FB: American Southwest Conference

[CruFrenzy]

VERY BIG TIME UMHB QB Commit that I read/heard about today.
Zane Boles (Henderson High School) 4A
6'6" 220lbs
4.53 40 yard dash

Boles fielded several scholarship offers before officially deciding to join the cru next fall, most notably he turned down full scholarship offers from both Lamar (D1-FCS), and Henderson State in Arkansas(d2). 

http://etsn.fm/hendersons-zane-boles-receives-first-two-offers-lamar-henderson-state/

Was impressed with the film I saw on him as well. Somewhat of a short arm style release, but he's very accurate for the most part, gets rid of the ball quickly, and DEFINITELY has Division 1 arm strength. His arm strength was evident on some deeper comeback routes and even on some corner routes that he zipped in between the cover 2 window on the sideline. Excellent Deep ball, saw several throws 50yd+ that were right on the money(a lot of deep passes towards the end of the tape), stays relaxed in the pocket and really has a smooth release on the deeper balls.

Expected to see him sit back and be more of a pocket passer but was more than impressed with his running ability as well. He looks somewhat mobile initially and then looks even faster when as he's leaving secondary players behind him in the open field . Much better at running the football than I expected and surprised me with his break away speed. Lead his team to the regional finals and lost in a competitive game 34-14 to eventually state champion Navasota. Here's his film:

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/520583/highlights/164878376/v2

After watching years of the Cru lose deep in the playoffs against teams with superior QB play, it's exciting to see someone like this on the way in. He may end up being the "championship caliber" QB that we've been missing. I'm not rooting for anyone in particular, I just hope someone steps up to the plate and gets it done. Whether it's Zach Anderson, Blake, or this kid. But I believe UMHB got a snag here and I'm hopeful that this kid can adjust quickly to college ball in camp and step in and compete. I would be very surprised if he isn't in the mix early, and I'm sure he expects to compete as well, after turning down some excellent offers elsewhere.

Sounds very promising. As I have followed the recruiting stories this off season, UMHB has definitely filled three holes: LB, OL, and QB. All of the recruits I've seen as "signing" look to be strong, and the hiring of the former player, coach, to help with the D looks to be an attention to what Cru football has come to be known.

I've also heard that some serious attention has been paid to the lack of heart and desire in the clubhouse. Knowing Coach Fred, I'm sure he has warranted their attention and is bringing a new light to the offseason workouts.

UMHB2001,

I was curious to see if they would be able to find a replacement at LB. I felt like we were in great shape two seasons ago with McAteer playing the MLB spot and Deshon Kinsey at the weakside(the playmaking position). Then last year I felt like we did okay when Kinsey was healthy atleast, but when he wasn't it was little rough. Just wasn't quite up to the standard that we've grown accustomed to at Linebacker for the Cru Defense.

Do you think any of the linebackers in this recruiting class have the ability to be a Kinsey, McAteer, or a Javicz Jones type of player? It would be nice to have a super star at the backer spot again.

[CruFrenzy]

Also heard some more excellent news today about a former UMHB player that left but is planning on returning.
Keith Reineke, who played as a freshman two years ago when we went to the semis, and IMO was one of the best receivers on the team.
He transferred to Baylor and made the team as a walk on, they moved him to Strong Safety and from what ive heard he's gained some good size.

He was on the spring depth chart going into the spring game this season and was declared ineligible. Not sure why, I think it was grade related. But he's supposedly let the coaches know at UMHB that he's coming back and the word is that he'll be playing somewhere in the secondary for us! Maybe Strong Safety(Cru Back)? Would be a good replacement for #25 who I believe graduated and would make for a good addition playing across from Jaedon Johnson at FS. Would really be a boost for the secondary. Hope it all works out.

[Kelly Boggs]

The CRU News seems to be all good!

[Hawks88]

I was checking Belhaven's website to see if they had their schedule posted since ours still has that game time as TBA and found an article about their spring scrimmage? http://blazers.belhaven.edu/news/2015/4/24/FB_0424151827.aspx?path=football
I guess they don't offically start transitioning to DIII until this summer sometime so this is okay??

[D3MAFAN]

I was checking Belhaven's website to see if they had their schedule posted since ours still has that game time as TBA and found an article about their spring scrimmage? http://blazers.belhaven.edu/news/2015/4/24/FB_0424151827.aspx?path=football
I guess they don't offically start transitioning to DIII until this summer sometime so this is okay??

I wish they would just allow the rest of DIII to use at least helmets (as means of protection). But I think they officially start at the end of the fiscal year (6/30 perhaps).

[crufootball]

For those of you that don't follow softball, you may not have known that they had their own Texas Sub Bracket this weekend in the NCAA Tournament and it really is a shame.

Now I will admit I don't follow softball much but man this seems harsh/typical. The Texas Sub Bracket featured UT Tyler and ETBU from the ASC, TLU from the SCAC and Whittier from the SCIAC. Clearly grouping the Texas and California schools is not unexpected but when you dig into the information, it stinks for the Texas schools.

Coming into the tournament UT Tyler was ranked 2nd in the country with only 2 losses for the season, ETBU was third with 4 losses and TLU was 14th with 4 losses. The losses are important because of the 10 these teams had, 8 were against each other.

ETBU and UT Tyler were so closely matched that in both the ASC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament, ETBU beat UT-Tyler in their first game only to be beaten twice in fairly close games in the championship.

Now people will always point out that in order to be the best you have to beat the best, but I just feel bad for the ETBU girls who had their season ended early just because they happened to be located near UT-Tyler and they couldn't go on the road and beat the #2 team in the nation multiple times.

[roocru]

Coach Joe George, UMHB offensive line coach and master recruiter, has retired.  Joe is a great coach and a better human being.  He will be missed by all associated with UMHB but I wish him the best in his retirement.  Joe, that light you see at the end of the retirement tunnel is not a train, retirement is heaven!  Enjoy it!!!

[crufootball]

Coach Joe George will definitely be missed, UMHB does not  have the success it has had without some awesome O-lines that he shaped.

On the subject of 2015, Sporting News and Lindy's have both published their College Football Preview Magazine and therefore their 4 pages combined worth of D3 information.

Both have Mount Union at the top, with UWW coming in at 2 & 3 in their polls. As for local schools, UMHB leads the way at 5th in the Sporting News and 10th in Lindy's. HSU gets a nod with 11th in Lindy's and 24th in Sporting News and TLU comes in at 13th in Sporting News and 14th in Lindy's.

Also Teidrick Smith (UMHB), Marquis Barolle (TLU) and Nico Francino (HSU) are all listed as Pre-Season All-Americans. 

[crufootball]

In other coaching news, Coach Pete has been nominated for the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.  He is one of 20 that are on the primary ballet and they typically take 6 per year from that list. The public is allowed to vote on the nominees if they are a member of the TXSHOF which will set you back $25.

http://www.tshof.org/news/?article_id=534
http://www.cruathletics.com/news/2015/6/4/FB_0604152915.aspx

[wildcat11]

Congrats to Coach Pete. 

[Ralph Turner]

McMurry schedule for 2015.

http://mcmurrysports.com/news/2015/6/4/FB_0604155010.aspx

[Ron Boerger]

Glad to have McM making the transition back.   

[Ralph Turner]

One thing is for certain. AD Sam Ferguson is getting to have "his" coaching staff.

Football has changed.
Baseball, swimming and tennis are still the same.
Coach Crousen (medically) retired but Brad Parris is a good replacement (promotion) in Track.
M&W soccer have changed.
Men's and Women's hoops have changed, but having Brittany Densman-Roes (class of 2004) back for the women is a great hire.
Cross country has changed. (I think that Coach Chandler went to St Ed's.)
Cammie Petree is back with volleyball.

[Kelly Boggs]

FYI: I have a pretty good source that told me UMHB and Linfield have agreed to play in 2016 and 2017.

[Kelly Boggs]

For anyone wondering, it is 88 days until UMHB kicks off the 2015 season against Ohio Wesleyan in Delaware, Ohio.