Sports

Rams hold preseason kickoff party, talk about '08

• Boosters and fans gather at Albany Municipal Coliseum on Friday to hear Albany State football coach Mike White talk about the 2008 season.

Scott Chancey

ALBANY - Albany State Quarterback Club member Commodore Conyers walked up to Rams coach Mike White, shook his hand and wished his team well at Friday's Football Kickoff Reception.

While sprinklers continued to mold Albany Municipal Coliseum's field into a football haven, fans and boosters alike gathered inside the stadium's Eula Lovett Hall with questions about the upcoming season that begins Aug. 30 against Shaw at home.

"It' exactly what it is - it's the kickoff," said White, whose team finished last year 8-3, falling the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

"You kind of let them know where you stand, where you're going to be strong."

Fans are likely listening a little closer this preseason now that the Rams no longer are the defending SIAC champs. The Rams won at least a share of four consecutive titles from 2003-06 before black college national champion Tuskegee claimed sole possession of it last year.

"This is the quiet before the storm," said White, whose players report Tuesday and begin practice Thursday.

White revealed Friday that, his team's strengths will be returners quarterback Kisan Flakes and running backs Gary Neavins and Demetrice Johnson. He also talked about his youthful defensive line that has to rebuild after losing most of its starters and a secondary that gave up too many crucial plays near season's end.

Chattanooga, Tenn., dentist Delbert Kelly, who graduated from ASU in 1967, felt Friday's drive to Albany was worth it as long as it related to Rams football.

"That's why I'm here," Kelly smiled. "I'm a football person, a junkie, even."

For ASU defensive back Terry McGhee, who led Division II in passes defended (18 breakups, six interceptions last season), Friday's gathering also benefited him.

"I wanted to come and be supportive and hear from fans and coaches what they had to say about us," said McGhee, who also is a preseason first-team All-Conference pick. "Like coach White has said before, 'We've got to get to work and get better.' You can't get better if you don't work, so we're really looking forward to Aug. 5."

DAVIS INELIGIBLE

ASU running back LiRonnie Davis, who led the Rams in rushing with 608 yards and eight scores, is academically ineligible for the fall.

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