Southeastern ranked sixth in end of season polls

Southeastern head football coach Ron Roberts guided the Lions to a historical 11-3 season. Photo by Randy Bergeron.

Southeastern Louisiana University's history setting Lions' football team finished sixth in both of the final FCS national polls. The Lions posted an 11-3 overall mark, setting a single-season record for victories and winning its first conference championship since 1961 and first-ever trip to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. The Lions were ranked sixth in both the Sports Network and FCS Coaches' polls. Southeastern junior quarterback Bryan Bennett turned in a superlative season being named the Southland Conference and Louisiana Player of the Year. The Lions placed 24 student-athletes on the all-conference team and nine players on the All-Louisiana squad. In addition to Bennett's individual honors, Southeastern head coach Ron Roberts was named Coach of the Year by the Southland Conference, Louisiana Sports Writers Association and AFCA Region 5. Lions' senior linebacker Cqulin Hubert, senior place kicker Seth Sebastian and sophomore running back/kick return specialist Xavier Roberson were all named to multiple All-America squads. In coaching news Southeastern announced that Chet Pobolish has been elevated to offensive coordinator to replace Greg Stevens, who has chosen to pursue other career opportunities. Pobolish, who completed his second season with the Lions, served as the team's wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator for his first two years. The Lions averaged 38.4 points per game and 483.3 yards per contest on their way to the FCS quarterfinals.