Despite losses, Colonels seeing improvements

The results may not show it, but the Nicholls State Colonels appear to be finally be starting to put the pieces to the jigsaw puzzle together one piece at a time.

After what’s been a season to forget early on for the 2009 Colonels, they continue to fight despite being 1-5 overall and 0-2 in the Southland Conference and their effort is apparent.

Saturday’s six-point loss to the Texas State Bobcats gave the team even more positives to build on heading into the remainder of conference play.

For instance, the Colonels erased an early 24-7 lead to pull within six, 34-28, in the fourth quarter and were two missed field goals away from possibly tying the game.

The team also surpassed the 300-yard mark for the second consecutive game (324) after failing to do so in each of their first four.

“It’s encouraging to get the offense on track and we needed to,” Colonels’ head coach Jay Thomas said. “We have so many guys banged up and injured, particularly on the defensive side, so it’s always good to get your offense going. We just have to continue to make some plays and create more opportunities for our offense.”

The team also scored more points in their 34-28 loss to the Bobcats than they have all season.

It’s the positive signs that Thomas looks to build on as his young Colonels continue conference play Saturday against Central Arkansas.

“We are definitely improving, but still need to work a little harder to get over the hump,” Thomas said “The team showed a lot of character by hanging in there and fighting back. We have to keep playing hard, that’s all we can do.”

Saturday’s loss was also the second consecutive week the Colonels discovered their running game, notching 259 yards against the Bobcats.

The coach believes the team is due to put together a complete game. He hopes that comes Saturday against the Bears.

“Sometimes you have to learn tough lessons to get to that point,” he said. “We got really close, as far as effort, facing adversity and learning to fight back. No we didn’t win the game Saturday but we are making strides and you can see it and we’re continuing to get better.”

“I don’t know if it’s coming quick enough, but it’s coming, he added. “We should be able to finally put it all together Saturday.”

Sophomore cornerback Bobby Felder said in the Colonel’s 44-21 loss to the Sam Houston State Bearkats last week, he felt like the team put together three solid quarters.

In Saturday’s game, he believed the team played strong for three and a half quarters.

Felder expects the team to carry those positives into the game Saturday.

“We’re getting there,” he said. “We’re out there working hard. We’re going to get that first win in conference; we just have to keep working.”

Senior running back A.J. Williams, who carried the load with 119 yards Saturday, said the offense is starting to have faith in one another, which is leading to the increased offensive production.

“Everybody is doing their part right now,” he said. “We’re getting a better feel for each other; everyone is looking out for each other. Our first win in conference is right there. We can smell it, see it, we can probably touch it. We just have to eliminate the mistakes and put ourselves in a position.”

Entering the third conference game Saturday, senior quarterback Laquinton Caston said the team is eyeing a complete game in all three phases. In a game of inches, he believes the Colonels are “centimeters from getting that win.”

“We just have to keep improving,” he said. “We can’t put the defense in bad spots. The offense has to hold its own. We’re there. An inch here and an inch there and things could be different. We’re just going to keep fighting.”