2008 Woodie Awards
Trojans' future rests on youth
Richard Lowe
Issue date: 6/18/08 Section: Sports
No one can deny that Troy has been one of the top programs in the conference since their entry. Standards for the Trojans and their fans are understandably high every year considering in its' programs history, they have won three national championships and, just recently, a New Orleans Bowl victory.
With history on his team's side, head coach Larry Blakeney normally wouldn't have much to worry about. However, the future will determine the success of the 2008 version of the Trojans.
The departures of two-time conference Offensive Player of the Year Omar Haugabook and Offensive Coordinator Tony Franklin has the Trojans looking at youth to guide their offense. Neal Brown will be holding the playbook for the Trojans this season.
At age 27, Brown becomes the youngest coordinator in the FBS. This would not be the first time Coach Blakeney has handed the playbook over to a young coach. The Trojan defense is led by 34 -year-old Jeremy Rowell, who is the tenth youngest coordinator in the FBS.
With a quarterback as successful as Haugabook, you may not think there is a downside to him. However, because he played so well is the fact that Troy currently have no quaterbacks on roster that has started a game for the Trojans. Sophomore Jaime Hampton seems to be the eventual starter after an impressive spring game but don't count out junior Levi Brown, a transfer from Richmond with major game experience on the collegiate level.
The Trojans' most important conference games are their first two, their season opener against MT and a rematch of their season-ending loss against Florida Atlantic.
Wins against those teams will almost guarantee another conference championship but with both games taking place on the road, anything is possible.
With history on his team's side, head coach Larry Blakeney normally wouldn't have much to worry about. However, the future will determine the success of the 2008 version of the Trojans.
The departures of two-time conference Offensive Player of the Year Omar Haugabook and Offensive Coordinator Tony Franklin has the Trojans looking at youth to guide their offense. Neal Brown will be holding the playbook for the Trojans this season.
At age 27, Brown becomes the youngest coordinator in the FBS. This would not be the first time Coach Blakeney has handed the playbook over to a young coach. The Trojan defense is led by 34 -year-old Jeremy Rowell, who is the tenth youngest coordinator in the FBS.
With a quarterback as successful as Haugabook, you may not think there is a downside to him. However, because he played so well is the fact that Troy currently have no quaterbacks on roster that has started a game for the Trojans. Sophomore Jaime Hampton seems to be the eventual starter after an impressive spring game but don't count out junior Levi Brown, a transfer from Richmond with major game experience on the collegiate level.
The Trojans' most important conference games are their first two, their season opener against MT and a rematch of their season-ending loss against Florida Atlantic.
Wins against those teams will almost guarantee another conference championship but with both games taking place on the road, anything is possible.
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