SWAC PLAYERS TAB SU AND J-STATE AS TEAMS TO BEAT

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Like the coaches and media did before them, theplayers participating in the 20th annual Southwestern Athletic ConferenceFootball Press Tour have tabbed two-time defending champion SouthernUniversity and perennial powerhouse Jackson State University as the teams tobeat in the conference this fall.

The players announced their rankings during the final stop of thetour here, which was hosted by new SWAC member Alabama A&M University.

The Western Division players ranked the SU Jaguars number one with 30points and six out of eight first place votes, followed by Arkansas-PineBluff with 26 points and two first place nods, Grambling State with 20points, Texas Southern with 18 points and Prairie View A&M with 10 points.

"Southern is the defending champion, so they're sure to be among thetop teams in the conference," stated Kevin Williams, a wide receiver atArkansas-Pine Bluff. "But we have a lot of talent coming in too. I thinkthat we'll be the best team in the West. This is our season to be number onein the SWAC."

Channing Warner, a senior linebacker at Southern and the league'spreseason defensive player of the year, says another title could be in storefor his Jaguars. He also praised the competitiveness of rival Arkansas-PineBluff.

"Arkansas-Pine Bluff gave us a run for the money last year," saidWarner. "They're a tough team to play and this year will probably be abetter one for them.

"Our goal for the 1999 season is to continue our winning tradition atSouthern," added Warner. "I see a three-peat in the future for our team."

The Eastern Division players tabbed Jackson State number one with 21points and four out of six first place votes with Alabama A&M and AlcornState tying for second with 17 points and two first place nods apiece.Alabama State came in fourth with 13 points and Mississippi Valley Statefifth with seven points.

"Jackson State has three big guns back on offense in Mark Washington(quarterback), Destry Wright (running back) and Sylvester Morris (widereceiver)," stated John Staten, a senior linebacker at Alcorn State. "Plus,their defense will be solid as a rock.

"As for Alcorn, we'll be for real," added Staten. "A championship iswell overdue for Alcorn."

Torrey Thigpen, a junior wide receiver at Jackson State, says thatrival Alcorn State will likely give his Tigers the most trouble in theEastern Division this year. He said, "Alcorn has a lot of returningstarters, especially on the offensive line. Football games are won in thetrenches. With an experienced line and a solid returning defense, they'll bea hard team to beat."

Thigpen added, "I feel we have one of our best teams in years.Realistically, winning it all is very much possible, maybe even unavoidable."

Senior linebacker Michael Pinckney of Alabama A&M praised JacksonState as one of the SWAC's top programs but added that AAMU is primed to be aserious contender for its first-ever SWAC title this fall.

"Last year we held our own in the SWAC," said Pinckney. "The onlytwo games we lost (against SWAC teams), those teams came from behind and beatus in the last seconds of the game."

1999 SWAC PLAYERS' POLLS

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