Today: Mar 28, 2024

Talented senior class to leave gaps in football roster

Kevin Crompton – Editor-in-Chief

Southern football had its Senior Day last Saturday, honoring 16 athletes who will play their final game as Owls this weekend. A senior class this large is expected to leave gaps in any roster, however, the number of players graduating is just the beginning of the concern. The exceptional talent among the group that will be parting ways at the end of this year is where the anxiety peaks.

Football is often regarded as the ultimate team sport, with every piece contributing to success. However, in this column, I have highlight a handful of Southern football seniors — in no particular order — whose departure in 2018 will leave next season’s roster with big shoes to fill.

Eli Parks RB: Parks is leading the NE10 in touchdowns and rushing yards with 11 and 1,137 respectively. He has been the staple of the Owls offense in 2018. Parks is a complete running back with the perfect combination of speed and power. He can both, run over defenders and run by them completely untouched. Aside from the obvious rushing ability Parks possesses and the stellar numbers to support it, Parks is a more than solid pass blocker and opens up the play-action pass against defenses.

Vochan Fowler RB: While Fowler’s numbers are not as flashy as Parks, he’s been a crucial piece to the Owls rushing attack throughout his collegiate career and lead the Owls in rushing in 2016. Fowler makes up one half of the two-headed monster opposing defenses had to prepare for when going up against Southern this season.

Hunter Fluegel WR: Fluegel leads the Owls in touchdown receptions this season with three. He has been a deep threat for the Owls in 2018 and is a guy the team will need to find a replacement for to continue stretching the field next season.

Earl Myers WR: Myers’ graduation will be another hard hit to passing game. He is second in receptions with 21 this season and has Southern’s longest touchdown reception of the year at 65 yards.

Jhaaron Wallace ILB: Leading the team in tackles this season with 72, Wallace is essentially magnetic to the football. He’s always around the ball-carrier and tackles the right way: Wrapping people up and burying them in the turf. Wallace currently sits at number five in the record books for Southern’s all-time leading tacklers.

Jarred Bennett-Moorer DL: Leading the team in both tackles for loss with 13 and sacks with eight. Bennett-Moorer has been a terrorizing presence for opposing quarterbacks.

David Spears, Jr. OLB: Just one sack behind team leader Bennett-Moorer with 7. Spears, Jr. also has one INT, one forced fumble, and one safety on his 2018 season resume.

 

Photo Credit: SCSU Athletic Communications

 

 

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