Football News
2009 Preview
Big things are expected in 2009 as the Centre College football team will look to follow up a successful 2008 campaign, in which the Colonels went 7-3 overall and 5-2 in the SCAC finishing in a tie for second place. With several starters returning and Farris Stadium receiving a new field turf surface, Centre looks to add to its 13 conference championships in 2009.
The offense returns nine starters, including five all-conference performers and the 2008 SCAC Newcomer of the Year, from a year ago after making the transition to a new offense last season.
Centre returns two experienced quarterbacks in sophomore Tyler Osterman and senior Grant Conliffe. Osterman stepped in midway through the season following an injury to Conliffe and earned SCAC Newcomer of the Year honors by leading the Colonels to a 5-1 record to finish the year. In nine games he threw for 1206 yards with 10 touchdowns and a 62.1 completion percentage. Osterman was also second on the team in rushing yards with 222 and three touchdowns on the ground. Conliffe began 2008 as the starter and threw for 842 yards and seven touchdowns before an injury ended his season.
The Colonels top two running backs will return in 2009 led by First Team All-SCAC running back Jonathan Pinque. As a freshman Pinque rushed for 620 on 137 carries (4.5 avg.) with 11 touchdowns to tie for fourth on the Centre single-season rushing touchdown list. The sophomore also was second on the team in receiving with 289 yards on 27 catches with a touchdown. Senior Chase Porter also returns to the backfield after running for 195 yards on 67 carries (2.9) with a score.
The receiving corps will be young, but talented. Sophomore John Coomer excelled at tight end last year grabbing 22 balls for 180 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Rob Pope looks to rebound after an injury cut his season short. Pope caught 16 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns in only seven games. Senior Aaron Hay is back after making nine catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns as is senior Kyle Saylor who made seven grabs for 86 yards and will be looked at for an increased role this year.
While Centre says goodbye to all-conference performer Brian Coxon, the offensive line returns four starters, including three All-SCAC selections in seniors Dan Fox and Alex Becker, along with sophomore Dane Spoelker. Senior Ryan Marshall will return from injury and juniors Jason Blatt and Nathan Frye will be counted on in 2009.
Although the Colonels graduated one of the top defenders in school history in Adam Hay, the defense will return six starters from last year’s team, led by five All-SCAC performers.
Second Team All-SCAC pick and Tim Groh and Honorable Mention selection Graham Herron will anchor the defensive line as they return for their senior and junior seasons respectively. Junior Kevin Harman will also look to an increased role after gaining valuable experience last year.
Senior Brian Sneed will lead the linebackers after earning Second Team All-SCAC accolades in 2008. Sneed was second on the team in tackles (98) and tackles for loss (10.5). Junior Brian Hodge returns for his second season at linebacker after starting his career as a running back and senior T.J. Lewis looks to finish his senior year on a high note.
The secondary returns three starters led by Second Team All-SCAC selections Zach Sloan and Sean Swallen. Sloan enters the season tied for second all-time in school history with 14 career interceptions, while Swallen was third on the team in total tackles with 77. Junior Jimmy Warren also returns at cornerback after making 39 stops a year ago and senior Matt Mazzanti will make the transition from linebacker to safety in 2009.
The Centre special teams returns both its punter and kicker for the 2009 campaign. Senior John Starks handled both the kick-offs and field goal duties a year ago and hit 80.0% of his field goal attempts (4-5). Senior Jeff Collett took over as the team’s primary punter after an injury to Chris Zimmerman. Collett averaged 37.2 yards per punt on 37 attempts. He also dropped seven inside the 20-yard line and nailed six 50+ yard kicks, including a long of 59 yards.
The Colonels will open their 2009 campaign on the road when they travel to Hanover, Ind. to play Hanover College. Game time is set for 1:30 p.m. at L.S. Ayers Field. |
