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KINGSVILLE, Texas (Football) – Eleven All-Lone Star Conference selections return to a club that competed with the best of them last season. Despite going 2-9 in the first campaign under head coach Daren Wilkinson, the Javelinas scared most clubs they faced, falling nine or fewer points six times in 2015. "We have the talent and ability to compete against everybody on our schedule. We just have to turn the competitive mentality into wins."
 
Quick Hits
Returners on offense include Anthony Autry, Myles Carr and Greg Pitre. Autry was the lone Hoggie to appear on the All-LSC first team after collecting 831 yards and seven touchdowns. His 831 yards were the most in 2012 when Robert Armstrong finished with 849 and his 184 yards at Eastern New Mexico were the third most in single game school history. Averaging 19.33 yards per catch, Autry, who appeared on the NFLPA Watch List, is fourth on the all-time charts in yards per reception. Carr tossed 2,293 yards and 21 touchdowns and added four rushing TDs. His 25 total touchdowns were second most in single season school history, just two behind Heath Sherman, who tallied 27 scores in 1988. His 21 throwing TDs were fourth most in the program's rich history of men behind center. Pitre ended the season as arguably the hottest player in Division II, finishing with a career-best 744 rushing yards and 397 receiving yards. He added six touchdowns and was an All-LSC honorable mention selection.
 
On the offensive line, Aundra Long, who celebrated in the end zone after a lateral at Eastern New Mexico, Bo Villarreal, who was an All-LSC second team and Don Hansen All-Super Region Four third team pick in 2015 and on the NFLPA Watch List in 2016, Ralph Rubalcaba, Stuart Sanchez and Michael O'Neal are slated to get the nod on the o-line. Rubalcaba will take over at center after Christian Garcia's departure. Garcia was a three-year starter for the Hogs. Expected to receive extensive playing up front are Jake Wallace, Luke Spies and Justin Warren, a Rice University transfer.
 
Nick Pelrean, who was primarily featured on special teams as a true freshman in 2015, expects to see one of the three-headed monsters for the Hogs from the tailback position. Pitre and Pelrean will be joined by power back Luis Lopez, who transferred in from Trinity Valley Junior College. "Red" as he is often referred to will also factor in on special teams after earning All-LSC honors last season.
 
From the wideout position, Autry will be joined by Jordan Thomas, who collected 40 receptions for 703 yards and five scores. Chaz Adams (sat out 2015), Wesley McCoy, Nico Brown, Devin Milburn and Kyle Plum will receive action as well as Wilkinson says the WR position is the deepest on the roster.
 
Defensively, Trevor Moses returns from injury and looks to regain his 2014 form which earned him All-LSC honors as a true freshman. Now a junior, defensive coordinator David Brown II says "he was the leader out there. His impact was easy to see early on in the year and when he went down, we lost a key piece defensively." Moving to flex linebacker after seeing action on the defensive line is a svelte Braedon Robinson, who tallied 51 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries, one being a 49-yard recovery for a touchdown versus A&M-Commerce. He earned All-LSC honorable mention honors along with fellow junior returnee DeMarcus Spurlock, who led the team with 79 tackles. Looking to capitalize on a sensational freshman year, defensive end Brandon Jones looks to up his totals after finishing 2015 with 58 tackles, 4.0 sacks and 14.5 tackles for a loss. Seniors Alex Kuyinu and Ifey Ibik, who moves back to defense after receiving limited action on the o-line in 2015, are likely the starters.
 
Another deep position for Wilkinson and co. is the linebackers/flex crew with ZeMarcus Green (61 stops, second most in 2015) and Torrey Boozer, a transfer from Missouri and Frisco Junior College.
 
The veteran secondary returns of Kelechi Amushie (All-LSC selection), Forrest Jones and Joe Crowe enter their senior season in 2016. Transfers Jarrod Sanders, Justin Gillory and Josh Bowman join the secondary as they look to wreak havoc as competition has been fierce throughout camp.  
 
Julio De la Garza returns for his sophomore campaign after connecting on 10 field goals and earning All-LSC honorable mention. Punter Tristan Hernandez averaged 37.0 yards per kick and returns for his senior season. Klein Oak native Dillon Scherer will also see action as a punter.
 
The season begins Sept. 3 at Incarnate Word. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. from Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium. Live stats, audio and video will be available on JavelinaAthletics.com. KSIX Sports Radio Corpus Christi and KTAI in Kingsville will carry the game on radio and a stream is available on SportsRadioCC.com, beginning with the pregame show at 5:45 p.m. Kevin Piel and Kelvin Queliz will have the call.
 
Season tickets are still available and can be purchased on JavelinaTickets.com. For more information, please call the Javelina ticket office (361-593-4030) or visit the McCulley Hall Ticket Office.
 
Fans are also encouraged to interact with @JavelinaSports by following Texas A&M-Kingsville football on Twitter, @JavelinaFB, and @JavelinaFB on Instagram, liking the official Facebook page of Javelina football (/JavelinaFootball) and subscribing to the JavelinaAthletics YouTube channel.