Rejuvenated Pioneers face SAGU in key CSFL clash

Rejuvenated from a bye week and still riding high from its most recent victory, the Wayland Baptist football team returns to action this weekend in Waxahachie where the Pioneers take on Southwestern Assemblies of God University in a must-have Central States Football League contest.
 
"We had a good week. We didn't have much contact, just (repeated) things and stayed in a good rhythm," Wayland coach Butch Henderson said in reference to last week's relaxed bye schedule. "We got rid of a bunch of bumps and bruises that have been bothering us."
 
That's good news since the Pioneers (3-3 overall, 1-1 CSFL) must be at their best for their remaining four regular-season games, all likely must-wins if Wayland is to win the conference title and possibly make the NAIA playoffs.
 
"We want to win the conference. That's what the kids are shooting for, and with the right help it can happen," Henderson said.
 
Kickoff against the Lions (5-2, 2-1), who are ranked the equivalent of 30^th in the NAIA, is at 2 p.m. Coverage links are available on www.wbuathletics.com.
 
The Pioneers, who scrambled to deal with wet and severe weather during practices this week, are tied for third place in the conference standings with Langston and Bacone, a half-game behind SAGU, which after defeating Texas College (49-10) and Lyon College (47-7) in the first two CSFL games lost at Langston last week, 23-20. In that contest, the Lions blew a 20-10 fourth-quarter lead when Langston drove 99 yards for a touchdown in the final minutes.
 
Looking at SAGU, Henderson is impressed with the Lions' linemen on both sides of the ball. On offense, SAGU uses its trenchmen to control tempo.
"That's how they've been able to stay with a lot of (opponents)," Henderson said. "They have 10-to-12-play drives that lets them control the ball. But it's not all just running. They have a good balance of running right at you and also throwing around you to keep you honest. That's where they get a lot of big plays is throwing the football."
 
The coach said SAGU quarterback CJ Collins "is the key to a lot of what they do." A 6-foot-4, 205-pound sophomore, Collins has thrown for almost 1,500 yards with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions through seven games.
 
"He throws the ball really well," Henderson said of Collins, who last season against Wayland threw for 271 yards and three TDs as the Lions prevailed in Waxahachie, 40-20. (Wayland is 1-2 all-time against SAGU, losing in 2013, 26-21, but winning in 2012, 58-27.)
 
Henderson spotlighted two SAGU receivers in Chaz Moncriffe and Caleb Shelly. Moncriffe has 26 catches on the season for 226 yards, while Shelly, a 6-4, 240-pound senior tight end, is one of two Lion receivers with 18 grabs.
 
On the ground the Lions like to get the ball to Ricky Bickham, who has rushed for 419 yards and four scores. Also with four rushing TDs is Chris Jenkins.
 
Henderson called the 5-7, 170-pound Bickham "a tough inside runner who handles a lot of the grind."
 
As much as Henderson likes SAGU's offensive front, he might be more impressed with the Lions' defensive front.
 
"Their front four are about as good as we've seen. They're big, strong, move well and control a lot of the line. We have to do things the right way in order to block them."
 
Leading the charge is D'Vonn Brown (6-3, 265), who leads the CSFL in tackles for loss with 14.
 
The Lions also boast an outstanding punter and kicker in Chadd Dearden, an all-conference performer last season.