WILKES FOOTBALL GAME NOTES VS. DELAWARE VALLEY

10/6/2011 9:00:00 AM

(Complete Game Notes)

Wilkes Colonels (2-2, 2-1) vs. #16 Delaware Valley Aggies (5-0, 3-0)
Saturday, October 8, 2011 / 1:00 p.m.
Schmidt Stadium

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THE MATCHUP
Wilkes University returns home, their second of four games at Schmidt Stadium this season, against #16 Delaware Valley College. The Colonels are coming off a 45-25 victory over FDU-Florham last Saturday looking to make it three straight wins and hand the Aggies their first loss of 2011.

THE HEAD COACHES
Colonels coach Frank Sheptock (Bloomsburg '85) enters his 16th year on the Wilkes sideline, racking up a 96-67 (.582) record. With the 96 victories, Sheptock is the all-time winningest coach in school history, passing Colonel legend Rollie Schmidt's (1962-1981) 90 wins last season. Sheptock has led the Colonels to two NCAA and seven ECAC playoff berths during his tenure, along with a MAC championship (2006). Wilkes made the NCAA playoffs in 2005 and 2006, going 19-4 overall, including a 42-0 win over Washington & Lee in the first round of the 2006 playoffs. Since 1996, Sheptock has coached 12 All-Americans and 122 All-MAC performers.

Aggies head mentor Jim Clements (Widener '96) enters his sixth season at the helm of the Delaware Valley football program. The two-time reigning Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Coach of the Year, Clements has posted a 45-16 record with three conference championships, one Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South Atlantic Bowl title and two trips to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs in his five years as head coach. He was promoted to head coach prior to the 2006 season after serving as the team's assistant head coach/defensive coordinator for two years. He led Delaware Valley to an 8-3 overall record, including a 7-2 mark in the MAC during his rookie campaign. Last year, Clements and his squad made it three MAC titles in a row as the team finished with a 9-3 overall record and a 6-1 mark in the league.

THE SERIES
This will mark the 48th meeting between the two schools as Wilkes holds a 30-17 advantage in the series. The Colonels are 11-5 against the Aggies under Sheptock. The Aggies took a 30-18 decision at Wilkes last season.

UP NEXT
The Colonels travel to Lycoming College for a MAC matchup scheduled for 1:30 p.m. It will mark the 51st meeting between the two schools as Lycoming holds a 33-17 series advantage. The Colonels are 6-9 against the Warriors under Sheptock.

ON TOP OF THE RECORD BOOK
Going into today's game against Delaware Valley, Sheptock's 96 wins stands as the school's all-time leader. Sheptock's 96 career wins has been built up over 15 seasons of work and includes a program-record 11 wins in 2006. In 163 career games, Sheptock has a winning percentage of .582.

MAC PRESEASON POLL
The MAC preseason coaches poll was released on August 11 as Wilkes was picked to finish third. Delaware Valley, last year's conference champion, was picked first, receiving seven first place votes.

1. Delaware Valley (7)
2. Lycoming (1)
3. Wilkes
4. Widener (1)
5. Albright
6. Lebanon Valley
7. King's
8. FDU-Florham
9. Stevenson

THE COLONEL QBs
Sophomore Alex George (York, PA/West York) continued his fine play under center in last week's win over FDU recording two touchdowns (1 rushing/1 passing). George threw for 117 yards on 11-of-15 attempts and one touchdown. He also continues to hurt opposing defenses with his legs, rushing 10 times for 53 yards and one score including a 17-yard run. Junior Tyler Berntsen (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) also saw time in the contest with six carries for 58 yards in the Colonels spread attack.

THE COLONEL RBs
Senior captain Zach Tivald (Edison, NJ/Edison), the MAC leading rusher, continued where he left off two weeks ago against Widener rushing for a career-high 172 yards on 21 carries against FDU. He found the end zone three times, including scoring runs from 1, 16, and 60 yards. Sophomore Auxence Wogou (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) posted 79 yards on 12 carries, both season-highs. For the game, Wilkes rushed for a season-high 395 yards and four scores, the second straight contest over 300+ yards. For the season, the Colonel ground game averages a MAC best 267.2 yards per-game.

THE COLONEL WRs
Senior captain Todd Eagles (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown East), in his third season with the Colonels after transferring from West Chester, finished with six catches for 74 yards, including a 25-yard strike. Eagles currently ranks second in the MAC in receptions per-game (6.0) and third in receiving yards per-game (91.0). Senior Shawn Gregson (Dingmans Ferry, PA/Delaware Valley) posted two catches for 20 yards, while Daniel Curry (Drexel Hill, PA/Cardinal Ohara) made one catch, a six-yard touchdown reception. Tivald finished with two catches for 17 yards.

THE COLONEL OL
The offensive line returns three of five starters from a season ago, led by senior captain and four-year starter Ben Webb (Shohola, PA/Delaware Valley). The offensive line showed their dominance for a second straight week in the win over FDU clearing the way for a season-high 395 yards and four scores on the ground in the contest. They kept George off the ground allowing just one sack on 15 passing attempts throughout. For the season, Wilkes has only allowed nine sacks.

THE COLONEL DL
The defensive line may be the deepest and most experienced group of the entire defense and it showed against FDU not allowing a rushing touchdown on 180 yards on the ground. The group features five seniors led by captain Harry Reese (Plymouth, PA/Wyoming Valley West), in his second year on the defensive side of the ball after playing his first two seasons at running back. Reese posted five tackles against FDU and totals 16 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss and one interception on the year. Fellow senior James Moore (Orwigsburg, PA/Blue Mountain) had a solid outing posting five tackles. Moore sits tied for third in the MAC in sacks (4.0).

THE COLONEL LBs
Preseason All-American Tate Moore-Jacobs (New Cumberland, PA/Cedar Cliff) continues to lead an experienced group of linebackers this season. Moore-Jacobs posted a team-best 12 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks and his third interception of the season against FDU. It marked the fourth straight game he has hit double figures in tackles. For his performance, Moore-Jacobs was named MAC Defensive Player of the Week. He currently ranks second in the conference in tackles (47) and 7th in tackles for loss (5.5). Sophomore Rob Houseknecht (South Williamsport, PA/South Williamsport) posted a season-best 10 tackles and 2.0 tackles-for-loss. Senior Seth Fetterolf (Berwick, PA/Berwick) added three tackles from his outside linebacker position.

THE COLONEL DBs
The secondary has improved greatly from the start of the season allowing 201 yards passing at FDU last week. The unit was led by freshman Dylan Mohring (Mohrsville, PA/Schuylkill Valley) with six tackles from his safety position. Freshman corner Justin Pellowski (Mt. Carmel, PA/Mt. Carmel) recorded six tackles and three pass break-ups. Senior corner Joe Chrismer (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) posted three tackles and one pass break-up.

Freshman Jake Sarson (Belvidere, NJ/Belvidere) saw extended time in the secondary posting two tackles.

THE COLONEL SPECIALISTS
Sophomore Geoffrey Arentz (Stevens, PA/Lancaster Catholic) notched his second field goal of the season at FDU connecting on a 24-yard strike late in the fourth quarter for the Colonels. Arentz is 2-for-4 on field goal attempts, including a season-long 25-yard field goal at Susquehanna in week one. Arentz missed a 46-yard kick at Albright and a 31-yard kick against Widener in his two other attempts.

Senior Shawn Gregson (Dingmans Ferry, PA/Delaware Valley) continues to serve as kick-off return specialist averaging 19.9 yards per-return. Freshman Andrew Regan (Boonton, NJ/Boonton) provided a spark for Wilkes in the kick return game with an 85-yard kick-off return for a touchdown against FDU. He finished the game with four returns for 133 yards. For his performance, Regan was named MAC Special Teams Player of the Week. Junior David Kratzer (Flanders, NJ/Pope John) has fielded two punt returns averaging 7.5 yards per-return.

SCOUTING THE DEVILS
On offense, Delaware Valley is led by quarterback Aaron Wilmer who has thrown for 1,099 yards and nine touchdowns on 73-for-120 passing. Kyle Schuberth leads the Aggie ground game with 459 yards and seven scores on 73 attempts. Rodney Blango is Wilmer's favorite target on the outside recording 21 catches for 339 yards and two touchdowns. The Aggies average 34.4 points per-contest. On defense, Ken Fowlkes tops the squad with 30 tackles, 6.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks. Chris James follows with 26 tackles, 2.0 TFL and two interceptions. Mike Jaskowski leads the pass rush with 24 tackles, 5.5 TFL, and a team-high 5.5 sacks. DVC allows a conference-low 11.6 points per-contest and ranks second in total defense (221.6 yards allowed p/g).

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