2008 Record 2-8 .200 Overall 1-7 .125 Conference Location: Brownwood, TX Head Coach: Steve Fanara (Southwest Baptist '88) Stadium (cap.): Gordon Wood (7600) Conference: ASC Region: South 2009 Schedule

BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne football team has worked hard in the offseason and is ready to get to practice in August.

The Yellow Jackets finished 2-8 last season under first year head coach Steve Fanara. In 2008, Howard Payne had to replace almost all of their starting defense and a lot of their offense from the previous season.

This season the Jackets will have a much easier start to the preseason returning eight players on offense and eight on defense. “The biggest difference in 2009 will be that we will have experience on both sides of the ball, said head coach Steve Fanara.

On offense, the Jackets return starting quarterback Zach Hubbard, who threw for 1,587 yards and 12 TD's last season. Hubbard will throw to a good target in last season's ASC Freshman of the Year, wide receiver Tre Mason. Mason had 32 catches for 633 yards and 9 TD's in 2008. Howard Payne also returns three of last season's five offensive line starters - Josiah Bone, Nick Goad, and Danny Dudgeon.

“Our guys have had a great off-season and believe in what we are doing now. The work ethic has been tremendous and we are just anxious to get back on the field," said Fanara.

Defensively the Jackets have two defensive backs and outside linebackers returning, Aaron J. Alvarado and Eric Bunch combined for 45 tackles last season at the DB positions. Linebackers Kevin Reyna and Jake Dezell also had a total of 45 tackles last year. Four starting down lineman return as well- Chase Reneau, Lorenzo Green, Dustin McClure, and Ryan Parsons. McClure led the group with 15 tackles (39 assisted) and a team high 5 sacks last season.

"We lost a few games that were one or two score games. The real key for us is to eliminate the mental mistakes that have prevented us from closing the gap,” added Fanara.

Punter Cote Schacherl returns who punted 70 times for a 38.4 average. Schacherl did not have a single punt blocked last season.

"We must improve on both rushing the football and stopping the run. We want to achieve more of a balance on offense and allow our defense to be fresh and finish games, " said Fanara.

The Jackets open up the 2009 season at Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahatchie on September 12th at 6:00 pm. This will be the first meeting of the two programs. HPU has scrimmaged SWAGU in the past in the preseason. The Jackets will be at home versus Bacone College on September 19th at 1:00 pm.