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Sunday, August 22, 2021

Team News - 2021 First Scrimmage Report

Here are some observations from Friday's action:
  • The quaterback situation appears to be unresolved. Sophomore Yahmir Wilkerson was nowhere to be seen, so redshirt freshman Shane Dooley got the majority of the first team reps. But it didn't sound as if the coaching staff was pleased with his performance. Keep in mind, even with junior Zach Gilbert in the mix, West Chester's current quarterbacks have a combined ten collegiate pass attemps.
  • The first offensive line did okay, not great, but okay. From left to right: Brendan Ruskowski, Nika Wright, Jacob Colby, Jonathan Miller, and Quinton Derr. Ruskowski was All-PSAC in 2019 and has received preseason accolades this year. The team captain has played in 22 games in his two years as a Golden Ram, including 18 starts. Derr and Wright saw plenty of playing time in 2019 while Colby and Miller played sparingly. It's yet to be seen where grad student Dom Carey will fit in.
  • The defense has a lot of experience. Up front, seniors Omar Peterkin and Joe DeSanto will play their final seasons. DeSanto has had a particularly long road - he red-shirted in 2015, played in every game in 2016, missed half of 2017 and all of 2018 with an injury, played all 12 games in 2019, and missed 2020 due to the season being cancelled. Those two are joined by junior Wyatt Smith and sophomore Michael Gobora.
  • The secondary has Jordan Burney back at safety. Sophomore Izaiah McPherson returns at one corner and sophomore IUP transfer Obi Anyatonwu at the other one. This leaves junior Sterlen Barr and sophomore Shamar Edwards to complete the five-man defensive backfield.
  • Sophomore linebacker Jackson Taylor was the team's leading tackler in 2019 and returns with senior Cole Zapf.
  • In general the offense struggled. Dooley had a long touchdown run, but it's hard to tell how much it had to do with a "no touch" scrimmage. He later connected with Isaiah Allen on a touchdown. Senior Phil Poquie also had a long touchdown run.
  • The most entertaining element was when the third offense played. Redshirt freshman quarterback Desman Johnson, who's listed at 6-2, 240 but is probably bigger, was looking for freshman D'Shaun Seals, who's listed at 5-7, 155 but is probably smaller. After failing to connect on a couple of plays, the speedy Seals made a diving catch in the end zone. Johnson can throw a dart or with touch, and can do damage when he pulls the ball down and runs.
  • Redshirt freshman Sean Henry appears to have landed the kicking job when he nailed a 47-yard field goal.

West Chester's final scrimmage of the summer is tentatively scheduled for Friday, August 27 at 6:30 pm.


Mari Wright gets wrapped up after a catch (Photo Gina Chapman)

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