Team News - What to Look for This Spring

The Golden Rams are in the midst of spring practice and on the verge of scrimmages. Here's what to look for when you head to South Campus when looking toward the 2017 season:

3. Left Tackle

For a coach, the one advantage of starting a younger player at a position is that it doesn’t have to be thought about for a few years. The downside is that once that player departs, it leaves and inevitable void. This is the situation that the Golden Rams face at left tackle. Doug Gilbert was a three-time first team All-PSAC East performer and received a host of other accolades throughout his career. Jake Duncan, Gilbert’s backup last season, looks to be in line to assume the role of protecting the quarterback’s blindside.

2. Secondary

Of the 11 seniors that were on last year’s roster, five of them were in the secondary, including All-PSAC East and All-ECAC strong safety Kevin Malone. While last season’s roster shows 12 defensive backs that were not seniors, the only starter returning is Shaquille James (45 total tackles). Although Corey Kelley returns after a year off, and Eerin Young and Anthony Brown have been moved to the secondary, this unit lacks a lot of college experience.

1. Quarterback

Anyone who knows West Chester football knows that the quarterback position is key to the team’s success. This spring, the position presents the largest unknown. Andrew Derr (145 of 258, 56.2%, 2,103 yards 18 TD’s, 10 ints) started six games last year and has a season of eligibility left, although it’s unknown if he will use it or move on with his life and working career. Either way, due to eligibility rules, you won’t see him this spring.

That brings us to rising senior Pat Moriarty. Moriarty started every game in 2015 (197 of 355, 55.5%, 2,655 yards, 28 TD’s, 13 ints) while Derr was suspended and led the Golden Rams to a 7-4 record and a PSAC East championship. He was also the starter for the 2016 season opener at Bentley, but was pulled late in the first quarter in favor of Derr after going just 2 of 12 for 17 yards and 2 interceptions. Midway during the season, when Derr incurred an injury, Moriarty started four games and led the team to four division wins. Although he finished the season just 54 of 113, 47.8% for 810 yards with 8 TD’s and 2 ints, it would seem Moriarty has the edge for the job going into this spring.

Pushing Moriarty will be Paul Dooley. As a redshirt freshman last year, Dooley was primarily used in wildcat situations, carrying the ball 20 times for 129 yards and one touchdown. He completed his only pass attempt of the season, an 11-yarder late in the third quarter against Cheyney. It will be interesting to see if Dooley is ready to take control of the position prior to this fall.