FSC’s entire attack unit was named All Conference last season and all three return.  Pictured above – Dane Sorensen

I have known Florida Southern Head Coach Marty Ward for a long time.  I have never seen him more focused on the task at hand than right now.  In our conversation the other day three words kept coming up.  Focus. Team. Work.  Those words seem to find their way into just about every answer he gave.  “Everybody is working hard and getting into shape.  Our guys don’t care who scores, everyone on this team is going to have to make big plays.  I’m fired up… Our whole staff is fired up.” “We are only focused on one thing right now. That’s 3:30 this afternoon (practice.”)

He has good reason to be fired up.  The Mocs return all three starting attackmen.  Cody Dyer, Dane Sorensen, and Grant VanOverbeke  (SSC Co-Newcomer of the Year in 2014 along with Tampa’s Jake Rooney) each started all 15 games last season and combined for 191 points.  That’s a ton of of talent and experience returning and has this team believing it’s  their time. Trenell Boggans had a solid year defensively in 2014 (1st Team All-SSC) and is back as a captain this year to anchor a deep defensive unit along with fellow captain Clinton Sorrel.  The Mocs are proud of their defense and feel they were a little underrated in that area last season.  Look for 4 or 5 guys to be on the regular rotation for them on the defensive end. One obstacle the Mocs need to overcome is the loss of outstanding F/O middie Dan Krispinski.  Right now there is a three man battle going on for the job and Coach Ward doesn’t mind that a bit.  “Competition is healthy.” When we spoke to Coach Ward in the fall he spoke about the need for this team to be “different.”  Back in October he said, “We’ve had three teams go to the conference championship in four years and haven’t come out with a win yet.  So being different means winning a championship.” That determination to be different this year has stayed with him and has clearly been the focus of this team. When I asked him if any games on their schedule stand out this year he said, “There is no game I’m circling.  Every game is special to us.  We need to cherish every single game we have this season.  This is a different kind of team, it has a different look.” The Mocs have a great opportunity to be different than in years past right off the starting line this season.  They play Pfieffer at home on February 7th.  A tough early season test against an opponent they have never beaten.  They need to get this season started off right because after that they hit the road for four straight February games in the Carolinas.  Belmont Abbey, Wingate, National Champion Limestone, and Lenoir-Rhyne. It doesn’t get any easier once they get back home as they host Tampa, Lees-McRae, and Mercyhurst.  They have one more home game with Lynn sandwiched in between road games against Rollins, Queens, Florida Tech, and Saint Leo.  While it’s no walk in the park, I’m certain the Coach Ward isn’t going to be looking for any excuses. He has high goals for the Mocs this season and he knows he’s got a group of guys that are beginning to come together.  They came out on top at the Lax vs Cancer event in October.  That gave the Mocs a little boost of confidence.  “Championships are about finishing,” he said, “This (Lax vs Cancer) is just a little step on our journey. It’s a first step and the guys started believing in themselves.” The Mocs have had talented groups before but Ward is determined to make this one different.  If they are half as fired up as their coach is, this could very well be the year that the Mocs take the next step. You can get a sneak peak at the new look Mocs on January 24th when they scrimmage Florida Gulf Coast at Bryant Stadium in Lakeland. Game time is 1:00. For more info on their schedule or roster visit FSCMocs.com.