Greetings, Lion fans. In this week’s edition of the Notebook, we’ll see how the Blue Gang unit of the A&M-Commerce Lions matchup against the Lions of Southeastern Louisiana in what appears to be the final game of the 2023 season, given the cancelation of the game with Northwestern State. There have been numerous rumors of a replacement game that the staff here at The Wire have speculated on in the Call the Roll podcast, but as soon as anything breaks, we’ll relay the news to all of you.

The 2023 season has been one of massive ups and downs for the Blue Gang. The ups? Nine quarterback sacks, three picks, and only nine points given up against FBS foe Old Dominion. The downs? 555 total yards (425 of it passing) and 56 points vs. Stephen F. Austin. The book on the Lions defense this season has, for the most part, been a slight struggle in the first half, adjust at halftime, then clamp down in the second half. For the most part, that has been successful. The high risk, high reward style employed by defensive coordinator Kyle Williams and his staff, have, however, come back to bite them at times.

So, let’s dive right in and take a look at our neighbors from Hammond.

OVERALL:

SELA Offense:

Points: 23.3 ppg

Rush: 143.9 ypg

Pass: 254.1 ypg

Total: 398.0 ypg

Turnovers: 19

Blue Gang Defense:

Points: 30.1 ppg

Rush: 154.9 ypg

Pass: 257.0 ypg

Total: 411.9 ypg

Turnovers: 22

Southeastern Louisiana, while having a solid, but not spectacular offense, has struggled with the turnover bug in 2023. 15 interceptions and 7 fumbles have certainly caused the SELA offense to sputter much like the Lions. SELA uses a two-quarterback system, and the Lions will certainly see both on Saturday. They have been very well balanced on offense and have shown some big play ability.

The high-pressure style the Blue Gang plays will need to control that big play ability, and if they are able to, then there are turnover opportunities to he had.

UP FRONT/TALE OF THE TAPE:

SELA Offensive Line: 6’2″ 296 lbs.

Blue Gang Front 6: 6’1″ 242 lbs.

The SELA offensive front is a big and experienced group, led by senior Jalen Bell (6’5″ 300 lbs.). He is joined by fellow senior John Allen (6’1″ 301 lbs.), redshirt junior Brockhim Wilks (6’2″ 295 lbs.), redshirt junior William Granville (5’11” 290 lbs.), and junior Jay Ogereron (6’4″ 285 lbs.). They have given up 17 quarterback sacks as a unit, which plays into one of the strong points of the Commerce defense, which has been an ability to pressure the passer.

The Blue Gang front six is headed up by senior defensive lineman Levi Drake Rodriguez (6’4″ 290 lbs.), who leads the team with 5 1/2 sacks. He is closely followed by junior defensive lineman Clifford Funderburk (6’3″ 238 lbs.) with five. They are joined by junior Warren Robinson (6’3″ 245 lbs.), and junior Leon Young (5’11” 250 lbs.). The linebackers are junior Darryle Ware (6’2″ 218 lbs.), and Sophomore Jaheim Lowe (6’1″ 215 lbs.). Ware is second on the team in tackles with 48 (20 solo). Rodriguez is second in tackles with 43 (17 solo). Ware, Lowe, and sophomore Kyree Anderson (5’11” 215 lbs.) have been a pleasant surprise with their play this season.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS/THE BACK LINE:

SELA Movers and Shakers: 6’1″ 201 lbs.

Blue Gang Back Line: 5’10” 173 lbs.

The SELA offense has seen action from two quarterbacks. Eli Sawyer (6’2″ 220 lbs., RS-Soph.), who has thrown of 106 completions in 171 attempts for 171.0 yards per game, with 6 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, and a long of 56 yards. Junior Zachary Clement (6’0″ 220 lbs.) is a name the Lions are familiar with, having transferred from Northwestern State this year. Clement has rushed 70 times for 433 yards, three touchdowns, and a long of 32 yards. He also has 76 completions in 122 attempts for an average of 102.1 yards per game, eight touchdowns, 5 interceptions, and a long of 76 yards. Clement seems to be more of a dual threat quarterback, while Sawyer is more of the steady hand guiding the offense.

SELA’s other leading rusher is junior Harlan Dixon (6’1″ 210 lbs.) who has 317 yards on 83 attempts, a pair of touchdowns, and a long of 14 yards.

The receiving corps is led by big play threat Darius Lewis (5’8″ 150 lbs.), who had 41 catches for 520 yards, four touchdowns, and a long of 54 yards. Harlan Dixon has shown dual threat talent, with 26 catches for 320 yards and a long of 58 yards.

Senior defensive back Dariyon Taylor (5’10” 160 lbs.) leads the defense in tackles with 61 (34 solo). He is joined by sophomore Jordan Polk (6’0″ 180 lbs.), sophomore Kendall Paul (5’9″ 161 lbs.), junior Max Epps (5’11” 182 lbs.) sophomore Christian Shaw (5’10” 164 lbs.). Epps leads the team with four picks, and Taylor is close behind with 3. Epps is also among the team leaders in tackles with 46 (20 solo).

VERY SPECIAL, INDEED: Darius Lewis is the leading punt returner for SELA, with an average of 13.3 yards on 10 returns, with a long of 44 yards. Junior Cyrus Zuell (6’1″ 210 lbs.) has 18 kickoff returns for a 20.3 yard average, with a long of 56 yards. They have definitely shown the ability to break the big one.

Junior Mitchell McGarry, who at this point, Brian and I would name team MVP, has averaged 39.5 yards on 56 punts, with a long of 58 yards, and has continued to get better as the year has gone by. McGarry averaged over 46 yards against Nicholls, and 44 against Lamar. An All-SLC position is a definite possibility.

Senior Emmanual Adagbon has uncharacteristically struggled this season, going just 5 of 12 on field goals, with a long of 51 yards. and is 14 of 16 on extra points. Adagbon is certainly looking to end his Lion career on a high note this weekend. Sophomore Aiden Martin is currently waiting in the wings and has just been outstanding on kickoffs.

THE LIONS WIN THIS MATCHUP IF: This is matter of pride for both teams. Neither are in a position for a Southland Conference championship, but the differences are: For A&M-Commerce, it’s trying to right the ship on what has been the most disappointing season in recent memory. For Southeastern Louisiana, the motivation is twofold. One, to erase the bitterness of a season in which they were picked to win the conference. Two, to avenge a loss at home to A&M-Commerce in 2022.

So, which way does this game go? This is Commerce’s game for the taking if they are able to generate some pressure on the quarterback. SELA’s Achilles’ Heel has been the offensive turnover. Their defense has shaky at times, and if the Lions can generate anything offensively, they have a real chance.

See You at The Hawk.