2012 SEASON OUTLOOK
2012 Media Guide
Experienced Demons on the Hunt for Southland Title, Playoff Berth
Preseason Depth Chart
College football requires intense, year-round work by players and coaches, culminated by a week (or more) of preparation for 11 game days that, if handled properly, pave the way for more chances to play. Likewise, for some of Louisiana’s more famous citizens, there’s a lot of preparation leading up to a relatively short season. After spending the other 11 months scouting, for just 30 days each year, Troy and Jacob Landry prowl the marshes and wetlands of the Atchafalaya Swamp, trying to exhaust their supply of state-issued tags during alligator season. Troy’s feverish trademark command “Choot ‘em!” is nationally celebrated by the vast audience of the History Channel’s hit series “Swamp People,” now in its third season. The Landrys visited Natchitoches last December for the always spectacular Natchitoches Christmas Festival, and crossed paths with several from the Northwestern State football program, including quarterback Brad Henderson, head coach Bradley Dale Peveto and offensive coordinator and associate head coach Todd Cooley. There was common ground discussed, mutual admiration expressed. The Landrys, and the Demons, are looking for their best season yet in 2012. With lots of proven experience on hand, there’s reason for optimism. Henderson will play a pivotal role as the triggerman for the NSU football team, along with two-time AllAmerica linebacker Derek Rose and NFL Draft prospect Jamaal White, as focal figures in Peveto’s fourth season as head coach. Rose, on the Buck Buchanan Award watch list for the second straight year, has displayed a knack for gamechanging plays all over the field and especially in the red zone. He has stacked up 220 tackles in the last two seasons. White, an acrobatic and big-hitting safety, hopes to significantly add to his seven-interception total over the past two years after being listed as one of 10 FCS Defensive Backs to Watch by The Sports Network. They will spearhead a Purple Swarm defense which will be strong at the back with White and fellow safeties Bert White, Brashard Booker, along with crafty veteran nickelback Cortez Paige and a shooting star from spring Senior LB Derek Rose is looking to the second football player in ball, Calvin Morton, who has flashed in the fall previously. become NSU history to be an All-American three Up front, nose tackle Lesley Deamer emerged last times. year as one of the Southland’s better interior players, while Anthony Gilbert is a rising senior after a breakout junior campaign. Steady Wade Williams is back for a third season as the other starting end. First-year starters Pat Black and Tyler Smith will flank Rose in the linebacking corp
Senior QB Brad Henderson visiting with History Channel’s hit show “Swamp People,” stars Troy and Jacob Landry during the always eventful Natchitoches Festival of Lights.
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Northwestern State Demons
SLC Champions- 1988 • 1997 • 1998 • 2004
IWR WR TE LT LG RG RT QB FB TB
Purple Strike Offense (multiple)
LE DT NT RE OLB MLB WLB Nickel LCB FS SS RCB K P S H KR PR
5 Phillip Harvey (5-9, 170, Sr.-3L) 16 Trevor Goodie (5-11, 188, Jr.-2L) 11 Sheldon McClain (6-1, 186, So.-TR) 8 Clifton Brown (6-1, 205, Sr.-1L) 17 Louis Hollier (6-1, 205, Sr.-2L) 89 Corey Simmons (6-5, 255, So.-TR) 83 Tucker Nims (6-3, 262, Jr.-2L) 40 Chris Dever Jr. (6-2, 226, So.-1L) 74 Jeremy Raine (6-4,315, Jr.-TR) 62 Andre Harris (6-3, 318, So.-TR) 72 Larry Calcote (6-4, 284, Sr.-3L) 66 Josh Cunningham (6-2, 269, So.-1L) 70 Isaac Puapauga (6-1, 323, Sr.-1L) 75 Luke Burleson (6-6, 305, So.-TR) 69 Blayne Cole (6-4, 277, Jr.-2L) 79 Tchissakid Player (6-6, 294, Jr.-2L) 10 Brad Henderson (5-11, 210, Sr.-1L) 6 Don Canyon (6-2, 220, So.-1L) 1 Keenon Gibson (6-2, 205, So.-1L) 25 Brant Legendre (5-11, 236, Jr.-2L) 40 Chris Dever Jr. (6-2, 226, So.-1L) 32 Robert Walker (5-6, 191, Jr.-TR) 27 Sidney Riley (6-2, 219, Sr.-3L) 4 Rumeall Morris (5-11, 201, Jr.-2L)
Purple Swarm Defense (4-3-4)
54 Anthony Gilbert (6-4, 245, Sr.-3L) 57 Keland Johnson (6-0, 249, Jr.-2L) 98 Damon Medcafe (6-0, 290, So.-1L) 99 Deon Simon (6-4, 310, So.-1L) 93 Lesley Deamer (6-3, 288, Jr.-2L) 96 Andrew Bletsch (6-2, 275, So.-1L) 87 Wade Williams (6-4, 231, Sr.-3L) 95 Denzell Hawkins (6-5, 272, Sr.-3L) 43 Tyler Smith (5-10, 222, Jr.-2L) 46 Ragan Robichaux (6-1, 190, So.-1L) 56 Derek Rose (5-11, 229, Sr.-3L) 55 Reggie Toomer (5-10, 223, Sr.-3L) 7 Pat Black (6-0, 201, Jr.-2L) 53 Wa’Derrious Sellers (5-11, 202, So.-SQ) 9 Cortez Paige (6-1, 181, Sr.-3L 49 Michael Potter (5-10, 187, Sr.-2L) 35 Temeni Brewster (6-0, 185, Sr.-1L) 20 Ryan Sorrell (5-10, 182, Jr.-RS) 10 Bert White (5-10, 196, Jr.-2L) 21 Brashard Booker (6-1, 183, Sr.-3L) 2 Jamaal White (6-0, 192, Sr.-3L) 14 Calvin Morton (6-0, 196, Jr.-2L) 24 Rico Albert (6-0, 181, So.-1L) 18 Imoan Claiborne (5-11, 190, So.-1L)
Specialists
37 John Shaughnessy (5-11, 181, Sr.-3L) 35 Andy Wickman (6-3, 187, Fr.-RS) 63 Nic Russo (6-1, 201, Sr.-2L) 35 Andy Wickman (6-3, 187, Fr.-RS) 94 Justin Warner (6-1, 238, Sr.-1L) 48 Kevin Garza (6-1, 250, Jr.-TR) 81 Spencer Harrell (6-0, 175, Sr.-3L) 63 Nic Russo (6-1, 201, Sr.-2L) 5 Phillip Harvey (5-9, 170, Sr.-3L) 2 Jamaal White (6-0, 192, Sr.-3L) 5 Phillip Harvey (5-9, 170, Sr.-3L) 2 Jamaal White (6-0, 192, Sr.-3L)
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Great Tradition • Brighter Future
FCS Playoffs- 1988 • 1997 • 1998 • 2001 • 2002 • 2004