Greetings, Lion fans, and with the cancelation of the Northwestern State game, we have come to the end of the 2023 season. There are rumors of a replacement game to be held next week in Commerce, but there is nothing official yet. As soon as we know something, The Lion Wire will have it out there for you.

This season hasn’t gone anything like what was anticipated. When I broke down this season’s matchups (yes, I had notes on everyone and everything. I keep companies that make notepads in business myself!), there was so much more to be expected, based off of the 2022 season. The football program was now fully funded, scholarship wise, and support staff positions were beginning to fill out. Clint Dolezel was brought in with a renewed emphasis on offense, and a new outlook. A defense that finished in the the top 10 in all of FCS play was returning the vast majority of its starters. We approached our analysis of the 2023 season from a best case/worst case scenario. It was along the lines of best case, everything goes well, the Lions stay healthy, etc…..9-2. Worst case, injuries take their toll, the Dolezel system doesn’t quite mesh so smoothly, younger players don’t quite prosper as anticipated……6-5.

Well, as was said in the Dan Jenkins classic book, Semi Tough, “That ****ed ball isn’t round. It’ll bounce funny on you.” Well, that ball has bounced funny so many ways that it finds the A&M-Commerce Lions at 1-8, one of their most disappointing seasons in recent memory.

This week, we’ll take a close look at our friend from Hammond, the Southeastern Louisiana Lions, who have had their own struggles in 2023, and currently have a 2-7 record. So, let’s dive right in and take a look.

OVERALL:

Points: 16.1 ppg

Rush: 118.6 ypg

Pass: 183.1 ypg

Total: 301.7 ypg

Turnovers: 24

SELA Defense:

Points: 30.8 ppg

Rush: 175.4 ypg

Pass: 248.7 ypg

Total: 424.2 ypg

Turnovers: 10

The Southeastern Louisiana defense has been a bedrock on which to build in head coach Frank Scelfo’s six seasons, but they have had their struggles in 2023, aside from playing FBS foes Mississippi State and South Alabama. A lack of turnover production, and a high risk, high reward style much like that in Commerce, have led to as much struggle as success for the Louisiana Lions.

Commerce comes into this game looking to right the ship in what has been a disastrous season offensively. An offensive line that never has jelled or settled, inconsistency at quarterback (again!), and a running back room that bears the resemblances of a MASH unit. Add to this what seems to be a lack of adjustments, and you get exactly what we’ve seen this season. An offense that, instead of the well-oiled, high octane machine that it appeared it could be, instead turned out to be the rusted out, broken hulk on the side of the road.

UP FRONT/TALE OF THE TAPE:

Lion Offensive Line: 6’3″ 327 lbs.

SELA Front 6: 6’1″ 240 lbs.

The SELA front is redshirt senior defensive lineman Arlen Williams (6’1″ 210 lbs.), who leads the team in sacks with six. He is joined by redshirt junior Shemar Pearl (6’6″ 255 lbs.), sophomore Kaleb Proctor (6’3″ 280 lbs.), and redshirt junior Rodney Shopsher (6’1″ 275 lbs.). They are a physical, active group that can generate tremendous pressure on the quarterback. Senior linebacker Herman Christophe IV(5’11” 225 lbs.) leads Southeastern in tackles with 97 (49 solo). Fellow linebacker Anthony Britton, Jr. (6’2″ 220 lbs., Sr.) is second in tackles with 43 (16 solo).

The Lion offensive line consists of junior Kysean Fenderson-Gentle (6’5″ 295 lbs.), Sophomore Kyle Lofye (6’3″ 312 lbs.), junior Santos Valdez (6’1″ 321 lbs.), junior Michael Martin (6’1″ 345 lbs.), and sophomore Peyton Ellis (6’4″ 316 lbs.), who have certainly had their issues this season, but, at times, have shown flashes of just how good they can be. If they can find a way to protect either Magana or Martos, there are certainly opportunities to be had against a shaky SELA defense.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS/THE BACK LINE:

Lion Movers and Shakers: 5’11” 198 lbs.

SELA Back Line: 6’1″ 181 lbs.

Junior defensive back Coryell Pierce (5’11” 175 lbs.) leads the SELA back line, and is third on the team in tackles with 41 (18 solo). He is joined by redshirt sophomore Markell Linzer (5’11” 180 lbs.), sophomore Ian Goodly (6’0″ 175 lbs.), senior Tyrone Leggette (5’10” 175 lbs.), senior Victor Tademy (5’11” 190 lbs.), and senior Donald Clay (6’0″ 185 lbs.). Although they have struggled this season, this group is very athletic and experienced.

The Lion offense is led by junior Josh Magana (6’1″ 209 lbs.) who has thrown for an average of 127.6 yards per game on 109 completions in 186 attempts. Magana has thrown for 8 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and a long of 74 yards.

Sophomore Reggie Branch (5’11” 195 lbs.) continues to lead the Lions in rushing, despite missing the past four games. He has 269 yards on 48 carries, a touchdown, and a long of 63 yards. Junior Shamenski Rucker (5’10” 190 lbs.) has 195 yards on 58 carries, one touchdown , and a long of 30 yards.

Sophomore Keith Miller (6’3″ 219 lbs.) leads the Lion receivers with 20 catches for 268 yards, four touchdowns, and a long of 65 yards. Sophomore Michaelous Elder has 215 yards on 25 catches, one touchdown, and a long of 44 yards.

VERY SPECIAL, INDEED: Junior wide receiver Darius Lewis (5’8″ 150 lbs.) is the leading punt returner for SELA, with 10 returns for a 13.3 yard average. Junior running back Cyrus Zuell (6’1″ 210 lbs.) has 18 kickoff returns for a 20.3 yard average with a long of 56 yards.

Junior Mitchell McGarry continues his outstanding punting for the Lions, and after last week’s 44.3 yard average, which was his best of the 2023 season, now has a 39.5 yard average on 44 punts, with a long of 56 yards. Senior Emmanuel Adagbon is still working his way out of a struggling 2023 season , going 5 of 12 of field goals, with a long of 51 yards. He is 14 of 16 on extra points.

THE LIONS WIN THIS MATCHUP IF: If their season long struggles in pass protection, line play and self inflicted penalties come to a halt, or at least to a manageable level, then there is a chance against a Southeast Louisiana defense that has also had its share of season long problems.

Fans, this hasn’t been the season we were hoping for or anticipating. However, there is still goals to play for. A win this Saturday assures the Lions of a .500 Southland Conference record, and while it’s not what we had hoped for, this is an achievable goal.

See You at The Hawk.