RUNNING BACKS AND TIGHT ENDS PREVIEW

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NOTE: This is the fifth in a series of six sketches of the ESU Hornet Football Positions. The final position sketch will be the quarterbacks and receivers on Friday, Aug. 14. ESU's Football Media Day is set for Sunday, August 16 at 6 p.m. in Welch Stadium.

RUNNING BACKS AND TIGHT ENDS ON TAP

August 13, 2009-The running backs and tight ends will split time at the interview session of the 2009 training camp interview schedule for Emporia State on Thursday, August 13 outside the Lakeview Cafeteria.

The Hornets have been sixth in the MIAA in rushing offense the past two seasons, but the addition of NJCAA First-Team All-American La’Darrian Page to sophomore Adrian Abner could have ESU moving up those ranks.

Abner is the only returner among the running backs for ESU. He had 225 of his 289 rushing yards last season in the first four games before getting injured against Ft. Hays State. He had 115 yards on 14 carries at Neb.-Omaha, the fourth highest rushing total against the Mavs last season.

Page gained 1,340 yards with ten touchdowns for Hutchinson Community College last season after gaining 1,261 yards with 14 touchdowns and second-team All-MIAA honors for Missouri Western in 2007. He was named the Offensive MVP of the Mineral Water Bowl for the Griffons as a freshman.

Kevin Smart should add size to the back field after transferring from Northeastern State. He had 17 tackles in 11 games last season for the Riverhawks playing the defensive side of the ball.

Dominic Mirocke is in his sixth year with the Hornets after attending school part time last spring to preserve his final season of eligibility. He had a season long 71 yard touchdown catch against Western State last season.

Tracy Hageman is moving to tight end from receiver after gaining 224 yards on 21 catches last season.

Tim Chandler brings good size at 6-4 and 240 pounds after redshirting last season.

No.	Name	Pos	Ht	Wt	Class	Hometown	Previous School
7	Adrian Abner	RB	5'8	193	So.-1L	DeSoto , Texas	DeSoto HS
19	La’Darrian Page	RB	5’9	175	Jr.-TR	Lee’s Summit , Mo.	Hutchinson CC
25	Kevin Smart	RB	5'10	211	Jr.-TR	Sperry , Okla.	Northeastern State (OK)
29	Derwin Hall	RB	5’7	161	Fr.-RS	Blue Springs , Mo.	Blue Springs HS
35	Ronnie Chalk	RB	5’9	171	Fr.-HS	Big Sandy, Texas	Big Sandy HS
	Corey Jones	RB	5'9	165	Fr.-HS	Mineola , Texas	Mineola HS

33	Adam Schiltz	TE	6'4	222	Fr.-HS	Ponca City , Okla.	Ponca City HS
82	Dominic Mirocke	TE	6’3	248	Sr.-3L	Lee’s Summit , Mo.	Lee’s Summit HS
83	Tracy Hageman	TE	6’2	228	Jr.-1L	Kingman , Kan.	Kingman HS
84	Jake Farley	TE	6’4	234	Fr.-HS	Carrollton , Texas	Hebron HS
89	Tim Chandler	TE	6'4	243	Fr-RS	Houston , Texas	Early HS
40	Brett Russell	TE	6’3	255	Fr.-HS	Crandall , Texas	Crandall HS
86	Josh Klumpe	TE	6’3	210	Fr.-HS	Olpe , Kan.	Olpe HS