Previews arranged in HBCSports Press Association predicted order of finish

Tuskegee (12-0, 7-0)
Boxtorow.com/BASN Offensive Player of the Year QB Jacary Atkinson (3,563 total yards, 34 throwing TDs, 7 rushing) returns to lead the Golden Tigers who had the number one offense in Black College Football (495.2 ypg, 46.8 ppg). He will have Boxtorow.com/BASN All-American Jason English (25.5 yards per receptions, 14 TDs) as his primary target. Head coach Willie Slater’s defense is very solid as well, led by another All-American in DE Jarvis DeVaughan (18.5 tfl, 12 sacks).

Albany State (8-3, 6-1)
No matter how much Coach Mike White and the Rams lose each year they always seem to reload. Defense will again be the strong point of this team and the Golden Rams have one of the best secondaries in the country with first team All-SIAC performers juniors Terry McGhee (6 ints) and Mario Fuller (74 tckls) returning along with senior Brian Richardson (5 ints). DE Develle Miller (8 sacks, 13.5 tfl) will anchor up front. QB Kisan Flakes (1,902 yards of total offense, 9 passing TDs, 2 rushing TDs) and RBs LiRonnie Davis (5.3 yards per carry, 8 TDs) and Brian Porter (4.3 yards per carry, 6 TDs) will lead the offensive attack.

Fort Valley State (8-3, 5-2)
The Wildcats under third-year head coach Deondri Clark were about two minutes away from making a playoff appearance last season. The defense was solid in ’07 and LB Reggie Hughes (5 sacks, 10 tfl) returns to lead that unit. The Wildcats will be much better offensively under the leadership of QB Garnett Williams (1,464 yards passing, 10 TDs, 9 ints).

Morehouse (7-3, 4-3)
Morehouse was a bit of a surprise last year and will again be one of the better teams in the conference. QB Christian Sterling (1,148 yards passing, 8 TDs, 7 ints) will look to improve on his solid sophomore campaign. WR James Stedman (33 rec., 566 yards, 4 TDs) will be his favorite target and is a deep threat. Defensively new head coach Rich Freeman’s Maroon Tigers will be led by pre-season All-SIAC LB Jeffrey Cargile (83 tackles, 18.5 tfl).

Stillman (7-4, 3-4)
Stillman has been very competitive in the SIAC since joining the conference as a full-fledged member in 2005 and this season will be no different. They will however have to do it offensively without the services of QB Charles McCullum who graduated. Senior QB Cedric Harris is the only other QB who saw any time last season and will come in as the starter. The team’s three leading receivers return including deep threat Kenneth Brown (17.0 ypc) return. The strength of Coach Greg Brown’s team will be the defense. DB Dre’Mail Hardin led all Black college players in interceptions (9) last year and returns to lead a strong secondary. First team All-SIAC DL Sammie Hill (14 tfl, 4.5 sacks) along with LBs Darrin Mack (74 tckls, 10 tfl, 4 sacks) and Alex Dumas, who played in only five games, rounds out a very good defense that could win some games for the Tigers.

Lane (7-3, 4-3)
Lane has gone through much transition this offseason. Within a seven-month time period two head coaches were named. First, Johnnie Cole left to take the head position at Texas Southern. Darrion Snead was hired then dismissed for what the school described as a “deliberate alteration” of a student transfer document. Trent Boykins was named the new coach in July. Not much time for Boykins to get settled in, but the cupboard is not completely bare. QB Sherard Ellis (2,531 yards total offense 17 passing TDs, 9 rushing) returns for this senior season and is one the conference’s best. The Dragons will be led defensively by DL Timothy Bullock (12 tfl, 4.5 sacks).

Clark Atlanta (3-8, 2-5)
The strength of the Panthers in 2008 will be the running game. All-SIAC performers OL Jonathan Didier and Alphonso Johnson anchor a solid and experienced offensive line. The running game is in capable hands with Winston Thompson (782 yards rushing) returning. Defensively, Coach Ted Bahhur will have to replace All-American Curtis Johnson, but LB Paul Jackson (67 tckls, 11 tfl) returns.

Kentucky State (3-8. 3-4)
Nine starters return on offense and nine starters return on defense for Coach Fred Farrier. Defensively the Thorobreds will be solid, led by All-SIAC performer DL Anthony Richardson (63 tckls, 7 tfl). Andrew Ramsey (771 yards rushing, 9 TDs) had a solid freshman campaign for the Thorobreds and will look to have his name called more. Look for teams to possibly kick away from Jamaree Gordon who averaged 31.3 yards per kick return and returned one 91 yards for a TD.

Miles (2-9, 0-7)
2007 was another disappointment for the Golden Bears. But things look very promising as legendary coach Billy Joe was hired during the offseason. That in-of-itself will be good for the Golden Bears as only six starters return on defense led by DL Chris Bostic (9.5 tfl, 4.5 sacks). Offensively, the Golden Bears will implore the Gulf Coast spread offense.

Benedict (2-9, 1-6)
The Tigers return only seven starters from a year ago which may not be the worst thing for second-year head coach Stanley Conner. Of the starters returning running backs Jonathan Cunningham and Verna Nesmith, who both averaged 4.6 yards per carry, will be expected to carry more of a load this season. Defensively, LB Michael Thompson (61 tckls, 35 solo) will be the leader.