Heading into last season, expectations were high that the Golden Rams would return to the NCAA playoffs. They exceeded those expectations by finishing the regular season 10-1 and then advanced to the national semi-finals for the second time in school history and first time since 2004. Is it fair for fans to anticipate an encore? With so many key players lost to graduation, it’s certainly a tall order. This 2014 squad seems to have the talent, but they are unproven in so many areas, so it will be a matter of how well that talent is realized and how quickly they can come together.
Offense
Last year’s offense was 32nd best in the country at 461 yards per game. With 6,922 yards on the season, they crushed the West Chester single season record of 5,555 set by 1994’s playoff team. Some would argue that the high total was due to playing 15 games, but it could be equally argued that playing 15 games was due to the high offensive output. This year’s offense will have to overcome the loss of last season’s top rusher and receiver, both which came in the form of Harlon Hill finalist Rondell White (406 carries, 1,989 yards, 21 touchdowns; 75 catches, 843 yards, 3 touchdowns). Graduation has also affected an offensive line that saw all five of its members garner all-conference honors.
Returning at the quarterback position will be Sean McCartney (242-384, 3,569 yards, 34 TD’s, 14 int’s) who was granted a medical redshirt by the NCAA for the 2012 season after he broke his leg in the season opener at Delaware. Everyone saw the composure of Big Red in 2010 when the then redshirt freshman started his first collegiate game on national television and threw for 444 yards and five touchdowns in the double overtime victory against Shippensburg. In 2013, he had one of the best seasons ever by a Golden Ram quarterback and, no doubt, benefited from an offensive line that yielded only 15 sacks and paved the way for almost 2,800 yards rushing. Support from the line and the running game will be critical for success in the passing game. Backing up McCartney will be Andrew Derr (20-34, 398 yards, 4 TD’s). Although Derr has yet to throw a pass at Farrell Stadium, the sophomore led the fourth quarter comeback victory at Shippensburg and started in the thrashing of Cheyney. Pushing for time will be R-Fr. Pat Moriarty and transfer Alec Werner.
West Chester has a stable of talented of running backs, although none has been tested over a full season. Junior Brandon Monk (66 carries, 495 yards, 4 TD’s) has seen most of his time as a return man, but had carries in a dozen games last season. Junior Eddie Elliott (14 carries, 171 yards, 2 TD’s) has been more effective when he gets out in space as is evidence by his receiving numbers (20 catches, 345 yards, 3 TD’s). After last year’s summer camp and this past spring, fans are also excited to see diminutive R-Fr. Jarel Elder make his electric moves in a regular game. It’s quite possible that all three will be required to fill the shoes of White. Expect Camille Max to fill the role of lead blocker coming out of the backfield.
The tight end position has noticeable talent returning. Junior Tim Brown (20 catches, 429 yards, 5 TD’s) missed five games in the middle of last season, but was mainly used as a receiver, while junior Shawn Driggins (4 catches, 17 yards, 3 TD’s) was used primarily for his blocking ability on running plays. The coaches need to either break the predictability of their participation, or they need to be so good at what they do that it doesn’t matter that everyone knows it. Pushing for playing time will be R-Fr. Bill Ford who spent the spring catching for the Golden Ram baseball team.
The line is the biggest question on this 2014 offense. Three of the five starters from last season’s record setting offense are gone. Returning is senior center Derek Schatz and senior guard James Colivas. Of the rest of the O-line, senior Antoine Bland played in every game and sophomore Doug Gilbert saw action in eight games primarily in the jumbo package. The final starter and all of the backups will consist of redshirt freshmen – Michael Unger, Alex Host, Vince Lostracco, Tyler Drob, Evyn Stadulis, and Devan LaBau. While the capability and the durability of last year’s unit preserved redshirt seasons for these five guys, it has the side effect of inexperience this season.
One thing that is almost certain is that if a player lines up as an eligible receiver for West Chester, he is likely to catch a ball. Last year, 13 different guys caught passes, including running backs Monk, Elliott, and Max, and tight ends Brown and Driggins. Among the returning wideouts, senior Erick Brundidge (46 catches, 759 yards, 10 TD’s) is the top deep threat while junior Adam Dempsey (37 catches, 526 yards, 4 TD’s) is known for his ability to make the tough catches over the middle. Sophomores Shannon Mayer (14 catches, 195 yards, 1 TD) and Jim Hurley (3 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD) are almost guaranteed to have more opportunities to demonstrate their capabilities this season. Sophomore A.J. DePietro, R-Fr. Jordan Banks and transfer Mike Doty have yet to register a collegiate catch, but all are big targets for McCartney.
Special Teams
For the first time in several years, the coaching staff has to make some decisions in the kicking game. The best place kicker is school history, Shawn Leo, is gone to graduation. Rich Bruno was an All-Super Region 1 punter last season (39.5 avg, 12 fair catches, 15 inside the 20, 7 50+) and has been reliable in the kickoff game (59.2 avg, 4 touch backs). Although he’s a capable placekicker, he hasn't attempted a collegiate point. And performing all of the kicking duties – kickoff, punting, scoring – is a tall order for any one player. So training camp will be a time to see how Bruno’s role and that of one of the three recruited kickers pans out for the team. While fans may be nervous about a freshman kicker, remember that Leo only missed three kicks – two PAT’s and a 48-yard field goal – in his first season in a West Chester uniform. Junior Charles Kuklinski will serve as a reliable snapper. And don’t expect significant changes in the return game with Monk (22 returns, 654 yards, 1 TD) and Elliott (4 returns, 49 yards) handling kickoff returns and Monk (16 returns, 199 yards) and Elder fielding punts.
Defense
Last year’s defense was definitely a pleasant surprise for the Golden Rams and it propelled them into the postseason. The second half of the season took its toll on the team’s statistical rankings as opponents with strong rushing attacks dropped the Golden Rams from 6th to 60th in rushing yards and from 19th to 45th in total yards. However, the most important aspect is the scoreboard and points allowed stayed fairly even from mid-October until the end of the season with 21.7 points per game.
There’s no secret that West Chester has two of the best linebackers in the conference. Senior captain Ronell Williams (110 tackles, 9.5 TFL’s, 2 interceptions) has received plenty of national attention throughout his career in purple and gold. Fellow captain Mike Labor (105 tackles, 13.0 TFL’s, 1 interception in 14 games) is every bit as good as Williams if not better, but is often unfortunately overlooked perhaps due to his mild mannered demeanor. After last year, Williams received the ECAC Division II Defensive Player of the Year award and was All-Super Region I selection while Labor only eked out second team All-PSAC honors. Awards and recognition aside, they’re both great players and provide a wealth of senior leadership. Fortunately Golden Rams fans will have the pleasure of watching these two work the middle of the field for one final season. Backing up these two will be senior Mike Culbreath (22 tackles, 3.5 TFL’s) and sophomore Ralph Reeves (10 tackles) who both might see time at outside pass rusher. Junior Drew Formica (63 tackles, 6 PBU’s) will be the primary shark/outside linebacker with support from sophomore Byron Cooper (12 tackles, 1 TFL, blocked punt against New Haven) who is back after an injury shortened season.
Long-time fans know the secondary is historically the vulnerable area of the West Chester defense, but this season appears to be a different story. Senior captain Al-Hajj Shabazz (53 tackles, 4 interceptions) received three preseason All-American nods. Sophomore Blaise Schieler (72 tackles, 8 PBU’s) was fifth on the team in tackles last year. Junior Dante Devine (33 tackles, 4 PBU’s in 2012) is back after taking last season off. And transfer graduate students DeOliver Davis and Cory Scott add significant depth in the secondary. Sophomore Kevin Malone (10 tackles) looks to be the starter at strong safety after an injury shortened season last year. He’ll be alongside junior Brandon Pepper (53 tackles, team-high 5 interceptions). Sophomore Pete Galiano (13 tackles) and Holy Cross transfer Kyle Keyser will backup the safety spots.
With a lot of personnel lost from last season, the front four looks to be the biggest question mark on defense. Junior Andrew Cohen (41 tackles, 8.5 TFL’s) was second team All-PSAC last season, but he’s the only current lineman that has started a game. He’s expected to move from tackle to end and be backed up R-Fr. George Shipp. Junior Barry Lyons (11 tackles), sophomore Shaquil Ryder (11 tackles, 2.0 TFL’s, 1 interception) and R-Fr. Josh Ganzelli are on the depth chart as the tackles. The other end will be occupied by R-Fr. John Dubyk and graduate student Jamiel Sims (11 tackles, 2.5 TFL’s).
ConclusionThere’s no secret that West Chester has two of the best linebackers in the conference. Senior captain Ronell Williams (110 tackles, 9.5 TFL’s, 2 interceptions) has received plenty of national attention throughout his career in purple and gold. Fellow captain Mike Labor (105 tackles, 13.0 TFL’s, 1 interception in 14 games) is every bit as good as Williams if not better, but is often unfortunately overlooked perhaps due to his mild mannered demeanor. After last year, Williams received the ECAC Division II Defensive Player of the Year award and was All-Super Region I selection while Labor only eked out second team All-PSAC honors. Awards and recognition aside, they’re both great players and provide a wealth of senior leadership. Fortunately Golden Rams fans will have the pleasure of watching these two work the middle of the field for one final season. Backing up these two will be senior Mike Culbreath (22 tackles, 3.5 TFL’s) and sophomore Ralph Reeves (10 tackles) who both might see time at outside pass rusher. Junior Drew Formica (63 tackles, 6 PBU’s) will be the primary shark/outside linebacker with support from sophomore Byron Cooper (12 tackles, 1 TFL, blocked punt against New Haven) who is back after an injury shortened season.
Long-time fans know the secondary is historically the vulnerable area of the West Chester defense, but this season appears to be a different story. Senior captain Al-Hajj Shabazz (53 tackles, 4 interceptions) received three preseason All-American nods. Sophomore Blaise Schieler (72 tackles, 8 PBU’s) was fifth on the team in tackles last year. Junior Dante Devine (33 tackles, 4 PBU’s in 2012) is back after taking last season off. And transfer graduate students DeOliver Davis and Cory Scott add significant depth in the secondary. Sophomore Kevin Malone (10 tackles) looks to be the starter at strong safety after an injury shortened season last year. He’ll be alongside junior Brandon Pepper (53 tackles, team-high 5 interceptions). Sophomore Pete Galiano (13 tackles) and Holy Cross transfer Kyle Keyser will backup the safety spots.
With a lot of personnel lost from last season, the front four looks to be the biggest question mark on defense. Junior Andrew Cohen (41 tackles, 8.5 TFL’s) was second team All-PSAC last season, but he’s the only current lineman that has started a game. He’s expected to move from tackle to end and be backed up R-Fr. George Shipp. Junior Barry Lyons (11 tackles), sophomore Shaquil Ryder (11 tackles, 2.0 TFL’s, 1 interception) and R-Fr. Josh Ganzelli are on the depth chart as the tackles. The other end will be occupied by R-Fr. John Dubyk and graduate student Jamiel Sims (11 tackles, 2.5 TFL’s).
It's hard to summarize this team in one thought. There's certainly significant senior leadership and plenty of talent at the skill positions, but there are also unknowns and depth concerns at other positions. The schedule is interesting in that New Haven and Mercyhurst provide two good tests, but are certainly winnable games. The next four games provide a bit of a respite to make any necessary adjustments. Then four of the final five games are brutal with three of those on the road. If all goes right, a return to the postseason is a reasonable expectation.
Here's a summary of where the Golden Rams are ranked in the national preseason polls and rating services:
|
Ratings Service |
Rank |
|
Lindy’s |
8 |
|
Beyond Sports Network
|
4
|
|
AFCA
|
10
|
|
Massey
|
19
|
|
D2Football.com
|
11
|
|
Sporting News
|
6
|
|
ComputerRatings.com
|
14
|
D2Football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC East #3: West Chester
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