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Livingstone Settles Down for
Improvement on the Grid-iron
The Livingstone College Football Program
managed through troubled waters during last season (2005). Robert
Massey (NC Central ’90) advanced through the ranks immediately after
his hire to become the interim Head Coach. The Blue Bears finished the
2005 season with a 1-9 overall and a 1-6 CIAA record. For the upcoming
2006 season, Livingstone expects a much improved program.
The Interim title has been removed for
Head Coach Robert Massey and he has realigned his coaching staff. The
Defense will look to be heavily improved with Coach Massey taking the
reigns of Defensive Coordinator. Natrone Means will serve as the
Offensive Coordinator and the camp will be introduced to new-hire
Andre White, the Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers Coach.
The Blue Bears focused their recruiting
efforts on finding linemen. The offensive line lacked depth and
experience last season. Senior offensive lineman Roderick England, of
Sherrills Ford, North Carolina, will be the lone veteran on the line
and will have to mentor the new bunch. The defensive line will return
more experience and see an immediate impact from local standout Joey
Rucker (6-4, 280lbs, Statesville HS) from Statesville, NC.
Team MVP Antoine Blunt (6-2, 180lbs,
Jr., LB) from Chesapeake, Virginia will return as the defensive
captain. Blunt finished last season with 62 (32 solo, 30 assisted)
total tackles, 3 tackles for a loss of 12 yards, 2 interceptions for
36 yards and three pass breakups. He ranked second on the team in
tackles. Alvin Hudson (6-3, 200lbs, So., LB.) from Oviedo, Florida led
the team last season in tackles with 82 tackles (31 solo and 51
assisted). 2005 All CIAA Rookie Team member Ryan Goings will lead the
secondary this upcoming season. Going grabbed 4 interceptions for 126
yards last season along with 53 tackles (25 solo, 28 assisted). He
will receive assistance this season from transfer Lionel Vincent.
Vincent is a 6’2, 210lbs, Free-Safety from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Running back Tyrome Baisden will lead
the backfield and be keyed upon on special teams. Baisen averaged
176.1 all purpose yards per game. He will receive much deserved
assistance from signed place-kicker and punter Sean Vary from New Bern
High School in New Bern, North Carolina.
Sophomore receiver Michael Sullivan,
from Simpsonville, South Carolina, will be looked upon to carry the
load this year. Last season, Sullivan played in five games where he
finished with five receptions for 71 yards. Quarterback Jason Mitchell
will return to lead the offense. Mitchell finished the season with
157.9 total offensive yards. Out of 1,579 yards, 1,324 yards were
passing yards. He completed 109 of 240 passes with 9 interceptions
thrown. Sophomore running back Rashaad Flucker, from Chesnee, South
Carolina, had 37 attempted rushes last year for 251 yards. His longest
rush of 49 yards earned him one touchdown and an average of 27.9 yards
per game. His late emergence last season and performance during spring
football will gain him precedence during fall camp.
“We look to be very competitive against
everyone and play every game to win”, forecasts Coach Massey on the
up-coming season.
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