Player News - Pro Prospects from the 2014 Golden Rams

College Football Analyst Josh Buchanan recently released his Division II Pro Hopefuls list and five Golden Rams appear on the list. Cornerback Al-Hajj Shabazz is tops among West Chester players, checking in at #8 on the list of 200 players. Buchanan identified his "natural skills" and the fact that Hajj is "a great kid that can be counted on to do the right thing" He projects Hajj to be a priority free agent and not out of the question if he gets drafted. After this past season, Hajj was named All-PSAC East, first team Daktronics All-Super Region 1, first team Beyond Sports Network All-Super Region 1, second team Beyond Sports Network All-American, an ECAC Division II Football All-Star, a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award, first team D2football.com All-American, first team Don Hansen Football Gazette All-Super Region 1, and first team Don Hansen Football Gazette All-American.

Sitting at #71 on Buchanan's list is inside linebacker Ronell Williams. Despite missing three games this past season due to a malicious injury, Williams still received a host of honors including first team All-PSAC East, second team Daktronics All-Super Region 1, honorable mention Beyond Sports Network All-Super Region 1, first team Don Hansen Football Gazette All-Super Region 1 and third team Don Hansen Football Gazette All-American.

From the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Sean McCartney appears at #89 on the list. As a senior, McCartney was named first team All-PSAC East, first team Daktronics All-Super Region 1, Daktronics Super Region 1 Offensive Player of the Year, first team Beyond Sports Network All-Super Region 1, second team Beyond Sports Network All-American, third team AP Little All-America Team, an ECAC Division II Football All-Star, ECAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year, honorable mention D2football.com All-American, first team Don Hansen Football Gazette All-Super Region 1, and Don Hansen Football Gazette All-Super Region 1 Offensive Player of the Year. McCartney also finished fifth in the Harlon Hill voting.

Wide Receiver Erick Brundidge appears on Buchanan's list at #139. "Flav" finished 2015 with 40 catches for 798 yards for a 19.95 yards per catch average and eight touchdowns.

Finally, center Derek Schatz appears at #151 on the list. Schatz was named first team All-PSAC East, second team Beyond Sports Network All-Super Region 1, fourth team Beyond Sports Network All-American, third team Don Hansen Football Gazette All-Super Region 1 and All-ECAC. He was also a nominee for the Gene Upshaw Award. At the NFL Regional Combine in Chicago held in March, Schatz was first among offensive linemen in vertical jump with 30" and second in broad jump at 8.5 ft.

All five that appear on this list along with defensive backs Cory Scott and DeOliver Davis participated in Villanova's Pro Day.

Elsewhere in professional football, former Golden Ram wide receiver Dan DePalma is in camp with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

D2football.com - 2015 NFL Draft Thin on Top End D2 Talent

6abc.com - West Chester's Shabazz Eyes on the NFL Draft

Player News - Jordan Sadusky Introduced at Spring Game

Jordan Sadusky (Rancocas Valley) was introduced as an incoming recruit at the Purple-Gold game this past Saturday. At 6'4, 205lbs, Sadusky was a dual threat quarterback for the Red Devils, but his size and athleticism means he might be a wide receiver for the Golden Rams. As a junior, he threw for over 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns. His passing numbers tapered off in his senior season as he was 38 of 96 for 749 yards and 11 touchdowns, but he also ran for 499 yards and seven scores in an injury shortened season.

- 2014 First Team West Jersey Football League Colonial Division

The Trentonian - Rancocas Valley’s title drought continues, drops SJ V final to Cherokee

CourierPostOnline - Football Friday: Q&A with Jordan Sadusky

2014 Highlight Video

Player News - Matt Hook Introduced at Spring Game

At Saturday's Spring Game, Matt Hook (Fleetwood) was introduced as an incoming recruit to the West Chester University football team. The 6-4, 210lb kicker/punter helped the Tigers to a 7-5 finish and an appearance in the Eastern Conference Class AAA finals. Converting two field goals and 56 PAT's, he was the highest scoring pure kicker in Berks County with 62 points. As a junior, he converted nine field goals and 36 PAT's. In his four year high school career, he converted 18 of 23 field goals and 124 PAT's for a total of 178 points. His 43-yard field goal this past season forced overtime in the playoffs. Hook was also an All-Conference soccer player for the Fleetwood team that advanced to the state semi-finals and MVP for the Tigers' basketball team where he averaged almost 15 points per game this past season.

- 2014 Honorable Mention All Berks County (Kicker)
- 2014 Second Team All Berks Football League Section 2 (Kicker)
- 2014 Honorable Mention All Berks Football League Section 2 (Punter)
- 2014 Berks County Football Coaches Association All-Academic Team
- 2013 Honorable Mention All-EasternPAFootball.com Big School (Kicker)
- 2013 First Team All Berks Football League Section 2 (Kicker)
- 2013 Honorable Mention All Berks Football League Section 2 (Defensive Back)
- 2013 Berks County Football Coaches Association All-Academic Team
- 2012 Berks County Football Coaches Association All-Academic Team

republicanherald.com - Blue Mountain downs Fleetwood for title in shootout

2014 Highlight Video

Player News - Lex Rosario to Play for the Golden Rams

At Saturday's Spring Game, Lex Rosario (Delaware Valley) was introduced as an incoming recruit to the West Chester University football team. The 6-0, 200lb athlete played running back and wide receiver for the Warriors, but is likely to play defensive back for the Golden Rams. Rosario rushed for over 1,875 yards and 17 touchdowns this past season, as Delaware Valley won the District 2 AAAA Championship before falling in the District 2/4/11 subregional and finishing 10-2. He was nominated for Fiore Cesare Award which recognizes academic achievement, ability and attitude. Rosario was also a Mr. PA Football Big School Nominee and is an all-region track and field athlete as well.

- 2014 WNEP-TV Super 16 Dream Team
- 2014 First Team NortheastPAFootball District 2 (Offense)
- 2014 First Team Lackawanna Football Conference Division 1 (Offense)
- 2014 First Team Lackawanna Football Conference Division 1 (Defense)
- 2013 First Team Lackawanna Football Conference Division 1 (Offense)

I have officially committed to West Chester University #WCUcommit #saftey #Headhunter 🐑🏈 pic.twitter.com/LwAiJkBDKp

— LEX (@lexrosario2) March 30, 2015

thetimes-tribune.com - Delaware Valley-Wyoming Valley West set for classic rematch

thetimes-tribune.com - Athlete of the Week: Delaware Valley's Lex Rosario

thetimes-tribune.com - Delaware Valley’s Lex Rosario

WNEP-TV - Super 16 Dream Team

2014 Highlight Video

2015 Spring Game Report - Gold 34 - Purple 3

In a game that was as lopsided as the score indicates, Gold pounded Purple 34-3 in front of a nice crowd on a glorious spring day. Unlike many spring games which employ modified rules, head coach Bill Zwaan uses conventional football rules with the exception of no kickoffs and no punt returns. The Purple team consisted of the first team offense and the second team defense while the Gold team was the first team defense and the second team offense.

When the game opened with Purple going three-and-out, there was an immediate uneasiness. After all, last year's team scored touchdowns on their opening possession in nine of its 13 games. And none of the other four first drives ended in three-and-outs. Following Purple's punt (with no return), Gold's first play found quarterback Alec Werner rolling out before tossing a 46-yard completion to Shannon Mayer. And the question was voiced - "Who's going to be starting quarterback?"

This wouldn't be a point of discussion except for the suspension of Andrew Derr due to an off the field incident a month ago. While Derr's long-term status is undetermined at this point, it is almost certain that he won't be under center when the team opens against Lenoir-Rhyne on September 3 at Farrell Stadium. So coming into spring practice it was discussed that there was a lack of experience at the position. In the team's two spring scrimmages, the first team offense faced the second team defense and vise versa. While Pat Moriarty was practicing with the first team offense and looked okay, it was hard to get a sense of how Werner was performing, since the first team defense simply overwhelmed the youthful second team offensive line in front of him. So the Spring Game was an opportunity for him to play on equal footing. And he performed well.

It wasn't so much Werner's numbers - he finished 7 of 15 for 189 yards and two touchdowns. But his decisions seemed spot on as he rushed five times for 45 yards and a score, including a 16-yard scamper on second and 15. On Gold's third possession, he found Mayer wide open over the middle only to have Mayer drop the pass. But on the very next play, Werner did not hesitate to go back to his favorite target, with Mayer hauling in the reception and going on to complete the 56-yard play in the end zone. Mayer finished with four catches for 134 yards and a score. The running game for Gold saw Anthony Brown pick up 52 yards on five carries before leaving with an apparent minor right hamstring injury. But Mike Class carried ten times for a total of 34 yards and a touchdown, including a couple of spirited runs.

Connor Walsh and James Rusenko help celebrate Mike Class' touchdown
(Photo Bert Garbutt)

For the Purple offense, Moriarty finished 18 of 37 for 222 yards, but 88 of those yards went to Jarel Elder who came out of the backfield and took advantage of the linebacker who had little chance of covering the speedster. Moriarty did find Eddie Elliott in one-on-one coverage and completed a 41-yard pass to him. But he also threw an interception Corey Kelley returned 40 yards for a touchdown. The only thing that prevented Purple from being shut out was a 25-yard Ben Solis field goal. Unfortunately Solis later missed a 38-yard attempt.

Corey Kelley prepares for the fade attempt to Jordan Banks (Photo Bert Garbutt)

Defensively for Gold, the line played well as Andrew Cohen, Josh Ganzelli and Byron Cooper each registered a sack while young ends John Dubyk and George Shipp shared one. Sean Steinmetz and Drew Formica each had five tackles. For Purple, Jeremy Irving led the way with seven tackles. Nydair Rouse had three tackles and an interception while Shaquil James had four tackles and a pass breakup.

After the first half, many wondered if there would be a change at the top signal caller once summer camp rolled around. But it appears the change had been made by the end of the third quarter. On Purple's last two possessions, Werner donned the red jersey and got an opportunity to play with the first team offense. He completed a 19-yard pass to Eerin Young and a 21-yard strike to Jared Reed, but lost a fumble when he was sacked by Ganzelli.

The 2015 recruiting class was introduced at halftime (Photo Bert Garbutt)

Box Score

West Chester Athletic Site - Gold Tops Purple In Annual Spring Game, 34-3

Daily Local News - Werner shines at QB in WCU’s Purple-Gold game

Event News - 2015 Spring Game

The annual Purple-Gold spring football game will be held this Saturday at noon in Farrell Stadium. The game is the culmination of three weeks of spring practice and is part of WCU Ram Spirit Day.

After the spring game, stop by Timothy's in the Parkway Shopping Center in West Chester for a post-game gathering.

Team News - 2015 Second Spring Scrimmage Report

Anthony Brown reaches for a touchdown (Photo Bert Garbutt)

Pat Moriarty surveys the field (Photo Bert Garbutt)

Tight end Connor McGrath was a frequent target (Photo Bert Garbutt)

Coach Furling gets out of the way as Cameron Strauss returns an interception (Photo Bert Garbutt)

Seven referees watch Ryan Fay score (Photo Bert Garbutt)

Ben Solis kicks out of the hold of Brendan Paulison (Photo Bert Garbutt)

Stephen Harrison looks to get downfield to stop Adam Dempsey
(Photo Bert Garbutt)

The Golden Rams' Spring Game is scheduled for Saturday at noon.

KYW Newsradio - Spring Of Transition For West Chester University Football

Alumni News - McDermott Hitting Homers

Former Golden Ram football captain and fullback Brian McDermott is participating in a fundraiser for Homers for Hope again this year. Homers for Hope's primary mission is to provide financial assistance to families that have suffered a traumatic life event. They were instrumental in supporting Brian and his family after the accident that cost Brian one of his legs in May 2013 and this is his way of paying it forward. Last year, Brian and his teammate John O'Brien finished third in the competition and raised over $2,000 in the effort.

Brian will partake in a home run hitting contest on June 13 at Campbell’s Field in Camden, NJ. Golden Ram fans can sponsor Brian in the event by making a donation on his secure donation page.

Daily Local News - After losing leg two years ago, former WCU star Brian McDermott turned to coaching to stay in the game

Team News - 2015 First Spring Scrimmage Report

• The spring always provides opportunities for players that were behind seniors on the depth chart the previous season. But injuries can extend those opportunities to the next level of players. Nowhere is this more evident than at linebacker. Mike Labor and Ronell Williams were four year starters and rightfully so. But with Ralph Reeves and Dan Sherry not participating this spring, rising sophomores Sean Steinmetz and Kevin Duggan are getting first team snaps. Both Steinmetz and Duggan received some playing time last season, but the additional time on the field this spring will surely accelerate their development.
  
  

Jarel Elder slips a tackle on his way to the end zone (Photo Bert Garbutt)

• At 6-3, 230lb, Ryan Fay has shown he can be an effective run blocker. So many of the 100+ spectators were pleasantly surprised to see him streak down the middle of the field for a nice catch. He was stripped of the ball, but fortunately recovered. Fumbles and dropped passes were far too common on the day. Chalk it up to the first scrimmage for the spring.
  
  

Shaquil James returns an interception (Photo Bert Garbutt)

• Team captain Andrew Cohen was the most familiar face on the defensive line. Cohen was back inside at tackle along with Ben Smith who was filling in for Barry Lyons. Along with George Shipp and John Dubyk playing end, the first team defensive line dominated the second team offensive line, so much so that it was hard to evaluate Alec Werner at quarterback. Also at defensive end, Byron Cooper looks very athletic and Ch'aim Smith was knocking down passes again this camp.
  
  

Alec Werner leading the charge (Photo Bert Garbutt)

• Nydair Rouse made a nice leaping interception of a long Pat Moriarty pass. Rouse is yet another player trying to leverage his speed and athleticism over his youth. But that's what spring ball is for.
  
  

The ref saw A.J. DiPietro push off to make this catch (Photo Bert Garbutt)

The team has a scrimmage tentatively scheduled for Saturday at 10:00 am.

Team News - Spring Practice 2015

• With Sean McCartney completing his eligibility this past fall and Andrew Derr suspended due to a recent incident, there's a sudden dearth at quarterback. Although James Rusenko is a senior, he's seen limited action in his West Chester career, due to injury and McCartney, and was observed only stretching and running on Saturday. The most experienced signal caller in camp is red-shirt sophomore Alec Werner who was 176-300 for 1,804 yards, 13 TD's and 13 interceptions as a true freshman two years ago at Kutztown and red-shirted last season at West Chester. There's one thing that Rusenko, Werner, red-shirt sophomore Pat Moriarty and red-shirt freshman Dave Fithian all have in common - none has yet to throw a pass in a game as a Golden Ram.
  
  
• The exact opposite problem exists at running back however. Rising senior and captain Brandon Monk was first team All-PSAC East and will no doubt be the top option. But Rhode Island transfer Eerin Young will join speedster Jarel Elder and red-shirt freshman Mike Class who was an All-State ball carrier in high school. Clearing some room in the backfield is Eddie Elliott who worked out with the receivers. Elliott was second team All-PSAC East last season, but was very effective in the slot making 26 catches for 328 yards. He's the second leading returning receiver behind tight end Tim Brown.
  
  

• Two years ago, it appeared that linebacker Justice Smith was coming to West Chester, but then decided to walk on as a Delaware Blue Hen. After red-shirting as a freshman and not seeing game action as a sophomore, Smith transferred to West Chester and is in spring camp with three seasons of eligibility expected.
  
  
• On Saturday it looked as if kicker Blaise Toroni packed on 60 pounds to his 5'7" frame, but then it was learned that his #49 was being worn by Stony Brook transfer Ben Solis. A high school teammate of current Golden Ram captain Andrew Cohen at Council Rock South, Solis was first team All-Southeastern PA as a punter and first team All-Suburban One National as both a punter and a kicker. At Stony Brook, Solis red-shirted his first season and only kicked off in one game over the past two seasons, apparently leaving him with two years of eligibility. Toroni will miss the 2015 season due to an injury.
  
  

Kicking practice was tricky in the gusty winds

The team has a scrimmage tentatively scheduled for Saturday at 9:00 am.