Billie Connection

By I.C. Murrell

COMMERCIAL SPORTS EDITOR

Two seasons ago, Marcie Roberson was quarterbacking Monticello High School to the second round of the 5A state football playoffs, a rarity for someone who also played defensive end.

So it probably comes as no surprise that the redshirt freshman is now a linebacker at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, but it’s no QB role.

“As a quarterback, you’re getting hit,” Roberson said. “As a linebacker, you hit.”

Roberson is putting the running he did to evade defenders to work in trying to stop skill runners. After a year without game time, though, the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder has had to get back in the groove.

“It’s kind of tough. It throws the timing off and everything,” Roberson said of redshirting. “You’re really out of it, so you’re not used to the contact when you get back.”

Roberson did not play quarterback at Monticello until his senior season. He played defense only when the Billies won the 5A championship in 2009, Shaw’s senior year.

Since then, Shaw has risen to a starter role on one of the SWAC’s toughest defenses, finishing the 2011 season with three interceptions, two pass break-ups, two fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles. He’s now helping Roberson learn the ropes of the Golden Lion defense.

“It’s really good to have someone from the same hometown to play with,” Shaw said. “It boosts you up. We relate to the same things, like the championship.”

Roberson seems to learn quickly, because UAPB linebackers coach Earl Buckingham said he’s been surprised by his play during spring drills.

“He’s been making some plays,” Buckingham said. “He’s learning his technique. He’s just got to get stronger in the weight room and he’ll be all right.”

Roberson said he was “undersized” for a linebacker at 185 going into his redshirt season. Although he’s a little bigger, it doesn’t seem to keep him from getting to the football at quarterback speed.

“He can run,” Buckingham said. “That’s one of the important things for a linebacker. He did a good job on coverage against one of our receivers.”

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The Golden Lions have practiced two days this week and will scrimmage at 10:30 a.m. Saturday for the second time this spring. Their Black and Gold game is April 28.

Coach Monte Coleman said he’s seen an attitude improvement in his team from the first scrimmage last Friday.

“The guys are working hard, but we have a long way to go,” he said. UAPB has eight practice sessions remaining.

Coleman said the quarterbacks have been working on their timing, learning when to get rid of the football. A combination of offensive line woes and then-freshman Ben Anderson’s tendency to wait until a receiver is open to throw led to 36 sacks UAPB gave up last season.

“In high school, what a quarterback does is wait for a wide receiver to get open before he delivers,” Coleman said. “In this level, it’s a timing route. … You throw to the spot.”

Coleman is looking for more consistency from his defense, which has 10 starters returning from last year’s 6-5 team. He said the defense seemed flat in the previous scrimmage after performing well in practices before.