Point Football 2014-15 Season Preview

VALLEY, Ala. -- The Skyhawks have a tough road ahead in 2014, but will gain a wealth of experience against premier competition.

Head Coach David Rocker is entering his second season as lead man for the Point University football program, which has the makings to greatly improve from last season's 3-7 record.

"The big thing that I've noticed through the first few preseason practices is that this team is more athletic than the teams that we have had in the past two seasons," Rocker said. "We are getting better caliber players with tremendous athleticism and with that I'm expecting more wins."

Point opens its season on the road against Charleston Southern University in Charleston, S.C. The Buccaneers finished the 2013 season as the Football Championship Subdivision's (FCS) No. 22 team in the nation. The following week the Skyhawks travel to Hickory, N.C., to battle Lenoir-Rhyne University on Sept. 6, who played in last season's NCAA Division II National Championship Game. On Sept. 13 Point travels to Concordia College in Selma, Ala., before taking on North Georgia Sports Academy at home on Sept. 20.

Coach Rocker views his first two games as an opportunity rather than a task.

"When our guys go in and see the speed that Charleston Southern or Lenoir-Rhyne play with, it will help prepare us and make us better," Rocker said. "For a lot of these young guys they will have already been exposed to top talent and will be more comfortable heading into conference play."

The Skyhawks' inaugural season in the Sun Conference begins on the road against Edward Waters on Sept. 27. Next up, Point welcomes Warner University to Rams Stadium for its second Sun Conference matchup of the season. The Skyhawks then take on NCAA Division II Alderson-Broaddus in Philippi, W. Va., Oct. 11. The following week Webber International makes the trip to Valley, Ala., for a Sun Conference face-off. The month of October is completed with a trip to Lakeland, Fla., where Point will compete against Southeastern University. The 2014 season finale will take place against conference foe Ave Maria in Ave Maria, Fla., on Nov. 8.

Led by senior running back Rufus Mason III, a USA Football NAIA Preseason All-American selection, Point's offense looks to continue its physical mentality of a heavy rush presence to create passing opportunities. Behind Mason, junior Kevin Denis and sophomore Ladarrius Mathis will provide the Skyhawks with a change of pace in the backfield. Newcomer Harold Sanders will be called on to pave the way at fullback.

Coach Rocker is excited to have his returning players back, but also believes that his newcomers will add a much-needed spark to the Skyhawks' roster.

"Having those guys back is a major plus for this team," Rocker said. "In addition to that, it's being able to see a lot of these new guys come in - Kevin Denis, Harold Sanders - a lot of these guys have helped take this team to another level."

Although Point lost key wide receivers from last season, the addition of Auburn University transfer Dimitri Reese and El Camino C.C. transfer Jaquis Shows will quickly help the vertical passing game. Rodel Shorter, a freshman out of Stockbridge, Ga., also has a chance to break into first-team action this season.

Junior Charles Fortis, a native of Redlands, Calif., has quickly taken ownership of the Skyhawks' quarterback position. Since his arrival earlier this year, the offense has gravitated towards him and he has embraced the responsibility. Sophomore Shane Bluhm, a transfer from Moorpark College and freshmen Nick Johstono from North Georgia Tech and Matthew Corbin of Ellaville, Ga., round out Point's quarterback group and supply the Skyhawks with a bright future.

One thing is for certain, and that's the ability of junior punter David Strickland. At 6-foot and 228 pounds from Opelika (Ala.), the two-time All-NCCAA First-Team All-American and most recently USA Football NAIA Preseason All-American will be a true difference maker. His ability to flip field position and pin the opposing offense inside the 20-yardline will give the Skyhawks a definite weapon on special teams.

This season's defense is arguably the Skyhawks' most experienced group in the program's three year life with the return of senior cornerback Dominic Freeman, senior defensive lineman Maceo Cummins and sophomore linebacker Matt Hicks.

Freeman, 5-foot-8 and 164 pounds from Lincoln in San Diego, Calif., had a successful 2013 campaign by recording 27 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 interceptions, 2.0 forced fumbles and a blocked field goal. He provides the Skyhawks with solid coverage skills and speed defensively.

Cummins, from Somerset Academy in Pembroke Pines, Fla., will lead the defensive line in 2014 after registering 22 tackles, 1.0 sacks and 1.0 tackles for loss. He will have extensive support from freshman standout defensive tackle Dikembe Billingslea from Troup County High in LaGrange, Ga.

Hicks, 6-foot and 200 pounds, was a reliable source of defense for the Skyhawks in 2013 by accounting for 72 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. The talented linebacker is a top candidate to lead Point in tackles this season.

Coach Rocker has high expectations for his 2014 team and is anticipating a much-improved football program.

"We are able to do things that we haven't been able to do in the past, and I feel like with the athletes that we are able to run things that are going to help us be a better team overall," Rocker said.

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