Teams News - 2016 Season Review - Defense

The defense was definitely the strength of the Golden Rams this season. Defense (300 yards per game) was third in the PSAC and 16th in the country. And the breakdown shows that the efforts were balanced – rushing (98 yards per game) was third in the PSAC and 13th in the nation, while passing (203 yards per game) was third in the conference and 56th in Division II.

About the only knock on the defense was the lack of quarterback sacks, as their team total of 19 ranked only 12th in the conference. In the category that matters most – scoring – West Chester’s 18 points allowed per game was third in the PSAC and 14th in the nation. The Golden Rams led the PSAC in third down conversion rate of 25.5% which ranked fourth in the country. And the team’s second best in the country time of possession mark is a credit to the defense as much as the offense.

Defensive Line

The leader of the defense and the defensive line was end Ch'aim Smith (57 tackles, 6.0 sacks, 11.0 tackles for loss, 3 QB hurries, 2 blocked kicks). Smith led the Golden Rams in tackles, sacks and tackles for loss and garnered second team All-PSAC East honors. On the other end was John Dubyk (37 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss). At the tackles were first team honoree Josh Ganzelli (44 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss) and Kavon Johnson (21 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles).

Ch'aim Smith led the team in tackles for loss (Photo R&R Photography)

Dubyk had 37 tackles on the season (Photo Ron Hockman)

Ganzelli was first team All-PSAC East (Photo Ron Hockman)

Johnson forced two fumbles this year (Photo Ron Hockman)

Providing relief of the front four were tackles Joe DeSanto (17 tackles) and Ben Smith (4 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss) and ends Sean Steinmetz (13 tackles, 1.5 sacks) and Shane Griffin (10 tackles, 1.5 sacks). Starting defensive end George Shipp (6 tackles, 2.0 sacks) got injured in the season opener at Bentley and only returned for the final three games of the season. All nine players that played on the defensive line are expected to return next season.

DeSanto applies pressure at East Stroudsburg (Photo R&R Photography)

Ben Smith logged 1.5 tackles for loss (Photo R&R Photography)

Steinmetz moved from linebacker to defensive end (Photo R&R Photography)

Griffin contains the edge against Shippensburg (Photo Ron Hockman)

Shipp saw limited action due to an injury (Photo R&R Photography)

Linebackers

Many Golden Ram fans were looking forward to captain Ralph Reeves’ (18 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss) senior season, but due to an injury incurred at Edinboro, his playing career came to a premature end after less than three games this year. Filling Reeves’ spot was Steven Denby (44 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble) who earned PSAC East Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Shippensburg. The other linebacker, Kevin Duggan (53 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss) was steady all season and earned second team All-PSAC East honors. Backing him was Justice Smith (17 tackles). All are expected to return next season.

Reeves played in only three games due to injury (Photo Ron Hockman)

Denby had 44 tackles on the season (Photo Ron Hockman)

Duggan was second team All-PSAC East (Photo R&R Photography)

Justice Smith played in ten games this year (Photo R&R Photography)

In the shark position, Nydair Rouse (15 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble) absolutely sparkled. He returned his three picks for a total of 142 yards and all three were returned for touchdowns, including the game-winner at Bentley. For the season, Rouse was named first team All-PSAC East and first team All-ECAC. His backup, Jarey Elder (20 tackles, 2 interceptions) also nabbed two interceptions. Both should return in 2017.

Rouse had three pick-sixes this season (Photo R&R Photography)

Jarey Elder had two interceptions this year (Photo R&R Photography)

Secondary

The tallest starter in the secondary stands just 5’10”, but cornerbacks Shaquille James (45 tackles, 8 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble) and Ted Patton (28 tackles, 4 interceptions, 8 pass breakups) were in the top ten in the PSAC in pass breakups. Safety Kevin Malone (21 tackles, 3 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery) returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown and earned first team All-PSAC East and first team ECAC recognition. Free safety Kyle Keyser (38 tackles, 2 pass breakups) was named to the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area team.

James had a team-high eight pass breakups (Photo R&R Photography)

Patton had four interceptions this season (Photo R&R Photography)

Malone was first team All-PSAC East (Photo R&R Photography)

Keyser had 38 tackles on the year (Photo Ron Hockman)

Backing up the safety spot was Pete Galiano (35 tackles, 1 interception, 2 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble) who was also a major contributor on special teams. Senior Blaise Schieler (20 tackles, 1 interception, 5 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble) saw significant time at cornerback as well. Spelling Malone at safety was Deionte Wilson (13 tackles, 1 interception, 2 pass breakups). Of the secondary, only James and Wilson were not seniors.

Galiano had an interception in his final collegiate game (Photo R&R Photography)

Scheiler had a 39-yard interception return (Photo R&R Photography)

Wilson had a pick against the Rock (Photo R&R Photography)