The Book: 2004 FOOTBALL

[bigearl]

so, is there no chance he'll return, and who's gonna take his place?

[bigearl]

he is listed as starter in the media guide.

[RaisingCajun08]

I agree .. David Prater will be a huge loss but we must move on. I know Bustle has so we must also.

[CajunNation]

For those of you worried about Prater, don't be.

I watched him repeatedly get burnt deep last season. If Morgan is healthy, he would never see the field anyway.

Either way, we have more than capable people to do the job just as or better than Prater.

[bigearl]

so lamar morgan is going to step up? what about kingsby, I hear he's fast.

[Cajunologist]

Let's hope so...

[bigearl]

the guy led the team in tackles, I'd say it's a big loss. I can't believe I never heard about it before.

[CajunNation]

He led the team in tackles, true. That was mainly due to the horrid state of our front seven.

Our fortunes, especially this season, will totally revolve around the front seven having some pride about stopping the run.

A healthy Lamar Morgan, IMHO, is the most talented defensive player we've had since Orlando Thomas, and, yes, I'm including Tillman in this comparison.

Yes, Kingsby is VERY fast.

[NewsCopy]

Sports Network’s Predicted Order of Finish for Southland Conference

1. Northwestern State

2. Stephen F. Austin

3. McNeese State

4. Sam Houston State

5. Texas State

6. Nicholls State

NORTHWESTERN STATE DEMONS (6-6, 1-4 Southland).

COACH (RECORD): Scott Stoker (15-10 in two seasons).

STARTERS RETURNING: 14 (7 offense, 7 defense).

MAJOR DEPARTURES: S Eric Louis (89 tackles, 6 sacks), S Neil Ponstein (83 tackles, 3 sacks) CB Jerry Goldsmith (43 tackles, 1 INT).

OFFENSIVE STAR: RB Derrick Johnese (923 yards, 11 TD).

DEFENSIVE STAR: LB Jamall Johnson (119 tackles, 6.5 sacks).

OTHER KEY PIECES: QB Davon Vinson (1541 yards, 8 TD, 265 yards rushing, 7 TD), RB Shelton Sampson (712 yards, 7 TD), WR Toby Ziegler (30 receptions, 367 yards), WR Derrick Doyle (487 yards), TE Mark Morris (151 yards), OG Greg Buckley, C Justin Brown, DL Quintene Newhouse (53 tackles, 4 sacks), DL Gary Wesley (42 tackles, 3.5 sacks), LB Paul Mefford (100 tackles, 3.5 sacks), S Russell Washington (86 tackles), CB David Pittman (55 tackles, 4 INT).

NEWCOMERS OF NOTE: DT Lorenzo Davis (Transfer/Baylor), LB Beau Maggio (Transfer/Southern Methodist), QB Ricky Joe Meeks (Transfer/Southern Methodist).

SCHEDULE: Two road games, including one at Sun Belt member Louisiana- Lafayette, are on the docket to open the season. Those games are followed by a four-game homestand that concludes with a Homecoming matchup against McNeese State on October 16. The Demons also host Texas State and Sam Houston State in Southland play before closing the season at Stephen F. Austin on November 20.

PROGNOSIS: Northwestern State was one of the most talented 6-6 teams in the nation last year, but after some close losses things came apart at the end with a four-game losing streak. The core of that team returns in 2004 with something to prove. The "Capital City Combo" of Baton Rouge natives Derek Johnese and Shelton Sampson forms one of the best running duos in the nation. They will be aided by a returning quarterback, three returning starters on the line and a talented receiving group. The "Purple Swarm" defense ranked ninth nationally last season and brings back eight of the top 10 tacklers and four of the five sack leaders. Replacing two starters in the secondary will be key to the continued dominance of the defense. Look for Northwestern State to prove the 2003 season was an aberration and play for the title in the "Battle for Chief Caddo" on November 20 at Stephen F. Austin.

The source of the story
The Sports Network
By Matt Dougherty,

[geauxboy]

Currently Kingsby is the starter @ free safety backed up by Morgan, who supposedly is recovered 100%. David was playing out of position at free safety, he was a decent tackler, but took bad angles & just didn't have the ball skills for pass coverage . There were several weak links on the defensive front seven & more talented players were on the bench.

[USLJim]

Originally posted by NSUCAJUNFAN
Here is the scoop on NSU, YES, they should be very good this coming year. Last year they were very young and still had a 6-6 record, and things just fell apart at the end of the year. Being a year older and with almost all of the starters returning the Demons should be in a position to make a run for the National Championship in 1-AA. Also they had about 8 prop kids last season that sign with NSU that were SEC type athletes and from what I been hearing they all should be eligible for this coming season. That should add depth.

It should be a great game. NSU will test the defense of UL. If UL wins look for great things to come for the rest of the season (a trip to New Orleans). I also believe and I've said this before and no one agrees with me, but I think UL has a better chance of winning the Tech game then the NSU game, even with the Tech game in Ruston.

I graduated and ran track at NSU and I've become a fan of UL (lived in the area the last 7 years). But on Sept. 4th my blood will be purple. After that, it will be back to red.

Good for you. YOu should be loyal to your alma mater and thanks for supporting the Cajuns when not supporting your NSU Demons.

[Swamp Hound]

Originally posted by HOTBOUDIN
He led the team in tackles, true. That was mainly due to the horrid state of our front seven.

Our fortunes, especially this season, will totally revolve around the front seven having some pride about stopping the run.

A healthy Lamar Morgan, IMHO, is the most talented defensive player we've had since Orlando Thomas, and, yes, I'm including Tillman in this comparison.

Yes, Kingsby is VERY fast.

You are correct, Morgan had taken over as the starter at free safety before he was injured and played extremely well. If Kingsby is listed ahead of him it is only because Kingsby went through the spring drills and Lamar could not. Not saying that Kingsby is not a good player (he may be) but like HOTBOUDIN said, Morgan could turn out to be one of our best ever. Whatever personal issues Prater has to deal with, I truly wish him well.