2010 Schedule / 2010 Roster / MAC Preseason Poll / 2010 Media Guide

WILKES-BARRE - The Wilkes University football team comes into the 2010 season with high expectations after last year's 6-5 record, rebounding from back-to-back 4-6 campaigns in 2007 and 2008. Head coach Frank Sheptock, entering his 15th season at the helm of the Colonels, wants to bring back the mental and physical toughness that helped his 2006 team to an 11-1 record, a Middle Atlantic Conference championship and a berth in the NCAA playoffs. A strong senior class and 13 starters return to help him do just that.

“Our expectation is that we'll be competitive in the MAC,” Sheptock said. “That's what we're preparing for.”

“Our goal since January has been to establish who we are,” continued Sheptock. “We want to create a vision and expectation in developing a championship culture at Wilkes.”

OFFENSE

The Colonels will look to get the ball in the hands of a deep group of skill position players in 2010, as Sheptock will look to best utilize his offensive personnel.

“Offensively, our main goal is to create matchup problems with our skill guys,” said Sheptock.

QUARTERBACK

The biggest question mark on offense will be the quarterback position. Junior Marc Persing (Coal Township, Shamonkin) is the only returner with playing time, having seen action in seven games last year, going 6-of-12 for 92 yards and an interception. He had a strong spring, but coach Sheptock stresses that it will be an open competition in fall camp.

“Our quarterback will need to be a leader, someone the offense will respond to,” Sheptock said. “He'll need to be a good decision maker and an extension of the coaching staff.”

RUNNING BACK

Wilkes will feature a quality group of running backs, led by junior Zach Tivald (Edison, NJ, Edison). Tivald led the Colonels with 557 yards in 2009, but really came on strong in the second half of the year, rushing for 414 yards in the final six games, including 149 in a win over Lycoming. He also showed good hands, catching 12 passes for 120 yards and a score.

Tivald will be backed up by senior Jon Kocher (Larksville, Wyoming Valley West), a nine-game starter a year ago. More of an inside runner, Kocher ran 19 times for 74 yards last season, adding 12 catches for 103 yards. Sheptock describes Kocher as “a complete football player in all facets.” Junior TJ Bergmann (Matamoras, Delaware Valley) gained quality snaps a year ago, rushing 20 times for 84 yards and a touchdown in just six games.

WIDE RECEIVERS / TIGHT END

Sheptock will look to establish depth at wide receiver and has a very good building block in senior Jordan D'Emilio (Stowe, Saint Pius X), a second team All-MAC performer in 2009. He led the Colonels in both catches (55) and yards (635) and had eight five-reception games, including a nine-catch, 100-yard effort in a win over Christopher Newport. 

Junior Shawn Gregson (Dingmans Ferry, Delaware Valley), a third and fourth receiver last season, will look to establish himself opposite of D'Emilio in 2010. Gregson made his catches count last season, scoring three times on just 10 receptions. Juniors Todd Eagles (Downingtown, Downingtown East) and Adam Fraley (Swoyersville, Wyoming Valley West) and sophomore David Kratzer (Flanders, NJ, Pope John), who all had strong springs, will look for playing time for the Colonels.

At tight end, senior Anthony Dorunda (New Milford, Susqehanna) returns after catching 13 balls for 166 yards in 2009.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The offensive line was hit hard by graduation, but still returns experienced players in senior Joe Lemoncelli (Clarks Summit, Lakeland) and junior Ben Webb (Shohola, Delaware Valley). They've combined for 38 career starts, with Webb posting 11 and Lemoncelli getting nine a year ago.

Junior Nicholas Riccio (Howell, NJ, Howell), who saw his playing time increase as last season went on, will look to start in 2010. Another question mark this year, Sheptock's goal in fall camp is to develop continuity and depth.

DEFENSE

The defense returns five starters from a group that forced 25 turnovers a season ago. The Colonels bring back a lot of experience, especially in the front seven. “This group has tremendous potential,” said Sheptock.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The Colonels line will be anchored up front by senior Chris Swinarski (Old Bridge, Old Bridge), a second team All-MAC pick a year ago and one of the best defensive linemen in the conference. He totaled 35 tackles last season, getting 5.0 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss. For his career, Swinarski has 79 tackles, 12.0 sacks and 18.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

He'll be joined by junior James Moore (Orwigsburg, Blue Mountain), who started 10 games and had 6.5 tackles for loss in 2009. Junior Josh Brito (Little Falls, NJ/Passaic Valley) looks to return to the lineup in 2010 after sitting out last season. He had 28 tackles and 6.0 tackles for loss in 2008. Juniors Jared Nesi (Marmora, NJ, Ocean City/Valley Forge Military Academy) and Victor Trentacost (Wayne, NJ, DePaul Catholic) performed well in pass rushing situations and will look for more playing time in 2010.

The coaching staff is excited about the position change of junior Harry Reese (Plymouth, Wyoming Valley West), a seven-game starter in the offensive backfield in 2009. Reese has rushed for 619 yards and five touchdowns in two years on the offensive side of the ball, while also collecting six tackles on special teams.

LINEBACKERS

Senior Ryan Clifford (Raritan, NJ, Bridgewater) and junior Walt Pabst (Scranton, Scranton) return as starting linebackers. Clifford registered 60 tackles and 4.0 tackles for loss last year while Pabst added 37 tackles. Junior Seth Fetterolf (Berwick, Berwick) received quality playing time in 2009 and will be looked upon to contribute more this season.

Sophomores Ryan Deeney (Milford, DE, Milford) and Shawn Leslie (Miami, FL, Archbishop Coleman Carrol) bring good size to the linebacking corps and look to compete in 2010.

SECONDARY

Senior Kevin Gerhart (Hummelstown, Lower Dauphin), a two-time All-MAC performer, and Greg Nielsen (Wharton, NJ, Roxbury) are the foundation of a secondary that allowed 198.2 yards passing per game in 2009. Gerhart led the team in tackles last season with 100, adding five interceptions. For his career, Gerhart has totaled 173 tackles and 10 picks.

Nielsen has started the last 21 straight games for Wilkes, picking up 40-plus tackles in each of the last two seasons.

“Kevin is a complete football player and we have tremendous confidence in Greg,” said Sheptock of his two safeties.

Both starting corners from a year ago are gone, so there will be a battle at both spots in fall camp. Juniors Matt Gunther (Easton, Easton) and Shane Stanek (Bogota, NJ, Bogota) and sophomore Chris Demuro (Albrightsville, Jim Thorpe) will be competing while junior Joseph Chrismer (Mountaintop, Crestwood), last year's nickelback, will also look to start.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Junior Chris Horn (New Tripoli, Northwestern Lehigh), a first team All-MAC pick as a freshman, returns to perform kicking duties in 2010. Horn has connected on 16-of-19 field goals and 45-of-52 extra points during his time at Wilkes and also might be looked upon to punt this season.

There will be a hole at both return spots this year, as Sheptock will look towards a host of players to help fill the void.

OVERALL

After hitting a peak in 2006, the Colonels record has fallen the last three seasons, mostly due to losing close games. Coach Sheptock will look for his team to be more competitive in the MAC in what he believes could be a transition year for the conference.

“We're trying to emphasize to our players the championship culture we want to bring to Wilkes,” Sheptock said. “We keep telling them to be more focused on where we're going and not where we've been.”