2010 PAC Football Preview

    Bethany Bison (3-7 Overall, 1-5 PAC in 2009)

 

 A year after many in the largest freshmen class in school history were forced into duty earlier than expected, the Bethany College football team is hoping last year’s growing pains produce results this year, starting when the Bison open their season Sept. 4 at home against Allegheny.

The 2009 season saw a rash of injuries hamper Bethany from start to finish, as they posted a 3-7 overall record and 1-5 mark in the PAC. The bright side to the injury bug, which claimed more than 20 season-enders by the conclusion of the campaign, was that many of the more than 100 freshmen that came to camp had opportunities to play and gain experience. Head coach Tim Weaver believes the skills learned in their trial-by-fire last year, along with another big year of recruiting, will lead to positive things in 2010.

“Our success in recruiting the last two years has helped stabilize our numbers,” said Weaver, who is in his fifth year at the helm of the Green and White. “That’s usually a 4-6 year process, but we should now be in the 140-150 range every year. Plus, we are almost where we want to be with having a roster of half veterans and half newcomers and we were able to make a special teams two-deep with zero freshmen, so are not looking for very many newcomers to have to contribute right away.

“Looking at this year, we will be young, but not inexperienced,” said Weaver. “Due to the injuries last year and because our senior class is so small, there will be a ton of sophomores playing, but those same players caught a lot of passes, made a lot of tackles and played a great deal of snaps on both lines last year.”

One position where Bethany will still feel the effects of the last year’s injuries is at quarterback. After throwing for more than 3,600 yards and 24 TDs in his first 15 career starts under center, a concussion knocked Chad Smith out of the final four games of 2009 and ended his career. Senior Dan Pegg stepped in to throw for 1,081 yards and six scores in the final four games last year and has the advantage coming into camp, but a strong group of freshmen will be pushing him.

“We thought we had achieved quality and depth at quarterback with Chad and Dan and it was a big blow when we lost Chad,” said Weaver. “Dan did well at the end of last year and has proven he can win, but not on a consistent basis. He knows he will be challenged by an exciting group of newcomers and all of our quarterbacks will benefit from an experienced line, a very good running back and wideouts with lots of receptions. It’s our job to coach Dan and the newcomers into a position where they can be successful.”

Joining the signal caller in the backfield will be junior tailback Eric Walker (left), who was Second Team All-PAC last year after leading the conference with 15 touchdowns, which also tied a BC single-season record, and finishing second in rushing yards with 879. While Weaver expects another big year from his junior back, he says the key at that spot will be developing depth.

“We know we have a proven playmaker in Walker, but in watching film from last year, we probably wore him down towards the end of the season,” said Weaver. “We recruited a solid group of backs to hopefully develop and take a little bit of the load off. But we still don’t see any reason why Eric can’t have two 1,000-yard seasons to close out his career.”

Although Bethany lost its all-time leader in every major receiving category when Matt Cruse graduated, this year’s wideouts counter their youth with talent and depth. Sophomores Johnathan Foster, Ed Holmes, and Marcus D’Aguiar-Alexander caught 44, 30 and 29 passes, respectively, last year and mixing in junior Alex Evans, who sat out after transferring to Bethany last year, and sophomore Jarrell Smalls, as well as sophomore tight ends Fletcher Coffman and Kevin Covert, will provide plenty of targets for Bison passes this fall.

“Receiver has always been a good position for us and this year, we are deeper and probably more talented than we’ve been in our time here,” said Weaver. “Foster, Holmes and D’Aguiar-Alexander caught over 100 passes between them last year, while Smalls didn’t get a lot of time, but we like him and we will be glad to be able to put Evans into a game this year. We have two distinctive players at tight end, as Coffman is 6-5, 255 with good hands and Covert goes about 6-2, 220, but is very athletic and can run. We may look to run more two tight end sets this year with them.”

Injuries were also a big problem on the offensive line, as 10 different players started a game last year. Seven of those are returning in 2010, led by junior guard Cory Potter, who was a Second Team All-PAC pick last year. Despite the constant upheaval, the Bison ranked second in the PAC by allowing only 16 sacks even though they posted a league-high 429 passing attempts.

“With seven guys returning who started a game last year, we have lots of experience on the line,” said Weaver. “We get a senior back in Bob Rovnanik who missed all of last year because of injury, but everyone returning has proven they can do the job. Because we are experienced and have real depth for the first time since we’ve been here, we need to get them to play as a cohesive unit every week.”

The Bethany defense went through another tough year, ranking eighth in the PAC in scoring (35.6) and ninth in total defense (419.9). Six starters are back however, including four athletic sophomores who gained valuable experience last year. On the defensive line, senior John Gyure returns after missing nearly all of last season because of injury. Sophomore Robert Baker made 21 tackles in nine starts as a freshman and other returners, as well as an infusion of freshmen potential, have Weaver seeing better days ahead for the line.

“Defensive line is an area we need to play better obviously, but it should,” said Weaver. “Baker started as a freshman and showed improvement in the spring, Gyure is back on the line full-time after missing last year, (sophomore) Blake DeBord started to see time late last year and (senior) Lamar Fisher moves over from the offensive line. We need to find productivity at defensive end, but that could be a spot where some freshmen can contribute.”

Youth was truly served at linebacker last year, where freshmen started every game for the Green and White. Sophomore MLB Kyle Arrington was Honorable Mention All-PAC after finishing second on the team with 73 tackles and adding in two interceptions and 1.5 sacks. Sophomore Willis Powell, who made 52 hits last season, could see time at linebacker or safety, while fellow sophomores McQuel Sims, who battled injuries throughout the season, and Gage Lotozo, who missed all of last year after getting hurt in a high school all-star game, will provide options for the line-up.

“At linebacker, it was the year of the freshman,” said Weaver. “We were very pleased with the play of Arrington, who needed to work on his conditioning and strength but showed natural leadership and football instincts, and Powell, who is a hybrid linebacker and DB. Sims is as talented as any of them, but only played in spots because he was nicked up all of last season and Lotozo missed all of last year with a knee injury, but had a great rehab and was squatting 500 pounds when we tested him last spring. Young guys will have the opportunity to provide depth but we shouldn’t be in the same spot as last year needing freshmen to play every down.”

The defensive back field is where Bethany will see a lot of new faces, as they graduated three starters. The only returning player is sophomore cornerback Tremayne Ford, who made 22 tackles in nine games a year ago. Powell may move back to safety, while junior Jeff Joyce comes over from wide receiver to get in the mix for time at safety as well.

“We graduated three seniors in the secondary who played a ton, so Ford is the elder statesman heading into camp,” said Weaver. “However, we are very excited about the possibilities of who we can put back there. Our production at wide receiver allowed us to move Joyce, who missed all of last year because of injury, and we expect him to start. Powell is a candidate for the other safety position, but so is (sophomore) Kyle Nannah, who played some there in the spring after switching from quarterback, and we have high hopes for Jeff Joyce’s younger brother Jordan. Overall, this is one area where there is a legitimate chance for a young player to play their way into the line-up.”

On special teams, Weaver says all the talent at the skill positions should translate into better return games than last year and the kicking jobs will both be open competitions throughout camp.

“We really like what we have in the return game,” said Weaver “Joyce is back, Holmes should be a good returner, Walker has run back kicks in the past and Evans is a threat as well, so while we weren’t as good in the return game last year as we have been, we expect to be much better this season.

“We did not have a good year in the kicking game either, so both specialist jobs will be open,” said Weaver. “(Sophomore) D.J. Clark a nice job punting the last few games for us, but he is a candidate to get time at defensive end. At kicker, (sophomore) Adam Gibboney has been challenged and we have a recruiting class full of competition for that spot.”

This season’s schedule will feature a difficult first month, with the opener at home against Allegheny (8-2 in 2009) and a road game at King’s out in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., as part of the PAC-MAC Challenge, which will be followed by contests at Washington & Jefferson and at home against Geneva (8-3 last year). The PAC sent a pair of teams to the NCAA playoffs for the second consecutive season, but Weaver says the conference is becoming more competitive every year.

“Our opener is no picnic against Allegheny, a historically great program with a lot returning from an 8-2 team last year,” said Weaver. “Then we play King’s, a team we know nothing about with a brand new coaching staff and we come back to play W&J and Geneva, so we get tested right out of the gate.

"I see the PAC more balanced every year," said Weaver." Thomas More has become a force, but of all the teams who have stepped up in recent years, no one has been able to sustain that success outside of W&J. Everyone is getting closer and the conference is much stronger from top-to-bottom than when we got here.”

Among the keys to the Bison hopes if they want to have their first winning season since 2001 is getting through the rough opening stretch of games, with the others being improvement from the defense and the Bison quarterbacks providing solid efforts. If those three things occur, Bethany could send their seniors out with a season full of highlights while also setting the stage for big things to come.

"Our three keys this year is for the defense to make a huge jump, which they are poised to do based on their talent, get really good quarterback play and survive a brutal first month of the season with a positive attitude," said Weaver. “We have a small senior class this year that we will lean on for leadership and we want them to win some games. But our playmakers are underclassmen and we will lean on their talent for our success, not only this year, but in the coming years as they continue to develop.”

Geneva Golden Tornadoes
 

For the fifth time in six tries, the Geneva College football team captured the NCCAA Victory Bowl title. The 2009 season culminated with a dramatic 29-28 win over Greenville for an NCCAA record fifth Victory Bowl championship. If you ask head coach Geno DeMarco what that has to do with the 2010 season he would quickly answer absolutely nothing. “It is nice to look back at what has been accomplished by our program over the last several years,” explained DeMarco.” But when it comes to success on the field for this season, we are not interested in looking back to last year. It is all about facing the challenges that are put in front of us right now.”

The challenges facing the Golden Tornadoes in 2010 begin with filling the shoes of some very talented players on both sides of the ball. Like any college team, the loss of a quality senior class can always pose challenges and the 2010 Geneva squad will be no different. “It’s part of the deal,” says DeMarco. “We will once again expect some of our younger guys step up into key roles this year. When you lose the likes of an Aaron Tommelleo and a Brian Wilson on defense it can be a headache to fill that void.”

Offense

All the Geneva College offense did in 2009 was score the second most points in a single season in the 120 years of Geneva College football. The prolific offense attack will lose some key components in 2010, but senior quarterback David Girardi returns along with leading rusher Gerard Muschette (right). The combination of Girardi and Muschette accounted for much of the offensive success with the signal caller tossing ten touchdowns while completing a school record 62% of his passes. While Girardi was getting it done through the air, Muschette was busy making some history of his own. His 1183 yards was the fifth highest single season total in school history. Muschette also posted 92 points, which was the fourth highest number in the Geneva College single season record book.

“We have the potential to have an explosive offensive group,” says DeMarco. “The key is always to stay healthy, but we also have a very veteran group up front which will hopefully go a long way in helping us move the football.” 

Leading the effort up front will be senior offensive lineman Lee Thieroff. The two-time NCCAA All-American will serve as one of the foundations up front that coach DeMarco will be relying upon to make space for Muschette and protect Girardi in the process. “Lee is one of the finest linemen in the conference,” says DeMarco. “He makes everyone around him better and those guys around him are already pretty good. Basically the entire starting offensive line from a year ago will be back including the likes of Dan Massaro, Ryan Oldham, Oliver Onufer and Claude Smith. Coming into camp with over 25 offensive linemen should serve as some impressive depth in the trenches.

Girardi will be looking for some familiar targets when he drops back to pass in 2010. Returning to the receiving core this year will be juniors AJ Delmonica and Tyler Joden, along with sophomore Corey O’Patchen. The trio combined to catch 59 passes for 769 yards a year ago. “We have some experience at wide out,” explained DeMarco. “It may take some time for everyone to get on the same page until we feel completely comfortable with the air attack.”

Defense

While many of the key components return on the offensive side of the ball, the defense will have to fill the shoes of some of Geneva’s all-time best. Most notably, all-americans Aaron Tommelleo, Brian Wilson and Rich Kolesar are gone and the question remains which underclassman will step in 2010? One spot that won’t need adjusting will be at defensive end where senior Adam Rose will once again patrol the line of scrimmage. Rose had 42 tackles including ten tackles for loss and four sacks a year ago. Returning to the fold after a season ending injury will be Dan Dillman to help bolster the defensive line. Dillman started every game in 2008 but had his season cut short last year with a knee injury. Exploding onto the defensive scene last year was linebacker Solomon Hejirika. The junior linebacker returns in 2010 having led the team with 70 tackles a year ago. Looking to pick up the slack left from Tommelleo’s absence will also be Gary Walstrom and Chance Kelosky. Beginning their senior seasons, the duo combined for 100 tackles a year ago.

“Our defense will be a work in progress,” says DeMarco. “We lost some key guys but I am confident we will be able to overcome most of those losses. I love the speed of our defense. We have a bunch of guys that like to fly around the field and hopefully that will bring some excitement to the field in 2010.”

Senior Matt Curry will serve as the foundation in the secondary. The senior free safety will begin his third year as a defensive back after initially being recruited as a running back in his freshman season. Another veteran defensive back will be corner Marcus Costanza who will also be heading into his third season on the starting unit.

The Coach

Geno DeMarco has been doing this thing for a long time. In fact, the 2010 season marks his record 18th year at the helm becoming the longest tenured head coach in Geneva football history. Despite all the successes he believes everything comes down to one single fact. “It’s all about how we handle adversity,” says DeMarco. “Every football team in America has adversity along the way, whether it be injuries or tough losses or simply the long grind of the season. Last year we overcame quite a bit of adversity and we had some success. If we handle things again this year we will be fine. If we can’t get over some hurdles, it will be a struggle.”

Struggling is not something that DeMarco and his coaching staff are used to in the past 17 years. Posting close to a .650 winning percentage during his tenure, DeMarco is one of the most successful head coaches in Northeast United States at any level.

Geno DeMarco and the Geneva College football team have maintained a level of success for the past 17 years that has been a model of consistency. If the past tells us anything, the 2010 season will bring much of the same. But as DeMarco himself warns, no games can be won based on past success. This is a new year and a new challenge, but one that the Golden Tornadoes will be prepared to face.

Grove City Wolverines (5-5 Overall, 4-2 PAC in 2009)

The Grove City College football team enters the 2010 season with plenty of high expectations as the Wolverines pursue the Presidents’ Athletic Conference title and a return to the postseason.

Grove City returns nine starters on each side of the ball along with an abundance of other experienced veterans. Overall, the Wolverines welcome back 36 lettermen and numerous other players who are ready to make contributions this fall for 27th-year head coach Chris Smith.

OFFENSE

Grove City averaged over 30 points and 382 yards of total offense per game in 2009 and nearly all of the key cogs are back this season. Up front, Grove City returns the core of a large and athletic offensive line as six lettermen return.

Senior Pete Polesnak returns for his fourth year as the Wolverines’ starting left tackle. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Polesnak has started 28 games in his career at Grove City and will help anchor the line.

Junior Zach Start bookends Polesnak at the right tackle position. Start (6-4, 300) has started since his rookie season and is expected to start up front again this year. Sophomore Andrew Pisorn lettered at tackle as a freshman and will also push for a starting spot.

Grove City features plenty of depth at the guard positions with senior Sam Schwabenbauer, junior Tyler Kwasnicka and sophomore Josh Bermann all back.

Schwabenbauer started the first four games at left guard of 2009 before being sidelined by injury. Bermann started five games as a freshman and will look to secure a full-time starting position. Kwasnicka, meanwhile, played extensively at both guard spots last year.

At tight end, junior Anthony Reda returns after earning letters in both 2008 and 2009. A proficient blocker, Reda also caught four passes in 2009 and will be a key factor in the passing game again this year.

Like the offensive line, Grove City features a wealth of depth and talent at the wide receiver and running back positions. Grove City’s passing attack generated a school-record 2,544 yards in 2009 and each of the top seven targets returns.

Senior wide receiver Luke O’Hara emerged in 2009 and caught a team-high 53 passes. He also led the team with seven touchdown catches and 591 receiving yards in his first full season as a starter.

Classmate Zach Summy hauled in 40 passes last year while Will McCoy earned the team’s Rookie of the Year award after recording 36 receptions and four touchdowns.

Grove City’s running backs will likely also be keys to the passing game in addition to their collective work on the ground. Junior tailback Blaine Miller (left) ran for 468 yards and nine touchdowns last year. Miller also ranked second on the squad with 49 receptions.

Junior wingbacks Clayton Hall and Ed Reith are both two-year lettermen in the backfield and versatile senior A.J. Tapper is a three-year letterman.

Hall caught 22 passes and averaged 4.4 yards per carry as a sophomore. Reith ran for a pair of touchdowns and caught 10 passes while Tapper pulled in 15 passes. All will likely see extensive duty in 2010.

Senior blocking back Tyler Kirkwood will again be a key part of the Grove City ground attack. Sophomore Shane Kaclik will challenge for time at tailback after seeing spot duty as a freshman.

The Wolverines must replace record-setting quarterback Andrew DiDonato, who set nearly every passing record at Grove City before graduating.

Junior Zach Gross – the No. 2 quarterback in each of the last two seasons – is among the leading contenders to take over as the starting quarterback.

Hall could also compete for the starting position. He moved from quarterback to running back midway through the 2008 season.

DEFENSE

Depth, experience and versatility are the watchwords for the Grove City defense entering the 2010 season. Grove City features plenty of veterans on the defensive line, at linebacker and in the secondary as nine starters and several other lettermen return.

The defensive line features four men who played extensively last year along with two seniors who are looking to break into the lineup on a full-time basis this year.

At nose tackle, juniors Jarred Frawley and Marcus Chakot combined to start all 10 games last year. Frawley is a two-year starter for the Wolverines while Chakot earned his first letter in 2009.  Either Chakot or Frawley could move outside to defensive tackle this fall.

On the other side, juniors George Matthews and Zack Patterson are both back after posting strong sophomore seasons. Both players will vie for the starting assignment and each player is expected to see extensive action again this season.

Senior lettermen Blane Gold and Dan Pesta are also in the mix this year. Gold will battle for a starting spot at end or tackle and Pesta will challenge at tackle and at the nose position.

All four starting linebackers return this season, including a trio of juniors. Junior Jason Ferguson led the conference with 105 tackles from his inside linebacker position in 2009. He also led Grove City with 10 tackles for loss and 3.5 quarterback sacks.

Sophomore Mitch White joins Ferguson at inside linebacker after starting three games late in the 2009 season. Senior letterman Matt Skyrm will challenge for a starting spot on the inside.

Juniors Tim Irwin and Marc Shamley both return for their second season as full-time starters at outside linebacker. Irwin racked up 47 tackles and an interception last year while Shamley had 58 stops, including eight for loss.

Junior Vince Angelo moved to linebacker prior to the 2009 season and saw extensive duty at outside linebacker. Angelo had 25 stops and three sacks and will push for a starting spot.

Three starters return in the secondary in senior safeties Butch Kriger and Mark Rossol and junior cornerback Aaron Palmieri. Kriger, a three-year starter, recorded 49 tackles in nine games last season. Rossol shifted from cornerback to free safety early in the season and finished with 66 stops in his first full season as a starter. Palmieri took over as the starter at left cornerback early in 2009 and had one interception in nine starts. He also tallied 54 tackles and provides strength in run support on the perimeter.

Two sophomores lettered as a reserves in the defensive backfield last year – cornerback Mike Brown and safety Kurt Devlin. Both players will look to compete for starting assignments this season.

Senior cornerback Chris Korn will also battle for a starting spot after lettering in 2009.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Quality special teams have been a hallmark of Grove City football over the past several seasons. It is quite likely that the kicking game will again be a strong asset for the Wolverines as numerous veterans return.

Senior kicker Craig Bicehouse set a new single-season Grove City record with 53 kick points in 2009. He drilled 35 extra points and also went 6 for 9 on field goals, earning All-PAC honors. Bicehouse and Irwin will likely handle kickoff duties, also.

Reith averaged over 37 yards per punt last season and is one of the top returning punters in the region. Tapper will likely be the punt snapper and Gold could end up as the snapper for field goals and extra points.



Saint Vincent Bearcats (0-10 Overall in 2009)
 

One of the youngest teams in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference in each of the past three years, the Saint Vincent football team now enters the 2010 season loaded with experience.

Twenty regular starters are slated to return from a disappointing 0-10 2009 season, and SVC head coach Bob Colbert feels that his team is ready to turn the corner as it will be eligible to compete for the PAC title for the first time.

“We’ve taken our lumps over the past three years,” said Colbert.  “Now we’re happy that we’re able to compete for the conference.  Every year, coaches develop a theme for their team, and this year, ours is ‘enough is enough.’  I’ve had enough, and our kids have had enough.”

While the 2009 season was the second winless one in the past three years, the Bearcats showed marked improvement in nearly every category, and held second half leads in four different contests.  The squad also took then-undefeated Washington & Jefferson College to the wire, before surrendering a late W&J fourth quarter touchdown in the Presidents’ 21-7 victory.

“We’ve made progress,” Colbert said.  “I think we’ve gained respectability.”

DEFENSE

The Bearcat defense returns almost entirely intact, as 17 returning players saw action in all 10 games a season ago, including nine who started every game.   The team ranked sixth in the PAC in total defense in 2009, employing a 4-2-5 scheme that utilized the overall athleticism of the defensive unit.

On the defensive line, senior end John Jackson highlights the returnees.  A two-time PAC Coaches Honors recipient, the 5-11, 240-pound Jackson tallied 47 tackles last season, including 10 for loss and three sacks.   Senior Jeff Graham and juniors Jim Muraco and Evan Lucas look to flank Jackson up front.

Graham finished 2009 with 41 tackles, including 6.0 for loss, while Muraco made 27 stops and Lucas 28, including three sacks.   Senior Calvin Demillion has also seen significant time throughout his career, as he’s played in all 30 games, making 14 starts, and enters 2010 with 63 career tackles, and 3.5 sacks.

The team’s linebacker corps is one of its strengths, led by sophomore David Ribero.  The Miami, FL native burst onto the scene in 2009, starting all 10 games and finishing with a team-high 86 tackles, good for fifth in the PAC.  He also ranked third in the conference with 13.5 tackles for loss, while picking up 2.5 sacks en-route to earning PAC Coaches Honors.

Juniors Armando Fortunato and Anthony Johnson, and sophomore Josh Catalano, will all vie for a starting spot at linebacker.  Fortunato seized the starting job early on in 2009, and finished the season with 60 tackles, including 10.0 TFLs.  Johnson, who earned PAC Coaches Honors as a freshman in 2008 after making 80 tackles, appeared in just three games last season, but made the most of his time, finishing with 27 tackles and two sacks.  Catalano stepped into a starting role midway through his freshman campaign, and finished with 54 tackles, including two sacks.

Senior Mike Speal, who’s made 71 tackles over the past two seasons, will also battle for a starting job, while other veteran linebacker returnees include senior Chuck Coleman Josh Vigna, juniors and Basil Wilson, and sophomores Jovaughn Johnson, John Palumbo, and Ray Wyder.

The defensive backfield will also enter camp full of established veterans.  At corner, three-year starter and two-time PAC Coaches Honors recipient Quillian Reid returns, as he brings 107 career tackles and four interceptions with him.  Senior Rob James, who led SVC with four interceptions last season en-route to earning PAC Coaches Honors, returns on the opposite side of Reid, while juniors Chaz Coleman, Terrence Kernan, and Drew Owusu will also battle for an increase in playing time.

Marvin Daney, a junior who spent the past two seasons at wide receiver, may also make the move to the defensive backfield, bringing with him an athletic 6-1, 185-pound frame. 

Senior Alex Rowan returns to the hybrid safety/linebacker spot, and has been a solid contributor in each of the past two seasons, making 71 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, in 2009.  Seniors Sean Hufgard and Josh Diamond also return to the safety spot, after splitting time last season.  Hufgard made 63 tackles a season ago, turning in four double-digit tackle performances, while Diamond brings 130 career tackles and four interceptions into his final season.

OFFENSE
Like its defensive counterparts, the Bearcat offense returns almost entirely intact for the 2010 season, but its two losses are big ones.  Gone are a pair of three-year starters and two-year PAC Coaches Honors recipients in center Kelly Knepshield and tight end Jake Gabelt.  Knepshield started every game of his career, while Gabelt leaves as the school’s modern-day record holder with eight touchdown receptions.

Aside from Gabelt and Knepshield, the returnees to the SVC offense have all been solid contributors throughout their careers.   Junior Jake Smith is the incumbent starter at quarterback, after starting the final six games of the 2009 season.  In each start, he appeared more comfortable under center, and ended the year with seven touchdowns and 949 yards passing.  In addition, he also showed the ability to run the football, gaining 238 yards on 41 carries. 
 

Smith will have some competition, though, with the arrival of transfer Aaron Smetanka, who spent the previous two seasons at Division I-AA Robert Morris.  While Smith is more of a dual threat, the 6-4 Smetanka is a classic drop-back quarterback, with an exceptionally strong arm.
 

Junior Zach Mihalko (right), who earned PAC Coaches Honors a season ago, returns at tailback, as he’s started 15 of 20 games for his career, brining 582 rushing yards and three touchdowns into the season.  Also one of the top kick returners in the conference, Mihalko ranked second in the PAC a season ago with 1,197 all-purpose yards. 

Mihalko will have some company in the backfield, as juniors Mike Kale and Chris Brown have also seen their roles increase in the offense over the past two seasons, while sophomore Brandon Hamilton has also been impressive in off-season workouts.
 

Senior Joe Strickland started all 10 games at fullback a season ago, and will battle with junior Joe Yezovich for the starting nod in 2010.  Yezovich missed the entire 2009 campaign due to injury, but turned in a strong 2008 season, scoring two touchdowns and gaining 113 rushing yards and 57 receiving yards.

Senior Sheldon Loughner leads the Bearcat receiving corps.  A two-time PAC Coaches Honors recipient, the 6-2 Loughner led the Bearcats with 29 catches, 437 yards, and four touchdowns last season, averaging over 15 yards per catch.  Though tentatively slated to enter the season at defensive back, the aforementioned Daney teamed up with Loughner last season to form a solid one-two punch, as he made 22 catches for 227 yards and two touchdowns, and may see some spot duties on offense once again.

Senior Tom Quirin, who was a starting linebacker in each of the past two seasons, will make the move back to receiver, after beginning his career at the position in 2007.  During his inaugural season, the 6-2 Quirin was among team leaders with 17 catches and 180 yards, and should be able to jump back into the offense.

Speedy sophomore Christian Sutton made eight catches a season ago, including two touchdowns, and looks for an increased role on the offense, along with senior Mike Wampler and sophomores Rickey Douglas, Carl Jeune, and Juan Hernandez.

With the loss of Gabelt, the tight end spot remains a question mark, with no returnees at the position.  Steve Major, a 6-4, 240-pound junior, will make the move to tight end after beginning his career at tackle, while sophomore Dom DeYulis will also battle for time.

Despite the loss of Knepshield, the offensive front also enters the 2010 campaign a seasoned bunch.  Senior left tackle Steve Shore has started 24 games over the past three seasons, while his classmate, guard Joe Mylant, brings 26 career starts into the new campaign.  At the other guard spot, junior Sean Sieg is back after starting all 10 games as a sophomore, while his classmates Taofik Amokomowo and Matt Achezinski split time at right tackle in 2009.  Senior JR Creese and sophomore Matt Haggerty will battle it out to replace Knepshield at center, while senior tackle Shane Smith looks to bounce back from an injury-riddled 2009 campaign in which he only saw action in five games.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Senior Aaron Jones returns at kicker, as he’s gone 8-for-11 in his career in field goal tries while converting 29 extra points.  Catalano, who is slated as a starting linebacker, also has kicking experience, as does newcomer Gabe Cooper, a junior who defected from the Bearcat soccer team after serving as a kicker for four seasons at Elizabeth-Forward High School.

The Bearcats lost two punters from the 2009 campaign in Ben Pastorek and Mike Wenderski, leaving the running back Kale as the frontrunner for the position in 2010.  Last season, Kale averaged 33.5 yards on 14 punts, including a pair over 50 yards.  Cooper will also be in-line to compete with Kale for punting duties.

While the Bearcats return a significant number of players, Colbert is also very pleased with his incoming recruiting class, as 43 newcomers are slated to enter preseason camp on August 14^th. 

“We’re loaded with experience at nearly every position,” said the coach, “and I think we’ve recruited players who can compete right away for some significant playing time.  I think we’ve also gotten some incoming players who are above us, who could definitely compete above the Division-III level.”
 

Each position is well represented by the incoming recruiting class, with 12 offensive linemen, 10 defensive linemen, five running backs, five linebackers, four receivers, three defensive backs, and two quarterbacks. 

The Bearcats’ season-opener will be a tough test, as they are slated to host 17^th-ranked Bridgewater College at Chuck Noll Field on September 4^th.  The next week, the team will travel to the New York City area to take on Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham, before hosting Thiel in its PAC opener on September 25^th. 



Thiel Tomcats (3-7 Overall, 1-5 PAC in 2009)

A new-look Thiel offense will be on display when the Tomcats begin their 2010 football campaign under second-year head coach Kurt Reiser.

The Tomcats will make the switch to the spread offense, a move Reiser says has been in progress over the last couple of years. With the school already showing its commitment to improving the athletic programs with the construction of an indoor practice facility, a smooth transition to an offense with high-scoring potential could make for an exciting year at Thiel.

New offensive coordinator Brad Paulson will play a key role as the Tomcats get acclimated to their new style. Paulson has eight years of experience as an offensive coordinator at three different schools.

“We were looking for somebody with experience in the spread,” Reiser said. “He's worked with the spread and has been successful with it. He'll do a great job implementing and preparing us to go forward.”

The change in offense may give the skill athletes a chance to flourish, meaning players such as Tyler Dejong and Ross Gargano could improve on the quality seasons they turned in last year.

Dejong caught 46 passes for 524 yards as the second receiving option behind record-setting wideout Brendan Taylor. With Taylor gone to graduation, Dejong will step in as the main receiving threat in his sophomore season, combining with K.J. Smith to give the 'Cats a pair of returning letterwinners in the receiving corps. Zane Garza, Joe Hewel, who moves to wideout from corner, and Devin Wasylink are also competing for receiver spots.

“We have guys coming back who had a chance to learn the offense this spring and get acclimated to some of the terminology,” Reiser said. “combine this with what we've done in recruiting with approximately 80 incoming freshman and some very good skill players, it's going to be a lot easier.”

Gargano could be a focal point in the offense after proving to be a multi-threat athlete last year. As a sophomore, the tailback led the team with six rushing touchdowns and added two scores on catches. His 34 receptions ranked third on the team, as did his 184 yards on the ground.

“Ross is our most versatile offensive player. He can play the slot or we can line him up at running back. He'll probably get more carries than a year ago since Danny Hess has graduated,” Reiser said.

Justin Wazelle, a sophomore tailback, will also see carries while Rob Tibbit will be on the field primarily as a blocking back.

It is still unclear who will line up under center for Thiel this season. Reiser says three players are battling for the spot, including senior Matt Endlish, junior Ken Rasinski and Jared Soell.

Each of the three potential starting quarterbacks is coming off a different situation. Endlish was the backup to starter Willie Bova last year, Rasinski is returning from a knee injury and Soell is a transfer from Slippery Rock University.

“This will be the first time in several years going into camp that the quarterback position is up in the air,” Reiser said. “All three did a nice job in the spring. It will be important for us to get a feel in camp for where they are and who our starting quarterback is going to be.”

In addition to the change in offensive style, Reiser's coaching responsibilities will differ from last year. The hiring of an offensive coordinator relieves Reiser of those duties, allowing him to return to overseeing the offensive line.

The change gives the Tomcat head coach more opportunity to manage the game as a whole rather than spending all his time focused on just the offensive side of the ball and calling plays.

“My job as the head coach will be to try to make sure we have team success so that what we are doing offensively and defensively mesh. If we need to help the defense out by running more, then that's what we'll do. That will be part of my job, to balance offense and defense and oversee the entire game better than I have in the past,” Reiser said.

The offensive line that Reiser will take charge of loses its most accomplished player in J.R. Kenna, a first team All-PAC selection last year, to graduation, but has three returning starters in Gary Petrucci, Vinnie Palmiere and David Mossa. All three started each of the 'Cats 10 games last season.

“They'll have to help us control the line of scrimmage in the running and passing game. We have to do a much better job running the football,” Reiser said. “Even though we're going to the spread, we still want to be able to run the football and be a physical team up front.”

The Tomcats struggled to establish the running game last season, finishing under 50 yards in a game six times, but showed signs they were capable of being successful carrying the ball, including a 172-yard ground attack in a win over Albion.

On the other side of the ball, Thiel's defense will be led by a pair of returning starters that earned All-PAC honors last season in Will Haase (left - 63), a second team All-PAC selection, and Bryan Villegas, an honorable mention on the All-PAC squad.

It will be the final year at Thiel for Haase, who will anchor the defensive line. His all-conference selection was the second of his career and another solid season could net him his first appearance on the first team. He will be joined on the line by returning starter Tim Taylor (left - 99), who registered 44 tackles and tied with Haase for a team-high three sacks. Jason Joens, Tom Cermak, Matthew Shields and Zach Woody are battling for the final two starting spots on the line and will all see playing time.

Reiser will look to Villegas to be the senior leader in the secondary from his free safety position, with returning starters John Madeline and Cody Sirgey as the frontrunners to start at the corners. David Urey, Marshaun Hainesworth and Hunter Liptrap are also competing for a starting spot.

“Haase has shown he can be a dominant player in this league and Villegas has a leadership role in the secondary,” Reiser said. “Those are the guys we will be leaning on in the defensive huddle to push the young guys around them to compete on every snap.”

Bobby Shew, who the Thiel coach calls an intelligent player with good instincts, is a returning starter at linebacker, as is Ryan Dawes. The third linebacker spot, as well as those providing depth, have yet to be decided.

The kicking game shouldn't be a problem for the Tomcats as they return an All-PAC punter and All-PAC kicker. Anthony Rozzi was selected to the second team as a punter while Madeline was listed as an honorable mention kicker.

Thiel will open its season vs. Marietta at Alumni Stadium on Sept. 4. The only difference in the schedule from last year is that instead of Albion, the Tomcats will travel to play a non-conference game against Widener for their second game of the season. This game is part of the PAC-MAC Challenge orchestrated by conference commissioner Joe Onderko. Each team from the PAC, with the exception of Thomas More, will play a team from the MAC to determine bragging rights between the 2 conferences.

The Tomcats begin their PAC schedule with their Homecoming game against Waynesburg in the season's third week and follow that game with conference matchups against Saint Vincent, Thomas More, Bethany, Westminster, Geneva and Washington & Jefferson before wrapping up the season with a battle against Grove City for the Mercer County Cup.

“I think with our conference, everybody week in and week out is competitive so we have to work hard every week,” Reiser said. “I expect Washington & Jefferson and Thomas More to be the teams to beat again because of what they've done in the past. Our job is to get our kids to play and compete at that level.”

Thiel finished 3-6 last year, a one-game improvement over its 2008 record. If not for a couple of close losses, a .500 season or better could have been in reach. The Tomcats fell to Marietta 20-14 in the season opener and closed out the season with a 21-14 loss in double overtime to rival Grove City.

“I think when we look back to 2009 we realize we had some missed opportunities,” Reiser said. There were games that if we had made a play here or play there we could have won. Overall our goal is to improve over last year. If everybody in our program improves and competes on a daily basis, wins and losses will take care of themselves.”

Thomas More Saints (11-1 Overall, 6-0 PAC in 2009)
 

Washington & Jefferson Presidents (9-2 Overall, 5-1 PAC in 2009)

Over 130 players will report to Cameron Stadium for Washington & Jefferson’s eighth preseason camp under Head Coach Mike Sirianni. With a pair of Top 20 opponents during the first three weeks of the season, Sirianni is leaving little doubt that this training camp will be the most important of his tenure.

"We must have a good camp and that falls on my shoulders,” said Sirianni, who owns a 70-12 record as a head coach. “We have to improve in many areas from our spring drills. We also need to prepare for a great team in week one which makes these upcoming three weeks so important.”

W&J opens its schedule on Sept. 11 at Delaware Valley, a consensus preseason top 10 team. The Presidents face Bethany a week later for the home opener and then travel to Kentucky for a battle with Thomas More on Sept. 25. The Saints have defeated Washington & Jefferson in each of the last two seasons. Both losses were by seven points or less, but the balance of power in the PAC has shifted in TMC’s direction.

"Our program is determined to win a national championship and we are proud of what we have accomplished in the NCAA playoffs (two NCAA quarterfinal appearances under Sirianni: 2004 and 2008), added Sirianni. “But, before we even focus on that goal, we need to take care of business in the conference, something we haven’t done since 2007. Thomas More established itself as the team to beat in the conference. They earned the championship the last two years, but we are determined to bring that trophy back to our campus.”

Despite coming up just short in the last two conference races, the Presidents have still compiled 26 consecutive winning seasons. W&J joins Mount Union and Mary Hardin-Baylor as the only programs to make six-straight appearances in the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Washington & Jefferson, which has racked up nearly 34,000 yards and 341 touchdowns through the air during Sirianni’s 11 years with the program, will rely on a steady defense which has improved each year under third-year Defensive Coordinator Matt Caponi. The Presidents boasted the nation’s 10th-best scoring defense a year ago (13.8 ppg) and limited opponents to 271.9 yards per game (24th of 235 teams).

"Coach Caponi deserves a lot of credit for turning this defense into one of the nation’s best units,” said Sirianni. “He has put us in position to win games. We didn’t play well on offense last year, but we won nine games because of what our defense was able to accomplish. We had the nation’s sack leader and despite that loss, we feel our defense can be even better this year.”

Leading that charge will be senior safeties Craig Sedunov and Nathan Harmotto. Sedunov compiled 77 tackles last fall and added five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. With 228 career tackles, he is on pace to become just the fourth defender in school history to reach 300 stops. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Harmotto is a talented athlete who recorded 64 tackles and four interceptions. He plays a linebacker-safety hybrid role in the defense and is counted on to provide big plays.

"Craig loves football and with improvement in some techniques, he could be an All-America player for us,” noted Sirianni. “Nathan is a versatile, all-region player. He switches positions and can become a leader for this team. It is nice to have veteran guys in our secondary, because our alignment requires them to make a majority of our tackles.”

Sirianni is also excited about returning starting cornerbacks, senior Mike Trunzo and junior Josh Buckley, in addition to junior safety Matthew Gal. Underclassmen Jimmy Thompson, Nathan Melhorn, Larry Cekella, Pat Fening, Jake Wilson as well as senior Jim Kuntz provide the Presidents with plenty of talent in the secondary. Sophomore Ian Hennessy will serve as Harmotto’s backup in the linebacker/safety role.

"Mike and Josh are top-notch corners on the outside, but they know they are going to be pushed by these young guys,” said the eighth-year head coach. “We have a lot of talent in our sophomore and junior classes, especially in the secondary. Matt (Gal) stepped up and played well last year. He was given an opportunity and he proved he can be a full-time player. I expect some of these younger players to make that same jump.”

Seniors Nick Resnik and Zach Pugliese and juniors Neil Sorice and Mitch Rose return at the linebacker spots. Sorice posted 54 tackles last season and the coaching staff feels he can emerge into a game-changing player. Pugliese (48 tackles) and Resnik (37) are steadying forces in Caponi’s 4-2-5 scheme.

The biggest holes to be filled are on the defensive line where all four starters from the final game of 2009 were lost to graduation, including Jacob Bloomhuff and his 26.5 career sacks. Senior Alex Patterson (17 tackles, 1 sack) has the most experience, while junior Frank Gigler and sophomores Gavin Donathan and Andy McGill have shown the ability to attack the quarterback. Juniors Phil Dern and Darrick Dominick and sophomores Andrew Booth and Justin Conley will have opportunities during camp to earn playing time.

"When you lose quality veterans, you always have a concern,” said Sirianni. “Our goal is to stop the run, first and foremost. We did that very well, except for one game last year. We can’t afford letdowns.”

One of the most dramatic improvements came in the kicking game. Senior Joe Kelly will once again handle the punting and placekicking duties after an all-region season. He averaged 38.7 yards on 46 punts and made 48-of-49 extra points. Kelly was W&J’s first All-PAC first-team punter since 1996.

"Joe had an excellent year and it is nice to have a reliable leg on special teams,” added Sirianni. “We need to be more consistent on our field goal attempts and kickoffs. I expect another great year from Joe.”

The 2009 offense ranked 48th in the nation in scoring, but the 31.4 points per game was the lowest average since Sirianni’s first year in 2003. W&J averaged only 3.0 yards per rushing attempt, a statistic the coaching staff is determined to change.

"We need to be multi-dimensional against the best teams on our schedule and that starts with the running game,” exclaimed Sirianni. “First, we must improve our offensive line play. We need to open holes and with three returning starters up front, I expect to see better blocking. From an overall standpoint, we need to put more emphasis on the running game. That starts on the first day of camp.”

The offensive line returns three starters: seniors Paul Jefferis and Adam Zampatti and junior Gary Flavion. Senior Ed Hirsh, juniors Anthony Natale, Justin Cole, Taylor Potts and Jered Peretic and sophomores Mike Mastellino and John Tokarski will all battle for the other two starting positions.

Senior Gino Rometo (left)  took over as the starting quarterback on a full-time basis late in the 2009 season after classmate Steven Shumaker suffered an injury. Rometo completed 65 percent of his pass attempts for 1,750 yards and 17 touchdowns (6 INTs). Shumaker (587 yds., 3 TD, 5 INT) provides a dual threat after adding 228 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Sirianni will also not count out playing time for three young signal callers, sophomore Andrew Cappucci and freshmen Zack Sopak and Matt Bliss.

"Whoever emerges as the starting quarterback, we will have 100 percent trust in him,” noted Sirianni. “We may rotate like last year based on the opponent. There is no favorite. Gino had a solid spring and we were happy with his improvement. Steven has worked hard to return from the injury. Andrew had a great junior varsity season and our two freshmen quarterbacks are terrific players.”

The winner of the quarterback battle will have plenty of weapons at his disposal, especially in the backfield. Senior Derek Taylor has rushed for 694 yards and four touchdowns and classmate Nick Puckett has improved each year in hopes for more touches this fall. The duo will be pushed by a stable of sophomores, Brian Baldrige, Tim McNerney and DeAndre Simmons. Baldrige was second on the team with seven touchdowns last year, while McNerney and Simmons sparkled on the junior varsity team.

The wide receiving corps will be bolstered by the return of senior Jordan Roycroft, junior Adam Dominick and sophomore Zach DeCicco. The trio all saw significant action last year and combined for 63 receptions and eight touchdowns. Senior Bryant Cappelletti returns after sitting out last season due to injury, while senior Andrew Tutino, juniors Brett Axner, Mike Roesch, Dreadless Stubbs and sophomores Ben Hoffer, David Bassi, Hunter Creel, Jared Jones and Bruce Maldonado all could see passes thrown in their direction.

"Jordan and Zach have a chance to become superstars in this offense,” said Sirianni. “Jordan has been overshadowed in his first three years, but he is a dynamic wide receiver.”

Sirianni knows what it takes to have his team prepared for the nationally-ranked, week one showdown in eastern Pennsylvania.

"The entire staff is ready for the upcoming camp and eager for the first month,” concluded Sirianni. “We need to be ready from the opening kickoff. All of our players and coaches are excited for the challenge.”

 

Waynesburg Yellow Jackets (5-5 Overall, 2-4 PAC in 2009)
 

In 2010, the Waynesburg University football team will look to reap the benefits of a 2009 season that saw a slew of young underclassmen gain valuable on-field experience. The Yellow Jackets finished the season at 5-5 overall and 2-4 in Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) play under veteran head coach Rick Shepas, who enters his sixth season at the helm of the team.

With quarterback Brad Dawson (right) back after a record-setting junior campaign, the Jackets’ high-powered passing game looks to be in good hands. Junior defensive tackle Darryl Moore, Jr. and junior defensive back Sean Hunt are back after productive campaigns in 2009 to lead the defense.

THE OFFENSE
Waynesburg’s aerial attack gave their opponents fits in 2009. Routinely going with three and four receivers on the field, the Yellow Jackets boasted the PAC’s top passing attack with 272.9 yards per game. The Jackets turned those yards into points at a rate of 35.5 per contest, which also ranked first in the conference.

To keep the passing game humming, the Jackets will have to find a way to replace some high quality receivers from 2009, a move they are confident they can make.

QUARTERBACKS
It was a year to remember for Dawson, who not only set new career highs for himself, but also wrote his name into the Jacket record books on his way to being named an honorable mention selection to the All-PAC team.

His 2,718 yards through the air broke Jeff Dumm’s previous single-season record of 2,534 yards, which was set in 2004. Dawson also produced two of the top 10 single-game passing performances in school history. A 362-yard showing against Hanover, which also netted him weekly honors from the PAC, the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) and D3Football.com, was the sixth-highest total in team history. The Pittsburgh native out-did himself at Westminster when he aired it out to the tune of 434 yards, which is the third-best showing by a Jacket quarterback in the program’s 107 seasons.

Along with being effective, Dawson was consistent, throwing for under 200 yards just one time on the year. However, against Bethany, he still threw for 184 yards and four touchdowns on 10-of-14 passing before being replaced just minutes into the third quarter. Dawson also eclipsed the 250-yard mark five times and played four games without throwing an interception.

Dawson was also a prolific scorer for the Jackets as he threw for 23 touchdowns, two shy of the school’s single-season record, and rushed for five more.

While the depth chart still needs to be finalized heading into the season, Dawson’s two primary backups appear to be senior Josh Graham and sophomore Doogie Sanner. Graham missed all of last season with an injury, but is ready to go for 2010. Sanner saw limited action as a freshman.

RUNNING BACKS
Waynesburg looks to stick with its running back-by-committee approach they have implemented over the last two seasons. Heading into the fall, three experienced backs will be counted upon to take some pressure off the passing game and add some variety to the attack. Leading the group is junior Justin Falcon, who led the team in carries and rushing yardage for a second-straight season. He toted the rock 124 times for 491 yards and five touchdowns. Falcon’s top performance came in a thrilling season-opening win over the College of Wooster during which he went for a personal collegiate-best 148 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. He also eclipsed the 100-yard mark at Grove City when he ripped off 119 yards and a season-high three touchdowns on 23 totes.

To go along with Falcon’s grind-it-out style, Waynesburg also boasts a pair of speedsters in senior Troy Garove and junior Jamelle Bowers. During his debut season with the Jackets, Bowers showcased an impressive burst that allowed him to lead the team in yards per carry (8.1). For the season, he totaled 460 yards and two touchdowns on just 48 touches. Rounding out the veteran group is another speedster, senior Troy Garove. Garove has been relegated to mostly special teams duties during his first three seasons at Waynesburg, but he is expected to contribute more out of the backfield this year.

RECEIVERS
With wide receivers Josh Fisher and Ray Hightower II both gone, Dawson and the Waynesburg coaching staff will need to find some new targets to replace the combined 71 catches, 1,085 yards and 12 touchdowns that the two provided. The top options, at least heading into the year, appear to be seniors Brent Heckel and Zach Fatigante.

Last year, both players enjoyed breakout seasons, in which they each set personal highs in catches, yards and touchdowns. Working from his tight end position, Fatigante pulled in 24 grabs for 356 yards and two touchdowns, while Heckel, a slot receiver, snared 22 catches for 296 yards and three scores. Heckel also hauled in the team’s longest catch of the year, which went for 63 yards and a touchdown at Westminster.

The receiving corps will also get a boost thanks to the return of 6-5 Jeff Young, who missed the 2009 campaign. However, the athletic Young was able to showcase his abilities on the basketball court as one of the most productive members of the Yellow Jacket basketball team. Dawson will have another big target to throw to in 6-3 quarterback-turned-wide out Kyle Kyper. In his first year as a receiver, Kyper averaged 17.2 yards per catch on eight grabs. Seniors Dylan Davis and Mike Jones, along with sophomore Christian Jackson, help to fill out the depth at the wide receiver spot.

Moving back to tight end, the Jackets are excited about the potential of 6-3, 252-pound Adam Moses and 6-4, 240-pound Jesse Robinson, who are both going into their second season with the team and provide superior size at the position.

OFFENSIVE LINE
While the loss of three-time All-PAC right tackle Jared Bussard will be a tough one to overcome, the Yellow Jacket offensive line should be a team strength as two 10-game starters and a seven-game starter from last season are back to block for Dawson and the rest of the backfield.

All-PAC honorees Nick Hanley and Corey Dieterle, who man the center and right guard positions, respectively, are back after starting every game last season. Senior left tackle Melvin Warrick would have done the same, if not for some injury problems that forced him to miss three games in 2009.

While there is a pair of starting spots without a returner to top the depth chart, the Jackets return several experienced linemen to duke it out for the spots. Junior Nebojsa Nedic, who boasts good size at 6-2, 315 pounds, looks like the man to beat at left guard. Senior Mike Broda and junior Ben Chylinski are among the leaders in the race for the starting right tackle spot.

Sophomores Julian Pintola, Conor Brinkhoff and Anthony Giachetti look to fill out the depth on the offensive line, along with a slew of freshmen and veteran returners.

THE DEFENSE
With only six starters back, the Waynesburg defense will feature plenty of new faces among the starters, particularly in the secondary, where only Hunt returns. However, the unit literally gets more and more experienced as one looks closer to the line of scrimmage.

A pair of starters return in the linebacking corps, while the defensive line brings back a total of five players who saw starting experience in 2009.

DEFENSIVE LINE
Following a year of breaking some new personnel in on the gridiron, Waynesburg’s defensive line is once again stocked with experience and production. Moore leads the group and paces all returners in tackles for loss (8.0) and sacks (3.0). Those numbers, along with his 44 total tackles, which ties for the most amongst returners, earned him second-team All-PAC honors.

 
After starting his freshman season as a reserve, sophomore Matt Krause worked his way into the starting lineup and never left it, starting the final five games of the season and tallying 36 total tackles, including 5.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. He was also honored as a member of the D3Football.com Team of the Week after racking up a game-high 12 tackles, with six of the hits being solo stops. He also recorded two tackles for loss and a sack, while making his first collegiate start against Geneva.

The edges of the defensive line are also expected to be manned by a pair of experienced starters. Junior Josh Malenke (end) and senior Anthony Calcagni (anchor) both return and should start camp at the top of the depth charts. Senior Isaac Rosser returns for his final season with the Jackets after starting four of the nine games in which he appeared at the end position in 2009.

Second-year trenchers Ryan Pierson, Miles Underhill and Alex Smith make the defensive line perhaps the deepest group of athletes on the team.

LINEBACKERS
With junior Scott Bogdan (“sam” linebacker) and sophomore Alex Menton (“mike” linebacker) back after starting a combined nine games last season, the linebacking corps looks solid.

Menton started the final five games of the season as a true freshman and racked up 35 tackles, including 18 solo stops. Bogdan had an impactful sophomore campaign that included 3.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, an interception and the team’s only safety of the season. Junior Nate Harr also brings starting experience with him from last season. Harr made his collegiate starting debut at Westminster and totaled nine tackles, five of which were solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss.

While the “will” linebacker spot is still up for grabs, a group of almost 20 returning and first-year linebackers will provide more than ample competition to fill the role. Included in that group are sophomores Chuck Thomas, Andrew Manke and Jordan Helmick.

DEFENSIVE BACKS
The most questions to be answered on the defensive side of the ball come from the secondary, where three starters must be replaced. However, Hunt is coming off of a breakout sophomore season during which he started all 10 games at cornerback. As a first-year starter, hetallied 44 total tackles, which tied him for third on the team. He also had 3.0 tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions and a pass breakup.

There promises to be some fierce battles in camp for the other three starting spots. No fewer than six players with varsity playing experience, along with over a dozen newcomers to the secondary, will duke it out for starting time. Included in the ranks are junior Spencer McKim, sophomore LaVance Turnage, Jr., junior Brandon Myers, junior Sam Byrne, sophomore Bryan Gary and sophomore Matt Czulewicz.

Also looking to make an impact in the secondary is junior Ryan Williams, who spent last year as Dawson’s primary backup at quarterback and a speedy dual-threat signal-caller. A similar move paid dividends for the Jackets two years ago when the recently graduated Andy Lauterbach moved out from under center and into a safety position.

THE SPECIAL TEAMS
The Jackets lost one first-team all-conference special teamer in the offseason, but welcome another one back in 2010. Waynesburg faces the daunting task of trying to find a way to make up for the loss of graduated All-American returner Scott Cree, who was capable of taking a kickoff or punt back for a score at any time. However, the Yellow Jackets won’t need to worry about who’ll handle the kicking duties, as first-team All-PAC and All-ECAC Division III Southwest kicker Jon Storck returns.

KICKER
After not attempting a field goal until the fourth game of the season, Storck connected on seven-of-eight tries, including a successful 48-yarder against Bethany. The native of Smyrna, Del. also hit on his first 42 extra point attempts of the season before missing on his final try of the season. Storck was also honored as a PAC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Junior Chris Marini returns to the roster to provide depth at the position, along with freshman Jonathon Putman.

PUNTER
The Waynesburg coaching staff appears ready to turn the starting punting duties over to sophomore Zack Rogers, who spent last year as the backup to three-year starter Nate Feniello. Rogers attempted his first varsity punt against Saint Vincent.

RETURNER
As previously mentioned, finding someone to fill the shoes of Scott Cree on the return game will be a tall order. However, there are some experienced candidates.

Garove leads the group after averaging 16 yards per kick return on 13 run backs.

 

Westminster Titans (4-6 Overall, 2-4 PAC in 2009)

Numbers are up for the Westminster College football team as it enters the 2010 season. The Titans are hoping that the largest preseason roster size in the six years that head coach Jeff Hand has presided over the team will result in a positive return on investment. That's not to suggest that the Titans have gone all quantity with no quality.

Yes, the 120 players on the preseason roster are 39 more than the 81 that ended the season last year. The 57 newcomers in the preseason are 19 more than the 38 newcomers last year. The gap between lettermen returning (33) and lettermen lost (15) is eight more than last year. But what has Hand so encouraged is the playing time that all the returning players saw last year.

"This is going to be an exciting season because there were so many returners that got experience last year," Hand said. "These players are only going to get better, it will be exciting to see them grow in just one year, and there will be good competition for starting jobs."

The Titans return 13 starters (5 offense, 6 defense, 2 specialists) from last year's team that posted a 4-6 overall record and a 2-4 mark for fourth place in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC).

Westminster will play 10 games including six on the road, but their four home games are vs. Bethany and Grove City, which haven't won in New Wilmington since 1940 and 1961, respectively; Saint Vincent, which has never won at Westminster; and Thiel for Westminster's first-ever home night game.

"We are excited to play the first home football game at night in Westminster history," Hand added. "We anticipate the night game creating a special environment for our players and fans."

OFFENSE

At first blush, the loss of some of the most productive players in school history may seem startling, but the Titans have players ready to step right in. The Titan offense, which ranked fourth in the nation with 34:18 time of possession per game, graduated four-year starters at quarterback and tailback in the school's all-time leading passer Kevin Franz and Nick McKolosky, who ranks fifth all-time in school history for rushing yards. Then you include the graduation of receivers Jon Gubish and Chad Rosatelli, who rank third and fourth in career receptions, and first-team all-PAC tight end Gary Hutsler, the team's all-timer leader for receptions by a tight end.

Therefore, the strength of the 2010 team starts up front with the offensive line. Four returning starters on the offensive line include the team's only returning all-conference player in senior right guard Mike Kudelko, who started all 30 games of his career. The other returning starters on the line are also seniors in left tackle Garrett Frantz, left guard Zack O'Brien and center Shawn Zentko. O'Brien (from right tackle)and Zentko (from left guard) are switching positions for the 2010 season.

That means most of the skill position players will have a new look in 2010, with only one receiver returning to his starting position.

The quarterback will not be entirely new as junior Shawn Lehocky (left) started three games last year and platooned with Franz for most of the games in his first two seasons. Lehocky was a potent offensive threat last year with 81.8 passing yards per game, six touchdown passes, 44.6 rushing yards per game and seven rushing touchdowns. Not included in his three starts, Lehocky came off the bench in the second quarter and led the Titans to a 49-42 win over Waynesburg in which he threw for a career-high 235 yards on 16-25 passing and became the first quarterback in team history to rush for over 100 yards with 112 yards on 14 attempts. Other than Lehocky's 446 rushing yards last year, no other returning player gained more than sophomore Logan Belinda and his 42 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries.

There are three receivers returning that caught at least eight passes last year, led by senior returning starter John Baummer and his 12 catches for 153 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore Geno Pasquinelli and senior Nick Sorice snared 11 and 8 passes, respectively, with a touchdown apiece.

DEFENSE

The six returning defensive starters offer a healthy mix with two linemen, two linebackers and two defensive backs returning.

Senior inside linebacker Cory Meeker is a two-year starter who was the team's leading tackler last year with 67 stops (5 for loss), an interception and two pass defenses. Senior outside linebacker Jake Brown, also a two-year starter, ranked fourth on the team with 51 tackles last year.

Returning defensive linemen include senior Jesse Sylvester and junior Les Tabor, both of whom were first-time starters last year.

Junior Jordon Rooney enters his second year in the secondary after he switched from a reserve receiver as a freshman to a starting cornerback as sophomore. The team's only freshman starter last year, sophomore Kyle Allen started at safety last year and tied for the team lead with four interceptions.

Not to be overlooked, there are seven returning defenders not included in the six returning starters that made at least one start during the 2009 season. They include senior safety Daniel Joyce, sophomore safety Derrick Orloski, sophomore safety Joe Ross, junior defensive lineman Ryan Budziszewski, senior Jacob Kieffer, and senior linebackers Todd Rupert and Tom Geraghty.

SPECIAL TEAMS

A pair of two-year starters make up the special teams in junior kicker Trevor Young and junior punter Andrew Clark. Young, who also handles kickoff duties, has made 11 of 16 career field goal attempts and 39 of 40 point-after-touchdown kicks. Clark averaged 36.8 yards per punt last year.

Rooney is back as the team's punt return specialist after taking 14 punts back for an average of 11.4 yards and a long of 38 yards last year. Allen and Ross were the top kickoff return specialists. Allen ran back 17 kicks for a 21.6 average and a long of 55. Ross returned 13 kicks for a 19.4 average and a long of 63.



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