2004 regional preview
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All three leagues nabbed refugees from the defunct Freedom Football Conference. The E8 picked up Springfield and Norwich. The Liberty League grabbed Coast Guard, &&Kings Point&& and Worcester Polytech from the FFC. And the NJAC snatched Western Connecticut. Only the ACFC which accepted Brockport State and Buffalo State remains a Pool B contender, with six teams, five Division III members. And it was formed too late (1998) to get grandfathered into automatic bid consideration as a single-sport conference.
Hopefully the ACFC has some frequent traveler benefits. A predominantly Mid-Atlantic league (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia), the addition of Upstate New York’s Brockport State and Buffalo State is going to make for some long away games. Better bring the crossword puzzles and MP3 players for the near 1,000 mile roundtrips.
There is a lot of football talent in this group. I believe it will play out on the National stage in the playoffs. In 2003, RPI was tied at half with St. John’s, the eventual national champion. With this talented group of favorites, contenders and dark horses, we can do better in 2004.
Favorites
No. 5 Springfield (10-1 in 2003): With success comes expectation, and while a repeat of last season’s performance is too much to ask, the 2004 Pride is certainly well armed for a run at its fifth NCAA playoff berth since 1998. Head coach Mike DeLong and his staff welcome back 16 starters, including a stunning array of offensive talent. Nine starters return to a unit that led Division III in rushing at 398.5 yards per game, and set a school record with 432 points in the regular season. Senior quarterbacks Ryan Sylvia and Michael Judge, who have shared snaps for the better part of three seasons, are starters on most teams. Seniors Tim Lutgens, an all-region fullback who racked up a team-best 118.8 yards per game in 2003, and Kevin Domurat, a lightning-quick senior halfback who’s averaged more than 9 yards per carry in his college career, return. Paving the way is an imposing offensive line anchored by first-team All-American Brian Dewey, a senior right tackle.
Springfield’s nationally ranked defense remains intact with seven starters returning. The front seven are particularly impressive. DeLong expects junior defensive end Nick Burdett to have a breakout campaign, and senior Brian McLellan is a run-stopper at tackle. There is plenty of speed and depth at linebacker. Junior inside linebacker Justin Fletcher garnered regional honors last season, while seniors Mark Bartelini, Curtis Schmidt and Mike Clark, and junior R.J. Perkins are nightmares for opposing quarterbacks. The secondary consists of senior cornerback Mike Kimmel and senior free safety Jeremiah Goodnow, who are both entering their third seasons in starting roles, an junior corner Mitch Dupuis, an exceptional athlete who is at the top of the depth chart for the second consecutive year.
The E8 title should come down to the winner of Ithaca/Springfield game on Oct. 30.
No. 10 Montclair State (9-2 in 2003): There is plenty of optimism surrounding the 2004 season as Montclair returns more than 50 letterwinners from last year's squad. Sixteen starters return for MSU. Included in that number is starters Shaun Murray at defensive back and linebacker John Lennox. The Red Hawks received six of the seven first place votes at the recent NJAC media day (Rowan received the other vote)
Shortly after NJAC media day, quarterback John DiGirolamo, the NJAC 2003 Offensive Player of the Year, was declared academically ineligible for the 2004 football season. Junior Mike Pessaro, last year’s backup, will compete with 26-year-old freshman Al Hawkins for the starting job. Pessaro transferred from FDU-Florham in 2003. At FDU in 2002, he threw for 1,757 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was 3-for-3 for 26 yards in 2003.
Hawkins is a former three-sport star (baseball, basketball, and football) from Elizabeth High School in New Jersey. His football skills drew interest from the likes of Auburn, Miami, and Michigan. Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1996 as a pitcher, Hawkins compiled a 36-44 record and a 4.97 ERA in the minor leagues from 1996-2003, reaching as high as Double-A before missing the 2001 season with injury. He pitched last season for the Newark Bears. In 1996, he was listed at 6-1, 220 pounds, and 40 time of 4.7 seconds.
As long as one or both of these quarterbacks performs decently, the Red Hawks have plenty of returning talent to be successful. With only an eight-game schedule, Montclair might not face a serious test until Oct. 9, at Kean. In 2003, Kean held the Red Hawk offense scoreless, losing on a kickoff return and a safety. Most of the Kean coaching staff are expatriates from Montclair. Is familiarity enough to cause the Red Hawks trouble?
Unless the NJAC dark horse Western Connecticut is able to play spoiler, I think we’ll be looking at a Montclair/Rowan NJAC title game at Sprague Field on Nov 13 for the Pool A bid.
No. 13 Ithaca (10-3 in 2003): The Bombers extended their streak to 33 consecutive winning seasons in 2003 and reached the NCAA quarterfinals for the second time in three years. Ithaca faced three teams coming off NCAA postseason appearances and compiled a record of 10-3. The Bombers bring back 34 letterwinners, including 14 starters.
Seven starters and four other players who've seen starting duty are among the 17 letterwinners who return from an offense that recorded six 30-point performances in 2003.
A two-year starter, junior Josh Felicetti owns a school-record passer efficiency rating of 142.49 (including a Bomber-record 153.88 last fall). After 18 games he ranks in the program's top five in passing yards, completions, touchdowns passes and completion percentage. Felicetti threw just three interceptions a year ago and Ithaca's interception rate of 1.15 was the program's lowest mark ever. His running ability and elusiveness in the pocket helped him rush for four scores last season after averaging 5.3 yards per carry as a freshman.
Ithaca brings back 18 letterwinners from a defense that allowed just one of 13 opponents to score more than 21 points and ranked among the nation's top 50 in three categories. The Bombers ranked 20th in scoring defense and allowed just 11.3 points per game over the last eight weeks of the season. Five starters return, along with seven other players who have seen starting duty.
One of the keys to Ithaca's recent success has been the defensive line rotation that lets as many as 10 players to see regular action. Last year the Bombers tied a school record with 37 sacks. Six letter winners and four other varsity regulars return on the line.
They graduated three starters on the o-line; this could be the one weak spot for the Bombers. The Bombers will probably battle Springfield for the E8 Conference Championship and a Pool A bid.
No. 18 RPI (11-2 in 2003): 2003 was a magical year for the Engineers. Slighted by media, fans, and pollsters RPI marched through the NCAA Playoffs, falling to the national champion St. John’s 38-10 after being tied at halftime. They reached the semifinals for the first time in their history.
Sixteenth-year head coach Joe King welcomes back 30 letterwinners from a team that posted an 11-2 overall record and a 3-1 mark in the UCAA (now the Liberty League). Fourteen returnees are starters, including five on offense, eight on defense and a specialist.
Gone are All-Americans Flynn Cochran at WR, and Dan Cole at QB. Three offensive linemen and another wideout have also graduated.
Frank Catellier is a sophomore returning to compete for the starting position after serving as a backup to Cole, a three-year starter and multiple All-American. In limited action in five games, Catellier completed five of 14 attempts for 92 yards with no interceptions. He also ran seven times for 25 yards. Another sophomore, Michael DeJulio, also has a chance to become the top signal caller.
King’s squad should feature plenty of experience and athleticism on defense as eight starters are back, including three on the defensive line, two linebackers and three defensive backs.
Rensselaer’s top three tacklers last year were linebackers and two of those players, Sean Doran and Grant Cochran, are back. Doran, a senior, led the team with 98 tackles (45 solos) while chipping in with seven pass breakups in earning All-UCAA First Team honors. Cochran, a junior, was second on the Engineers with 89 stops, including a team-high 55 unassisted and 15 for lost yards (59). Senior Dylan Cooper, who had 38 tackles (22 solos) last year, looks to make an even bigger impact this season. Senior Scott Gallo, junior Armin Warner and sophomore Kyle Speck all saw playing time last season, making ten (seven solos), eight (three solos) and 11 (five solos) tackles, respectively. Junior Mark Byrne, who played in seven varsity games as a freshman, returns after missing much of last season with an injury while senior Justin Milanese should also contribute.
Standing in the way of the Liberty League title and a Pool A bid will be Hobart on Sept 25. Newcomer Kings Point from the defunct FFC might be a Liberty League dark horse that could gum up the RPI engine on Oct 23.
No. 22 Brockport State (9-2 in 2003): The schedule not only features the new ACFC rivals, but also teams that have many NCAA postseason trips of their own. Brockport hosts Rowan, a team that has become a rival due to recent memorable playoff meetings. &&New&& Jersey and Ithaca also have postseason histories, and local rival St. John Fisher provides a tough Homecoming test at Special Olympics Stadium.
Led by a veteran cast that features nine returning starters on offense and seven on the defensive side, Brockport is poised for another run towards the tournament this fall.
For the last 10 to 15 years, the defense has been a strength. The unit’s consistently strong play has made impressions in the trenches and on the national leader board as well. Brockport, which has consistently been ranked in national Division III rankings in scoring defense and total defense in recent years, was in the top 17 in both categories last year.
“I think the bar has been set pretty high for us,” said Salomone. “As long as we can keep our guys playing with enthusiasm and with pursuit of the ball, I think we can continue to have a strong defensive unit.”
Many players who started as well as others who saw significant time provide the Golden Eagles with a unit that can continue the success of defenses in the past. Ryan Bierley returns up front after a year off. Last season did not feature a senior defensive lineman, so the newcomers and fresh faces of a year ago have a year under their belt. Matt Gates posted 36 tackles and 11 tackles for losses, including eight stops against New Jersey in the big regular season finale must-win contest. Drew Smith had 17 tackles and returns as a front line starter. Watch for Anthony W. Mariani, Nathan Raggi and Adam Collister to also provide their experience and talent to the front line this fall.
The secondary is one big question mark, senior Troy Anderson will be leading the new group that emerges from camp.
Offensively, the Golden Eagles have experience and depth. The quarterback, backfield and tight ends are all veterans. Jason Ryan and Matt Casel are back at the tackle slots, while Ryan Kelly returns at guard and Matt Silco is back at the center slot. This group is very familiar with quarterback Bob Darnley and should his job easier.
There aren’t too many holes in Brockport’s schedule, especially out of conference. They’ll be playing for Pool B bid and it won’t be easy while playing Cortland State, St. John Fisher, Ithaca, New Jersey, and Rowan all out of the ACFC.
Contenders
Rowan (7-3 in 2003): A good season for most teams, 7-3 doesn’t cut it in Glassboro. So what do the Profs do? Make their schedule even tougher adding D-II Virginia State on Oct 9 and Brockport State on Oct 30. Rowan will play two Division II teams (So. Connecticut and Virginia St.) and three top 25 D-III teams (No. 16 Christopher Newport, No. 22 Brockport State, and No. 10 Montclair State). Out of 10 regular season games, the Profs will only have three home games. Of the seven road games, four will be overnight trips.
Losing five starters total, Rowan is ready to improve on 2003. The biggest shoe to fill is middle linebacker Domenic Tomeo who graduated. Tomeo was the team’s tackle leader with 103. He recorded 39 solo stops, 10 for a loss and had 64 assists. He played in the Aztec Bowl for Team USA and had a game-high 12 tackles.
Stepping up to fill that spots are senior linebacker Mike McClain and senior linebacker Todd Trout who are expected to take over the leadership role on defense for Tomeo. Both players contributed with 72 tackles which tied them for second. McClain posted 16 tackles for a loss and had five sacks. Trout contributed with eight pass breakups which was first on the team and three sacks. McClain was chosen to the NJAC All-Conference second team while Trout received honorable mention.
Last year, Rowan led the conference in scoring defense (15.7). In the NCAA statistics, the Profs were tied for 26th in scoring defense (15.7), 34th in rushing defense (112.4) and 41st in total defense (289.6) and 41st in pass efficiency defense (97.8).
Sophomore quarterback Mike Orihel will direct the Rowan offense for the second straight season. He threw for 1,648 yards and had 12 touchdowns with 166 completions in 270 attempts. Orihel was selected the NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was the conference leader in passing average (206.0), total offense (202.9) and passing efficiency (121.5).
The Profs have plenty of depth at wide receiver. The veteran group consists of senior Jon Berry, junior Phil Silva, junior Joe D’Imperio, senior Tyree Jackson and sophomore Jim Migliore. The newcomer is junior Sakeen Wright, a Glassboro, N.J., native who transferred from Division I-A East Carolina. He had five catches for 52 yards there last year.
The mainstay in the Profs’ backfield is senior Pat Thompson. He was the rushing leader with 912 yards on 159 yards (5.7) and seven touchdowns. Thompson averaged 91.2 yards per game which was third in the conference. He was a member of the NJAC All-Conference first team.
In 2003, this team lost two D-III games to ranked opponents by a total of three points. They are capable of taking the NJAC title and Pool A bid when the dust settles in November.
Hobart (6-4 in 2003): The Statesmen beat RPI in a shootout 43-25 last year during the regular season to grab a share of the UCAA title. They also lost their best passer in Hobart history Craig Swanson, to graduation. Hobart also won the UCAA title in 1998, 2000, 2002. We’ll give them the benefit of the doubt until more is know about this squad.
Dark Horses
Salisbury (7-2): The Sea Gulls have gone 16-4 over the last two seasons with a relatively young team. They have faltered down the stretch each time, though, losing the last two games in each of those seasons after entering undefeated. All told, however, 17 of last year’s 22 offensive and defensive starters are expected back for the 2004 season, giving reason for optimism.
The Gulls return nine of 11 starters on a defense that finished fifth in the nation in total defense (224.2 yards per game), seventh in rushing defense (74.8 yards per game) and 13th in scoring defense (12.9 ppg) in 2003.
The offense returns eight starters on a unit that averaged 337.4 yards/game and 31.7 points/game in 2003.
The ACFC is improved adding Brockport State and Buffalo State. The Gulls have been the big fish in the small pond. On Sept. 25 they tangle with No. 22 Brockport. They must win to have a shot at the ACFC title.
Kings Point (6-4): The opening campaign of coach Tim McNulty’s career started with loads of promise in 2003, as the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy raced out of the gates to a 6-1 record, including the team’s first Top 25 ranking in recent memory and an opening-night victory against Muhlenberg. Unfortunately for the Mariners, the injury bug hit hard as the season wound through late October and November, and Kings Point finished 6-4. The finish leaves a large group of returnees hungry, as USMMA returns 17 starters for a 2004 season that sees McNulty’s squad begin play in the Liberty League, formerly the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association.
The Mariners could be the wildcard in the Liberty League between Hobart and RPI.
St. John Fisher (8-3): Last fall proved to be a record-setting season for St. John Fisher. The 2003 Cardinals set a school-record for wins in a season with eight and were invited to a postseason game for the first time in the program’s 17-year varsity history. Fisher, whose three losses were by a total of 10 points to teams with a combined regular-season record of 25-4, didn’t get an at-large bid to the NCAA Championship, but was selected to participate in a ECAC bowl game, where the Cardinals racked up 47 points in a win against Cortland State.
The Cardinals will figure in the E8 mix as either contender or potential spoiler.
Western Connecticut (6-4): Western Connecticut moves from the Freedom Football Conference into the New Jersey Athletic Conference this season. Already the coaches pegged them as the dark horse, ranked third in the preseason coaches’ poll.
The Colonials will also look to progress higher than the NJAC coaches predicted and capture the league title and appear in the NCAA Division III playoffs for the fourth time in program history.
Western’s offense and defense each returns seven and eight starters, respectively.
In 2003, the Colonials had Rowan down 19-17 through three quarters before running out of steam and losing 25-19.
Game of the Week
Rowan at No. 16 Christopher Newport 1 p.m., Newport News, Va.: In 2003, the Profs blanked the Captains 21-0. However it was only 7-0 through three quarters. Rowan returns virtually everyone from 2003. CNU will be looking to notch its first win in three tries against Rowan. Rowan will be looking to regain its national powerhouse reputation. A battle for respect, who comes out on top?