Head Coach Brian Gilbert Q&A
Q. What are the key things we should know about your offense?
A. We are returning only one starter on the offensive line. But, our starting wide receivers and running backs are back. We are also replacing our quarterback.
Impact players to watch are Saquon Barkley, Jake Buskirk, Conor Sullivan, Mustpha Mitchell, Chad Rex, Zachary Hixson (TE), Danny Roustic and Edgardo Rivera on the OL.
Q. What are the key things we should know about your defense?
A. We return seven starters on defense. The impact players will be Danny Roustic and DE and Jake Buskirk, Zach Hixson and Angel Rodriquez at LB.
Chad Rex and Mustpha Mitchell will anchor our secondary.
Q. What are the key things we should know about your special teams? Who are your kick and punt returners? Who are your kicker and punter?
A. Saquon Barkley and Mustpha Mitchell will return kicks and Dalton Burrows will return punts.
Conor Illgenfritz will be our kicker.
Head Coach: Brian Gilbert
2013 Record: 10-2
Key Starters Lost: Jeff Charles, Ryan Bonshak, Nick Nejad, Jacob Kerchner, Darius Young, Tyler Williams
Offensive Starters Returning: (4)
Sr Saquon Barkley – RB
Sr Jacob Buskirk – FB
Sr Edgardo Rivera – OL
Sr Conor Sullivan – WR
Defensive Starters Returning: (7)
Sr Angel Rodriguez – LB
Sr Jacon Buskirk – LB
SR Saquon Barkley – OLB
Sr Chad Rex – CB
Sr Mustafa Mitchell – CB
Sr Danny Roustic – DE
Sr Orlando Bonilla – DL
Key Newcomers:
Jr. Gianni Sinatore – QB
Sr. Zachary Hixson – LB & TE
Sr. Dalton Burrows – DB & WR
Sr. Tyler Cyriax – RB & OLB
Sr. Joe Mark – DL & OL
Sr. Matt Meyers – OL
D1 (FBS & FCS) Prospects:
Sr. Saquon Barkley – RB (Committed to PSU)
Sr. Jacob Buskirk- LB / FB (has received FCS and Patriot offers)
Sr. Mustafa Mitchell – DB / WR
Sr. Conor Sullivan – WR
Sr. Chad Rex – DB
Sr. Edgado Rivera – OL
Sr. Danny Roustic – DL
Key Stats:
Graduates
2013 Jeff Charles QB 120 completions 1,704 — 55.05%–11 TDs
2013 Ryan Bonshak DB 79 tackles, 7 INT’s
Returners:
2013 Saquon Barkley RB 1,506 yards rushing, TD’s – 27
2013 Conor Sullivan WR 600 yards receiving
2014 Outlook:
If our new offensive line comes together (replacing four starters) and our Jr. quarterback Gianni Sinatore work out like we hope, our offense should be well balanced.
With Barkley and Buskirk back plus an experienced receiving core led by Sullivan, Whitehall has a strong skill core. Defensively, we have most of our linebackers and defensive backs returning but need to find two more defensive lineman guys.
The biggest question is who and how will we replace Ryan Bonshak?
I am excited about our overall team speed which makes me excited about our special teams.
Plus having Connor Illginfritz back as a Jr. kicker provides some relief.
