3. Defensive Line
The D-line lost four seniors including All-PSAC East end Eric Edwers (75 tackles, 11.5 TFL’s, 7.0 sacks) who, last season, was fourth on the team in tackles and led the team in sacks. Also gone are end Chris DiValentino (48 tackles, 9.0 TFL’s), tackle Anthony McCloskey (45 tackles, 6.5 TFL’s) and tackle Demrick Cook (43 tackles, 8.0 TFL’s).
Fortunately, last year’s defensive team played a steady rotation up front. The 2014 unit will be led by All-PSAC East tackle Andrew Cohen (41 tackles. 8.5 TFL’s). Ends Kayo Bakare (27 tackles, 2.0 sacks) and Barry Lyons (11 tackles) saw action in all 15 games and Brian Butler (14 tackles, 2.0 TFL’s) played in 14 contests. Shaquil Ryder (11 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 1 int) and Kavon Johnson (2 tackles, 1.0 sack) also provide experience on the line.
2. Running Back
Okay, it’s no secret, the best player in Golden Ram history and consensus All-American Rondell White completed his college career. But there is plenty of talent at the running back position. In very limited playing time, Brandon Monk racked up almost 500 yards on the ground with a 7.5 yards per carry average and Eddie Elliott averaged over 12 yards per carry. Potentially complicating matters is diminutive but speedy R-Fr. Jarel Elder.
So White’s rushing capability may be replaced, but what made him so effective and problematic for opposing defenses was his ability to catch the ball either out of the backfield, from motion, or lined up outside. After all, last year he did lead the Golden Rams in both receptions (75) and receiving yards (843). Elliott saw a lot of time as a slot receiver last season, nabbing 20 catches for 345 yards and five touchdowns, so he has the potential to replace White’s receiving numbers. It will be interesting to see if Elliott stays at the receiver position where he was quite effective in using his speed to get open and make moves downfield. The coaches will determine what personnel is best utilized in which positions.
However, the main thing that White brought the offense and the team was confidence. When White was in the game, there was a sense of security, a belief that winning was always possible (remember Kutztown and Shippensburg?). The players and the coaches will need to overcome that 2013’s “go to” guy is no longer on the team. Maybe that responsibility shifts to quarterback Sean McCartney or maybe it gets distributed among several guys, but spring is the time to come to grips with that reality.
1. Offensive Line
The 2013 Golden Ram offense set numerous records. While some will claim that the offensive numbers were due to a deep playoff run resulting in playing 15 games, it’s equally justifiable to say that the deep playoff run resulting in playing 15 games was due to the offensive numbers. And while the individual numbers appear next to White’s and McCartney’s names, most of the credit can be attributed to the five men up front. With the exception of James Colivas at winless Cheyney, the unit started all 15 games. Tackles Adam Citko and Justin Bathurst and guard Trey Farmer all received All-PSAC East and ECAC honors. And all were seniors.
Leading the line this season will be team captain and center Derek Schatz and guard Colivas. Joining them will be guard Antoine Bland who played in every game last season and tackle Doug Gilbert who participated in half of last year’s contests. So there are two starters and two others that saw decent playing time. But the offensive line consists of five guys.
The good news last year was the unit was so talented and durable that the coaches were able to preserve redshirts for freshmen. The consequence is that one starter this season will have NO previous playing experience and there is NO experience backing up the starters. This isn’t to say that there isn’t talent among the reserves, just no one with real game snaps under his belt. This spring, expect to see Vince Lostracco, Tyler Drob, Devan LaBau, Michael Unger, Alex Host, and Evyn Stadulis to battle for that fifth spot.
Some may say that replacing the best kicker in Golden Ram history, Shawn Leo, is a question for this team. There’s no doubt that will be a topic of concern. However, for a couple of reasons, it’s not something that will be answered this spring. First, place kicking isn’t something that is especially featured in spring ball. But more pertinent is the fact that Rich Bruno is the only guy on the roster that puts his foot to the ball. So the question about the kicking game this spring has only one potential answer. There are three kickers from near and far that plan on coming to West Chester in the fall, so this topic will be more interesting after the summer solstice.
D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC Spring Football Notebook
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