A Step in the Right Direction
If one were to look at last year's final record of 5-6 in relation to West Chester's storied history of over 500 wins, 20 division championships, eight bowl appearances, and nine NCAA playoff appearances, people would consider that Golden Ram squad subpar. But coming off 2010's record of 4-7, it was a step in the right direction. Besides the obvious one game improvement in the win column (due to the outcome against Slippery Rock), West Chester improved in several ways last season:
- the defense shaved nearly a touchdown and 15 yards rushing per game from its opponents
- offensive rushing yardage increased over ten yards per game
- the defense almost tripled the number of interceptions it snared
- turnover margin fell from -9 to -2
- red zone scoring increased from 78% to 84%
So how will the 2012 team take the next step (or steps) forward from here?
Offense
The primary question going into spring practice was the quarterback position. Much of the 2011 offense incorporated a rotation between Sean McCartney and Northeastern transfer Matt Carroll. Each had unique characteristics and the ability to win, but neither did so consistently. The question between these two was settled early as Carroll was moved to outside linebacker (more on that later). After being challenged all spring by 2010 regular Mike Mattei, Jr. McCartney (104-192, 1,481 yards, 8 TD's) was named the starter by head coach Bill Zwaan. Sr. Mattei (134-242, 1,970 yards, 12 TD's in 2010) will serve as the backup after spending last season at split end. McCartney's main targets will be wide receivers Jr. Tim Keyser (38 catches, 470 yards, 5 TD's) and Jr. LaRonn Lee (31 catches, 569 yards, 6 TD's). Depth will be a concern as Sr. Jim Kelly (3 catches, 30 yards), So. Erick Brundidge (13 catches, 401 yards, 3 TD's), Sr. Sean Beahan (14 catches, 179 yards, 1 TD) and R-Fr. Jay Jabat will backup the wide receiver position. Sr. Justin Curry will return to tight end and will be backed up by R-Fr. Chuck Phelan.
The running game wasn't on display during the spring game, but the coaches know what they have there. The Rams will certainly be looking to get Golden Ram Football Club Player of the Year Jr. Rondell White (141 carries, 701 yards, 9 TD's, 29 catches, 409 yards, 2 TD's) as many touches as possible. White will be pushed by R-Fr. Brandon Monk who was electric in the spring. "Do whatever's necessary" guy Jr. Jared Bonacquisti has been tabbed as the starting fullback with Delaware State transfer Jr. James Rosseau serving as the backup.
As was discussed in the spring, the offensive line has the most change for 2012. Sr. Erik Pratt is the only returning starter at left tackle, although this season's other starters - left guard Jr. Trey Farmer, center Sr. Brian Margetich, right guard Sr. Blair Gower and right tackle Jr. Adam Citko - all saw significant playing time last year. This group must come together and improve on the 32 sacks allowed last year (14th in the conference), as the second unit across the line is very young. The offense will also look to improve on its third down success rate of 36% and reduce its eleven lost fumbles.
Special Teams
On special teams, Monk and White will handle the return duties, while So. Rich Bruno will inherit the punting duties. Jr. Shawn Leo, already the holder of five WCU kicking records (field goals made in a game, field goals made in a season, kicking points in a season, field goal percentage in a season, PAT percentage in a season), will reliably handle that task again. Leo has also shown to come through in the clutch as he's seven for eight in field goals that gave West Chester either a tie or the lead. His only miss in that situation was his first collegiate attempt - a 49-yarder with eight seconds left in the first half at Slippery Rock in 2010.
Defense
Although the Golden Ram defense improved in 2011, there is still much work to do in that area. Conference ranks of 10th in total defense (370 yards per game), 12th in rushing defense (180 yards per game), 12th in sacks (19 total), and 14th in first downs allowed (21.7 per game) all led to 14th in time of possession (almost 32 minutes for WCU's opponents), 13th in red zone defense (81%) and 10th in scoring defense (26 points per game). With eight starters returning, including the top six tacklers from last year's squad, improvement is what is expected.
To address the rushing defense, which over the last two seasons has been yielding 40 yards per game more than during the playoff years of 2004-2008, Zwaan will use a four-man front instead of a three-man front for the first time. At the center of that defensive line will be Jr. Anthony McCloskey (71 tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble return) who has added 25 pounds from his 2011 linebacker weight of 225. Alongside him will be R-Fr. Tylor Unger. The ends will be Sr. Lew Esposito (33 tackles, 8 TFL) and Jr. Eric Edwers (63 tackles, 2.5 sacks), who, like McCloskey, will make the transition from linebacker to lineman. Expect a steady rotation among the front four with Jr. Demrick Cook (13 tackles, 1 sack), Sr. Mike Martin, Jr. John Kilpatrick and R-Fr. Barry Lyons.
After it was decided that Matt Carroll (71-26, 1,113 yards, 11 TD's) would not be playing quarterback in 2012, the challenge came how to use him. Although he was effective running the ball last season (97 carries, 345 yards, 1 TD), the running back spots were already filled by White and Monk. So the coaches decided to move him to the other side of the ball. Carroll is a gifted football player and his nose for the ball showed at linebacker in the spring game as he had five tackles including a sack and a fumble recovery. He will be joined in the middle by So. Mike Labor (60 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2 interceptions, 5 pass breakups and 3 QB hurries) and the Rams' leading tackler So. Ronell Williams (79 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 pass breakup, 3 QB hurries). Jr. Shawn Krautzel (56 tackles, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble), So Mike Culbreath and R-Fr. Drew Persa will make up a relatively young, but athletic linebacking corps.
The secondary is the most experienced unit on the team with six of the projected eight being seniors and the other two having already logged significant playing time. Co-captains Sr. John O'Donnell (31 tackles, 3 interceptions and 1 sack) and Sr. Carl Barnes (63 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 interception and 3 pass breakups) will be the safeties. Backing them up will be Sr. Mike Lonergan (18 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 pass breakup) and Sr. Zach Wood. The corners will be manned by Sr. Bob Sabol (33 tackles, 5 pass breakups) and So. Ali-Haj Shabazz (22 tackles, 3 pass breakups). Sr. Nate Pagan (7 tackles) and So. Dante Devine (19 tackles) also expect to see playing time in the secondary.
Conclusion
With plenty of experience on defense to adapt to a new scheme and 75% of the points returning on offense and special teams, the Golden Rams are poised to take yet another step in the right direction in 2012.
