Sam Houston headlines Southland preseason team
(STATS) - National power Sam Houston State led the way with eight first-team selections and 14 overall when the Southland Conference preseason team was announced Wednesday.
Sam Houston, an FCS semifinalist in four of the last five seasons, placed offensive linemen Bridge Blount and Curtis Riser, running back Corey Avery, wide receiver Yedidiah Louis, defensive end P. J. Hall, defensive back Darion Flowers and place-kicker Luc Swimberghe on the first team. Louis also was named to the first team at the all-purpose back position.
Central Arkansas had the second-most selections with 10 and defending Southland champion McNeese had nine.
Twenty of the 58 selections returned from last season's postseason all-conference team, including Southland player of the year Kade Harrington of Lamar and freshman of the year Jabari Butler of Abilene Christian.
The Southland's two preseason polls - coaches and sports information directors - will be announced next Wednesday at media day in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
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SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE FOOTBALL PRESEASON TEAM=
First Team
Offense
QB - Zach Conque, Stephen F. Austin, Sr.
RB - Kade Harrington, Lamar, Sr.
RB - Corey Avery, Sam Houston State, Jr.
TE/HB - Zach Hetrick, McNeese State, Sr.
WR - Desmond Smith, Central Arkansas, Sr.
WR - Kent Shelby, McNeese State, Jr.
WR - Yedidiah Louis, Sam Houston State, Jr.
OL - Bret Treadway, Lamar, Sr.
OL - Stockton Mallet, Central Arkansas, Jr.
OL - Mason Martin, McNeese State, Sr.
OL - Bridge Blount, Sam Houston State, Sr.
OL - Curtis Riser, Sam Houston State, Sr.
AP - Yedidiah Louis, Sam Houston State, Jr.
PK - Luc Swimberghe, Sam Houston State, Sr.
Defense
DL - P.J. Hall, Sam Houston State, Jr.
DL - Isaiah Golden, McNeese State, Jr.
DL - Larance Hale, Lamar, Sr.
DL - John Franklin, Stephen F. Austin, Jr.
LB - Sam Denmark, Abilene Christian, Jr.
LB - Ashari Goins, McNeese State, Jr.
LB - Antreon Bennett, Southeastern Louisiana, Sr.
DB - Tremon Smith, Central Arkansas, Jr.
DB - Jabari Butler, Abilene Christian, So.
DB - Dominique Hill, McNeese State, Jr.
DB - B.T. Sanders, Nicholls, Sr.
DB - Darian Flowers, Sam Houston State, Sr.
P - Christian Guzman, Houston Baptist, Jr.
KR - Rodney Randle, Lamar, So.
PR - Brandon Cox, Central Arkansas, Jr.
Second Team
Offense
QB - Jeremiah Briscoe, Sam Houston State, Jr.
RB - Ryan Ross, McNeese State, Jr.
RB - De'Mard Llorens, Northwestern State, Sr.
TE/HB - Cody Dauksch, Central Arkansas, Sr.
WR - Jatavious Wilson, Central Arkansas, Sr.
WR - Davion Davis, Sam Houston State, So.
WR - Shakeir Ryan, Northwestern State, Sr.
OL - Riley Mayfield, Abilene Christian, Jr.
OL - Terrance Boyd, Northwestern State, Sr.
OL - Dakota Laws, Abilene Christian, So.
OL - Sam Hardy, Sam Houston State, Sr.
OL - Travis Romero, Southeastern Louisiana, Jr.
AP - Jatavious Wilson, Central Arkansas, Sr.
PK - None
Defense
DL - Luis Carreno, Sam Houston State, Sr.
DL - Jammerio Gross, McNeese State, Jr.
DL - Terrence Partee, Central Arkansas, Sr.
DL - Sione Latu, Sam Houston State, Sr.
LB - Josh Zellars, Incarnate Word, Sr.
LB - Collins Okotcha, Sam Houston State, So.
LB - Garrett Dolan, Houston Baptist
DB - Jermaine Antoine, McNeese State, Jr.
DB - George Odum, Central Arkansas, Jr.
DB - Brendan Langley, Lamar, Sr.
DB - Adrian Norwood, Incarnate Word, Sr.
DB - Patrick Martin, Stephen F. Austin, Sr.
P - None
KR - Jatavious Wilson, Central Arkansas, Sr.
PR - Jordan Hicks, Incarnate Word, Sr.
