MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama football coach Joey Jones said Tuesday that the Jaguars will schedule tougher opponents next season, including Division I-AA programs, as the first-year team prepares to host Milford Academy in Saturday’s homecoming game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
South Alabama is coming off a 64-6 win over Fork Union Military Academy last Saturday. Jones discussed the program on the Joey Jones Show with host Lee Shirvanian.
Building the 2010 Schedule
Jones said the success and progress of this season’s team led the staff to pursue stronger opponents for 2010, citing Division I-AA schools in California and Texas as examples. Asked about next season’s opener, Jones said the opponent has not been determined, but the program has talked with schools including UC Davis and Nicholls State.
Milford Academy Comes to Mobile
Shirvanian said Milford Academy’s coach told him the team would make a two-day bus trip to Mobile, leaving Wednesday. Milford lost the previous weekend.
Jones said Milford may have the best offense South Alabama has faced this season, noting that most of the Jaguars’ opponents have been stronger on defense than offense. He said Milford has several players committed to college programs, including one to Florida.
Jones said prep schools want to win but also want to expose their players to different schools and settings. He said that after last week’s game, several Fork Union freshmen told South Alabama coaches they were impressed with the program, the crowd and the atmosphere, and asked to be considered next season.
Quarterback Rotation
Asked whether Brennan Sim had closed the gap on starter Myles Gibbon, Jones said both quarterbacks play well and the seven-game season allows the staff to play both and evaluate them. Sim has one season remaining and will be a redshirt senior next year. Jones said South Alabama plans to bring in another quarterback.
Jones said he was pleased with the passing game against Fork Union after the first two throws, citing Sim and Nick Owen for a high percentage of completions. He said the players are becoming more comfortable and that the team works on its blitz period at least two of every three practice days.
Strength and Conditioning
Strength and conditioning coach Justin Schwind, who came to South Alabama with Jones, said his first task is convincing players that their work in the weight room will pay off on the field. He then meets with each player individually to tailor a program to his goals.
Schwind said his top priority is keeping players healthy, followed by helping them get bigger and stronger. He said the most important thing for performance is physical maturity, citing linebacker Clifton Crews, who gained about 15 pounds over the summer but needs to add about 15 more to reach the right size for Division I-A competition. Schwind also works with players on nutrition, which he describes as a lifestyle change rather than a diet.
Homecoming Weekend Events
South Alabama will hold an open house at its new football fieldhouse from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, with coaches and players giving tours and talking with fans. A homecoming parade on campus is set for 6:30 p.m., followed by a bonfire. Miss America is scheduled to sing the national anthem before Saturday’s game.
