July 27, 2004
Spartanburg, S.C. -
Western Carolina had three football players named to the 2004 Preseason All-Southern Conference team, the league announced today at the annual Southern Conference Football Rouser presented by the Carolina Ford Dealers. Receiver Michael Reeder was selected to the coaches preseason first team with offensive guard Morris Sanders and defensive back Primus Glover being named to the second team. Also announced today were the SoCon coaches' and media polls with both picking the Catamounts to finish fifth.
Furman was picked to finish first by both the coaches and media with Wofford, Georgia Southern, Appalachian State and Western Carolina rounding out the top five in both polls. The coaches picked The Citadel sixth, Chattanooga seventh and Elon eighth, while the media completed their poll with Chattanooga sixth, The Citadel seventh and Elon eighth.
Reeder (Wagener, S.C./Wagener Sally HS) ranked second on the team and among the SoCon top 10 in both receptions (58) and receiving yards (638). His 4.83 receptions per game not only ranked fourth in the SoCon, but was 52nd nationally. If Reeder were to end this season as an All-SoCon selection, it will mark the fourth consecutive year WCU has put a receiver on the conference first team.
Sanders (Pineville, N.C./Fork Union (Va.) Military/South Mecklenburg HS) has played in all 34 Western Carolina games over his first three years. He started all 12 games last season at right guard, helping the Catamounts lead the SoCon in passing for second consecutive year. He was also a key part on an offensive line that only allowed 11 sacks in a SoCon-high 433 pass attempts, which was just one sack every 40.36 attempt.
Glover (Springfield, Ga./Effingham HS) came to Western Carolina in January of 2004 after East Tennessee State dropped its football program. Last season, he played in all 12 Buccaneer contests, ranking 12th on the team in tackles with 30. He added two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble in 2003.
2004 SoCon Football Coaches Poll
Place Team (First place Votes) Points
1. Furman (5) 45
2. Wofford (2) 41
3. Georgia Southern (1) 39
4. Appalachian State 38
5. Western Carolina 25
6. The Citadel 15
7. Chattanooga 14
8. Elon 7
2004 Southern Conference Media Football Poll
Place Team (First place Votes) Points
1. Furman (13) 217
2. Wofford (11) 199
3. Georgia Southern (6) 195
4. Appalachian State 167
5. Western Carolina 99
6. Chattanooga 86
7. The Citadel 67
8. Elon 50
2004 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE COACHES PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS
First Team Offense
WR Alonzo Nix, Chattanooga
WR Michael Reeder, Western Carolina
TE Willis Sudderth, Furman
OT Paul Collins, Georgia Southern
OT Matt Isenhour, Appalachian State
OG Eric Deutsch, Wofford
OG Patrick Covington, Furman
C Brad Anderson, Wofford
QB Chaz Williams, Georgia Southern
RB Jermaine Austin, Georgia Southern
RB Nehemiah Broughton, The Citadel
PK Jonathan Godfrey, Chattanooga
RS DaVon Fowlkes, Appalachian State
Second Team Offense
WR Isaac West, Furman
WR DaVon Fowlkes, Appalachian State
TE Ross Armstrong, The Citadel
OT Ben Bainbridge, Furman
OT Albert Turner, Georgia Southern
OG Bobby Gibbs, Wofford
OG Morris Sanders, Western Carolina
C Lance Wayne, Georgia Southern
QB Richie Williams, Appalachian State
RB Kevious Johnson, Wofford
RB Ern Mills, The Citadel
PK Nick Robinson, Wofford
RS Lewis Barr, Georgia Southern
First Team Defense
DL Eric Hadley, Georgia Southern
DL Michael Burant, Furman
DL Lee Basinger, Wofford
DL (tie) Katon Bethay, Wofford
DL (tie) Michael Ballentine, The Citadel
LB Derrick Butler, Georgia Southern
LB Mike Killian, Furman
LB Mike Cullen, Elon
DB James Young, Georgia Southern
DB Corey Lynch, Appalachian State
DB Cam Newton, Furman
DB Marcus Cohen, The Citadel
P Bo Moore, Furman
Second Team Defense
DL Marques Murrell, Appalachian State
DL Roy Ravenell, Furman
DL Renaldo Jackson, Chattanooga
DL Eric McIntire, Georgia Southern
LB Timmy Thrift, Wofford
LB Jerelle Carter, Appalachian State
LB Cedrick Ritter, Furman
DB Terence McBride, Georgia Southern
DB Ryan Steele, Wofford
DB T.J. Wilson, Furman
DB Primus Glover, Western Carolina
P Anthony Turowski, Elon
SoCon Coaches Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Georgia Southern fullback Jermaine Austin. (Runner-up Chattanooga wide receiver Alonzo Nix.)
SoCon Coaches Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Furman linebacker Mike Killian. (Runner-up Appalachian State defensive back Corey Lynch.)
