MAC Release /
2010 Schedule
WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes University football team has been picked fourth in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC), as voted on by the coaches of the league.
The Colonels are tied for the fourth spot with Lycoming, trailing last year's champion Delaware Valley (six first place votes), Lebanon Valley (two first place votes) and Albright, respectively. Widener, FDU-Florham and King's round out the rest of the poll.
“As with most preseason polls, this is very reflective of the final 2009 standings,” Wilkes head coach Frank Sheptock said. “This is very much what we expected. Delaware Valley has a lot of returning starters, Lebanon Valley returns a good nucleus and Albright is establishing themselves as a top-level team.”
Wilkes will look to improve upon its fourth place MAC finish in 2009 with the help of a strong senior class and 12 returning starters.
Among the returners on offense is senior wide receiver
Jordan D'Emilio (Stowe, Pa., Saint Pius X), a second team All-MAC performer last season. 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.
The combination of senior
Joseph Lemoncelli (Clarks Summit, Pa., Lakeland) and junior
Ben Webb (Shohola, Pa., Delaware Valley) has totaled 37 career starts on the offensive line, they return to lead the way for backfield mates in senior
Jonathon Kocher (Larksville, Pa., Wyoming Valley West) and junior
Zach Tivald (Edison, N.J., Edison). Tivold 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.
The Colonels defense is highlighted by a very strong front seven. They'll be anchored up front by senior
Chris Swinarski (Old Bridge, Pa., 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. Swinarski will be joined by junior
James Moore (Orwigsburg, Pa., Blue Mountain), who started 10 games and had 6.5 tackles for loss in 2009. Senior
Ryan Clifford (Raritan, N.J., Bridgewater) and Walter Pabst are the returning starting linebackers, posting 60 and 37 tackles, respectively.
Senior
Kevin Gerhart (Hummelstown, Pa., Lower Dauphin), a two-time All-MAC performer, and
Greg Nielsen (Wharton, N.J., 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, and Nielsen has started the last 21 straight games.
“We have some question marks heading in camp,” said Sheptock. “But it's exciting to participate in molding our players into a productive group.”
The Colonels open their 2010 season at home on September 11 when they host Waynesburg in the “PAC-MAC Football Challenge Series.” The game will be played on the brand new FieldTurf at Ralston Stadium. Wilkes will then host Springfield on September 18 before traveling to Utica to take on the Pioneers on September 25.
|
School (First Place Votes)
|
Points
|
'09 Record
|
|
1. Delaware Valley (6)
|
47
|
10-2
|
|
2. Lebanon Valley (2)
|
41
|
9-2
|
|
3. Albright
|
37
|
11-2
|
|
t-4. Wilkes
|
27
|
6-5
|
|
t-4. Lycoming
|
27
|
4-6
|
|
6. Widener
|
24
|
3-7
|
|
7. FDU-Florham
|
11
|
2-8
|
|
8. King's
|
10
|
3-7
|
