Week 1 Preview

From the Lebanon Valley College Website:

8/30/2006

Football to Host Gettysburg in Season Opener

THE GAME: Lebanon Valley and Gettysburg will face off on Saturday at LVC’s Arnold Field in a non-conference battle and the season opener for both teams.

ON THE RADIO: Saturday's game will be broadcast on WMSS 91.1, a 1350-watt FM station located in Middletown. The game can also be heard on the Internet at http://www.pennlive.com/wmss/. John Wilsbach will call the play-by-play while Brian Keyser will handle color commentary duties.

THE SERIES: Gettysburg holds a 29-3-1 advantage against LVC in the all-times series that began in 1898. Saturday’s game will mark the sixth straight season the Bullets and Dutchmen play their season opener against each other. Gettysburg has gone 4-1 over that stretch, with the Valley’s lone victory coming in 2004 when it defeated the Bullets 7-3 in the first game of Head Coach Jim Monos’s second stint at LVC.

THE COACHES: Lebanon Valley is coached by Jim Monos, who is in the third year of his second stint as the Dutchmen's head coach. Monos also coached LVC from 1986-96 and is 48-79-2 overall. The Bullets are coached by Barry Streeter, a 1971 Lebanon Valley graduate and a 2003 LVC Athletic Hall of Fame inductee. He is 132-126-5 in his 28th year at Gettysburg.

LAST YEAR: Ryan Brennan and Dan Kelly became the first LVC duo to rush for 100 yards in the same game in 11 years, but the Bullets defeated LVC 34-27 at Gettysburg in the season opener for both teams. The Dutchmen took a 27-26 lead on the first play of the fourth quarter when Adam Brossman snared a 7-yard touchdown pass from Kelly, but Gettysburg responded with a six-play, 63-yard drive, capped by a 15-yard run from Tom Sturges, who finished with 206 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Brennan piled up 129 yards rushing while Kelly had 104 yards on the ground. He also threw for 180 yards and three touchdowns on 14-of-25 passing. Although Gettysburg never trailed, the Bullets never led by more than seven.

LAST TIME OUT FOR LVC: In its 2005 season finale, Lebanon Valley dropped a 40-39 decision to MAC foe Albright College at Arnold Field. Albright’s John Port hit Andy Sorice for a 19-yard touchdown pass with 22 seconds left in the game as the Lions marched 71 yards on 11 plays during a 1:32 drive. Dan Kelly, who threw for 321 yards and five touchdowns on 21-of-30 passing, set or tied five school records during the game. He established career records for yards passing (4,182), touchdown passes (41), and completions (320) while setting the single-season record for touchdown passes (21). Kelly also tied a single-game record for touchdown passes. Wide receivers Adam Brossman and Luke Rendine each finished with over 100 yards receiving, as Brossman caught eight passes for 140 yards and two touchdown while Rendine had seven receptions for 111 yards and one touchdown.

THE LEBANON VALLEY OFFENSE: The Dutchmen feature a highly-experienced offense, as all but one starter returns from last year’s squad. In 2005, LVC finished seventh in the MAC in scoring offense (24.2 ppg), fourth in rushing offense (178.3 ypg), and fifth in pass offense (214.7 ypg). In addition to his 2,117 yards passing and 21 touchdown passes, senior quarterback Dan Kelly also ran for 376 yards and five TDs a year ago. Junior receiver Adam Brossman is coming off a record-setting season as well after finishing with 51 receptions, 990 yards receiving and 15 touchdown catches. Brossman, whose 15 TDs set a single-season school record, is already LVC’s career leader in touchdown catches (22). Junior tailback Ryan Brennan also returns after leading the team in rushing (480 yards) in 2005. On the line, seven different players return who started at one point last season.

THE LEBANON VALLEY DEFENSE: On the defensive side of the ball, the Valley returns seven starters from a unit that finished eighth in the MAC in scoring defense (29.5 ppg), eighth in rushing defense (183.2 ypg), and seventh in pass defense (207.2 ypg) last season. The team’s top returning tackler is junior linebacker Terry Kaufman, who finished second among the Dutchmen with 73 tackles last season. Freshman linebacker Brian Cottone also returns after making 68 hits in 2005. On the line, sophomore end Brian Drew is one of three returning starters. He led the team in sacks (3.0) and tackles for loss (8.5) last year while finishing fourth on the team with 66 tackles. One of two returning starters in the secondary, senior cornerback Dan Stauffer led LVC in pass breakups (nine) and interceptions (three) last year.

THE LEBANON VALLEY SPECIAL TEAMS: Lebanon Valley returns several key players on special teams. Junior Adam Brossman led the MAC in punting last season (38.5 ypp) while junior Clint Vinju led the MAC and set a school record in kick return yards (812). Freshmen Dan DiBona, Josh Evans, and Cameron Johnson will compete for the Dutchmen’s place-kicking duties.

LAST TIME OUT FOR GETTYSBURG: Gettysburg suffered a 13-7 Centennial Conference loss at Franklin & Marshall College in its 2005 season finale. The Bullets made it 13-7 with 5:43 left after a 2-yard touchdown run from Joe Fricchione, capping a 12-play, 79-yard touchdown drive, but the Diplomats stopped Gettysburg on its final two drives. Tailback Tom Sturges led the Bullets with 113 yards rushing on 25 carries. The Bullets were limited to 66 yards passing, as Hunter McMillan and Mark Campo combined to complete 10 of 24 passes. Nathan Smith led the Gettysburg defense with 16 tackles.

THE GETTYSBURG OFFENSE: The Bullets bring back six starters from its Spread Wing offense. Junior Hunter McMillan received the majority of the playing time at quarterback last season, throwing for 1,204 yards and six touchdowns. Senior Mark Campo, listed as Gettysburg’s starter for Saturday’s game, had 202 yards and one touchdown on 22-of-41 passing a year ago. Junior tailback Tom Sturges returns to lead the Bullets ground game after a fine 2005 season in which he piled up a Centennial Conference-leading 1,185 yards rushing and six touchdowns. All three of Gettysburg’s top receivers are back in senior Dusty Green (32 catches, 317 yards), senior Spencer Davidson (27 catches, 359 yards), and junior Shawn Hollingsworth (20 catches, 243 yards). Right guard Dain Alaia is the Bullets lone returning starter on the offensive line.

THE GETTYSBURG DEFENSE: Defensively, Gettysburg must replace seven starters from last season. The team does return senior linebacker Harold Barton, who led the team with 103 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. Sophomore defensive lineman Anthony Pastore, who posted 29 tackles for the season, finished second behind Barton in both tackles for loss (7.5) and sacks (3.0). Also returning are senior defensive end Stevenson Foote (35 tackles) and junior defensive back Adam Fulmer (34 tackles).

THE GETTYSBURG SPECIAL TEAMS: The Bullets bring back a solid place-kicker in sophomore Josh Huson, the team’s only returning starter on special teams. Huson converted 18 of 20 extra points and 4 of 8 field goals, including a 48-yarder, last season. Senior Ryan Dunn is listed as the team’s punter while junior Tom Sturges and senior Danny Tyrrell will handle kick and punt return duties.

CLOSING IN ON SCHOOL RECORDS: Lebanon Valley junior wide receiver Adam Brossman is within reach of a pair of school records. With four more touchdowns, he can tie Ken Wilson’s career record of 26. He can also tie LVC’s career points record of 157 held by Wilson with 19 more points.

Parents Club Weekly Update

GCFPC WEEKLY UPDATE

The Bullets kick off their 114th season of college football Saturday in an away game at Lebanon Valley College. After a strong showing in last week’s scrimmage at Shenandoah University, the team has good reason to be optimistic about this season. An in-depth preview of the game will be posted on the Football page of the Gettysburg College website.

DIRECTIONS/TAILGATING: Directions to Lebanon Valley College are located here.

Through the courtesy of the LVC athletic department, there will be an area designated for Gettysburg families who want to Tailgate before the game. Parking spaces will be reserved for us until 12:00 noon in the west lot of the athletic field complex, next to the security hut as you enter the lot. As with all away games, the tailgating will be 100% “bring your own” food and drinks. Please be aware that LVC policies do not allow grills, alcohol or parking on the grass, and all trash must be placed in containers or tied in bags. Those with Bullets football car flags are asked to display them to make it easier for others to find the GC tailgating area.

MEMBERSHIP: In addition to distribution at the parent-coaches meeting, membership forms were mailed out last week. Please return these as soon as possible. We are hoping for 100% participation.

BULLETS MERCHANDISE: Merchandise lists and order forms for Gettysburg Football merchandise have been distributed and will be attached to weekly emails from time to time. Most orders can be filled for the next home game (orders placed by this Friday by email should be available for the first home game, but a hard copy of the order and a check must also be mailed). A huge debt of gratitude goes out to Debbie and Ralph Pastore for taking over this job. They will be assisted by Debbi Beirne and Mary Byrne. (some additional helpers would be appreciated)

ACTION PHOTOS: Bill Dowling, a professional photographer, has agreed again this year to take action photos of players and cheerleaders at each home game. He may even catch some away games. Each week, his photos will appear on his website for about three weeks after each game and can be ordered for very reasonable prices (to be determined). Bill’s website is easy to navigate (start with “Bullets Football” on the right margin of his home page). We expect that every player and cheerleader will appear on the website during the season for that special picture.

VOLUNTEERS/SUGGESTIONS: We are hoping everyone will help out as they can with merchandise sales/orders at home games, tailgate clean-up, tailgate food contributions, etc. throughout the season. We are in need of specific volunteers to help the chairpersons of the Tailgating Committee, Spirit Committee (mostly taking care of the “Go Bullets” banner) and Membership Committee. We would love to have someone work on a Website for us. We also need someone to be the Sophomore representative(s). New families are especially invited to help with these activities (none of which are especially burdensome).

Suggestions are always welcome. In particular, new Club members may have fresh ideas to improve what the Parents Club has to offer.

FIRST HOME TAILGATE – The first home Tailgate will be at the Hampden-Sydney game on September 9th. The SENIOR PARENTS are assigned the potluck duties for this game (although anyone is welcome to add to the cause). More details about home Tailgates will follow soon with a full schedule of potluck assignments.

ROCHESTER GAME – HOTEL: Support for the Bullets at away games is one of the most important things the Parents Club can do for the team and cheerleaders. Please consider attending the Rochester game. It is a long trip for most families, but you can make a mini vacation out of it! For those romantically inclined who are willing to drive an extra 1 hour, 20 minutes, you can make a side trip to Niagara Falls! However, just a trip to away games is a fun excursion and the kids really appreciate the effort.

The Parents Club has secured at a great group rate a block of rooms for the Rochester game (September 16th at noon). The room block is at the Crown Plaza in downtown Rochester (about 3 miles from the U.R. football stadium). This is the same hotel at which the team will be staying. You can book rooms by calling the Reservations Manager’s direct line (Patty Vahue at 585-324-0038; pvahue@rcpny.com) and asking for a room under the Gettysburg College Parents Block. You can get either a two-queen or one-king bed room at the flat rate of $72 per room plus tax (up to 4 people). (Onsite parking is $3.50/day). These rooms usually rent for $139-154. This is the same hotel where we stayed two years ago and is very nice. The block on these rooms will be guaranteed only until Sunday, September 10th, so make a reservation soon (there is a 24 hour cancellation notice policy). After that date, the rate will still be available if there are available rooms (there is a big event in Rochester, so the hotel will likely fill up). The hotel’s website is www.rcpny.com.

ALUMNI FAMILIES - Please feel comfortable to join us at any Bullets game or Tailgate. Let us know if you want to sign up as an alumni member of the GCFPC (dues are only $20).

We hope to see as many Bullets fans as possible Saturday – big support from the stands would be awesome.
Go Bullets!!!!!!!!!

Centennial Conference Week #1

The Centennial Conference has released their Week #1 game previews. You can read about this week's Bullets matchup vs. Lebanon Valley as well as the other Week 1 matchups by clicking here.

Lebanon Valley Week!

Throughout this week I will post information and articles leading up to the season opener at Lebanon Valley College.

The following information is taken from D3Football.com's Kickoff 2006 Season Preview:

Lebanon Valley Flying Dutchmen

Last time not in playoffs: 2005

Last year: 2-8, 2-7 MAC

Last conference title: None

Wins increase/decrease: Minus-2

Preseason ranking: 151 of 234

Head coach: Jim Monos, 14th year, 48-79-2

Starters returning: 18 (nine offense, eight defense, one specialist)

Position battle to watch: Linebacker where Monos will try to find a replacement for graduated Chris Weaver in the 4-3 set. The Dutchmen lose Weaver who led the team in tackles in 2005 (77 total), but return incumbent starters junior Terry Kaufman and sophomore Brian Cottone for the other two linebacker spots.

Pressure is on: The supporting cast for senior Quarterback Dan Kelly. Regarded as one of the conference’s top returning quarterbacks, Kelly is already Lebanon Valley’s career leader for passing completions, passing yards and touchdown passes. But he needs strong support from his offensive line and running game to get the Dutchmen above .500 for the first time since 1992.

Where did he come from? Senior tailback David Ochoa transferred to Lebanon Valley from conference foe Widener. The Manheim (Pa.) Central product will get a chance to play his last year of college ball with his younger brother, Jeff, a freshman defensive back for the Dutchmen.

Their season will be defined by: November 4 vs. Moravian. Last year Greyhounds running back Marc Panepinto rambled for 213 yards on 38 carries in a 38-35 win over Lebanon Valley. Panepinto is back for Moravian, but if the Dutchmen are going to turn last year’s near misses into victories, they need to win games like this one.

Predicted record: 4-6, 4-5

Capsule: Last year some conference coaches picked Lebanon Valley as a darkhorse in the conference race. The Dutchmen finished just 2-8 but lost their last three games by a total of five points. The team’s offense returns its quarterback (Kelly), top wide receiver (junior Adam Brossman) and All Conference offensive lineman (senior Dave Zimmerman) from last year’s squad that averaged 24.2 points per game. Brossman has quietly developed into one of the conference’s best receivers, notching 21 touchdowns in just two seasons. Zimmerman anchors a line that has 13 years of previous starting experience between its five members. The Dutchmen would like to find a running back to complement workhorse junior tailback Ryan Brennan. The biggest questions remain on defense where Lebanon Valley surrendered 29.5 points and 183.2 rushing yards per game. Sophomore Brian Drew (8.5 tackles for loss) is a year older and reportedly 35 pounds of muscle heavier, which is bad news for opposing linemen. The Dutchmen’s secondary will be relatively young after graduating two starters from 2005. Along with the linebacker position, Monos will watch three freshmen – Dan DiBona, Josh Evans and Cameron Johnson – to see who emerges as the new place kicker. Last year the Dutchmen missed 12 of 31 PATs including four in loses to Albright (40-39) and Lycoming (7-6).

Shenandoah University Scrimmage

This years scrimmage takes place at 8 p.m. tomorrow (Friday August 25) at Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. Click here for driving directions.

The following is taken from the D3Football.com 2006 Kickoff publication:


Shenandoah Hornets

Last playoff appearance: 2004

Last year: 1-9, 0-7 USAC

Last conference title: 2004, shared with Christopher Newport

Wins increase/decrease: Minus-6

Preseason ranking: 182 of 234

Head coach: Paul Barnes, fifth year, 22-19

Starters returning: 15 (six offense, seven defense, two special teams)

Position battle to watch: Possibilities run deep with the Hornets' defensive front four. The team is looking to fill gaps left by 2005 All-Conference members Roy Funes and Jim Rishmani. While several guys who saw playing time last year will be returning, Shenandoah will be working to build experience on the line among some of the younger players.

Pressure is on: Paul Diggs and Telly Tate. Shendandoah's offense, which often uses three-back formations, needs running backs Diggs and Tate, both juniors, to step up in the skill position. The graduation of Anthony Frates, one of the conference's leading rushers, could be a sore spot for an offense that had trouble putting points on the board in 2005.

Where did he come from? Coaches Garry Fisher and Brian Wolf. Two key faces will be joining the Hornets sideline this season: Fisher as defensive coordinator and Wolf as offensive coordinator. Fisher's strategy will be to promote a more aggressive defense that can better handle opponents on multiple fronts. And Shenandoah will be using Wolf's knowledge of the spread offense to throw the ball more than in past years and to balance the team offensively.

Their season will be defined by: The beginning of conference play against Ferrum on Sept. 25. The Panthers will help Shenandoah gauge where the team stands in comparision with the rest of the conference and could be the first opportunity for Shenandoah to erase memories of the difficult last season.

Predicted record: 1-9, 0-7

Capsule: Shenadoah's 2005 season rattled expectations as the team took one of Division III's biggest slides for a defending conference champion. And the team has lost much of last year's talent. Yet the young team will be spending this year rebuilding and testing its talent depth. Junior Blake derby is the tentative frontrunner for a quarterback spot that will be lining up behind a largly in-flux offensive line. Shenandoah will get one of its toughest tests of the year early in the season as it again challenges in-state powerhouse Bridgewater on Sept. 9.

D3Football.com Season Preview

The D3Football.com 2006 Season Kickoff came out today. The following information is taken from this publication:

National Rankings: Out of 234 teams, D3Football.com ranks the Bullets 139th. Our opponents for this season are ranked as follows: Lebanon Valley 151; Hampden-Sydney 60; Rochester 116; Denison 137; McDaniel 125; Johns Hopkins 71; Ursinus 128; Muhlenberg 141; Dickinson 123; Franklin & Marshall 124.

Centennial Conference Preview

2006 preseason conference ranking: 19th of 25

2005 nonconference record: 12-16

2005 playoff record: -6

The title could be on the line when: Any Centennial Conference game is played. It’s not a cop-out, but this conference is wide open. Every single game matters because the CC is so even from top to bottom. 13 of the 21 conference games in 2005 were decided by seven points or fewer. Last year, only one game over the course of three consecutive weeks saw a margin of victory greater than a touchdown. The Centennial does not often put up much of a fight in the postseason, but the intra-conference rivalries are exciting, the scores are often close, and the general tussling is as exciting as any conference in the country.

Pride will be on the line when: Dickinson hosts Franklin & Marshall in week eight in what will be the 98th meeting for the two. Way back in 1889, mass transportation of the football teams from Lancaster to Carlisle and vice versa came by way of a wagon. The winner takes home a replica in the form of the coveted Conestoga Wagon trophy, and bragging rights for another year. Since 1963, the Red Devils and Diplomats have battled for the plexiglass-enclosed wagon with F&M holding a 24-18 lead in the series. A win in the Wagon game makes or breaks the season for players, and alums, of both programs.

The player of the year will be: Johns Hopkins punter/kicker Ben Scott. The coaches of the Centennial Conference will almost certainly not select a kicker as their player of the year - so we will. Deciphering through the various offensive and defensive players is brutally difficult in a conference that screams parity from top to bottom. And so, we land with Ben Scott. The Blue Jays averaged just 16.1 points per game in their 8-3 2005, while allowing 13.4. That made Scott’s 13 treys from 2005 seem rather crucial to the season. Scott also punts and led the conference with 37.5 yards per punt and a long boot of 75 yards. Factoring in just conference games, Ursinus led the CC with 19.2 points per game and Gettysburg was last with 11.2. An eight point spread is miniscule and each team in the league needs a solid boot; Scott brings it, along with three years of experience.

Look for a breakout from: Dickinson. The Red Devils return so many players from last year’s team that saw quarterback Matt Torchia take the reins and pass the ball as has been taboo in recent Red Devils history. A quality quarterback is what the Red needed and 2005 was his coming out year. The team that stays together, wins together, and returning more firepower than any of their conference rivals makes us confident to say that a strong 2006 would not surprise us.

Predicted record: Johns Hopkins 9-1, 5-1; Dickinson 6-4, 4-2; Ursinus 5-4, 4-2; Franklin & Marshall 5-5, 4-2; McDaniel 5-5, 3-3; Gettysburg 2-8, 1-5; Muhlenberg 1-9, 0-6

Gettysburg Bullets Season Preview

Last playoff appearance: 1985

Last year: 4-6, 3-3 CC

Last conference title: 1985

Wins increase/decrease: Plus-3

Preseason ranking: 139 of 234

Head coach: Barry Streeter, 28th season, 136-132-5

Starters returning: 11 (six offense, four defense, one special teams)

Position battle to watch: Quarterback. Despite returning starter Hunter McMillan, Streeter indicated that the job was wide open going into camp. Sophomore Kyle Barnett was not on the roster last season, and along with fellow sophomore Mike Lynch and even senior Mark Campo, they will push McMillan to earn the position. With 13 interceptions to just six touchdowns, Streeter has thrown the gauntlet down to find the most precise passer.

Pressure is on: Junior running back Tom Sturges. With 1,185 rushing yards in 2005, Sturges returns to anchor a Gettysburg offense that struggled to put points on the board in conference play. The Bullets traditionally operate a run-oriented offense, but the approach in 2005 was more balanced. Despite Sturges’s yards, he only found paydirt six times. With Coach Streeter back at the helm, and a potential return to the wing-T, Sturges must step up his control of the ground game. Finding the end zone more than six times should lend help to the Bullets.

Their season will be defined by: Whether or not the conference parity holds true. Gettysburg has failed to finish a season with a conference record better than .500 since 1994. As the dominant teams of the late 90s and early 00s have come back to the pack, it has allowed Gettysburg to move forward, increasing their competitiveness. Their 3-3 conference mark was their best since a similar record in 1995.

Predicted record: 2-8, 1-5

Capsule: With Streeter indicating he is opening up camp more than he has in previous seasons, maybe we will see the Bullets emerge from the mediocrity they have been mired in for the last 11 years. If they do, that will surprise us a bit as the Bullets scored the fewest points amongst all CC teams in conference games last season, just 67. While they also allowed the second fewest, a big jump in their overall mark is unlikely. Three of their four non-conference games will have the Bullets as heavy underdogs and it is hard to imagine a conference mark better than what they managed last year. And it hasn’t been limited to just the quarterback position either, but all of them. It’s open season in the Bullets camp and if you notice significant changes on the depth chart as the season starts, those on it, earned it.

Centennial Conference Football 2006

The 2006 Centennial Conference Media Guide is now posted on their Website. Included in the Guide is the 2006 Season Preview and Team Previews for each team, including our Bullets!

A few highlights include:

2006 Preseason Poll: 1. Johns Hopkins, 2. McDaniel, 3. Muhlenberg, 4. F&M, 5. Dickinson, 6. Gettysburg, 7. Ursinus.

The Century Club: "Gettysburg head coach Barry Streeter is 10th among all active Division III coaches in victories with 136. Five of the coaches in the CC are the winningest coaches in their school's history - Streeter, McDaniel's Tim Keating, Johns Hopkins' Jim Margraff, Dickinson's Darwin Breaux and Muhlenberg's Mike Donnelly."

There is a lot of interesting statistical information in the Media Guide and Season Preview, I encourage you to check it out!

Go Bullets!!!

2006 Roster

The 2006 Gettysburg College Football Team Roster is now available on the site!

Go Bullets!!!

Parent Club News

From Rick Jordan:

To All Gettysburg Football Families,

Welcome to the dawn of the Gettysburg College Football 2006 season. I hope everyone had a good summer and will once again join the GC Football Parents Club.

We are in great need of new leadership in the Parents Club. Since a letter last August and then through the 2005 season and post-season, I have been trying without success to secure someone willing to take over as "chair" (or whatever you want to call it) of the Parents Club. This need is even greater now as our son will not be playing football this season and he graduates in May. While Lisa and I will be active with the Club this Fall, leadership is needed into the future. Jack and Cindy Dunn have agreed to serve as the chairs this season, but they are Senior parents. We really need a sophomore or junior family(ies) to assume the leadership of the Parents Club. It would be best for someone to volunteer now and then go through a full season shadowing us before going "solo" next year. Over the years, I have prepared an outline of how to manage the GCFPC, including what to do when, form letters, a contact list, a data base, etc. The time commitment is less than you would think and the job is very rewarding personally.

We are very concerned about having someone take over the merchandise sales. Joe and Deb Edgar did a fabulous job with this the past two years, but their son, Jon, has graduated. The job entails taking pre-orders and payment, passing orders along to our supplier by email, connecting with the supplier on home game Saturdays (she is willing to come to campus) and then distributing the items to purchasers. We also try to set up a sales table at home football games. There are always several people willing to help at the tailgates, and you do not need to be near campus to do this. The merchandise sales are critical to the Club's key roles of putting on tailgates, purchasing senior gifts, etc. Also, the availability of unique and customized "Bullet" apparel is a great service to football and cheerleader families. So, somebody out there, please step forward.

The Parents Club has progressed tremendously in recent years. It used to consist of a dozen or so parents hanging around in the West Building parking lot before and after games – now it is a group of 200+ family members who have a great facility at which to do a first class Tailgate at home games. The Senior Dinner has progressed from an unorganized dinner in a frat house to a class event in the ballroom of the Gettysburg Hotel. There are many families who have become close friends beyond football, and the Club has contributed greatly to the Gettysburg football experience for the families and players. We need new faces to keep this going and improving further.

Thanks for your consideration and here's to a great season.

Rick Jordan

Football Opens Camp for 114th Season This Weekend

From the Gettysburg College Website:

GETTYSBURG, Pa. - The 114th football season at Gettysburg College opens this weekend when the Bullets report for preseason camp on Saturday. Head coach Barry Streeter welcomes his 28th squad to campus on Saturday, with the first practice to be held on Sunday. All preparations will be made with an eye toward the 1 p.m., Sept. 2 season opener at Lebanon Valley.

2006 Season Preview
The 2005 Gettysburg College football team entered the last week of the season with a chance to earn a share of the Centennial Conference championship. In 2006, the Bullets count the conference's leading rusher and the second-leading tackler among the returnees. The rest of the offensive skill position players are also back. Despite the loss of four starting offensive linemen and seven defensive starters, Streeter is optimistic that the fierce battles he saw in the spring will carry over to the fall and help return his team to title contention.

"I expect to be better than we were last year," Streeter said. "We were competing for a tie for the conference championship in the last week last season, and I expect us to be even better than that. Obviously, our goal is to win the conference championship.

"To do that, the Bullets will rely on senior captain Dain Alaia (Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Sachem) to anchor the offensive line from his right guard spot, where he has received second-team all-conference honors and preseason All-America honorable mention. He is the lone returning starter from a unit that cleared the way for the Centennial Conference's top rushing attack a year ago. Gettysburg averaged 164.5 yards per game last year.

Running behind that group and leading the conference with 1,185 yards rushing and 1,279 all-purpose yards was junior tailback Tom Sturges (Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield), who was named first-team All-Centennial Conference and earned a pair of regional accolades as well as preseason All-America honorable mention.

Another trend that Gettysburg hopes to continue is the strong play of a defensive unit that emerged over the second half of last season. After giving up over 43 points per game in September, the defense surrendered just 70 points over the six-game conference slate.

Only four starters return from that unit, but one of them is senior linebacker Harold Barton (Somerdale, N.J./Sterling), a second-team All-Centennial Conference selection and a preseason second-team All-American. He led the team in tackles (103), tackles for loss (12.5 for -68 yards) and sacks (6.5 for -53 yards), and he had three passes broken up, two fumbles forced, one recovery and one interception.

The trio of returning All-Centennial Conference players will lead Gettysburg against the same lineup of foes it faced in 2005.

"I like the order of our schedule," Streeter said. "Our schedule is fairly tough. We play four non-conference games, then we are off, and then we play the conference schedule.

"The 114th season of Gettysburg football kicks off at Lebanon Valley on Sept. 2. The Bullets have won 11 of the last 12 meetings with the Flying Dutchmen. The following week, Gettysburg opens the home slate against a Hampden-Sydney squad that won a 56-40 shootout last season. In that game, the Bullets broke three school passing records that had stood for at least 35 years and became the first Gettysburg team to collect 400 yards through the air. A road game at Rochester and a home game against Denison round out the non-conference schedule.

Centennial Conference play begins when the calendar rolls over to October, and that brings a challenge that Streeter welcomes.

"The conference is balanced," Streeter said. "If you look at the scores from last year, there weren't many blowouts. It's a good conference. Especially in the last few years, it's gotten better and better.

"The Bullets will travel to McDaniel before coming home for two weeks. The Oct. 14 contest against defending conference champion Johns Hopkins will also be Gettysburg's homecoming with family day being celebrated the following week against Ursinus. The Bullets hit the road again for games at Muhlenberg and Dickinson. They will wrap up the regular season with a senior day game against Franklin & Marshall on Nov. 11.

Offense
Quarterback
Junior Hunter McMillan (Middletown, Del./Wilmington Friends) emerged from a four-man battle to start every game in 2005. In just his second game, McMillan broke the Gettysburg records for completions (35), attempts (62) and yards (404) in a game at Hampden-Sydney. He was named the conference offensive player of the week for his efforts and went on to compile 1,204 yards on 110 completions with six touchdowns.

McMillan will have the upper hand to win the starting job again when preseason camp opens, but the coaching staff has declared an open competition for the spot. Senior Mark Campo (Arendtsville, Pa./Biglerville) played in six games, including the last two games of the season when he split time with McMillan and connected on 22-of-41 passes (53.7 percent) and one touchdown. Sophomore Mike Lynch (Richboro, Pa./La Salle College) will also be in the mix after a strong spring.

Several freshman signal callers will also get a look at the position.

Tailback
As the primary focus of the Gettysburg offensive attack, Sturges carried the load last season. He became the first Bullet back since 2000 to record a 1,000-yard season. Sturges needs just 399 yards to become just the seventh Gettysburg football player ever to reach 2,000 career yards, and with two more seasons like 2005, he would be the second-leading rusher in school history.

Sophomore Nick McConnell (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest), who appeared in three games a year ago, will see an increased role at the tailback position. Several freshmen will compete for carries as well.

Halfback
Seniors Dusty Green (Idaville, Pa./Bermudian Springs) and Jerry Jones (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) return after having served as the starting halfbacks last season. They ranked second and fourth, respectively, in rushing for the Bullets. Green accounted for a pair of touchdowns, including a 75-yard jaunt against Muhlenberg that was Gettysburg's longest play from scrimmage on the season. He also ranked fourth in the conference with more than three receptions per game for a total of 317 yards.

Spring practice saw junior Shawn Hollingsworth (Chester, Pa./Wilmington Friends) and sophomore Pat Murray (Greenlawn, N.Y./Harborfields) emerge to push Green and Jones for playing time, a trend which Streeter expects to continue. Hollingsworth played in seven games a year ago, carrying the ball nine times for 34 yards and a touchdown and averaging 12.1 yards on 20 receptions, while Murray contributed on special teams.

Several members of this year's freshman class will also get a look at halfback.

Wide Receiver/Tight End
The Bullets return a pair of experienced receivers to lead the corps this season. Senior Spencer Davidson (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) ranked seventh in the conference with 35.9 yards per game a year ago when he hauled in 27 passes for 359 yards. Junior Matthew Welsh (Lafayette Hill, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) also caught 10 passes in his sophomore campaign.

"Spencer Davidson is our most consistent receiver," Streeter said. "And Matthew Welsh had a good spring. He really improved himself."

As many as four freshmen will split wide to play a role in the Gettysburg aerial attack this season.

At tight end, senior Jesse Jeffers (Morristown, N.J./Morristown-Beard) has moved from tailback, where he played in nine games last season. He carried the ball 14 times and caught four passes.

Offensive Line
Following a season in which Gettysburg returned its entire starting offensive line, this becomes one of the team's biggest question marks. Alaia is the only starter back after graduation claimed 80 percent of the unit's first team, including second-team all-conference right tackle Enoch Boateng and a total of 13 varsity letters. Streeter needs several players to emerge if the Bullets are to reprise their role as the Centennial Conference's top rushing team.

Alaia will again man the right guard spot, and classmate Rick Finnegan (Springfield, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) enters preseason camp with the inside track at center. Senior Glenn Cain (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) has been moved to offense from the defensive line, and he will be in the mix with numerous others to fill out the depth chart.

"We are going to have to develop some younger players," Streeter said. "It will probably be some sophomores and juniors, but it could very well be a couple of freshmen. It's going to be a wide-open competition."

Defense
Defensive Line
Just like its counterpart on the offensive side of the ball, the defensive line will be forced to fill some big holes. Tackle Dan Hogdahl and end Dan Petersen, both second-team All-Centennial Conference honorees in 2005, have graduated, taking with them 100 total tackles, 14 for losses totaling 46 yards and 4.5 sacks.

Easing the loss will be a pair of returning starters and some players who have served as capable backups in the past. Senior end Stevenson Foote (Huntingtown, Md./Calvert) started the last eight games last season and compiled 35 tackles, four for loss, one sack, one interception, a pass broken up and a forced fumble. Sophomore tackle Anthony Pastore (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) started the last five games a year ago as part of the eight he played. He came on strong with 7.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.

Sophomores Josh Jerrold (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury East) and Matt Lessler (Centereach, N.Y./Centereach) will battle it out for Petersen's vacated end spot, and senior Rob Brassell (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./La Salle College) and sophomore Conor Quinn (Rockville, Md./Richard Montgomery) will compete for the other tackle position.

Jerrold had a pair of tackles in four games last season, while Brassell played in all 10 games, recording three tackles for loss and a sack.

Linebackers
The linebacking corps will be anchored by Barton, who is the lone returning starter, at one of the outside positions. He established himself as one of the conference's best in 2005.

Four players will compete to fill the other two spots and establish some depth for at least the next two seasons. At middle linebacker, junior James Holubowich (Mineola, N.Y./Mineola) and sophomore Terence Hartigan (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) will battle it out with junior William Ryan (Rockville Centre, N.Y./Chaminade) and sophomore Charlie Occhipinti (East Meadow, N.Y./East Meadow) putting in a claim at the other outside spot.

Holubowich, who had 11 tackles, and Ryan, who had three including a half sack, both played in every game last season.

Defensive Backs
Quite a few players will get a look in the defensive backfield with only junior Adam Fulmer (Halifax, Pa./Halifax) returning from the 2005 starting lineup. He will again man one of the cornerback positions, and he will be just one of several players pushing to make plays.

"We have four or five guys that we think can play," Streeter said. "There are four or five guys who have fought hard to be good defenders.

"Juniors David Gourley (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) and Jason Taylor (North East, Md./Rising Sun) and senior Danny Tyrell (White Hall, Md./North Harford), who was a quarterback last season, all will push for playing time. Gourley played in all 10 games last year, recording 10 tackles and a half sack. Taylor appeared in eight games.

At the safeties, another former quarterback, senior Mike Szczesny (Carteret, N.J./Carteret), along with senior Scott Sheppard (Berkeley Heights, N.J./Governor Livingston), junior Kyle Luciano (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph by-the-Sea) and sophomore David Rodriguez (Oradell, N.J./River Dell Regional) have begun to distinguish themselves. Sheppard and Luciano are both two-year letterwinners.

Special Teams
In an area filled with question marks, sophomore Josh Huson (McLean, Va./McLean) is a solid answer after a strong freshman campaign. He made four field goals last season, including a 48-yarder against McDaniel that tied the 29-year-old school record for the longest field goal. Huson also made 18-of-20 point after attempts.

Senior Ryan Dunn (Lawrenceville, N.J./Lawrence) will compete with Huson for the kickoff duties, vacated by John Edgar. Dunn will also be competing for the punting job following the graduation of Tom Pettit. He has experience in both kicking disciplines, having lettered as a place-kicker as a freshman in 2003 when he kicked off 45 times and punted twice for an average of 43.0 yards.

The most difficult shoes to fill, however, will be those of honorable mention All-America kick returner Nathan Smith. Smith tied the conference record for kickoff return touchdowns in a season with three in 2005 and broke the career record with five. The competition to replace Smith and punt returner Jay Cage will be wide open once preseason camp begins.