Coach comments:
Offensive keys to our success will be execution, consistency, and keeping the chains moving while putting the ball in the end zone.
We return eight starters and some others who played quite a bit in different roles last season.
We have a good supporting cast of players that will be important to us this season. In the backfield we will have Senior Tre Nelson and Sophomore Mike Stasko. Both are returners from last season and offer a great 1-2 punch. Nelson can hurt you with his powerful, 6’1 220 lb frame along with his speed. Stasko played as a freshman last season and looks to build off of what he learned from his varsity experience.
At receivers we welcome the return of Gerald Pereira coming off an injury that sidelined him for the entire 2013 season.
Complimenting him will be seniors Dominic Shivone and Nick Sander who saw a lot of playing time last season.
We have had a strong off-season from Sean Doherty, Toby Sander and Kole Rodrigues. Their play will add depth and great competition to the receiver corp.
At QB – we have a great battle between Sophomore Garrett Perschy and Junior Zach Buck. Perschy started one game as a freshman and Buck started four before an injury sidelined him.
Both bring different strengths to the team and it will more than likely take the two scrimmages to sort things out for us there.
On the offensive line we return – Junior – Jericho Burger 6’2 300 lbs, Junior- Owen Miller 6’2 285 lbs, Senior -Tyler Rodgers 6’1 205 lbs, Senior -Jake Horn 5’9 180 lbs. All four of them started last season.
We will be looking to them to anchor the line and build chemistry quickly with one another. Along with having other players stepping up to add much needed depth on the line.
If we can stay healthy, I believe with the experience we have returning, we can be exciting to watch.
Defensively we return quite a few players (9)
Leading and anchoring the defense will be Tre Nelson – ILB – Tre will be a four-year starter at ILB this season. He is extremely strong, has great instincts and can play sideline to sideline. We will rely heavily on him to come up with big plays and be our run stopper. We will be looking for Evan Tayntor, Jared Mooney or Andrew Ringler to help solidify the spot opposite Nelson.
In the secondary, we return Gerald Pereira, Nick Sander, Dominic Shivone and Sean Doherty. Pereira was the starter at FS before his injury. Sander played well in the absence of Pereira at FS and was complimented by Shivone and Doherty at corners. These guys have been together for a while and communicate very well in terms of what they see from opposing defenses. They can play the pass well and support the run just as well.
At OLB- we return Isaac George who had a tremendous JR season – where he was second on the team in tackles with 113 behind Tre Nelson 117. Isaac can play both the run and pass and has great speed and quickness. I look forward to seeing him progress this season. We will have a good battle for the second OLB spot between Senior Eric Marlatt and Sophomore Mike Stasko.
Up front we return Tyler Rodgers who will be in year three of starting at Defensive End along with Jake Horn who will also be playing DE. Jake and Tyler will be very vital to our success up front since they have the most experience.
We will be looking for other players to step up at defensive tackle such as Matt Semmel, Jericho Burger, Anthony Maradeo and Owen Miller to anchor the line.
The key for us defensively will be to create turnovers and get off the field on thirrd downs. We want to pursue the ball and be opportunistic by creating scores or good field position with our defense.
Special Teams – We return Sean Doherty as a our punter -he averaged 33 yds a punt last season and we will have a kicking competition between a few players to nail down the kickoff and place kicking duties.
We have quite a few players who can return between Dominic Shiovne, Nick Sander, Mike Stasko and Gerald Pereira.
Head Coach: Chris Walkowiak
2013 Record: 2-8
Key Starters Lost: Logan Lesher, Alec Delong and Austin Cook
Offensive Starters Returning: (8)
Tre Nelson – SR – FB
Jerry Pereira – SR – Athlete
Dominic Shivone – SR – WR
Tyler Rodger – SR – Guard
Jake Horn -SR – Center
Jericho Burger – JR – Tackle
Owen Miller – JR – Tackle
Nicholas Sander – SR – WR
Defensive Starters Returning: (8)
Tyler Rodgers – SR – DE
Jake Horn – SR – DT
Tre Nelson – SR – ILB
Isaac George – SR – OLB
Dominic Shivone – SR – DB
Sean Doherty – SR -DB
Nicholas Sander – SR – DB
Jerry Pereira – SR – DB
Key Newcomers:
Evan Tayntor – SR – Guard/LB
Mike Stasko – Soph – RB/OLB
Jared Mooney – Soph -TE/DE
Garrett Perschy – JR -QB
Zach Buck – JR – QB
Kole Rodrigues – JR – WR/DB
Toby Sander – JR – WR/DB
D1 (FBS & FCS) Prospects: Tre Nelson – SR – FB/LB and Gerald Pereira – SR – Athlete/FS/DB
Tre Nelson offered by Monmouth and Gerald Pereira. Both have a lot of 1AA interest.
“O” starters – Tre Nelson, Mike Stasko, Gerald Pereira, Dominic Shivone, Tyler Rodgers, Jake Horn, Owen Miller, Jericho Burger
“D” starters – Tre Nelson, Isaac George, Gerald Pereira, Dominic Shivone, Sean Doherty, Nick Sander, Tyler Rodgers, Jake Horn
2014 Outlook:
Experienced group of seniors, who have been through the building phase of the program. Now is their time to produce.
Excellent leadership and work ethic demonstrated from the senior class, which should filter down through the lower classes.
We will rely on our experience, speed and strength for the upcoming season.
