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Football By Donald Heath

'The Best Game In The Country'

Where do you start when you take over a football program?

Savannah State University head coach Aaron Kelton says it's the same starting point as any new venture. You get to know the players. You build relationships. You ask yourself, "How can I support them through the process?"

"One of the things we talk about here is 'seek the story in a stranger'," Kelton said. "It's just our way of saying, it's OK to get to know each other and know new people. A lot of guys don't know each other and it helps them to connect. It helps everyone pull each other along."

Four months into a new era, the Tigers are seeing the story unfold with a new leader.

"Coach Kelton is a genuine guy, everything he says he's going to do he does," defensive end Makenly Newbill said.

"I think we bond (with Kelton) on a level other than football," wide receiver Randy Scott said. "He's like a father-figure to us. I feel like all the guys are buying into what he's got going on."

Four months in – so far, so good.
 
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The Tigers are coming off an 8-2 season a year ago—the school's first eight-win season since 1994. They were 5-1 in the East Division of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), second behind Albany State and in the conversation for a spot in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

But that was last year.

This is a new team, and Kelton brings a diversified background. He has nearly 30 years of coaching experience in college and has interned with four NFL teams.

His first college job was coaching safeties at Clarion University. He's coached defense most of his career, recently working with the defensive backs at Howard University.

Ironically, Kelton spent his college playing days trying to beat defensive backs as a quarterback at Springfield College.

"(Having quarterback experience) allows me to think the game like an offensive guy is thinking, so how would I combat it?" Kelton said.

Kelton says he'll tweak some of the schemes the Tigers used last year.

"We'll run some of the power stuff they ran, but we'll be a little more run-pass option, a little more vertical passing game, get the ball to guys who can make plays," he said. 

Kelton said Jamaurion "JT" Hartage, a sophomore who saw considerable playing time last season, and Hampton University transfer Isaiah Robinson have been competing for the starting quarterback role along with Jadon Adams.
 
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Sophomore Shamarcus Poole leads a talented group of running backs that include freshmen Joe Hampton and Cam Robinson. Poole was named to the SIAC's preseason all-conference second team after averaging 5.9 yards a carry in limited action last year.

Da'Shun Mitchell and DaMarion Colbert have been impressive at wide receiver in camp. Scott, who has been out with a leg injury, is expected to figure in the starting mix.

Anthony Brown is a leading candidate at tight end.

On the line, Kelton expects big things from 6-foot-3, 300-pound Kyle Frazier, a preseason all-conference second-teamer. Steven Wakefield, Jason Monroe, Davonte Johnson, Riyon Adams and Reiton Allen are leaders for starting spots along the line.

Defensively, SSU excelled nationally a year ago. Newbill, a first-team all-conference performer at defensive end, returns to lead a unit that finished sixth in Division II in total defense (249.8 yards a game), ninth in passing yards allowed (145.2 per game) and 19th in scoring (17.6 points per game).

Jonathan Glover, Dameien Rodgers, Julius Gomes, Nathanial Chisholm, Eli Shephard, Marlon Jackson and Justin Gilbert will figure in the defensive line mix.

"We're deep on the line so we'll be able to roll in guys and keep everyone fresh," Kelton said.

Kelton was reluctant to name top linebackers at this point in camp, but liked his stable of defensive backs – Latrelvin Blackamore, Elwin "Kirk" Smith, Walter Watkins, D'Armani Ridley, Jameson Petitford and Ahlik Booker.

Kelton says the Tigers should be strong on special teams despite missing first-team all-conference kicker Kenneth Lockhart, who is out with a leg injury. Kicker Jorge Gonzalez and punter Henry Tome and long snapper Braxton Chadwick provide a solid threesome.

The season opens Sept. 3 at home against Southeastern University – a game that will be streamed live on FloSports.

Six other SSU's games will be streamed live – Kentucky State (Oct.1), Virginia University of Lynchburg (Oct. 8) and Lane College (Nov. 5) on FloSports, the Benedict game (a Thursday night, Sept. 15) on ESPNU and Edward Waters (Sept 10) and Albany State (Oct. 22) on ESPN Plus.

"What I tell my players every single day, every meeting, is this is the best program in the country," Kelton said. "I don't care who's playing. It could be Alabama-Tennessee, Georgia-Florida, if Savannah State is playing, that's the best game in the country. I believe that and that's what we're going to focus on."
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Riyon Adams

#59 Riyon Adams

OL
6' 1"
Freshman
Latrelvin Blackamore

#12 Latrelvin Blackamore

DB
5' 10"
Freshman
Braxton Chadwick

#15 Braxton Chadwick

SPC
6' 0"
Freshman
Kyle Frazier

#55 Kyle Frazier

OL
6' 3"
Freshman
Jonathan Glover

#49 Jonathan Glover

DL
6' 3"
Freshman
Jorge Gonzalez

#44 Jorge Gonzalez

SPEC
5' 8"
Freshman
Davonte Johnson

#77 Davonte Johnson

OL
6' 2"
Freshman
Kenneth Lockhart

#29 Kenneth Lockhart

SPEC
6' 0"
Freshman
Makenly Newbill

#0 Makenly Newbill

DL
6' 2"
Junior
Jameson Pettiford

#30 Jameson Pettiford

DB
5' 10"
Redshirt Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Riyon Adams

#59 Riyon Adams

6' 1"
Freshman
OL
Latrelvin Blackamore

#12 Latrelvin Blackamore

5' 10"
Freshman
DB
Braxton Chadwick

#15 Braxton Chadwick

6' 0"
Freshman
SPC
Kyle Frazier

#55 Kyle Frazier

6' 3"
Freshman
OL
Jonathan Glover

#49 Jonathan Glover

6' 3"
Freshman
DL
Jorge Gonzalez

#44 Jorge Gonzalez

5' 8"
Freshman
SPEC
Davonte Johnson

#77 Davonte Johnson

6' 2"
Freshman
OL
Kenneth Lockhart

#29 Kenneth Lockhart

6' 0"
Freshman
SPEC
Makenly Newbill

#0 Makenly Newbill

6' 2"
Junior
DL
Jameson Pettiford

#30 Jameson Pettiford

5' 10"
Redshirt Sophomore
DB