MOUNTAINEER FOOTBALL
2005
GAME ONE
Mansfield
At
West Virginia Wesleyan
Mounties Open 2005 Season This Saturday At West Virginia Wesleyan
The Game
The Mansfield University football team will open the 2005 this Saturday when they travel to West Virginia Wesleyan for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Cebe Ross Field in Buckhannon, WV.
The Broadcast
The game will be broadcast live on the Mountaineer Sports Network by WNTE 89.5 FM and WTZN AM 1310. The broadcast will also be carried live on the internet on both the Mansfield University sports homepage (sports.mansfield.edu, or www.mansfield.edu and go to sports) and MSA Sports Network (www.msasportsnetwork.com). Pregame coverage will start at 12:45 pm with Jonathon Schwab providing the play-by-play and color by Toby Motyka.
Last Week
The Mountaineers are the final PSAC team to open its season while the Bobcats dropped their season opener at Wingate University last Saturday by a 51-10 score.
The Coaches
Jim Shiffer is in his second season as the head mentor for his alma mater after posting a 1-9 season in 2004. He is 0-1 against West Virginia Wesleyan.
Bill Struble is in his 23rd season as the head coach at West Virginia Wesleyan, also his alma mater, where he has posted a 104-117 record. Struble has coach more and won more games than any coach in WVIAC history. He is 1-0 against Mansfield.
The Series
The two schools have met just once on the gridiron with West Virginia Weslayan scoring twice in the second half to break a 14-14 halftime tie on their way to a 27-14 win at Karl Van Norman Field in the Josh Palmer Pigskin Classic. Mansfield held Wesleyan to 249 yards in total offense, but managed just 175 yards of total offense of their own while being held to a season low 40 yards in passing offense.
Poohbear McNeal rushed for 109 yards on 33 carries for the Mountaineers while T.R. Dues had 79 rushing yards for Wesleyan. Bobcat quarterback Matt Kimes was 8-for-18 for 101 yards and an interception. Andre Turner and Keith Slezak led the defense with 12 and 10 tackles respectively.
About the Bobcats
Returning 27 lettermen including 12 starters ( six each on defense and offense) the Bobcats are coming off back-to-back WVIAC Championships and are were picked to finish second in this year’s preseason coaches poll.
Returning three starters on the offense line to protect offensive standouts quarterback Marc Kimes and running back T.R. Dues, the Bobcats expect to show more firepower than the 282 yards in total offense and 10 points scored in the opener against Wingate.
Kimes, who set a school record by passing for 2,928 yards last year, was 15-of-39 for 219 yards and a touchdown last week, but was also intercepted four times. Alex Puente and Bryan Overton each caught four passes with Overton hauling in the Bobcats’ lone touchdown in the second quarter.
Senior T.R. Dues is the Bobcats most explosive offense player, but left last weeks game with an injury and his status is not known for Saturday’s game. A preseason All-American selection, Dues topped the WVIAC in all-purpose yardage last season averaging 179.1 yards per game.
The Bobcats defense gave up 533 yards, including 263 rushing, to a very good Wingate team in the opener. Strong safety David Gibson had a game high 14 tackles last week with fellow defense back Mott Gaymon recording 12 tackles. Defensive end Keith Brugman was credited with 10 tackles and a sack.
About the Mountaineers
If attitude and enthusiasm have anything to do with a successful year, the 2005 Mansfield University season is already markedly improved over last year.
“We’ve just concluded a very productive preseason camp and the attitude of the players has been outstanding,” said second year head coach Jim Shiffer. “We have a number of challenges facing us this season, but attitude and commitment are not some of them. The players and coaches are focused and ready to play some football.”
Coming off last season’s disappointing 1-9 mark, second year head coach Jim Shiffer returns just four starters each on the offensive and defensive side of the ball with 44 new players joining 22 returning letterwinners from last season.
Although small in numbers, the returning starters are large in talent with Jamar Foulks, Poohbear McNeal, Keith Slezak and Andre Turner all earning All-PSAC East honors last season.
The Mountaineers do expect to be improved offensively after finishing 13th in the PSAC in scoring (13.4 ppg) and total offense (235.3 ypg) last season.
The key to that optimism lies in the running game featuring juniors Poohbear McNeal (Orlando, FL/Lake Highland Prep and Paul Garofalo (McKean/General McLane) along with red-shirt freshman Rodney Davis (Levittown/Neshaminy). Despite missing two games last season, McNeal still ranked 7th in the PSAC in rushing, averaging 102.9 yards per game. A first team All-American as a freshman, the shifty tailback has rushed for 2,507 yards through his first two seasons averaging 131.9 yards per game over his first 19 games. Garofalo rushed for almost 400 yards as McNeal’s backup last season including a 268 yard performance in a win over Cheyney. Davis, an outstanding high school player, will push hard for playing time and rushed for more than 100 yards during the spring game. Dan Eberly (Mechanicsburg/Cumberland Valley) is projected to start at fullback.
For the second straight year, Mansfield will start the season with a quarterback who has yet to take a collegiate snap. However John Hengehold (Orlando,FL/Lake Highland Prep) and Brandon Hunt (Hornell,NY/Hornell) are not your typical freshmen. Both got plenty of reps in spring ball and both are more than capable of running the offense.
Hengehold played in the same backfield as McNeal at Orlando’s Lake Highland Prep in high school and shows great promise of bring that championship chemistry to Mansfield after transferring from Bethune-Cookman. The 6-0, 185 signal caller has cannon for an arm and excellent mobility. Hunt transferred in from Edinboro University last semester and the 6-4, 230 pounder has the size and the ability to move into the starting lineup. An outstanding high school quarterback at Hornell High school, Hunt and Hengehold have been locked in a battle for starting honors in preseason. Junior Tyler Blakeslee (Elmira,NY/Ithaca) has served as backup for the past two seasons and is more than prepared to step in if needed.
Sophomore Tyrone Robinson (Philadelphia/Bishop McDevitt) and senior Luke Straniere (Wellsboro/Wellsboro) are the only two experienced returning receivers from last season where they combined for 23 catches for 220 yards. Junior Matt Hildebrand (York/Dallastown), who started eight games at quarterback last season before being injured, will move to wide receiver this season where his 6-2 frame should make a good target. Also vying for starting spots will be junior Donnie McDonough (Waymart/Western Wayne) who has strong athletic abilities along with a 6-4 height. Freshman Adam Majchrowski (Pottstown/St. Pius X) and newcomers Antwone Rodgers (Abington/Abington) and Jeff Tanner (Sheppton/Hazleton) are expected to make immediate contributions.
One of the top pass protection lines in the PSAC East the past three seasons, the “O” line will feature a new look after losing three four-year starters. Two-time First Team All-PSAC East center Jamar Foulks (Pittsburgh/Westinghouse) may move his considerable talent and size (6-3, 321) from center to tackle this year. He will be rejoined on the line by sophomore Mike Guanciale (Syracuse,NY/Solvay) who started all 10 games at guard last season.
Sophomore Troy Cobaugh (Harrisburg/Central Dauphin East) saw playing time last season and is projected to start somewhere on the line. Senior Adam Aston (Columbia/Columbia) was a starter in 2003 before setting out last season and should move into Foulks starting spot at center this year. Junior transfer Ray Dayton (Harpersville,NY/Harpersville) projected to start at the other tackle. Senior Tim Ruffner (Kittanning/Kittanning) appeared in a backup role last season and will serve in that same capacity this year as will junior John Vestal (Vestal,NY/Vestal). Senior Mike Stankiewicz (Reading/Reading) will backup whoever starts at center. Freshman Marcus Parker (Washington,DC/Calvin Coolidge) could also see action.
Sophomore Mike Lengal (Mechanicsburg/Cumberland Valley) will present a huge 6-8 target at tight end.
The Mountaineers will also be looking to improve defensively over last season’s 13th place finish in the PSAC in scoring defense (39.5 ppg) and total defense (436.0 ygp).
Mansfield will build its defensive effort around a veteran linebacking corps led by two-time All-PSAC East selection Andre Turner (Pittsburgh/Peabody). Turner ranked fifth in the conference with 88 tackles last season, including 53 of them solo and will set the tone in the middle this season with seniors Rob Smiley (Pittsburgh/Woodland Hills) and Jason Zeigler (York/Central York) on the outside. Smiley is a two-year starter who recorded 38 tackles last season while Zeigler played in all 10 games in 2004.
Dan Eberly (Mechanicsburg/Cumberland Valley, Marc Hunsberger (Wyomissing/Wyomissing), Robert Geiger (Lewisburg/Lewisburg), Patrick Devlin (Chalfont/Central Bucks West) and Drew Deroo (Rochester,NY/Greece Olyphant) will also see action.
All-PSAC East selection Keith Slezak (Windbur/Windbur) is the only returning starter on the defensive line after racking up 48 tackles last season. A three-year starter at defensive end, Slezak will anchor the front four that also includes veterans Wes Bair (Harrisburg/Susquehanna Township), Jamie Laws (Reading/Reading) and Nick Roseberry (Edinboro/General McLane). Sophomore Bryan Smith (Canonsburg/Canon-McMillian) will also push for a starting spot along with red-shirt freshman Kevin Calvert (Philadelphia/Father Judge) and Chris Trabanas (Landsdale/North Penn). Freshman Kimarley Pennicott (Philadelphia/Glenn Mills) is also expected to see plenty of action.
Senior Ronnie Montgomery (Syracuse,NY/Corcoran), one of the most talented athletes in the conference, will anchor an inexperienced secondary from his corner spot. Montgomery led the PSAC in kickoff return yardage last season and ranked among the conference leaders in interceptions (3) and pass breakups (10) while recording 44 tackles including a remarkable 29 solo. Joining Montgomery will be junior Ryan Kassack (Allentown/William Allen) and Jon Mattis (Halifax/Halifax) with senior Angelo DePrimo (Olyphant/Mid Valley) vying for the starting nod. Senior Paul Potzman (Fogelsville/Parkland) and red-shirt Tom Duer (Williamsport/Williamsport) Newcomers C.J. Okogeri (New York,NY/Bayside) and Christian Petersen (Germany/Germany).
The kicking game will be solid behind returnees Sean Hair (Palm Coast,FL/Abington Heights) and Brandon Fields (Altoona/Altoona). Hair was second on the team in scoring last year hitting 5-10 field goals and 10-13 extra point attempts. Fields averaged 35.0 yards on 45 punts last season.