Maci Bradford.

   The Lions have added a few more meets to the schedule, including at UT-Arlington and Arkansas, a pair of meets that will challenge an otherwise inexperienced squad.