University of North Alabama - Diorama Yearbook (Florence, AL)

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Lions enjoy another championship season By Kim Jackson Everyone wants to know they can make it to the top. But what happens when you make it? Well, the best thing to do is look back on your accomplishment and put on a big smile. That is exactly what Lion players, coaches, and fans did this sea- son. The defending national championship football team of the University of North Alabama began the 1 994 season as the team to beat among the 142 schools which compete in Division II football. The Lions, with 1 5 starters returning from last year ' s champi- onship team, entered the season ranked No. 1 in almost every national poll. They were the overwhelm- ing favorite to win the title again. And just a few short weeks later, the Lions came togeth- er in Braly Stadium on December 10 and became the national champions for the sec- ond consecutive year. UNA capped a 13-1 season with a 16-10 win over Texas A M Kingsville at Braly Stadium. The Lions ' only record blemish was a close loss to two-time defending l-AA champions, Youngstown State. PRAYER OF THANKS. Senior short prayer of thanks for his Dakota State in the Division II Photo by Amanda Shavers. 26Sp i The Lions started the season with a win against Fort Valley State. Head coach Bobby Wallace had pre-season concerns about the Lion offense, but learned they could handle the job by pounding Fort Valley 35-0. In their first game, the Lions piled up 618 total yards and 29 first downs. After a first game pounding, the team took on arch rival Alabama A M. The Lions romped A M 58-1 3 in front of a sellout crowd of 14,217 fans. The defending national champions led A M 44-0 at half-time. While visiting the Mississippi State Choctaws, the Lions handed out their sec- ond shutout. And against Delta State, another shutout, Kenyatta Jones rushed for 1 53 yards on 18 attempts and the Lions pounded out 389 yards of total offense against the Statesmen. UNA had 1 1 different players run the ball at least once and four players picked up 38 or more yards. The Lions ' winning streak ended with a loss against Youngstown State. The Division l-AA champi- ons were surprised by (Continued on page 28) Anthony Brooks kneels dow n to give a touchdown completion against North playoffs. Brooks is a senior from Elba.

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N THE RUN. Jarius Hayes, a junior tight end for the Lions, misses an opponent ' s tackle auring a victory r Mississippi College. The Lions won 24-0. Photo by Amanda Shavers. KJSEN up. Chad Hall (top photo, left) and an unidentifiable pair of legs stretch before a game. Hall is a homore catcher for the Lions. He was selected to the All-South Central Region Tournament team. Photo by nnon Wells. NE DRIVE DIVE, Kandas Cavendar, a junior infielder for the Lady Lions, dives to stop a line drive game against Martin Methodist College (center photo, left). Photo by Mollie H. McCutchen. EACHING FOR THE TOP. Markjonsson (bottom photo, left) demonstrates top form as he pares for a serve during a match. Jonsson is an international student from Sweden. Photo by Brentwood Reid. Sports Divisiiin Hi e 25

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MOVING FORWARD. (Photo, top of page) Kevin Winfrey attennpts to plow past a Youngstown State defender to gain yardage. Youngstown, capturing the Division l-AA national title, handed the Lions their only loss of the season. Photo by Matt McKean, courtesy TimesDaily. Sports 27