The 1999-2000 Aggie football team set records and standards that others in the future will to meet or surpass. The season was a memorable one for the Aggies as they set a school record with 11 wins, the school’s first-ever playoff win, and the MEAC title. They also upset top-rated Tennessee State in the first round of the Division 1-AA playoffs. The Aggies are reloaded and ready. Even with the loss of their two most heralded stars from last year, the Aggies seem very optimistic about the 2000 season and they have reason to feel that way.Running back Maurice “Mo” Smith is now wearing an Atlanta Falcons uniform and defensive back Darryl Klugh is done with football on the collegiate level. Both were key components to the team, but there is no looking back for the Aggies.A lot of the players from last year’s record-setting team are back for another run, and this year’s team could be better than last year’s. That’s not good news for the MEAC or the rest of the nation. The expectations are high, however, for the Aggies, but they’re willing to step up to any challenge before them.”Our guys worked hard on conditioning in the off season and they showed a lot of improvement during spring practice,” said Head Coach Bill Hayes.A&T will continue to run the ball behind their very good offensive line led by center Victor Marte and Chris Kinloch. Adrian Parks, Maurice Hicks and Dominique Williams will step in and fill the void left by the departed Maurice Smith. Parks rushed for 477 yards on 105 carries last year as Smith’s backup. Hicks is a junior college transfer with blazing speed and an assortment of moves. Williams is a transfer from UNC-Chapel Hill and is also looking to help out as much as he can.The quarterback position seemed to draw some controversy early on, but Hayes is content that Jason Battle is and will be his starter until proven wrong. “Jason has an advantage because he’s played a year in our system, while Damien Phillips and Keith Matkins are still making adjustments. Jason helped us to win 11 games last year and there’s nothing that needs fixing at the quarterback position for this team,” Hayes said. The Aggies are also continuing to make a strong effort to throw the ball more often. They are deep and talented at the receiver position and quarterback Battle will have a lot to throw to. Darius Helton, Steve Shipp, Chris Caldwell, Derek Becton and Romando North make up that receiving corps and all have the ability to go the distance if they get the ball in their hands. “People still don’t believe that we’re making a concerted effort to throw the ball more,” Hayes said. “We’ve spent a lot of time putting in our passing game, so we will do more with it than we have in the past. The whole point is for us to get more balance. We’re coming up with different ways to get the ball to our best athletes.” The most underrated thing in football is probably the special teams, where the Aggies look really good. Kick return specialist Romando North is one of the nation’s best returners and can give the Aggies great field position. A season ago, he returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and has nearly went the distance on a few kicks this season already. Defensively, the Aggies may be as strong as ever. That’s even more bad news for the MEAC and the nation. The Aggies led the MEAC in total defense and ranked seventh nationally in defense. Despite the loss of defensive backs Darryl Klugh and Dwaine Carpenter, the Aggies are still loaded and talented. The Aggies are also happy with the return of defensive end Leonard Reliford, who underwent knee surgery. Reliford led the team with nine and a half sacks. Also, on the defensive line is All-MEAC selection Robert Williams, who will lead a fierce pass rush. The linebacking corps is the strongest part to the already strong Aggie “D.” They look to be in great shape with All-MEAC pick B.J. Little on the inside along with another All-MEAC preseason pick, Ray Massey. Sammie Rogers and Asa Evans will handle the outside duties. Temell Purkett and Ahmad Blakeney will handle the cornerback duties. Both are terrific man-to-man cover corners and should also be a strong point in the defense. With Darryl Klugh departed, all attention has shifted to Booker T. Washington, a transfer from N.C. Central who may be the Aggies’ best athlete. “For the people we have in our secondary for the coming season, Booker T. might be better off at free safety,” Hayes said. “But he’s such a good athlete that I may plug him in at other places from time to time. He can return kicks and I can see him playing offense as a third down receiver.” The expectations are running high for the MEAC Champion Aggies who finished up 11-2 overall and are ranked No. 1 in the Sheridan Poll.

Aggies’ preseason selectionsLB — B.J. Little, Sports Network second team All-AmericanOL — Victor Marte, Sports Network honorable mention All-AmericanOL — Chris Kinloch, Street and Smith first team All-AmericanK — Darren Dawkins, Street and Smith first team All-AmericanWR/KR — Romando North, Street and Smith first team All-AmericanDL — Robert Williams, Street and Smith second team All-AmericanLB — Ray Massey, first team All-MEACTE — Marcus Bryson, second team All-American DE — Leonard Reliford, second team All-American