Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Goodwell, Okla.— Head Coach Russell Gaskamp is eager to embark on a new season as the Aggies' take on their first full Lone Star Conference schedule in 2016. After wrapping up pre-season training with an intrasquad scrimmage Thursday evening under the lights of Carl Wooten Field at No Man's Land Stadium, the team looks primed and ready to join their coach on this exciting journey.

The Aggies will have a tough opening to the season with five of their first six games being played on the road, including three LSC playoff teams from last year. Their first matchup will be a huge challenge as the team takes on a top-ranked Division-I opponent at Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Texas; the Bearkats enter the 2016 season ranked No. 2 in the national polls.

Returning eight starters on the offense and three on defense the Aggies will look for quick development and heavy contribution from their younger players early on this season. A position-by-position breakdown is included to give an insight on both sides of the ball.

Quarterback: Starter Shane Truelove returns for his senior season at the helm of the Aggie offense. Truelove had a great second-half of the season last year racking up 1,938 total yards in 2015. He is backed up this season by redshirt freshman D. J. Scott out of Waco High School in Waco, Texas.

Running Back: The Aggies are expecting a big breakout year for senior returner Rodrion Moore who has filled the backup role in the past, but is expected to see 20-25 touches per game this season. Moore averaged over five yards per carry last year and racked up seven TDs on four rushes and three receptions. Xavier Jones (A&M Consolidated H.S.) will provide backup to Moore; Jones missed out on spring ball but returns healthy and ready to play this fall.

Wide Receiver: Headed by four veteran starters, the receiver position looks to be strong headed into the season. Senior tight end J.B. Frontz returns along with three receivers in senior Andrew Hernandez, junior Devyn Williams and sophomore Eddie Thomas IV. The wide-out trio combined for over 1,100 yards and 16 TDs in 2015. Williams alone contributed 651 yards on 42 carries and totaled eight touchdowns on the season; he also finished the year ranked fourth nationally for kickoff returns averaging 32.1 yards per return. Over the summer the Aggies acquired two transfer receivers who look to contribute this season: Steven White, Jr. out of Cerritos College and Dorion Barnett from Santa Ana College.

Offensive Line: The O-line suffered a big blow with the loss of their starting right tackle Diego Arenas to a season-ending knee injury in the spring. However, this position holds vast experience with the return of three starters: senior Allston Hadley and juniors Jakob Popple and Cullen Oliver. Others in the unit with significant playing experience include senior Guerrero Garcia and juniors Dominique Coutee-Thomas and Matthew Granz. This group combined has over 50 games of playing experience which will help anchor the Aggie Offense.

Defensively the Aggies will present an aggressive 3-4 scheme with the arrival of their new defensive coordinator, Eric Daniels, who has been on staff through spring ball. Daniels' defense will see several new faces to the program getting considerable playing time, and several newcomers will be listed on the weekly two-deep charts with very little playing experience coming into the season. A breakdown of the defensive positions follows.

Defensive Line: By far the most experienced group on this side of the ball with several key members returning. Three seniors, Cortney Stinnett, Nate Leota and John Pitts along with junior Zachary Perez-Clack and sophomore Sequoia Smith have all started games for the Aggies.

Linebacker: Seniors Royce Asi and Neptuneson Joseph are the only veterans with significant playing experience at this position. Gaskamp looks for big things from them as well as from transfer Dominick Bell (Glendale College) and incoming freshmen Dharius Timmons (Denton Guyer H.S.), Chad Ellis (Berthoud H.S.), Jasper Smiley (Tecumseh H.S.) and Tyrek Domio (Spring H.S.).

Defensive Back: Sophomore Byron Edwards is the lone returning starter in the DB group. However, the staff feels like there are several newcomers that will have a significant impact on the defense: transfers Darryn Cain, Shecari Johnson and Olen Brown and freshmen Major Norman (Lakeview H.S.) and Colton Thompson (Pampa H.S.).

Special Teams: Returning punter Jacob Test had a strong rookie season in 2015 and will maintain the punting duties for the Aggies again this year. Newcomer Sterling Claphan will take over at kicker, which Gaskamp feels is a significant upgrade from last season. Senior Mason Williams will send the deep snaps and the return game will be handled primarily by Devyn Williams and Eddie Thomas IV.

Gaskamp summed things up by stating, "We will have an extremely tough beginning part of the schedule. Our experience on offense will have to keep us in games, while a young defense will need to mature quickly." He added, "It's incredibly important that we develop a young football team that is going to have to contribute; unlike the last two years where we've been more experienced. Especially on the defensive side of the ball."

Going into his fifth season as the Aggies' head coach, Gaskamp said that his main goals for this year were that 1.) "We're a better team in the second half of the season", and 2.) "We are extremely competitive in our LSC matchups."
Aggie fans will have a chance to view the season-opener against No. 2 Sam Houston State on ESPN 3 and the Watch ESPN app; kickoff is set for 6 p.m. in Huntsville, Texas. Those who are able to make the trip can take part in a pre-game tailgate with other Panhandle State alumni, fans and families. The tailgate will take place in lot P2 of Bowers Stadium and it is not a hosted event, so participants will need to bring their own food, drinks and tailgate gear. For more information on the tailgate fans can contact Mark Hale by phone at 979-398-5727 or by email at united@cherokee1.biz. Ticket sales and tailgate policies for Sam Houston State can be found on the school's athletics website gobearkats.com.

The first home game will take place on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. as the Aggies take on last year's LSC Champions Texas A&M-Commerce. Fans are encouraged to come early and enjoy the NEW Panhandle State Tailgate Section located in the parking lot east of the stadium entrance. A row of tents will be provided by the university and parking spaces will be available for seasonal purchase through the football office. Contact Coach Russell Gaskamp for more information: 580-349-1332/ rgaskamp@opsu.edu. There will be pre-game activities, games and lots of fun so let's pack the tailgate section before every home game this season, and get ready to Wear Red, Get Rowdy and Rev It Up for your Aggies!