Warrior Football Ushers in New Era
The 2012 season marked a resurgence of the Warrior football program. First year head coach, Kent Anderson instilled a new and dynamic offense that allowed the Warriors to shatter records. Since becoming a four-year institution the Warriors have searched to find their identity in the highly-competitive Mid-States Football Association. For six of the seven previous seasons, the offense was ranked near the bottom in points per game, but this year the Warriors improved to the upper-echelon in this category. The team finished ranked 19th in entire NAIA in points per game (32.7), that average was more than the previous two seasons' scoring averages combined.
Waldorf established a new team record for points scored in a single game with 76, in their 76-35 victory over Trinity Bible College. The same matchup had a flurry of special teams production as the Warriors returned three kick returns for touchdowns, which marked another school record. By season's end they returned five kick returns for touchdowns for a first place-ranking in the NAIA in that category.
A rebirth of the passing-attack increased the offense's production throughout the season. Waldorf's quarterbacks passed for 2,529 yards and 25 passing touchdowns, both were school records. In 2012, the Warriors amassed one more passing touchdown than the last five years combined. They concluded the season ranked 15th in total passing and 20th in pass-efficiency.
The Warriors' run game thrived as they became more efficient than years past. By the third game of the season they had surpassed the 2011's rushing total. Waldorf would accrue 1,863 total rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns in 2012. Three different running backs had 100-yard rushing games and six different Warriors scored rushing touchdowns.
Several Warriors received post-season recognition including junior, James Loydd. The kick-return specialist and wide receiver was a First-Team Offense selection at Return Specialist on the All-Midwest League team. The Lake Wales, Florida native was ranked first nationally in kick returns for touchdowns, third in total kick return yards, and ninth in all-purpose yards. Loydd also landed on the Second-Team Offense list at wide receiver. He gathered 56 receptions for 734 total yards and six touchdown receptions.
Junior, Tevin Padgett also played a key-role in the special teams' production. Padgett was named the Second-Team Offense's Return Specialist. The Pensacola, Florida native fielded 17 kickoff returns for a total of 396 yards and two touchdowns.
Junior quarterback, Bryan Smith (Palmetto, FL) returned from an injury early in the season to orchestrate a productive offense. Twice, Smith scored seven touchdowns in a single game, the most by any player in the NAIA. His contributions earned him Honorable Mention All-Midwest League accolades.
Three other Warriors earned Honorable Mention recognition. Sophomore wide receiver, Marc Ballatori (Tequesta, FL) had 37 receptions for 644 yards with eight touchdowns. Senior, Ebben Mignott (Pensacola, FL) recorded 44.5 tackles, including 27 solo tackles. The defensive end had one interception on the season which he returned 58 yards for a touchdown. Defensive back, Kenny Brown (Jr-Ft. Lauderdale, FL) led the Warriors with 58.5 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for a loss. He also had two interceptions and five pass breakups.
"We will work for continued improvement on both sides of the football. Obviously we are pleased with the strides we made offensively, but we see room for improvement," stated head coach Kent Anderson. "We feel that recruiting effectively and filling our recruiting needs as well as improving our size and strength in the off-season that we can continue to build our program on multiple levels. We are optimistic about more improvements and feel the program will begin to take its biggest steps towards success in the off-season months."