Lycoming College - Scrimmage Preview

This Saturday the Bullet's travel to Lycoming College for a pre-season scrimmage. Following is the season preview for the Lycoming Warriors as posted in D3Football.com's Kick-off Edition:

Lycoming Warriors

Last playoff appearance: 2003
Last year: 3-7, 3-4 MAC
Last conference title: 2003
2007 NCAA ranking, total offense: 220
2007 NCAA ranking, total defense: 35
Wins increase from 06-07: No change
Preseason ranking: 112 of 239
Players who started camp: 105
Head coach: Mike Clark, first year
Starters returning: 15 (seven offense, six defense, two specialists)

Position battle to watch: Tim Hook and Colin Dwyer split time as the Warriors' starting quarterback last season, and they'll have another chance to win the job during training camp. Hook had more passing yards per game last year (113.7 to 53.9) but also threw more interceptions (13 to 5). Lycoming is focused on finding a quarterback who will make the right decision and avoid turnovers so its running game and defense can win games.

Pressure is on: Special teams must improve so the Warriors can win battles for field position and lean on their steady defense. For example, a combination of poor punts, a bad long snap and a fumbled kick return gave Delaware Valley 16 points in a 31-0 loss last year. The previous week Warrior special teams had three punts and an extra point blocked by Wilkes. Lycoming is optimistic that special teams will improve with Sean Teufel handling punting duties and Scott Erickson handling place kicking. Erickson joined the team last season after originally playing soccer at the College.

Where did he come from? Coach Clark comes to Williamsport from Division I FCS Davidson, where he was the Wildcats' offensive coordinator for eight years. Clark's first head coaching job is a homecoming since he played for Lycoming legend Frank Girardi and coached the offensive line from 1998 to 2000. Clark also spent time under the tutelage of KC Keeler at Rowan and Steve Tosches at Princeton. Those three coaches have a combined 475 career wins.

Their season will be defined by: Oct. 4 at Widener. Like most MAC teams, Lycoming's NCAA playoff hopes hinge on winning the conference title. That may seem like a long shot after going 3-4 in 2007, but the Warriors can show they are serious contenders by beating the defending champions. Widener will still be breaking in a new quarterback, and the last four games between these teams have been decided by eight points or less.

Predicted record: 4-6, 2-5

Capsule: For the first time in 37 years, someone other than Frank Girardi will be Lycoming's head football coach this fall. As mentioned above, Clark is no stranger to Williamsport. Assistant head coach Steve Wiser also provides continuity as he enters his 35th season with the Blue and Gold. More than continuity, Wiser leads the defense that was a staple of the Warriors' success in the Girardi era and is the strongest part of this year's team. The line will be solid with Ted Geurds, Matt Licci and Chris Tribanas who missed all of last season with an injury. Senior Chris Smith will lead an otherwise young group of linebackers. The offense has to improve for the team's record to follow suit. At a minimum, the Warriors have to reduce turnovers from last year's tally of 31, the most in the MAC. Even that number doesn't fully reflect the number of times the defense had to defend a short field because of offensive or special teams mishaps. Lycoming is very high on sophomore running back Josh Kleinfelter who was second team All-MAC last year. Look for the Warriors to feed Kleinfelter and backfield mate Mark Rosa while the passing game finds its way. In addition to identifying a starting quarterback, the staff will use camps to find younger players, perhaps including freshmen, to replenish the wide receiving corps.

Bullets Preview from D3Football.com

Following is the preview of the upcoming Bullets' season as taken from D3Football.com's Kick-off edition:

Gettysburg Bullets
Last playoff appearance: 1985
Last year: 6-5, 5-3 CC
Last conference title: 1985
2007 NCAA ranking, total offense: 44
2007 NCAA ranking, total defense: 126
Wins increase from 06-07: Plus-1
Preseason ranking: 98 of 239
Players who started camp: 110

Head coach: Barry Streeter, 30th year, 147-142-5
Starters returning: 16 (eight offense, seven defense, one specialists)

Position battle to watch: Tailback. Gone is Tom Sturges, the conference's leading rusher a year ago and the second leading rusher in school history. Streeter said there are as many as five candidates to replace Sturges. Among them is senior Nick McConnell, who has 24 touches in his career and is coming off of major knee surgery. Sophomore Jamel Mutunga is also a possibility and would provide a speed option to the Bullets' backfield.

Pressure is on: Quarterback Matt Flynn. With questions in the running game, there will be more pressure on Flynn's shoulders, and Streeter feels that he is ready for it. Flynn has strong fundamentals -- good footwork, strong arm -- but the biggest key is for Flynn to settle down mentally. He will have help in the passing game, as Ricky Manigat and Charles Curcio, two leading receivers from a year ago, return.

Where did he come from? Because of the wealth of returning starters, there will be few chances to crack the lineup. Streeter said he's sure that someone will come out of nowhere, but added he won't have a sense of that until further along in camp.

Their season will be defined by: The second game against Hampden-Sydney, a playoff team from a year ago. The home game will serve as a solid lead-in to the Centennial part of the schedule, which begins with a second straight home game against Johns Hopkins.

Predicted record: 7-3, 6-2

Capsule: Unlike the past few seasons, when the Bullets could count on consistent offense, the questions there make such a bet more risky this year. The defense, mid-pack statistically in 2007, should improve, particularly with an up-and-coming defensive line that returns intact this year. Streeter admits that they were young a year ago, but was excited by what he saw in spring practice. He's also excited about the secondary, which has only one starter back but, Streeter said, is loaded with talent.

D3Football.com Centennial Conference Preview

My annual subscription to D3Football.com's 2008 Season Kick-off became active today. Throughout the season I use the information they provide to preview upcoming opponents.

Today I'll start with their 2008 Centennial Conference Preview:

Centennial Conference
2008 Composite Schedule

2008 preseason conference ranking: 11 of 25
2007 nonconference record: 13-9
2007 playoff record: 1-1

The title could be on the line when: When Muhlenberg visits Bethlehem to play the Greyhounds. The Mules are a clear favorite to win the league title and return to the playoffs. If Moravian can stay healthy, the game could be a crucial late-season matchup -- and a rivalry game, no less.

Pride will be on the line when: When Juniata resumes its series with Susquehanna. The former MAC rivals didn't play last year during the Eagles' first season in the Centennial and the Crusaders' first in the Liberty League. The teams will play in the Battle of the Goalposts; the trophy is a six-foot high piece of the wooden goalposts that were taken from Susquehanna and brought to Juniata following the latter's 12-7 win in 1952.

The player of the year will be: John DeLuca. The running back from Muhlenberg will be crucial in helping the team pound out yards and control the clock.

Look for a breakout from: Michael Maxwell. This Dickinson defensive back will have to step up on a team that lost a standout linebacker to graduation.

Predicted record:

Muhlenberg 10-0, 8-0
Moravian 9-1, 7-1
Gettysburg 7-3, 6-2
Dickinson 6-4, 5-3
Franklin and Marshall 4-6, 3-5
Johns Hopkins 4-6, 3-5
Ursinus 3-7, 3-5
McDaniel 2-8, 1-7
Juniata 0-10, 0-8

Stay tuned there's more stuff to come!

Centennial is loaded with QBs

From today's Harrisburg Patriot-News:

Centennial is loaded with QBs
Muhlenberg the favorite in spirited league race

Sunday, August 24, 2008

BY BOB BLACK
Of The Patriot-News

In China, home of this year's Summer Olympics, this is considered to be The Year Of The Rat.

But in Centennial Conference football, this is considered to be The Year Of The Quarterback.
Big-time.

Schools like Dickinson and Gettysburg, with experienced quarterbacks returning, are expected to make a run at defending Centennial champion Muhlenberg.

But, then again, Muhlenberg has senior Eric Santagato returning, so all roads leading to the Centennial title are expected to go through the Lehigh Valley.

Gettysburg will be the first Centennial team to get a crack at Muhlenberg when the Bullets face the Mules on Sept. 27 in Allentown.

"This league is so well-balanced that it always pays to have experienced people at key positions," said Gettysburg's Barry Streeter, dean of the Centennial coaches in his 30th season.

"We happen to have a pretty good quarterback returning in Matt Flynn [a 6-1, 185-pound junior]. But there are a number of good ones in our league this season."

Included in that list along with Muhlenberg's Santagato and Gettysburg's Flynn are Dickinson junior Ian Mitchell; Moravian senior Marc Braxmeier; Ursinus senior Nick Dye; and Juniata senior Jay Leonard from Big Spring, who passed for a league-leading 2,360 yards and 15 touchdowns despite his team's 1-9 record last season.

For Leonard, who quarterbacked winning teams at Big Spring before attending Juniata, this is a last chance to give the Eagles a .500 season.

"It's been kind of frustrating," said Leonard, who is one of 14 midstate players with Juniata.

"We've been so close in so many situations since I've been here. I'd really like to go out of here with a winning season."

Juniata went 0-8 in the Centennial last year, beating only Gallaudet in a season-ending nonleague game.

Dickinson, which won the Centennial title two seasons ago, then finished second to Muhlenberg last year, is expected to have another big season from Mitchell, who replaced graduated Matt Torchia at that position last season.

Two years ago as a freshman, Mitchell was a major offensive contributor as a receiver, return specialist and all-around back.

"He's the kind of player you need to have in there as much as possible," said Dickinson coach Darwin Breaux, who is just four victories away from 100 for his career.

"He [Mitchell] knew when Torchia graduated he would be our starting quarterback the following season, and he has done the job we expected him to do since taking over."

"I'm much more comfortable coming in as the starting quarterback this season," Mitchell said.
"It always helps to have a season behind you."

Mitchell was second-team All-Centennial last season, passing for 2,213 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushing for 823 yards and seven scores.

The Red Devils, who lead off against Grove City at Biddle Field, Sept. 6, will host Franklin & Marshall when the two meet for the 100th time Sept. 19 in a Friday night game. F&M leads the series 59-37-3, but Dickinson has won the last four meetings, including last year's 28-21 decision.

In addition to the Dickinson-F&M Conestoga Wagon meeting, there will be several other top Centennial games, including the Gettysburg at Muhlenberg matchup, Gettysburg at Dickinson Oct. 25, Muhlenberg at Dickinson Nov. 1 and Franklin & Marshall at Gettysburg Nov. 15.

"It's good to have tough games with teams like F&M, Gettysburg and Muhlenberg at home," Dickinson's Breaux said.

"But in our league, there really are no easy games. From top to bottom there is very little difference in the opponents, and we prepare for each game that way."

In addition to Mitchell, other offensive leaders for Dickinson this season should be running backs Tim Smith and Tim Wells and receivers Pat O'Conner and Gray Gish.

Defensively, the Red Devils have linebacker Ben Hargrave and back Mike Maxwell, who are the captains.

Gettysburg, which will be playing without conference rushing leader Tom Sturges, who gained more than 4,000 yards in his career, will have Flynn (who threw for 1,535 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 419 yards and two scores).

Senior Nick McConnell from Cedar Crest is one of four tailbacks seeking to take over Sturges' job. Sophomore Sebastian Sullivan from Bishop McDevitt and senior Anthony Pastore give the Bullets two returning starters at defensive tackle.

In the preseason poll of coaches from the Centennial Conference, Muhlenberg, Dickinson and Ursinus were picked 1-2-3.

Bullets Prepare for Centennial Conference Title Run

Welcome to the 2008 Gettysburg College Bullets Football Season! The following was recently posted on the Gettysburg College Website:

Football Prepares for Centennial Conference Title Run

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Coming off one of their best seasons in several years, a deep and experienced Gettysburg College football team will take to the gridiron with high hopes in 2008.

Behind their trademark spread-wing offense and an improved defense, the Bullets asserted themselves as a legitimate threat in the Centennial Conference in 2007. The team was in contention for a conference title up until the ninth game of the season and finished in a tie for third in the final CC standings. The Bullets also earned their first postseason berth in 22 years when they were selected to play in the ECAC Southwest Bowl. In addition, head coach Barry Streeter’s troops assembled the team’s first winning record in 13 years, finishing 6-5.

In the Centennial Conference Preseason Poll, the Bullets were picked to finish sixth among nine teams and received two first-place votes.

“I believe they’re up to the challenge of competing for a conference championship,” said Streeter, who enters his 30th season at the helm. “I think our team has matured and is ready to take another step. That’s been our focus since our season ended last fall.”

Streeter feels as his team’s ECAC bowl game appearance was an important part of his team’s development.

“Mentally, it gave them the feeling of being a postseason team and not being satisfied with just playing 10 games,” said Streeter.

The Bullets will enter camp with one of its deepest teams ever, as 115 Bullets currently dot the roster. Included in that number are 40 returning lettermen and 16 returning starters, providing the team with incredible stability.

“We have a lot of guys coming back who have played a lot,” noted Streeter. “I really like our senior class – they have really shown great leadership in spring practice and throughout the whole offseason program, and that’s such a big key.”

Offensively, the Bullets face the challenge of replacing all-America tailback Tom Sturges, the second-leading rusher in school history. However, the team does return seven offensive starters, including a two-year starting quarterback in junior Matt Flynn (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional) and four of five linemen.

Gettysburg brings back six starters on the defensive side of the ball, led by all-conference defensive ends Josh Jerrold (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury East) and Conor Quinn (Rockville, Md./Richard Montgomery). The duo will help form one of the most intimidating front lines in the conference after combining for 15.5 sacks and 30 tackles for loss in 2007.

The kicking game is also in good hands with the return of senior Josh Huson (McLean, Va./McLean), a two-time all-conference selection who tied the school record for single-season field goals (12) in 2007.

The Bullets’ 2008 schedule closely resembles its 2007 docket, as it will face all of the same 10 opponents from a year ago with home fields reversed. The season opens up with a non-conference game at Lebanon Valley, with the home opener to follow against 2007 Old Dominion Athletic Conference champion Hampden-Sydney. The Bullets open their Centennial Conference slate in Week 3 when they host Johns Hopkins on Homecoming, and one week later they take on defending conference champion Muhlenberg in Allentown.

Back-to-back home games ensue against Ursinus and Moravian before the team hits the road for three straight contests over a four-week period against Juniata, Dickinson, and McDaniel. The Bullets close out the regular season at home against Franklin & Marshall.

OFFENSE
Gettysburg has earned a reputation as one of the most explosive offensive teams in the conference and the 2007 season was no exception, as the Bullets led the conference in rushing (248.6 ypg) and total offense (404.7 ypg) while finishing second in scoring offense (29.5 ppg). The Bullets racked up over 400 yards of offense in seven of its 11 games, including a season-high 537 yards against Lebanon Valley. In addition, the team’s offensive line allowed a league-low 12 sacks.

QUARTERBACK
A team captain, Flynn returns for his third season as the team’s starting signal-caller after a pair of productive seasons. An excellent passer who is also a threat to run the ball, Flynn threw for 1,535 yards and 10 touchdowns last season while finishing as the team’s second-leading rusher, scrambling for 419 yards and a pair of TDs, including a 49-yarder.

“Anytime you return your starting quarterback and he’s a solid player, it’s a plus,” said Streeter. “He had an excellent spring, and he really improved his footwork and accuracy. His leadership has also come around – he was voted a captain as a junior, which says a lot about him.”

Mike Lynch, Flynn’s backup from last season, did not return this year, but Streeter expects sophomore Billy Giannone (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth) will step up to fill that role after a solid spring. Freshmen Brad Levine (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Spackenkill) and Kyle Whitmoyer (Arendtsville, Pa./Biglerville) will also vie for time under center.

TAILBACK
The Bullets will certainly miss Sturges, the reigning Centennial Conference Offensive Player of the Year who finished his career as just the fourth 4,000-yard rusher in conference history. However, Streeter feels as if there are several players who are more than capable of filling the void.

“We had four different tailbacks competing for that spot in the spring,” said Streeter. “And I really believe they could all become very good players.”

Not included in that number is senior Nick McConnell (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest), who missed the second half of the 2007 season and the entire spring due to a knee injury. However, McConnell showed promise as Sturges’s backup early last year, rushing for 78 yards on 17 carries.

Other Bullets who will be in the mix include sophomores Jamel Mutunga (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air), Anthony DeSalva (Redding, Conn./Joel Barlow), Bryan DiSabato (Cedarhurst, N.Y./Lawrence), and Justin Joseph (Fairfax Station, Va./Bishop Ireton).

Mutunga, quite possibly the team’s fastest player, filled in for an injured Sturges in the final regular season game of the year and rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns. DeSalva also gained experience on the varsity squad, carrying the ball 10 times for 21 yards and one touchdown while DiSabato and Joseph provide additional depth.

“One of the biggest focuses for us will be determining who our tailback is, or if we are going to rotate a couple different players,” said Streeter. “It is going to be a tough position to fill because of who left, but I still feel as if we’ll be able to run the ball well.”

WING
The Bullets are well-stocked at wing back, where three players who started at some point last season return in sophomore Charles Curcio (Hammonton, N.J./St. Joseph), junior Ricky Manigat (Baldwin, N.Y./Baldwin), and junior Michael McInerney (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J./Saint Joseph Regional).

“Those three guys rotated in and out throughout the year,” said Streeter. “They all have good speed and they all have experience. Plus, we have a few other guys who are coming along.”

Curcio turned in an outstanding freshman campaign in which he established himself as one of the top playmakers in the Centennial Conference, racking up 947 all-purpose yards over 10 games as a wing back/return specialist. He rushed for 207 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, and five touchdowns while hauling in 14 passes for 206 yards and an additional TD. He was also the team’s top return threat.

Manigat also enjoyed a solid season in his first year as a starter, finishing second on the team in receiving with 23 catches for 278 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 192 yards and a pair of touchdowns. McInerney started the first three games of the season and finished with 125 yards rushing and 116 yards receiving.

Another player who could figure into the team’s plans at wing is junior Sean Moore (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge), who caught three passes for 15 yards in his only appearance last season.

WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END
The Bullets will have some holes to fill at wide receiver and tight end with the loss of Matt Welsh, a career 1,000-yard receiver who led the team with 28 catches in 2007, and Pete Meggers, a two-year starter at tight end.

At receiver, the top three candidates to take over the starting job coming out of spring ball were sophomores Brian Betley (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape), Gavin Jablonski (Allenwood, Wall), and Eddie Pinkerton (Montoursville, Pa./Loyalsock).

Betley is coming off a promising freshman season in which he caught eight passes for 165 yards and one while Jablonski and Pinkerton impressed the coaching staff with a solid spring.

The tight end position will likely be held by junior A.J. Perrotti (Brick, N.J./Brick Township) or junior David Rodriguez (Fort Belvoir, Va./Bishop Ireton). Perotti played in 10 games last season, mostly on special teams, while Rodriguez will make the move from safety to tight end.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Gettysburg’s offensive line will nearly remain intact from last season with the return of four starters.

Senior guard Lou Mastrini (Washington, D.C./Blue Ridge School (Va.)), an Honorable Mention All-Centennial Conference selection, sophomore center Matt DeFranco (Sewell, N.J./Washington Township), junior guard Alex Bonder (Mantua, N.J./Gloucester Catholic), and senior tackle Sam Walthall (Uniondale, N.Y./Woodlands) will team up to give the Bullets one of the most experienced front lines in the conference. The only vacancy is at left tackle, where sophomore Julius Jackson (Baltimore, Md./Randallstown) appears to be the front-runner to replace first team all-conference graduate James Russell.

“Our offensive line is going to be a very solid position for us,” said Streeter. “We lose a real good player at left tackle, but we’ve got several guys who we think can fill that spot.”

DEFENSE
Despite struggling at times, Gettysburg’s defense showed improvement and even flashes of brilliance during the 2007 season. After finishing last in the conference in total defense in 2006, the Bullets were sixth among nine teams a year ago at 355.2 yards per game in 2007. But the Bullet “D” was dominant at times, holding Ursinus College to a touchdown in a 21-7 win, limiting eventual conference champion Muhlenberg College to 14 points in a one-point loss, and allowing just 224 total yards in a 41-10 victory at Johns Hopkins.

“I’m really optimistic about our defense as well,” said Streeter. “I think our defensive front is a big plus. Our ends are very good, and we’ve got three or four tackles who have played a lot. I also think our linebacking corps, as a group, can be very good. And I feel really good about the potential of our defensive secondary. We just need to be more consistent defensively, and I believe we will with confidence.”

DEFENSIVE LINE
Pressuring the quarterback should not be a problem for the Bullets with the return of seniors Jerrold and Quinn. A Second Team All-Centennial Conference selection, Jerrold led the team with 8.0 sacks and was fourth on the squad with 63 tackles, including 13.5 for loss. Quinn, an honorable mention all-conference pick, racked up 7.5 sacks and was third among the Bullets with 80 tackles. He also led the team with 16.5 tackles for loss.

Gettysburg also brings back its two starting defensive tackles in senior Anthony Pastore (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) and sophomore Sebastian Sullivan (Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt). A three-year starter, Pastore posted 25 tackles while Sullivan, who started six games, finished with 30 takedowns. Also returning is junior Sean Beirne, who started five games and recorded 19 tackles.

LINEBACKERS
The Bullets lost a pair of outstanding linebackers due to graduation in Harold Barton and Jim Holubowich. However, the team does return junior outside linebacker Tim Widdoes (Newark, Del./St. Mark’s), a two-year starter and the team’s second-leading tackler (85) from a year ago.
The frontrunners for the remaining two spots will likely be junior Joe Anthes (Hopatcong, N.J./Hopatcong), senior Dean Staley (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown), and junior A.J. Helm (Atco, N.J./Hammonton). Anthes played in all 11 games a year ago and recorded 14 tackles while Staley made nine hits in six games. Helm also appeared in every game and made eight tackles.

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Gettysburg’s defensive secondary was also hit hard by graduation, claiming three of last year’s starters. The lone returning starter is sophomore safety Nick Duerr (Turnersville, N.J./Washington Township), who posted an impressive freshman campaign. Duerr, who started nine games, tied for seventh on the team in tackles with 45 and also made three interceptions. Several Bullets will contend for the other safety spot, including sophomore Mike Barrett (Selinsgrove, Pa./Lewisburg).

At cornerback, sophomores John Dickerson (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional), Justin Blass (Jamesport, N.Y./Riverhead), Norbie Pendergast (Tenafly, N.J./Tenafly) and Tairi Mobley (Williamstown, N.J./Williamstown) are among the players who will compete for a starting job. Dickerson, Blass, and Mobley all received significant playing time on special teams a year ago, and Streeter is highly optimistic that all four have the potential to be strong players.

SPECIAL TEAMS
In Huson, the Bullets bring back one of the top kickers in the Centennial Conference. The senior has showed excellent consistency throughout his career, drilling 23-of-36 field goals and 82-of-89 extra points. Last season, he made 12-of-19 field goals and 38-of-39 extra points on his way to earning Second Team All-Centennial Conference honors.

The starting punter job is open, but Betley is likely to take over. Filling in against Moravian, he punted twice for 93 yards, including a 60-yard boot, the team’s longest punt of the season.

Curcio and sophomore Stephen Gass (Crozet, Va./Western Albemarle) both return after serving as the team’s primary return specialists last season. Curcio led the team in both punt (17) and kick (15) returns, averaging 11.1 yards per punt return (including a 56-yard touchdown return) and 23.1 yards per kick return. Gass was second on the team in both punt and kick returns and averaged 4.4 and 13.6 yards per return, respectively. Other Bullets who could contribute are Mutunga, who averaged 16.1 yards on seven kick returns, and DiSabato, who averaged 21.0 yards on four kick returns.

Centennial Conference Preseason Football Poll
School (First-Place Votes), Points

1. Muhlenberg (14), 126
2. Dickinson, 98
3. Ursinus, 90
4. Johns Hopkins (2), 86
5. Moravian, 77
6. Gettysburg (2), 72
7. Franklin & Marshall, 52
8. McDaniel, 29
9. Juniata, 18