Cody Parkes
Sports Columnist

In this year’s Rocky Mountain Athletic Conferences preseason poll the Mesa State football team has been selected to finish fifth. After looking at the Mavs’ record and statistics from last season, one could see how the voters could have come to that conclusion. The poll ranks the defending RMAC champion, the University of Nebraska-Kearney number one while Fort Lewis comes in at number ten.
Although the Mavs 5-6 record shows they struggled at times last season,  they showed potential on offense in the latter part of the season, scoring 38 points or more in three of their final five games. Returning junior Will Halboth racked up just under 800 yards on 4.9 yards per carry in only ten games last season. A healthy Halboth playing a full 10 game season could relieve just enough pressure from the struggling Maverick passing game to help them find their stride.
If the passing duo of Robert Felberg and Michael Mankoff can add a few more touchdowns to their total while shaving off a few picks, they can immediately turn into a very formidable opponent. Even with a losing record, the Mavs were able to outscore their opponents by nearly a point and a half, meaning that the teams that beat the Mavs did so by smaller margins while the Mavs typically beat their opponents by a large margin.
If Halboth can build on his solid performance from a year ago and the quarterbacking combo can increase their production the Mavs could very quickly become a threat in the RMAC. A dangerous offense getting healthy and constantly improving is certainly a good foundation for a successful team.
Aside from an offense loaded with potential, the Mavs’ defense also returns senior center Ryan Swope. Swope started only six games in 09’ before an injury brought an early end to his season. After being named to the 2010 All-RMAC preseason team, Swope’s return seems to be making a difference up front already. Imagine what a difference having a healthy center for a whole season rather than half can do for a guy like Halboth or the two quarterbacks.
After what proved to be a somewhat disappointing 2009 season, the Mavs look as if they are ready to make the necessary changes to not only be more successful in the 2010 season, but a threat in the RMAC as well.
u
cparkes@mesastate.edu