So happy together: Spiller and Hughes ready to lead Alcorn offense

Charlie Spiller looks for another 1,000 yard season in 2006.

Nate Hughes returns from injury looking to have another breakout year.

             Last season was supposed to be a continuation of what has been a breakout career for most arguably the best wide receiving duo in Alcorn State Football history. Charlie Spiller and Nate Hughes, the Southwestern Athletic Conferences (SWAC) most dynamic receivers, looked forward to guiding highly recruiting freshman quarterback Tony Hobson to instant success with their ability to separate from defensive backs. But the plan was foiled on the first offensive series at Southeastern Louisiana when Hughes was slammed shoulder first into the ground on a reverse pass designed to go to Spiller.

            Hughes, who is known for his ability to go over the middle and take a hit, was not able to return due to a separated shoulder, which required surgery. He was lost for the season. With Hughes out of the equation, despite capable third and fourth receivers in Mareese Rose, Emmanuel Arceneaux and Ocie Brown to fill the void, the tag-team threat was not the same.

            Spiller thrived nonetheless with 809 yards and four touchdowns coming the way of 39 catches, ranking sixth in the conference with 73.5 receiving yards per game. The Al-American’s kickoff return ability assisted him in leading the SWAC in total offense per game with 144.4 yards per contest. Despite having his receiving yards diminish a tad due to all the added attention given to him from the secondary, Spiller still managed to be the most dynamic player in the SWAC, last season from an all-purpose standpoint.

            His most remarkable performance of his illustrious career came on Nov. 5, 2005 at Jack Spinks Stadium versus Mississippi Valley State. Spiller immediately made a statement with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, giving the Braves a 7-0 lead just 16 ticks into the contest. After hauling in a nine-yard touchdown pass at the start of the third quarter, Spiller closed out the frame with another 100-yard kickoff return for a score, becoming the first player in school history to accomplish such a feat in a single-game. In addition to his two returns for scores, he finished the game with 163 yards on five catches, three scores and 363 yards total offense.  

            Despite some personal success, last season was not as fun for Spiller because he did not have him partner in crime (Hughes) on the other end of the field. “Nate understands the offense so well and is so selfless that he makes it easier for me to get open,” said Spiller. “When he went down it changed our offensive approach and our opponents defensive scheme because they focused more so on shutting me down instead of trying to shut us down.” I’m so happy to have him back. We’re both ready to go and expecting to have a great season.”

            With Hughes going down, offensive coordinator John McKenzie resorted to something Braves’ fans were not accustomed to seeing and that’s run. Junior Jeremy McCoy accumulated 1,130 yards on 186 attempts to lead the SWAC.

            The Braves have two talented backs behind Hobson in juniors Vernardus Cooper and Michael Sheppherd and sophomore Antoine Young, who if they can avoid injury, should be able to successfully carry the load. Also in the backfield is senior captain Ken Williams and junior Jacob Davis, who will assist a newly assembled offensive line as the last line of protection at the fullback positions.

            With Spiller and Hughes back together, expect McKenzie to return to what he likes to do best and that’s throwing. “The offense will be wide open as usual,” said Spiller. “We’re getting back to an air offense.”

            Hughes expects that his return will also help mold Hobson, who played well last year despite his absence. “It hurt a lot to have to sit out last season and not be able to help the new quarterback and Charlie,” remarked Hughes. “I believe I could have built his (Hobson) confidence faster. We had to become a bit one dimensional last season with Charlie being the go-to-guy, but it did allow our other receivers to get more reps.”

            As their hopes of professional play loom in the horizon, Spiller and Hughes both added ten pounds of muscle in the off-season and increased their speed. 

            “After last season, many scouts felt that I needed to bulk up like five to ten pounds over the summer,” said Spiller. “My speed is still there, but I felt that I had to bulk up a little bit to go to the next level.”

            Likewise, Hughes added some pounds in his rehab training to help prevent further injury, while working hard to stay in exceptional running shape. “My shoulder feels great,” said Hughes. “Off-season training went very well. I put on a few pounds and got a bit faster. I basically worked out with air bands to strengthen my shoulder and lifted weights once I got cleared by the doctors. I was constantly running and working on the shoulder.” 

            Hughes, who is also an All-SWAC track performer in sprints and hurdles, sat out during last year’s indoor and outdoor season as a result of the injury. “It was tough to watch but I went to most of the track meets to support my teammates,” remarked Hughes. “I ran on my own and did the off-season workouts to keep my body in shape.”

            In addition to their receiving duties, Spiller and Hughes continue to their expanded role as returners. Spiller will look to take a few more kickoffs to the house, while Hughes will return punts. Their ability to see the field and explode through an opening should put the offense in great field position. 

            “It’s very important for us to make plays through special teams,” said Hughes. “That’s where most of the games are going to be won. We’ve won the majority of games through special teams since I’ve been here.”

             In previous years, both challenged each other to see who can score the most touchdowns or catch the most balls, but not this season indicates Spiller. “No bets for us this season. Last year we did it and Nate got hurt. We’re not trying to hex it this year. We’re both just going to go out and have fun, play loose and make plays.”

            If there is any cause for concern offensively, similar to last year, many are skeptical as how the offensive line will come together in 2006. With the loss of All-SWAC performers Chris Seymour and Jonathan Lowe, the Braves will turn to several players to lead the way up front to give Hobson time to let the ball fly.

            “The offensive line is starting to come around,” remarked Spiller. “We scrimmaged on Thursday and they’re looking pretty. They’ve been battling all summer for starting positions.”

            With Spiller looking to possibly be a NFL draft pick next spring and Hughes the year after, he knows another superb season is in his best interest, but wants his quarterback to play as loose as he will this fall.

            “There’s a little pressure on him (Hobson) to get us the ball because he wants to help us be the best,” said Spiller. “But I tell him to relax and just play the game and do the best he can because it when you press that’s when you’re not at your best.”

            Like Hobson, Hughes is determined to help his friend’s status rise as one of the premier receivers in the nation. “It’s important for me this year is to do everything I can to help him get to the next level,” said Hughes. “I want him to break the all-time receiving records.”

            With good health, Spiller certainly should at the least improve to second on the all-time receptions list, needing 32 grabs to surpass Torrence Small. He needs just seven scores catches to surpass Marcus Hinton for first all-time and 241 receiving yards to become tops in that category. The Woodville, Mississippi native enters the 2006 campaign with 2,486 receiving yards on 108 catches and 20 touchdowns.

            Meanwhile, Hughes will be looking for his first 1,000 yard receiving year. Coming off a 594 yard performance as a freshman and 781 yards as a sophomore, the medical red shirt junior yearns for a chance to return to the end zone. “I’m ready for the season to get kicked off,” said Hughes. “I was ready to go this morning when I woke up. Our team is mostly juniors so we have an upperclass team. Guys know the system. We don’t have any excuse for not making a serious run at the championship.”

            For the past three seasons, the Braves have been on the brink of representing the East in the SWAC Championship game, but it has been the Alabama teams that have gotten in their way. Alcorn’s best shots came in both 2003 and 2004, but losses at the hands to Alabama State and Alabama A&M in respective years cost them a chance at a title game birth.  

            This year, knowing that every game, especially those versus Eastern Division opponents will be a dog fight, many feel this may be Alcorn’s final legitimate chance to compete for a shot at the title. 

            “The East is going to be very good,” said Spiller. “This is going to be the hardest year for us. That’s why we have to work extra hard. This is my last year. I’m going to lay it all out. My goal this year is to win a SWAC Championship.”

            With both receivers healthy and if the offensive line can provide enough protection for Hobson to get rid of the ball, the Braves chances of winning the championship are solid. As for Hughes being fully recovered, Braves fans need not to worry. “I was apprehensive at first getting tackled in practice,” said Hughes. The doctor told me that the shoulder would end up being stronger, but I needed to take a couple tough shots on the shoulder before getting over the injury. I’m fully recovered physically and mentally and ready to go.”

Tyrone C. Broxton is the former Sports Information Director at Alcorn State. He can be contacted at tyronebroxton@yahoo.com.