Athletic Report
June 2, 2000

EASTERN NEW MEXICO PICKED TO FINISH 3RD IN LSC SOUTH PRESEASON POLL
PORTALES, NM — The Eastern New Mexico University football team, which tied for the Lone Star Conference South Division title in 1999, has been picked to finish third in the LSC South this fall, according to the LSC Preseason Football Poll. Head coaches, sports information directors and media representatives cast ballots in the poll.

Angelo State, which tied ENMU for first place in the LSC South last season, was picked to finish first in the South Division this fall, while Texas A&M-Kingsville, a traditional LSC power, was picked to finish second. In the North Division, Northeastern State (Okla.) was predicted as the champion, followed by Central Oklahoma in second place. Northeastern State, Central Oklahoma and Southeastern Oklahoma tied for the North Division title in 1999.

ENMU, which heads into its seventh season under Head Coach Harold “Bud” Elliott this fall, has recorded back-to-back 8-3 seasons, including 6-3 in the LSC South each year. ENMU’s South Division co-championship was the school’s first football title since winning the overall LSC title in 1991. Elliott was named LSC South Coach-of-the-Year in 1998 and 1999.

The 2000 ENMU squad will feature a high-powered offense and a talented and dominating defense. Last fall, the Greyhounds averaged 243.2 rushing yards per game on offense, while allowing just 16.6 points per game and only 34.6% pass completions on defense.

Running back Dennis Beard (Albuquerque, NM/N.M. Military Institute) returns after missing one season, while junior quarterback James Williams (Earth, TX/Springlake-Earth H.S.) is the probable starter at quarterback. Running back Antoine Lacy (Sr., Richmond, CA/Contra Costa J.C.) and wide receivers Brian Weimer (Jr., Clovis, NM/Clovis H.S.) and Cale Sanders (So., Roswell, NM/ Goddard H.S.) also return for ENMU.

The offensive line will be led by senior center Nate Mastin (Odessa, TX/Permian H.S.) and by junior guard J. Jensen (Houston, TX/Mayde Creek H.S.) The defense will be led by senior defensive tackles Nelson Smith (Albuquerque, NM/Univ. of Miami) and John Williams (Earth, TX/Springlake-Earth H.S.), and by senior defensive end James Stewart (Anton, TX/N.M. Military Inst.).

Garett Williams (Sr., Monahans, TX/Monahans H.S.) will anchor the linebacking corps, and sophomore Justin Hibbler (Lubbock, TX/Estacado H.S.) and senior Tonmar Johnson (Vallejo, CA/Henderson State) will provide leadership in the secondary.

Jensen, Smith, Stewart, and Johnson were all named Second Team All-LSC South in 1999. Jensen was also named to the Daktronics, Inc. All-West Region Second Team.