Week 1 Game Notes

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The 100^th season of Arkansas Tech football will kick off this Thursday night, as the Wonder Boys play host to Northwestern Oklahoma to open the 2014 season at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field. A 7 p.m. kickoff is scheduled.

The Wonder Boys and Rangers will open up against one another for the second consecutive year, with Tech taking a 38-10 win in Alva to open the 2013 season. However, both teams will enter the contest with identical 0-0 records, and head coach Raymond Monica knows that the Rangers will provide quite a challenge for his Wonder Boys.

"They've got everybody back," said Monica. "And whenever you get everybody back, you're going to be better. They beat Southeastern Oklahoma at the end of the year last year, and we know they're going to be ready to go."

Once again, the Rangers are led by signal-caller Reid Miller. The sophomore signal-caller missed substantial playing time last season due to injury, but will helm the NWOSU offense to start the season. "I thought (Miller) was a very good player," said Monica. "He's young, and he'll win a lot of football games for them. He got beat up a bit last year and he missed a few games, but to me, as he goes, they go. We have to do a good job defending him. Last year, he scrambled on us and took it 26 yards for a touchdown. He's definitely a threat."

Miller will face a defense that is largely the same as the Wonder Boys' defense from one year ago. And while All-American defensive back Deandre' Bonner completed his eligibility last season, the Wonder Boys return an experienced defensive corps, led by the linebacker tandem of Logan Genz and Wesley McKinney.

Genz, a junior from West Fork, finished second in the Great American Conference last season with 106 tackles, setting a new Tech record with 22 against Arkansas-Monticello, while McKinney, a senior from Magnolia, was fifth in the league with 90 stops.

Shai Kobayashi returns for his senior year after a solid first year in a Tech uniform. The Antioch, California native had 58 tackles on the season to go with three interceptions and four pass breakups. Senior Justin Martin returns to provide experience on the defensive line. Last season, the Crossett native had 55 tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss.

Texarkana, Texas native Trevon Gooden returns in the secondary, one season after notching 52 tackles, one interception, and six pass breakups as a freshman.

Monica is bullish on the prospects of his defensive line, not only on the level of talent his defensive front brings to the field, but also on the depth that he has available at the position.

The Wonder Boys return a good deal of experience on special teams as well. Dardanelle product Randy Velazquez returns as the Wonder Boys' primary placekicker, but has seen his practice time in camp limited due to injury. Freshman Eric Perez of Green Forest may have the opportunity to play in the meantime.

Newcomer Clayton Watson of Green Forest will take over punting duties. A late convert to the position, Watson punted in high school and became the Wonder Boys' primary punter in the final two weeks of camp.

While much is unchanged on the Wonder Boys' defensive and special teams units, the Wonder Boys' offense is vastly changed in many areas.

The Wonder Boys have good experience at receiver, as Jerry Anderson, John Simpson, Michael Fine, and Tony Adams all featured in last season's offense. All-conference pick Tyler Moon returns at fullback, while Waylon Doty will step in at tight end. Up front, Kendall Thompkins, Ian Shuttleworth, and Derrik Fisher all return for the Wonder Boys.

Newcomers Patrick Dade and Miki Partsch will join the three returners on the offensive line. At tailback, junior transfer Kelton Smith take over as the Wonder Boys' starter, while freshman Braden Stringer will serve as the backup.

The Wonder Boys will turn to transfer Dennis Robertson as the starting quarterback. The junior from Gulfport, Mississippi played two seasons at Holmes Community College before moving to Delta State last season, where he sat out as a medical redshirt. He will be backed up by California junior college transfer Curt Ceralde.

While Monica is happy with the progress his team has made through camp, he knows that all preconceived notions change once the ball is kicked off on Thursday. And with the milestone of the 100^th season, Monica is even more excited about starting the season.

"This being the 100^th year of football here is special," said Monica. "It's not often that you see a program with that type of history, and we're excited about that. I'm looking forward to getting out there and playing the game, and seeing what we can do."

The game will be broadcast live on KWKK-FM (100.9) in Russellville, and online at www.arkansastechsports.com.