CCs Top Offense Ready for Championship Run
After what seemed like a long offseason, a new post means it's getting closer to football season!
From the Gettysburg College Website:
GETTYSBURG, Pa. – As the top offensive force in the Centennial Conference last fall, the Gettysburg football team finished 2006 with a .500 record overall (5-5) and in league play (3-3), placing in a tie for third in the final conference standings. This fall’s squad is looking to jump above even ground as it not only returns the bulk of its offensive power, but also features a defensive lineup that will be without just two starters from a year ago. Those facts combined with 40 returning letterwinners and a talented recruiting class make the Bullets a serious contender for the CC title.
“I think we should be better. I believe our approach is better, our confidence is better, and we came out of the season believing we could have been better last year,” said head coach Barry Streeter, who has compiled a career record of 141-137-5 in 28 years at Gettysburg.
Streeter’s outlook should be optimistic considering the types of players returning from last season’s team, including senior captains Tom Sturges (Ridgefield, Conn./Taft School) and Harold Barton (Somerdale, N.J./Sterling), each of whom were named honorable mention All-America by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette. Sturges, a tailback, has led the CC in rushing each of the past two seasons and needs just 258 yards to become just the fifth Bullet with 3,000 yards for a career, while Barton led Gettysburg in both tackles (100) and sacks (5.0) from his outside linebacker position in 2006.
Sturges and Barton may be the headliners on paper, but Gettysburg also returns all-conference picks Josh Huson (McLean, Va./McLean) and James Holubowich (Mineola, N.Y./Mineola) at kicker and linebacker, respectively, as well as senior captains James Russell (Amityville, N.Y./Amityville Memorial) and Kyle Luciano (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph by-the-Sea) and sophomore quarterback Matt Flynn (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional). In all, the Bullets return six starters on offense and nine from the defensive unit.
“We have a pretty good group coming back. It’ll be fun to coach them and fun to watch them this fall,” said Streeter.
The 115th season of Gettysburg football opens at home on Sept. 1 against Lebanon Valley College (6-4 in 2006), which upended the Bullets 13-12 to begin 2006. The Bullets play their only other non-conference game on the following Saturday at Hampden-Sydney College (4-6). Gettysburg ended an eight-game losing streak to the Tigers with a 28-20 victory last fall.
On Sept. 14, the Bullets open an eight-game league slate with its only night game on the schedule at Johns Hopkins University (5-5, 3-3 CC) at 7 p.m. Gettysburg returns home on Sept. 22 against Muhlenberg College (5-5, 2-4 CC) before taking to the road against league runner-up Ursinus College (8-3, 4-2 CC) and CC newcomer Moravian College (4-6) on Sept. 29 and Oct. 6, respectively.
Gettysburg kicks off a three-game home-stand at Shirk Field on Oct. 13 with another new addition to the league, Juniata College (2-8). On Oct. 20, the Bullets face defending CC champion Dickinson College (8-3, 5-1 CC), and following a bye week, they close the home-stand on Nov. 3 against McDaniel College (4-6, 2-4 CC), which came away with a 17-14 victory over the Bullets in 2006. Finishing the schedule is the rivalry game against Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa., on Nov. 10. The Bullets clipped the Diplomats 38-20 last fall, closing the gap in the long-standing rivalry to 42-43-7 in favor of F&M.
“In the last few years, the conference has been tight, and I believe it will be tight again,” said Streeter. “In the last two years we’ve beaten everyone in the conference. It’s not like there’s someone we can’t beat. It’s a consistency thing.”
“We’re in the thick of it I believe,” he added. “If we get a good start, stay healthy, and take it one day at a time, we’re going to compete for that championship.”
Offense
In just two years the Bullet offense went from last in the CC to first in 2006, averaging 24.3 points over 10 contests. Gettysburg also maintained its status as the top rushing team by averaging almost 200 yards per game (199.2) with a league-best 17 touchdowns. The Bullets averaged 361 yards of total offense per game last fall with just over 161 yards coming through the air. Additionally, the offense was sure-handed with the pigskin, committing just 14 turnovers while forcing 21, a turnover margin (+7) twice that of its nearest competitor.
Quarterback
If there is one spot on the field that the coaching staff is most excited about, it may be the quarterback situation. Flynn emerged as one of the top signal callers in the CC last fall, breaking many of Gettysburg’s freshman passing records. He finished with 1,546 passing yards in his debut campaign, marking the third-highest yardage total in Bullet history. He also tossed twice as many touchdowns as interceptions (14-to-7) and led the Centennial Conference in passing efficiency (127.9).
“Matt had a solid freshman year and he’s still learning the game,” said Streeter. “Now that he has a year under his belt, I expect him to have a great fall.”
Junior Mike Lynch (Richboro, Pa./La Salle College) could emerge as the Bullets’ No. 2 option under center, but there are several up-and-coming freshmen and a transfer that will vie for playing time.
Tailback
Once again, all eyes will be on Sturges in the Gettysburg backfield. Twice named All-CC First Team, the Bullet senior posted his second consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2006, gaining a league-best 1,141 yards in nine contests (126.8 ypg). Sturges, who also led the conference in all-purpose yardage (156.1 ypg), eclipsed the 100-yard mark six times last fall, including back-to-back efforts of 186 and 189 against Denison and McDaniel, respectively.
“Tom is a great running back. It seems like all the All-Americans we’ve had at that spot have had a special quality of work ethic and leadership,” Streeter said of his first-team All-League tailback. “Nobody practices harder or finishes things off harder than he does.”
Backing up the all-conference senior will be junior Nick McConnell (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest), who appeared in all 10 games in 2006. Streeter added there are four talented freshmen that could see time at tailback as well.
Halfback
Gettysburg lost each of its top two halfbacks from a year ago, but the squad returns a handful of capable veterans and up-and-comers, making the position one of the team strengths this fall.
Five upper classman return to the fold in 2006: senior Sean Incremona (Selden, N.Y./Centereach) and sophomores Ricky Manigat (Baldwin, N.Y./Baldwin), Michael McInerney (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J./Saint Joseph Regional), David Matthew (Valley Stream, N.Y./South), and Sean Moore (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge). Incremona appeared in six games as a junior, accumulating 29 yards in eight carries, while Manigat made seven appearances, totaling a dozen yards on a dozen carries. McInerney, Matthews, and Moore will be in the mix as well after having productive spring seasons.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Like the halfback situation, the Bullets lost three of their top four receivers from a year ago, but recruiting was kind to the team as a talented bunch of young receivers prepare to make an immediate impact.
While the new wide receivers develop, however, Gettysburg’s primary target downfield will be senior Matt Welsh (Lafayette Hill, Pa./St. Joseph’s Prep), who finished second on the squad in receptions (27), yards (483), and touchdowns (4). Welsh averaged 17.9 yards per catch last fall, tops among Bullets with at least five catches. He will be joined by a pair of returning letterwinners in junior Alex Penta (Swampscott, Mass./Williston Northampton School), who caught five passes for 69 yards last season, and sophomore A.J. Perrotti (Brick, N.J./Brick Township).
At tight end, Streeter will look to returning starter Pete Meggers (Manchester, Conn./Loomis Chaffee School) to lead the way. Meggers excelled in his first full season as a starter in 2006, averaging 28.3 yards over his three catches, including a 30-yard touchdown against the University of Rochester. Meggers will be joined on the end by former quarterback Hunter McMillan (Middletown, Del./Wilmington Friends), who Streeter indicated has made a smooth transition to his new spot, as well as sophomore Steve DeBeer (Dallas, Texas/Highland Park), who saw action in five games as a first-year.
Offensive Line
If the Bullet offense is to three-peat as the conference rushing champion, it will need some of its young offensive linemen to step up and fill their roles quickly. Gettysburg lost two all-conference starters to graduation on a front line that allowed a league-low 11 sacks all of last season.
The offensive line returns its share of experience with Russell and juniors Sam Walthall (Uniondale, N.Y./Woodlands) and Jay Hagerman (Gibsonia, Pa./Hampton). Russell will likely resume his duties at left tackle, while Walthall will fill the same void on the right. Hagerman returns as an offensive guard.
“We lost two starters and our biggest question mark is who is going to fill in,” said Streeter. “We didn’t have a lot of depth last year, but we had some young kids filling in. I believe we’ll be ok, but it’s still a big question.”
Other players that could see time on the offensive line include sophomores Drew Somerville (Great Falls, Va./Landon School), who was the back-up center last fall, Alex Bonder (Mantua, N.J./Gloucester Catholic), and Mike Smith (Gibbstown, N.J./Paulsboro). After spending time on the defensive line, junior Joe Selimo (Boonton Township, N.J./Mountain Lakes) will make the move over to offense to solidify the line.
Defense
The defense was a sore spot for Gettysburg last season as it ranked last in the conference by allowing 375.2 yards of total offense per game. It’s an area the coaching staff spent a great deal of concentration on in the spring and during recruiting.
We need to solidify our rush defense. We’ve been undersized up front for a while, but I believe we improved that through recruiting,” said Streeter. “The big thing with us last year is we didn’t tackle well. We’re an aggressive attack defense and we got in position to make tackles, but we just didn’t make them.”
“I thought in the spring we ran well and moved well,” he added. “You can score all the points you want, but you have to be able to stop somebody. We’re heading in the right direction.”
Defensive Line
The defensive line should see vast improvement with a year of experience behind what was a relatively green group of players last fall. Junior Anthony Pastore (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) is one of the top returnees among the defensive tackles, logging 38 stops last fall, while sophomore Sean Beirne (Ventnor, N.J./Atlantic City) saw action in all 10 games and made a dozen stops, including three for a loss. A strong recruiting class should add both depth and size to the line.
At defensive end, the front-runners are a pair of juniors in Conor Quinn (Rockville, Md./Richard Montgomery) and Josh Jerrold (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury East). Quinn had a good spring according to the coaching staff, and is coming off a year in which he recorded 28 tackles, including three sacks. Jerrold saw action in nine contests last fall and finished among the team leaders with 44 total tackles.
Linebackers
Perhaps the most experience on the field for the Bullets will be at the linebacker positions as the team returns all three starters and a handful of capable back-ups. Leading that attack will be Barton, who has notched 100 or more tackles in each of his last two campaigns and has 11.5 career sacks. He has landed All-CC honors twice, including first-team in 2006, in addition to being named an ECAC Division III Southwest First Team All-Star last fall.
“Harold is an on the field leader from an intensity stand-point,” commented Streeter. “He is intense and passionate, and that intensity inspires his teammates.”
The other two starting spots will likely be filled by Holubowich and sophomore Tim Widdoes (Newark, Del./St. Mark’s). Holubowich copped honorable mention All-League in 2006 after finishing second on the team in total tackles (83) and sacks (3.0), while Widdoes made the most of his opening campaign with 62 tackles – tied for fourth on the team.
Junior Dean Staley (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) and senior Bill Ryan (Rockville Centre, N.Y./Chaminade) return as the most experienced back-ups at linebacker, having appeared in 10 and nine games, respectively, last season and each tallying eight tackles. Additional contributions could be seen from sophomores Tim Flanagan (Cinnaminson, N.J./Cinnaminson), Bruce Evans (Atlantic City, N.J./Saint Augustine Prep), and A.J. Helm (Atco, N.J./Hammonton), who will be making the transition from tailback.
Defensive Backs
The Bullets return a number of players with starting experience in the secondary. Seniors Jason Taylor (North East, Md./Rising Sun) and Adam Fulmer (Halifax, Pa./Halifax) are each returning starters and three-year letterwinners at defensive back. Taylor made 43 stops last season with five pass break-ups, while Fulmer proved to be the biggest nuisance to opposing quarterbacks, picking off a team-high four passes and breaking up nine others.
Senior David Gourley (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) is another veteran in the backfield for the Bullets, having played in each game over the last two seasons. Junior Sean English (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township) and sophomore Kyle Manez (North Massapequa, N.Y./Plainedge) as well as some incoming freshmen will all be in the mix at defensive back.
At safety, Gettysburg returns a pair of starters in Luciano and junior David Rodriguez (Fort Belvoir, Va./Bishop Ireton). Luciano averaged better than 10 tackles per game last fall, while Rodriguez finished third on the team in total tackles with 79, almost half of which were solo efforts. Off the bench, the Bullets will look to returning letterwinners Ian Evans (Hopatcong, N.J./Hopatcong) and Packer Larson (Newark, Del./St. Mark’s) and sophomore Brett Robinson (Chadds Ford, Pa./Archmere Academy – Del.).
Special Teams
Huson earned second-team All-CC accolades last season after converting 7-of-9 field goal attempts. He was perfect on all six of his attempts inside 30 yards, and nailed a season-long 35-yarder against Ursinus. Huson, who tied a school record with a 48-yard field goal as a freshman, also converted 26-of-30 extra point attempts in 2006 and is 44-of-50 in his career.
Punting remains a question mark following the graduation of Ryan Dunn, but Andrew Weingart (New Egypt, N.J./New Egypt) has the inside track after serving as the back-up last year. Weingart will likely resume his role as the team’s kick-off specialist after averaging 55.4 yards with two touchbacks in 2006.
Sturges racked up 229 yards on 10 kick returns last fall and will likely resume those duties once again. Helm and Manigat could see time as return specialists as well after fielding 10 and seven kick returns, respectively, in 2006. The recruiting class could fill the bulk of the void, however, as many of the incoming tailbacks and wide receivers were solid returners in high school.
From the Gettysburg College Website:
GETTYSBURG, Pa. – As the top offensive force in the Centennial Conference last fall, the Gettysburg football team finished 2006 with a .500 record overall (5-5) and in league play (3-3), placing in a tie for third in the final conference standings. This fall’s squad is looking to jump above even ground as it not only returns the bulk of its offensive power, but also features a defensive lineup that will be without just two starters from a year ago. Those facts combined with 40 returning letterwinners and a talented recruiting class make the Bullets a serious contender for the CC title.
“I think we should be better. I believe our approach is better, our confidence is better, and we came out of the season believing we could have been better last year,” said head coach Barry Streeter, who has compiled a career record of 141-137-5 in 28 years at Gettysburg.
Streeter’s outlook should be optimistic considering the types of players returning from last season’s team, including senior captains Tom Sturges (Ridgefield, Conn./Taft School) and Harold Barton (Somerdale, N.J./Sterling), each of whom were named honorable mention All-America by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette. Sturges, a tailback, has led the CC in rushing each of the past two seasons and needs just 258 yards to become just the fifth Bullet with 3,000 yards for a career, while Barton led Gettysburg in both tackles (100) and sacks (5.0) from his outside linebacker position in 2006.
Sturges and Barton may be the headliners on paper, but Gettysburg also returns all-conference picks Josh Huson (McLean, Va./McLean) and James Holubowich (Mineola, N.Y./Mineola) at kicker and linebacker, respectively, as well as senior captains James Russell (Amityville, N.Y./Amityville Memorial) and Kyle Luciano (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph by-the-Sea) and sophomore quarterback Matt Flynn (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional). In all, the Bullets return six starters on offense and nine from the defensive unit.
“We have a pretty good group coming back. It’ll be fun to coach them and fun to watch them this fall,” said Streeter.
The 115th season of Gettysburg football opens at home on Sept. 1 against Lebanon Valley College (6-4 in 2006), which upended the Bullets 13-12 to begin 2006. The Bullets play their only other non-conference game on the following Saturday at Hampden-Sydney College (4-6). Gettysburg ended an eight-game losing streak to the Tigers with a 28-20 victory last fall.
On Sept. 14, the Bullets open an eight-game league slate with its only night game on the schedule at Johns Hopkins University (5-5, 3-3 CC) at 7 p.m. Gettysburg returns home on Sept. 22 against Muhlenberg College (5-5, 2-4 CC) before taking to the road against league runner-up Ursinus College (8-3, 4-2 CC) and CC newcomer Moravian College (4-6) on Sept. 29 and Oct. 6, respectively.
Gettysburg kicks off a three-game home-stand at Shirk Field on Oct. 13 with another new addition to the league, Juniata College (2-8). On Oct. 20, the Bullets face defending CC champion Dickinson College (8-3, 5-1 CC), and following a bye week, they close the home-stand on Nov. 3 against McDaniel College (4-6, 2-4 CC), which came away with a 17-14 victory over the Bullets in 2006. Finishing the schedule is the rivalry game against Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa., on Nov. 10. The Bullets clipped the Diplomats 38-20 last fall, closing the gap in the long-standing rivalry to 42-43-7 in favor of F&M.
“In the last few years, the conference has been tight, and I believe it will be tight again,” said Streeter. “In the last two years we’ve beaten everyone in the conference. It’s not like there’s someone we can’t beat. It’s a consistency thing.”
“We’re in the thick of it I believe,” he added. “If we get a good start, stay healthy, and take it one day at a time, we’re going to compete for that championship.”
Offense
In just two years the Bullet offense went from last in the CC to first in 2006, averaging 24.3 points over 10 contests. Gettysburg also maintained its status as the top rushing team by averaging almost 200 yards per game (199.2) with a league-best 17 touchdowns. The Bullets averaged 361 yards of total offense per game last fall with just over 161 yards coming through the air. Additionally, the offense was sure-handed with the pigskin, committing just 14 turnovers while forcing 21, a turnover margin (+7) twice that of its nearest competitor.
Quarterback
If there is one spot on the field that the coaching staff is most excited about, it may be the quarterback situation. Flynn emerged as one of the top signal callers in the CC last fall, breaking many of Gettysburg’s freshman passing records. He finished with 1,546 passing yards in his debut campaign, marking the third-highest yardage total in Bullet history. He also tossed twice as many touchdowns as interceptions (14-to-7) and led the Centennial Conference in passing efficiency (127.9).
“Matt had a solid freshman year and he’s still learning the game,” said Streeter. “Now that he has a year under his belt, I expect him to have a great fall.”
Junior Mike Lynch (Richboro, Pa./La Salle College) could emerge as the Bullets’ No. 2 option under center, but there are several up-and-coming freshmen and a transfer that will vie for playing time.
Tailback
Once again, all eyes will be on Sturges in the Gettysburg backfield. Twice named All-CC First Team, the Bullet senior posted his second consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2006, gaining a league-best 1,141 yards in nine contests (126.8 ypg). Sturges, who also led the conference in all-purpose yardage (156.1 ypg), eclipsed the 100-yard mark six times last fall, including back-to-back efforts of 186 and 189 against Denison and McDaniel, respectively.
“Tom is a great running back. It seems like all the All-Americans we’ve had at that spot have had a special quality of work ethic and leadership,” Streeter said of his first-team All-League tailback. “Nobody practices harder or finishes things off harder than he does.”
Backing up the all-conference senior will be junior Nick McConnell (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest), who appeared in all 10 games in 2006. Streeter added there are four talented freshmen that could see time at tailback as well.
Halfback
Gettysburg lost each of its top two halfbacks from a year ago, but the squad returns a handful of capable veterans and up-and-comers, making the position one of the team strengths this fall.
Five upper classman return to the fold in 2006: senior Sean Incremona (Selden, N.Y./Centereach) and sophomores Ricky Manigat (Baldwin, N.Y./Baldwin), Michael McInerney (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J./Saint Joseph Regional), David Matthew (Valley Stream, N.Y./South), and Sean Moore (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge). Incremona appeared in six games as a junior, accumulating 29 yards in eight carries, while Manigat made seven appearances, totaling a dozen yards on a dozen carries. McInerney, Matthews, and Moore will be in the mix as well after having productive spring seasons.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Like the halfback situation, the Bullets lost three of their top four receivers from a year ago, but recruiting was kind to the team as a talented bunch of young receivers prepare to make an immediate impact.
While the new wide receivers develop, however, Gettysburg’s primary target downfield will be senior Matt Welsh (Lafayette Hill, Pa./St. Joseph’s Prep), who finished second on the squad in receptions (27), yards (483), and touchdowns (4). Welsh averaged 17.9 yards per catch last fall, tops among Bullets with at least five catches. He will be joined by a pair of returning letterwinners in junior Alex Penta (Swampscott, Mass./Williston Northampton School), who caught five passes for 69 yards last season, and sophomore A.J. Perrotti (Brick, N.J./Brick Township).
At tight end, Streeter will look to returning starter Pete Meggers (Manchester, Conn./Loomis Chaffee School) to lead the way. Meggers excelled in his first full season as a starter in 2006, averaging 28.3 yards over his three catches, including a 30-yard touchdown against the University of Rochester. Meggers will be joined on the end by former quarterback Hunter McMillan (Middletown, Del./Wilmington Friends), who Streeter indicated has made a smooth transition to his new spot, as well as sophomore Steve DeBeer (Dallas, Texas/Highland Park), who saw action in five games as a first-year.
Offensive Line
If the Bullet offense is to three-peat as the conference rushing champion, it will need some of its young offensive linemen to step up and fill their roles quickly. Gettysburg lost two all-conference starters to graduation on a front line that allowed a league-low 11 sacks all of last season.
The offensive line returns its share of experience with Russell and juniors Sam Walthall (Uniondale, N.Y./Woodlands) and Jay Hagerman (Gibsonia, Pa./Hampton). Russell will likely resume his duties at left tackle, while Walthall will fill the same void on the right. Hagerman returns as an offensive guard.
“We lost two starters and our biggest question mark is who is going to fill in,” said Streeter. “We didn’t have a lot of depth last year, but we had some young kids filling in. I believe we’ll be ok, but it’s still a big question.”
Other players that could see time on the offensive line include sophomores Drew Somerville (Great Falls, Va./Landon School), who was the back-up center last fall, Alex Bonder (Mantua, N.J./Gloucester Catholic), and Mike Smith (Gibbstown, N.J./Paulsboro). After spending time on the defensive line, junior Joe Selimo (Boonton Township, N.J./Mountain Lakes) will make the move over to offense to solidify the line.
Defense
The defense was a sore spot for Gettysburg last season as it ranked last in the conference by allowing 375.2 yards of total offense per game. It’s an area the coaching staff spent a great deal of concentration on in the spring and during recruiting.
We need to solidify our rush defense. We’ve been undersized up front for a while, but I believe we improved that through recruiting,” said Streeter. “The big thing with us last year is we didn’t tackle well. We’re an aggressive attack defense and we got in position to make tackles, but we just didn’t make them.”
“I thought in the spring we ran well and moved well,” he added. “You can score all the points you want, but you have to be able to stop somebody. We’re heading in the right direction.”
Defensive Line
The defensive line should see vast improvement with a year of experience behind what was a relatively green group of players last fall. Junior Anthony Pastore (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) is one of the top returnees among the defensive tackles, logging 38 stops last fall, while sophomore Sean Beirne (Ventnor, N.J./Atlantic City) saw action in all 10 games and made a dozen stops, including three for a loss. A strong recruiting class should add both depth and size to the line.
At defensive end, the front-runners are a pair of juniors in Conor Quinn (Rockville, Md./Richard Montgomery) and Josh Jerrold (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury East). Quinn had a good spring according to the coaching staff, and is coming off a year in which he recorded 28 tackles, including three sacks. Jerrold saw action in nine contests last fall and finished among the team leaders with 44 total tackles.
Linebackers
Perhaps the most experience on the field for the Bullets will be at the linebacker positions as the team returns all three starters and a handful of capable back-ups. Leading that attack will be Barton, who has notched 100 or more tackles in each of his last two campaigns and has 11.5 career sacks. He has landed All-CC honors twice, including first-team in 2006, in addition to being named an ECAC Division III Southwest First Team All-Star last fall.
“Harold is an on the field leader from an intensity stand-point,” commented Streeter. “He is intense and passionate, and that intensity inspires his teammates.”
The other two starting spots will likely be filled by Holubowich and sophomore Tim Widdoes (Newark, Del./St. Mark’s). Holubowich copped honorable mention All-League in 2006 after finishing second on the team in total tackles (83) and sacks (3.0), while Widdoes made the most of his opening campaign with 62 tackles – tied for fourth on the team.
Junior Dean Staley (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) and senior Bill Ryan (Rockville Centre, N.Y./Chaminade) return as the most experienced back-ups at linebacker, having appeared in 10 and nine games, respectively, last season and each tallying eight tackles. Additional contributions could be seen from sophomores Tim Flanagan (Cinnaminson, N.J./Cinnaminson), Bruce Evans (Atlantic City, N.J./Saint Augustine Prep), and A.J. Helm (Atco, N.J./Hammonton), who will be making the transition from tailback.
Defensive Backs
The Bullets return a number of players with starting experience in the secondary. Seniors Jason Taylor (North East, Md./Rising Sun) and Adam Fulmer (Halifax, Pa./Halifax) are each returning starters and three-year letterwinners at defensive back. Taylor made 43 stops last season with five pass break-ups, while Fulmer proved to be the biggest nuisance to opposing quarterbacks, picking off a team-high four passes and breaking up nine others.
Senior David Gourley (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) is another veteran in the backfield for the Bullets, having played in each game over the last two seasons. Junior Sean English (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township) and sophomore Kyle Manez (North Massapequa, N.Y./Plainedge) as well as some incoming freshmen will all be in the mix at defensive back.
At safety, Gettysburg returns a pair of starters in Luciano and junior David Rodriguez (Fort Belvoir, Va./Bishop Ireton). Luciano averaged better than 10 tackles per game last fall, while Rodriguez finished third on the team in total tackles with 79, almost half of which were solo efforts. Off the bench, the Bullets will look to returning letterwinners Ian Evans (Hopatcong, N.J./Hopatcong) and Packer Larson (Newark, Del./St. Mark’s) and sophomore Brett Robinson (Chadds Ford, Pa./Archmere Academy – Del.).
Special Teams
Huson earned second-team All-CC accolades last season after converting 7-of-9 field goal attempts. He was perfect on all six of his attempts inside 30 yards, and nailed a season-long 35-yarder against Ursinus. Huson, who tied a school record with a 48-yard field goal as a freshman, also converted 26-of-30 extra point attempts in 2006 and is 44-of-50 in his career.
Punting remains a question mark following the graduation of Ryan Dunn, but Andrew Weingart (New Egypt, N.J./New Egypt) has the inside track after serving as the back-up last year. Weingart will likely resume his role as the team’s kick-off specialist after averaging 55.4 yards with two touchbacks in 2006.
Sturges racked up 229 yards on 10 kick returns last fall and will likely resume those duties once again. Helm and Manigat could see time as return specialists as well after fielding 10 and seven kick returns, respectively, in 2006. The recruiting class could fill the bulk of the void, however, as many of the incoming tailbacks and wide receivers were solid returners in high school.
posted by Pat McConnell | 7:14 PM
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