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SPORTS

Lowe hopes to lead Pride to higher level of success

Thursday, September 4, 2008
(Updated 8:11 am)

GREENSBORO -- Torrey Lowe has already done everything he could possibly do for the Greensboro College offense.

The senior All-America candidate has lined up under center, in the backfield and out wide. On top of that, he's shared the load returning kicks on special teams. But as versatile as Lowe is, the Pride feels that less will equal more this football season.

Coach Neal Mitchell won't limit Lowe's touches, but he has decided to trim his duties to just catching passes and returning kicks.

"It's amazing how he has been able to handle, mentally, all the things we've thrown at him in the past," Mitchell said. "He's played literally every offensive skill position."

Lowe, who is the school's leader in receiving, kickoff return and all-purpose yardage, acknowledged that he will probably miss running the ball at times, but embraces the reduced duties because he believes it will translate to more victories.

"I like it better," Lowe said. "Even if I don't get my numbers like I usually do, just to win four or five more games than we have been will put a smile on my face."

Who can blame him?

Greensboro has never finished above .500 and hasn't won more than three games in a season since 2002. The Pride stumbled to a 2-8 record in 2007, but with the beginning of each new season comes a fresh slate, starting with the opener Saturday night at Guilford College.

The Quakers have won the last three meetings, but only by a combined 13 points. The Pride has its sights set on ending the skid in the 12th annual Souper Bowl.

"It's everything," Mitchell said of the game during a mid-August practice. "Right now, we're consciously not focusing on it that much because we're in our preseason mentality, but in due time it will be about one and only one thing and that's winning that game."

The Pride has been projected to finish seventh in the eight-team Division III USA South Conference for the second consecutive season by the league's head coaches. But if Greensboro wants to rise above those expectations, it must improve drastically at the line of scrimmage.

"Our success will come down to line play on both sides of the ball," Mitchell said. "We really do have playmakers at the other spots, so if the guys on the line can do their job it will allow those playmakers to showcase their skills."

The offensive line in particular has been an issue in recent years and this season begins no differently. Korey Stelling is the only returning starter, but tackle Andrew Kelemecz and center Dustin Heard are returning players who did not participate last year but are familiar with the system.

Junior Michael Caparaso returns under center to direct the spread offense after a solid sophomore campaign in which he set school records for passing yards per game and completion percentage.

In addition to Lowe, David Rushing, Charlie Johnson and Matt Martin will be targets for Caparaso, but the three combined to catch just 27 balls last season.

Calvin Bacon and Rodney Beasley will begin the season sharing the tailback role, and Brandon Richardson will handle fullback duties. Mitchell is counting on the running game to improve after the Pride gained just 788 yards on the ground last season.

Greensboro's defense failed to slow anyone last season, particularly on the ground. The Pride gave up an average of 211.8 yards rushing and 29.1 points per game.

Linebacker Brick Crowder, an All-USA South pick who led the team with 133 tackles as a sophomore, returns to anchor the defense. Three starters graduated to leave the secondary thin, but senior corner Michael Witherspoon will provide experience.

With so many question marks, another losing season seems likely. As Mitchell explained, there's nothing to build on from past seasons.

"Hopefully, (this season's) going to be about this team coming together to create an identity and personality for itself," the Pride coach said. "That is something it doesn't have yet."

GREENSBORO FOOTBALL 2007 record: 2-8 overall, 1-6 USA South (7th) Opener: at Guilford, 7 p.m. Saturday in the annual Souper Bowl INSIDE: Scouting Report, C2

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