Fort Valley State looks to hold on with young team

Fort Valley State may look like an easy mark with only six seniors.<br> <br> Coach John Morgan isn&#39;t worried.<br> <br> ``When you have a team that has something to prove, guys will work hard,&#39;&#39; he said.<br> <br> The Wildcats want to improve on last year&#39;s 7-4 record, which included a 4-4 mark in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.<br> <br> ``Last year, without a doubt, we should have been undefeated, but consistency was a problem for us,&#39;&#39; Morgan said.<br> <br> Maybe a new quarterback will help. The returning starter, Willie Copeland, is getting pushed by freshman Marcus Brooks.<br> <br> ``A lot of times, freshmen come in and sit back,&#39;&#39; Morgan said. ``He doesn&#39;t want to do that. He wants to play right now, and if he&#39;s the best, he&#39;ll play.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> If nothing else, the competition should help the incumbent.<br> <br> ``It will make Willie better,&#39;&#39; Morgan said. ``He won&#39;t be able to sit back and say, &#39;I&#39;m the man because I played last year.&#39;&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The Wildcats open against Valdosta State, the defending national champion in Division II.<br> <br> ``With a good nucleus of guys coming back this year, we needed to upgrade the schedule,&#39;&#39; Morgan said. ``The first game of the season gets us prepared for the last nine games.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The quarterback whoever that turns out to be will be expected to open up the passing game.<br> <br> ``With the amount of wide receivers we have, we should be able to throw the ball more than in the past,&#39;&#39; Morgan said, who also wants the tight ends to play a larger role, as well.<br> <br> The running attack must cope with loss of all-SIAC back Derrick Wimbush, who rushed for a staggering 1,840 yards on 247 carries last season.<br> <br> ``You can&#39;t fill that hole,&#39;&#39; Morgan said. ``You hope the other running backs learned a whole lot from Wimbush.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The Wildcats experienced fewer losses on defense. Linebacker Sam Evans (91 tackles) left the biggest void, but senior Joshua Scott will step in. Morgan is confident in linemen Jeff Nweke and Joshua Bass.<br> <br> Also returning: all-SIAC kick returner Rashad Moultin, who doubles as a defensive back.<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)