2010 record: 7-5 (5-2 MWL, 3rd)
Starters returning/lost: 16/6
Letterwinners returning/lost: 46/17
Notable returners:
Dale Woods Sr. Southaven, Miss.
(College Fanz Second-Team All-American, 74 tackles, 27 TFL, 9.5 sacks)
Steven Dawley Sr. New Sharon
(Four-year starter, 2008 AFCA All-American)
Damon Harrison Jr. Lake Charles, La.
(Second-team all-MWL, 70 tackles)
Corey Ketchum Jr. El Dorado Springs, Mo.
(Second-team all-MWL, 360 rushing yards, 4 TDs)
Notable losses:
Ryan Van Dalen
(Three-time all-MWL, 1,315 rushing yards, 16 TDs, 56-135 passing, 1,230 yards, 13 TDs)
Skyler Crouch
(Four-time all-MWL, 28 rec., 842 yards, 11 TDs)
Trevon Greene
(Two-time all-MWL, 75 tackles)
Cody Hackett
(All-MWL, 62 tackles, 4 INTs)
Notable newcomers:
Taylor Parsons Fr. Conroe, Texas
Randall Short Fr. Orlando, Texas
Marcus Karrigan Fr. Cary, Ill.
If the William Penn football team is to have a smooth and successful 2010 campaign, much will rely on the prowess from the man behind center.
A year removed from another winning campaign at 7-5 (5-2 in the Midwest League), their first back-to-back winning seasons since the mid-1970s, the Statesmen are without the services of three-time all-league quarterback Ryan Van Dalen. Also departed is Van Dalen's favorite target Skyler Crouch, a four-time all-conference wide receiver.
All is most definitely not lost, however, as several men on both sides of the trenches return to bolster a squad that has high hopes for this fall.
"Overall, last year was still a step in the right direction," Statesmen Head Coach Todd Hafner said. "We had some quality seniors in major positions, but actually were still relatively young. We had several chances late that got away from us and with another year of experience, we could have won those games. Still, 7-5 was good and we look to improve this year."
"We had very productive spring practices and our strength and conditioning staff made our offseason so much better than it has been in the past," Hafner added. "We are as strong and as quick as ever. Some guys that we needed to step up did so during the spring and we feel that going into the fall that we have a very good group that can be built around and has the ability to win a lot of games."
Quarterback
As aforementioned, the team's success is dependent on the level of competence at the signal-caller role. Van Dalen's departure means someone has to make up for his 16 rushing and 13 passing touchdowns from last season.
"There is no doubt that we lost one of the most productive players in school history," Hafner said. "Ryan really accepted the role in the option attack and he will be sorely missed."
With Van Dalen out of the picture, the coaching staff worked exclusively during the spring with his 2009 backups, Aaron Kissinger (Sr., Luka, Miss., Northeast Mississippi CC) and Jacob Ballanger (Jr., Carlisle, Waldorf). Fortunately for 2009 and unfortunately for 2010, Van Dalen remained healthy throughout the season, so neither player saw extended amounts of gridiron action and will be fairly untested entering this fall.
The duo did not disappoint and will join talented incoming freshman Taylor Parsons (Conroe, Texas, The Woodlands College Park HS) in a three-way battle.
"The quarterback position is very wide open, but these three young men have separated themselves as we enter fall practice," Hafner said. "They all bring something special to the table, but have big shoes to fill, so it will be interesting."
Running Back/Slot Back
As it was last year, the slot back position will be an unprecedented four-headed monster with Corey Ketchum (Jr., El Dorado Springs, Mo., El Dorado Springs HS), P.J. Perry (Jr., Clermont, Fla., East Ridge HS), DeMarco Sanders (Jr., Horn Lake, Miss., Horn Lake HS), and Dalton Phelps (So., Tipton, Tipton HS) sharing time in the backfield.
A second-team all-MWL pick last year, Ketchum heads the crew with a 2009 campaign that produced 360 yards and four touchdowns, second only to Van Dalen. Perry also surpassed the century mark for yards with 271 and one score.
"The slot back role was one of our strengths last year with four guys sharing time," Hafner said. "We have four talented and motivated individuals who will play in a rotation in which all will see a lot of time on the field."
Fullback
2009 starter Travion Johnson (Jr., Winnfield, La., Hutchinson CC) has an experienced resume, but Shawn Davis (Fr., Hamersville, Ohio, Western Brown HS), who redshirted last year, is hoping to throw a new face at the fullback position.
Johnson rushed for 331 yards and three touchdowns in 2009.
"Travion was our starter, but Shawn had a great spring," Hafner said. "They will be at the top of the list."
The spot is not wanting by any stretch with returner Tye Sparks (So., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS) and
2006 starter A.J. Littlejohn (Sr., Gaffney, S.C., Gaffney HS) providing depth. Littlejohn rushed for 72 yards and had two receptions four years ago.
"Along with the depth at slot back, we will never have dead legs in the game and that will crucial, especially late in tight games," Hafner said.
Wide Receiver
Unquestionably one the best receivers in school history, Crouch possibly leaves an even larger void than Van Dalen as he walked off the gridiron with career records for yards and touchdowns.
Surprisingly, despite the departure of the best big-play receiver in the NAIA the last two seasons, Penn feels confident that with the personnel returning, the team could have even more success down the field in 2010.
Bernard Luster (Sr., Corinth, Miss., Northeast Mississippi CC) was a solid complement to Crouch last year with 16 catches for 220 yards and two touchdowns, but his role will be magnified this campaign.
"Bernard may not be as big as Skyler, but he is faster and has gotten much more physical so I do not see why we will not be able to use him in both short and long pass play situations," Hafner said.
Derek McIntyre (Sr., Eddyville, Eddyville-Blakesburg HS) saw limited time a year ago and will be returning from a late-season injury, but his big body will be an asset on the opposite end of the field.
Newcomer Aaron Broyles (Fr., Escondido, Calif., Escondido Charter HS) adds another quality option in the passing game.
"We lack a bit of depth at receiver, but we think we can still move the ball down the field through the air," Hafner said. "Our receivers will complement our running game as well by being physical blockers."
Tight End
The most physical receiving blocker Penn has will see one more year of competition as honorable-mention all-MWL selection Jimmy Deegan (Sr., Farmington, Minn., Farmington HS) returns at the tight end position.
John Bryan (So., Cary, Ill., Cary Grove HS) will back up Deegan.
"Jimmy adds a ton of experience and has done a great job of getting bigger and tougher during the offseason," Hafner said. "Our tight ends are capable in the passing game as well and we added some things in the spring to get them the ball more."
Offensive Line
The strength of the Statesmen offensive attack for the past two years has been the line and it will again serve as the nucleus of the atom bomb Penn hopes to produce this season. An all-senior group, it could be said that the Statesmen offensive line could play side by side in their sleep.
Steven Dawley (Sr., New Sharon, North Mahaska HS), Wade Fischer (Sr., Farmington, Minn., Farmington HS), Matt Smith (Sr., Houston, Texas, Eisenhower HS), Germarcus Smith (Sr., Houston, Texas, Eisenhower HS), and Brett Stewart (Sr., Webb City, Mo., Webb City HS) are all back for one final go-round in college and it is expected to be a productive one as all Dawley, Fischer, and Matt Smith return from all-conference campaigns.
"We have three offensive linemen that will be four-year starters which is a coach's dream," Hafner said. "All of our guys are comfortable making adjustments during the game and know where they have to be. They are great leaders and have tremendous work ethics. In order for us to be successful, they have to play at a high level."
The future beyond 2010 looks bright as well as Steve Steele (Jr., Freeland, Mich., Nouvel Catholic HS) and Mason Woods (So., Williamsburg, Williamsburg HS), to name just a few, will learn invaluable lessons behind their seniors.
Defensive Line
Not to be outdone, the big men on the opposite side of the ball will also be integral to the wins Penn can accumulate. Paced by Dale Woods (Sr., Southaven, Miss., Northwest Mississippi CC), a Second-Team All-American by College Fanz, three all-conference players will start on the defensive line.
Woods tallied 74 tackles last year, spending a good chunk of his days in the opponent's backfield, leading the NAIA with 27 tackles for loss (9.5 sacks).
Damon Harrison (Jr., Lake Charles, La., Lake Charles Boston HS), with 70 tackles (12 TFL), and Jamal Zollicoffer (Sr., Plymouth, Minn., Wayzata HS), with 40 tackles (9.5 TFL), were both second-team all-MWL selections in 2009.
With 39 stops a year ago, Reggie Franco (Sr., Salt Lake City, Utah, Skyline HS) adds another qualified returner at the other end slot, while newcomers Michael Welch (Fr., Houston, Texas, Booker T. Washington HS) and Brandon Dunbar (So., Houston, Texas, Booker T. Washington HS) will back up on the interior. Carl Lewis (So., Memphis, Tenn., Westwood HS) and Jeffrey Little (Fr., Columbus, Miss., New Hope HS) expect to see time behind Woods and Franco as well.
"Like on offense, we will be at our defensive best in the trenches," Hafner said. "Highlighted by Dale Woods, we have several guys back who started a significant amount of games. The defensive line is a position in which you constantly try to recruit good players at because if you are strong up front it makes your entire defense better."
"With our experience, we do not feel we will have to bring as much pressure towards the backfield which should allow us to drop back and help our linebackers and safeties make plays as well," Hafner said. "Our line strength will be beneficial for all of our defensive players."
Linebacker
It seems every year Penn has to replace at least one great linebacker and this season is no different with 2009 all-league performers Trevon Greene and Kris Austin departed. A credit to the coaching staff, though, is that there is always someone standing in the wings ready for their chance to shine.
It is unclear who will step up and be that star, but an abundance of personnel will give it the old Harvard try.
Chris Ruff (Sr., Highland Park, Mich., Grand Rapids CC) is the lone returning starter, but with 68 tackles, two interceptions, and three fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown), he is a great start.
Sean Colemon (Jr., Burlington, Burlington HS), Brandon Millbrooks (Sr., Olive Branch, Miss., Olive Branch HS), Gustavo Marquez (So., Oviedo, Fla., Oviedo HS), Aaron Palacios (Sr., Castroville, North Monterey County HS), and Dale Stone (Jr., Hebron, Ky., Conner HS) join Ruff in the battle to present a formidable linebacking crew.
"We lost a couple good players in Trevon and Kris, but the guys we have back learned from them and gained great experience," Hafner said. "Physically, this might be one of the best linebacking crews we have had in my tenure."
Secondary
Javaras Thomas (Sr., Miami, Fla., Miami Beach Sr. HS) headlines the final line of defense, which, with loads of returning flavor, could be a strong one. Thomas was a second-team all-conference pick last year with 57 stops, but with an unmatched jumping ability, he is possibly best utilized on special teams. A two-time All-American in the triple jump last year, he blocked four kicks in 2009.
With depth available on the corners, two-time all-conference performer Terrance Harper (Sr., Miami, Fla., Edgewater HS), formerly Terrance Flukers, is likely to move to the other safety position.
Three names float to the top as Andrew Harris (Sr., Horn Lake, Miss., Northwest Mississippi CC), Chris Adeshina (So., Detroit, Mich., Highland Park Community HS), and Cole Tom (So., Santee, Calif., Grossmont HS) vie for the starting spots at cornerback.
Hafner also feels that when incoming freshman Jacob Batterson (Fr., Eddyville, Eddyville-Blakesburg HS) finally dons the navy blue and gold, he will push for plays with speed that might not be paralleled in the program.
"In general, this should be one of the fastest secondaries we have had," Hafner said. "Athletically, Javaras is one of the best two-sport athletes in the NAIA and with Terrance also in is his fourth year, they provide great experience where we desperately need it.
"Moving Andrew Harris and Cole Tom to cornerback allows us to have Terrance at a more sensible safety spot and gives us the best matchups. The way they can play the ball and tackle, we feel really good about our secondary."
Special Teams
Michael Harris and Cody Hackett both graduated so gone is the two-punter formation that surprisingly worked well a season ago. The changes may not end there though.
Returning starting placekicker Cam Shearon (Jr., St. Peters, Mo., Francis Howell Central HS) has the edge in experience, but newcomer Marcus Kerrigan (Fr., Cary, Ill., Cary-Grove HS) provides a big leg.
Shearon was 4-for-10 in field goals and 34-for-40 in extra points last year.
"We gave up more than we wanted to on special teams last year so we really need to shore up our kicking roles," Hafner said. "We think we have done that and expect the winners of the punter and placekicker spots to be quite qualified."
Schedule
The 2010 campaign begins with the renewal of an old rivalry as Penn takes on Graceland on September 4. The two programs have met 18 previous times on the gridiron, but have not faced each other since 1991, a 17-6 win for the Yellowjackets (Penn has not won since 1975).
"Graceland struggled last year but has a renewed attitude under a new coach," Hafner said. "I expect them to be very solid this year and it will be a good battle to start the season."
2009 surprise Taylor is one of the Statesmen's two Mid-States Football Association crossover games and is one of three top-25 teams on Penn's schedule. Taylor is ranked #22 in the NAIA's preseason poll, while Midwest League programs McKendree (#8) and Grand View (#20) are also in the poll.
The MWL slate begins on September 18 at home against Quincy, while Grand View comes to Oskaloosa for Homecoming on October 2.
"Our series against Quincy has been a lot of fun and Grand View is a major rivalry game," Hafner said. "It is a game that both of our programs have marked on the calendar since last year."
A game against Iowa Wesleyan is next on the slate, sandwiched in the toughest stretch for Penn with St. Ambrose at home on October 16 and McKendree on the road on October 23.
"The back-to-back weeks with St. Ambrose and McKendree will be huge and the four weeks from Grand View to McKendree will be the biggest of the year," Hafner said. "Hopefully, we can get through that stretch healthy and with a few wins so we will be in position to make a run for the conference title."
Conference
Defending league champion McKendree appears to be the frontrunner in the Midwest League, but Grand View and St. Ambrose will be very formidable opposition as well.
"Outside of Grand View, who we have only played once, we have been able to beat everyone in the conference recently so we feel confident we can play with anyone," Hafner said.
"We are looking forward to the season," Hafner added. "We had a great number of kids stick around this summer that lifted and practiced together. Going into the season, we feel as good as we ever have. We do not want to just knock on the conference door, but finally win one. If we can stay free of injuries and get the ball to bounce our way, we feel this could be the year to finally get that done."
