MCKINNEY-  Going into their upcoming fall campaign, the West Texas A&M football team’s peers placed the Buffs not too high and not too low. But WTAMU head coach Josh Lynn and his team don’t mind if people are sleeping on them, though. 

If anything, that is the intention.

In the latest preseason poll released by the Lone Star Conference, which took place during its football media day on Thursday at McKinney ISD Stadium, the Buffs were slotted in the middle of the pack at sixth. WTAMU collected 157 points overall from an array of coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives.

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Angelo State, the reigning LSC champion, was selected to successfully defend their title with 23 first place votes and 292 points. Central Washington was picked as the runner-up with 257 points and four first place votes, followed by UT Permian Basin (229 points, 2 first place votes) and Texas A&M-Kingsville (211, 1 first place vote).

Although Lynn doesn’t mind being in the middle of the road, he prefers the underdog status. To him, it sweetens a positive end result.

“I always like to be a little lower,” Lynn said. “But that’s probably where we need to be. I hope somebody’s sleeping on us, because I’m pretty excited for this year. With the young men that we have back and the new coordinators we have, I believe it’s a perfect spot for us to be moving forward.”

Attending the media day alongside Lynn was junior cornerback Cam Manahan and junior offensive lineman Kanyon Ives. The two are among the LSC’s “must watch” list for this fall. 

According to Manahan, a Lubbock Coronado alumnus with two interceptions last year, the sixth-place spot is nearly where the Buffs landed at the end of 2024.

“(The other LSC teams) don’t really know what we have coming this year,” Manahan said. “I’m not going to say much, but I believe that we’re going to play hard than every person and every other team we play against. We’ll show it, rather than speak about it.”

Ives is among several returners on the front line, after helping WTAMU rush for 2,077 yards and 16 touchdowns last season.

“We knew we were going to be around the fifth and sixth spot,” said Ives. “I think we’re in a perfect spot. They’re not underestimating us, and they’re not overestimating us. We can blend in, and then when we have an explosive year, we can take everyone by storm.”

Midwestern State, guided by Rich Renner, took seventh (139 points), followed by Eastern New Mexico (88 points) and Western New Mexico (53 points). Sul Ross State, a program that is entering their sophomore year of NCAA Division II, rounds out the list with 51 points.

LSC Media Day notes

Kinsey becomes two-time Jake Trussell Award winner

At the conclusion of the LSC media day, WTAMU play-by-play announcer Lucas Kinsey received the Jake Trussell Award for Outstanding Broadcaster of the Year. It is Kinsey’s second time in picking up the recognition, with his first award given to him back in 2022.

Kinsey was elated and expressed gratitude after collecting the award.

“It makes me feel special to get this award in front of my peers,”  said Kinsey. “There’s so many people at WT who do a great job. They make my job very easy. I just show up, and the products on the field and on the court are amazing. The fans are also amazing. I do the best I can, try to be honest, try to be fun, energetic and give the fans a good broadcast.”

There’s his signature “Stampede, baby,” but there are a few other catch phrases that he’s cooking up prior to the season’s start. He just has to run them past his son, Braylon, first.

“I will try to work in some things, perhaps some rap lyrics, and some stuff that’s unexpected,” Kinsey said. “Sports are fun, and this is something I’ve wanted to do since I was a little kid.”

Parr’s maiden voyage

Inside of the home of the NCAA Division II football championship, the LSC was introduced to a name many Texas Panhandle sports fans are familiar with. 

Scott Parr, the oldest son of renowned high school coach Steve Parr, made his presence known. Alongside him, donning the blue and gold of the Javelinas, was senior quarterback Jack Turner and junior defensive back D’Cambren Verrett.

Parr, a Plainview High School native, arrived in Kingsville following a successful stint as co-offensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech. He had been in that position since 2022, and prior to the stop in Ruston, Louisiana, served as offensive coordinator at Navarro Junior College.

Parr has also seen more than his fair share of college ball, with stops ranging from WTAMU, Tarleton and Sam Houston State to Baylor, Eastern Illinois and Texas Tech.

Preseason accolades

Familiarity was the running theme for the LSC’s media day, when the league designated Angelo State quarterback Braeden Fuller as Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and UTPB junior linebacker Tristan Exline was named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Fuller, who returns to lead a strong ASU offense, after throwing for 2,318 yards with 19 touchdowns and only two interceptions. The Harlon Hill finalist from Floresville led the LSC in passing and passing touchdowns. 

Exline, who was nominated for the LSC’s Student-Athlete of the Year award, racked up 104 total tackles, including 60 solo tackles, and was second with 16.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one interception and one forced fumble.

Kenny Kelarek (Belton) was awarded the CCA Division II Excellence in Officiating award and Nick Eatman (Dallas) was given the Kirk Hall Outstanding Sportswriter of the Year award.