Indians get opening test - Boll Weevils

He knows his team will be a decided underdog tonight, but Arkansas-Monticello coach Gregg Ricono won't approach the season-opening game against Southeast Missouri State University as a David vs. Goliath battle.

"People are going to call it a David vs. Goliath story any time they see one of these games, but I don't buy into that," Ricono said. "Obviously they've got a lot of advantages, with scholarships and other things, but at the same time, you can only play 11. We'll do the best we can and see what happens."

Southeast coach Tim Billings also said he doesn't believe the Division II Boll Weevils are without serious weapons entering the 6 p.m. kickoff at Houck Stadium.

"They're in an excellent conference, the Gulf South, and just about all the games they lost last year were by a close margin," Billings said. "They'll have really good athletes and I don't think they're going to be a pushover for us."

While the Division I-AA Indians went 4-7 last year in their second season under Billings, Ricono is in his first season directing a squad that went 5-6 a year ago but was 8-3 in 2000. Prior to that, the Boll Weevils experienced consecutive 0-11 seasons.

"They've been kind of up and down here," Ricono said.

Ricono, who spent the last five seasons as the offensive coordinator at Division II Arkansas Tech, said the cupboard was far from bare when he took over in Monticello but there was a lack of numbers when the Boll Weevils were hit hard by graduation.

"I took over April 1 and it was pretty hectic, but I was lucky enough to get the staff I wanted in and we found some good kids that were left," Ricono said. "When I got here we had 32 kids and now we have 79. I feel pretty good about what we've been able to do."

Ricono agreed with Billings in that the Boll Weevils will put impressive athletes on the field tonight, but may not have enough of them.

"I think we have a chance to have a good team for our level," Ricono said. "The big problem is we have no real depth. If somebody gets hurt, we're in a lot of trouble."

The Boll Weevils' top player is senior tailback Corwin Elliott, who rushed for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns last year in being a Division II honorable-mention All-American.

Despite being just 5-feet-8 and 180 pounds, Elliott is durable. He set a Gulf South Conference record last year with 302 carries.

Elliott will run in front of an offensive line that returns four starters and averages close to 300 pounds per man, led by NFL prospect Darrick Sanders (6-4, 350) at tackle.

Arkansas-Monticello's quarterback is transfer Fred Leonard, who started six games at I-AA Arkansas-Pine Bluff last year. He'll throw to a pair of dangerous wide receivers in Shamar Brown, who caught 41 passes for 550 yards last year, and Arizona transfer Marvin Brown.

"They've got a really good offensive football team, but from what I understand defense might be a concern for them," Billings said.

The Indians' defense, which has struggled during Billings' first two seasons -- although it did improve considerably last year -- is likely to receive a solid test. And Southeast's defenders believe they'll be up to the challenge, not only tonight but all season.

"I feel great about the defense this year," said 310-pound senior tackle James Jennette. "We had the athletes before, but now we know what's going on a lot better. We've grown real tight and everybody feeds off each other."

Said junior end Ryan Roth, "I think we've really improved, to the point where I think our defense is going to be a strong point this year."

Although the Indians start just six seniors, they are an experienced team with 17 returning regulars from last year. Billings said this could be his program's breakout season and he knows getting off to a good start is crucial. That's what he doesn't worry about his players taking the underdog Boll Weevils lightly.

"The good thing is, it's the first game of the year and we've got a lot to prove," he said. "We need to get off to a good start and set the tone for the season."

mmishow@semissourian.com

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