WILLIAMSTOWN, MA — Mike Whalen’s philosophy goes
something likes this: Any time you can have a preseason camp where
guys know if they don’t come to practice every day, someone
else could earn a job at their position, it’s a good
thing.
If that is indeed the case, then the Williams head coach is one
happy, pardon the expression – camper – these days.
Of the 11 Ephs named all-conference at the end of another 6-2
season in 2008, only three are back. Of the 22 players who started
in a 24-23 win over Amherst in November, 11 return.
So Whalen, who enters his sixth season with a 32-8 career mark
(.800 win percentage), and his coaching staff have plenty to sort
out before the Ephs travel to Colby on September 26th for their
season opener.
“I just think there’s a lot of great competition for
positions out there this preseason,” Whalen said.
“We’re excited to see what develops – any time
you can have a camp where guys are competing every day,
that’s a good thing.”
DEFENSE
The Ephs allowed only 17.5 points per game last season, tied for the top in the conference with champion Trinity. Senior tri-captain
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| Tim Kiley '11 |
Ikenna Iheoma will anchor a veteran secondary from one
cornerback spot. In ’08, Iheoma was second in the NESCAC win
passes defended per game with a 1.25 average. He also intercepted
two passes.
Three Ephs will vie for the starting role at the cornerback spot
opposite Iheoma: Senior Matt Zanedis, a special team standout last
season, junior Chris Rudnicki and sophomore Ben Oliva.
“Those three will be competing to start, but I expect
we’ll see all four out on the field,” Whalen said.
At the safety positions, the Ephs have seniors Will Cronin and
Tyler Ware returning. Both will be pressed by sophomore Dan
O’Mara, who has put in an excellent camp.
The linebacking corps is a little more up in the air in the sense
of knowing what you’re getting. Junior Pat Barren is back and
will be on the outside. He had 41 tackles, 22 solo, last season.
Much is expected out of local product Dylan Schultz, a junior, who
is coming off a season in which he did not play because of
injury. Junior Dan Johnson played well when he was on the
field in ’08, but missed the last half of the season with an
injury.
Senior Eric Anderson also returns. He gives the Ephs a lot of
versatility in that he can play middle or on the outside. Others
who will battle for playing time include sophomores Markus
Gonzalez, Noah Goldberg and Conor Ryan along with junior Ifiok
Iyang.
The defensive line is somewhat in flux at the end position,
although junior Tim Kiely, who has 27 tackles last season, three
for loss, and 1 ½ sacks, is back. Senior E.J. Toppin could
provide some depth at end, along with sophomore Greg Johnson. The
x-factors are junior Dan Canina and senior Jeff Churchill, who both
missed last season with injuries.
“I think any time you’re relying on guys who
didn’t play the year before, or missed part of the year,
there will be question marks,” Whalen said. “If these
guys can play at the level we think they can and stay healthy at
the same time, we expect good things.”
Four players will vie for time on the inside, Colin Curzi, Dan
Vaczy and Nikola Mirkovic. Junior Ben Halbower will also see time
there.
“I think we look really good on the inside,” Whalen
said. “If all those guys are healthy, they’ll all see
time on the field.”
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| Will Cronin '10 |
SPECIAL TEAMS
Cronin is also back to do the punting. Last season he averaged
33.6 yards per punt and 19 times pinned the Ephs’ opponent
inside their own 10-yard line.
“I can’t count the number of times Will Cronin has
pinned an opponent inside the 20,” Whalen said. “If we
can continue to have success there, he will be a huge, huge
weapon.”
The kicking game is also in good hands with the return of senior
Scott Sobolewski, who made 4 of 8 attempts last season, including
two from over 40 yards. He was also successful on 21 of 22 extra
point attempts.
“He’s another huge weapon for us,” Whalen said.
“To have the ability late in the half or the game to know if
you get inside the 30 you have a chance at a field goal is big.
Both those guys (Sobolewski, Cronin) have to play huge roles for us
this season.”
On punt returns, expect to see juniors Barren and Tommy Tysse and,
on kick-off returns, look for junior Bryce Bennett to show his
talent.
OFFENSE
Gone is 2,000-yard rusher Brian Morrissey and All-American tackle
John Szawlowski, but the Ephs still have plenty of experience to
help make the transition from year to year smoother.
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| Simon Kloeckner '10 |
Senior captain Simon Kloeckner returns at guard to anchor the
offensive line. Junior Kevin Rose is the leading candidate to start
at the other guard spot, but expect senior John McSwiggin to see
plenty of time there and for junior Matt Blake and sophomores Evan
Perrson and John Rabiner to push the upperclassmen.
The Ephs have the potential to be strong at center, where seniors
Tim Bishop and Mike Vandenberg both have plenty of experience.
Sophomore Vincent Nistico will also be given a look at center.
At the tackle, replacing John and Henry Szawlowski won’t be
easy. Seniors Mike McGuire and Graham McCullough and junior Brendan
Munzer will be given first crack, with sophomores Steve Denza and
Ken Murgo also getting a look.
“I expect to see great competition there for playing
time,” Whalen said. “They’ve all worked hard. The
offensive line as a whole may be our deepest position
experience-wise. We have some pretty good depth there and some
pretty good talent.”
Replacing workhorse Morrissey, who toted the pigskin 224 times
last season, will be a daunting task. Junior Ryan Lupo (7 carries,
30 yards) will be given every chance to win the job.
Junior Bryce Bennett, who has played quarterback, defensive back
and wide receiver in his time at Williams, will also get a look in
the backfield along with junior Clint Robbins, moved over from wide
receiver, and first years Tom Wohlwender and Tim Morris.
“We’re going to need these guys to get into the mix
and see what happens,” Whalen said. “Clint has done a
great job making the transition and could be a factor for us. Lupo
has waited two years to get his chance. As a coach, you want to see
anyone who has paid his dues and worked hard succeed.”
Junior Pat Moffitt is back at quarterback after completing 58
percent of his passes and throwing 12 touchdowns in ’08. But
the job will not be handed to him as sophomores Matt Coyne and
Chris Cleary will push him.
“It’s a situation where, Day 1, Pat comes in as the
starter,” Whalen said. “But we expect there to be a
competition for the job.”
At tight end, expect to see juniors Jon Carroll and Owen Moss to
see plenty of time. Junior Andrew Knez has also been moved over
from defensive end for a chance to play.
Who will start at wide receiver is anyone’s guess, but there
are several qualified candidates to do so. Senior captain Nick Caro
has returned from a season-ending injury at Hamilton last year to
compete for a spot, but the coaching staff is going to handle that
comeback attempt with care. Before he was injured, Caro caught 32
passes for 556 yards (17.4 yards per catch) and three touchdowns.
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| Nick Caro '10 |
Sophomore J.C. Stickney and junior Todd Schnuck both had big
receptions in a 24-23 season-ending win over Amherst. The
aforementioned Bryce Bennett may also get a look here as well as
tailback. Junior Tommy Tysse is back after missing most of last
season with an injury, as is classmate Jamal Jefferson.
“There is a lot of talent there, but there are lot of
question marks as well,” Whalen said. “The good news
is, again, there will be a competition for playing time.”
OUTLOOK
The NESCAC will be ruled by defending champion Trinity until some
team knocks them from the top. In addition, there are several other
outstanding teams in the conference, including Colby, who the Ephs
open the season with September 26th in Waterville, Maine.
“There are a lot of very good teams, certainly I expect us
to be in the mix,” Whalen said. “Right now, we’re
focused on ourselves and trying to figure out who are best 22
players are. We need to have a good preseason with as much
competition as we can to see who rises to the top.”
