Joey Jones Previews West Alabama Opener, Says Fan Support Still Growing in Year Three
South Alabama coach Joey Jones previewed the season opener against West Alabama at his Monday news conference. He said the Tigers are experienced and talented and that Jaguars fan support continues to grow in the program's third season.
MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama head coach Joey Jones said Monday that West Alabama brings an experienced, talented roster into the Jaguars’ season opener, and that he is as excited for the game as any he has been part of.
Jones spoke at a news conference alongside wide receiver Bryant Lavender and defensive lineman Andy Dalgleish.
Scouting the Tigers
Jones noted that West Alabama went 7-4 last season without losing a game by more than four points, and that 14 of the Tigers’ 22 starters are junior college transfers.
Jones said he expects former Gulf Shores High School quarterback Gary Johnston to start for West Alabama, which Tigers head coach Will Hall confirmed in a radio interview.
Receiver Gerald Worsham caught 80 passes last season and is in position to break West Alabama’s career receptions record. Jones called him extremely quick and a very good football player.
On defense, Jones said the Tigers have size up front that will make running the ball difficult.
Third Season of Building
Jones said the program, now in its third season, has grown bigger, faster, more mature and more experienced, and that the team returns most of last season’s starters. He said the Jaguars are where they want to be at this stage but that he does not yet know how that compares with the teams on this year’s schedule.
He described the program’s growth as a process that will take years, said several games this season will show where the team stands, and asked that judgments wait until the full season is complete.
Fan Support
Jones said most startup programs, including South Florida, saw strong support in their first two seasons before interest dropped off in years three and four. He said support for South Alabama has instead continued to increase heading into the third season, which he credited to excitement about the team in Mobile. He added that players are energized by crowds dressed in red and white.
Ready for Kickoff
Jones said the players have practiced with high intensity and that their emotion has been building in recent days.
The Jaguars, who went 7-0 in 2009 and 10-0 in 2010, open the season Thursday night against West Alabama at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
