2015 Team Preview – Upper Dublin (1) – Big School Team # 9

Head Coach: Bret Stover

Team Name: Upper Dublin Cardinals

2014 Record: 9-1 Suburban 1 American Conference Champions, 2-1 in District 1 playoffs, 11-2 Lost District 1 Semi-Final to Pennsbury

2015 Team Schedule

Key Starters Lost: Matt Thompson FL/S, John Lee FB/OLB, Tim Rasmussen, OL/OLB, Tamir Bailey NG, Tom Henning DE, Kevin Callahan LS

Offensive Starters Returning: (9) Sr. QB Ryan Stover 6’4 210, Sr. OL Henry Winebrake 6’1 225, Sr. FL Mike Sowers 5’8 175, Sr. OL Jack Rapine 6’2 215, Sr. OL Kane O’Connor 6’4 235, Sr.TE John Barrett 6’1 185, Sr. FB 5’9 215 Stacey Gardner, TB Kaleif Lee 5’10 190, Sr. SE Gary Fields 5’10 215

Defensive Starters Returning: (8) Sr. NG Kaleif Lee 5’10 190, Sr. DE Kane O’Connor, Sr. MLB Henry Winebrake 6’1 225, Sr. MLB Stacey Gardner 5’9 215, Sr. OLB Jack Rapine, 6’1 215, Sr. CB Mike Sowers 5’8 175, Sr. FS Evan Scott 6’1 190, Sr CB David Bryant 5’8 165

Key Newcomers: Example: Fr. DB John Smith, 6-1, 170 Sr. DE/TE Isaiah Henrich 6’5 235, Sr. K Todd Spirt 5’8 165, Jr. RB/DB Naim Huff 5’11 180

D1 (FBS & FCS) Prospects: Ryan Stover, Henry Winebrake, Isaiah Henrich, Todd Spirt

Key Stats: The Cardinals will look to replace Thompsons 57 catches with a number of capable receivers. They also need players to step up and replace Thompson and Lee’s TD output of 22 combined from last year’s school record setting District 1 playoff team.

Twitter: @UpperDublinFB

2015 Outlook: Please let us know the keys about your team on offense, defense and special teams. What are your keys to having a successful year?

The Cardinal offense returns 8 starters from last year’s District 1 playoff team. Ryan Stover returns at QB after his school record setting season (Passing Yards 2187) TD passes (21). Kaleif Lee is also back at the TB position where he tallied 1057 yards and 21 TD’s. Stacey Gardner returns to the FB position after taking every snap at center last season as a junior. Gary Fields(26 catches) and John Barrett (21 catches) return as receivers. The addition of kicker Todd Spirt adds an offensive element the Cardinals have lacked the last few years.

Defense: MLB Henry Winebrake returns for his 3rd season as the leader on the cardinals defense and heads a defense that returns 8 starters. Impact players will be Jack Rapine at OLB, Gardner at MLB, Michael Sowers and David Bryant return as CB’s while Evan Scott returns at FS. Lasalle transfer Isaiah Henrich will help anchor a defensive line along with Kane O’Connor, Lee and Fields.

Special Teams: The addition of Todd Spirt gives UD a legitimate kicking game, and if he can consistently kick the ball into the end zone this will be a huge improvement in terms of drive starts for the Cardinals opponents this season. The Cardinals have a plethora of capable kick returners with the likes of George Weems and Phil Butler leading the way.

Like every other team, the Cardinals have to stay healthy. In the interim we need to develop depth on this senior heavy team.