Saturday, September 17, 2011 / 1:00 p.m.
Shirk Stadium
THE MATCHUP
Wilkes University continues its opening season road stretch at Albright College at Shirk Stadium in both squads MAC opener. The Colonels had an unexpected week off last week as their contest at Waynesburg was canceled due to the flooding in the Wyoming Valley.
THE HEAD COACHES
Colonels coach Frank Sheptock (Bloomsburg '85) enters his 16th year on the Wilkes sideline, racking up a 94-66 (.702) record. With the 94 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.
Lions mentor, John Marzka (Allegheny '91) is entering his fifth season at the helm of the Albright College Football program. Named Head Coach in 2007, he and his staff inherited a 2-8 football team and have since directed one of the most impressive turnarounds in NCAA history. The Lions have amassed a 31-14 record and three post-season wins since Marzka's arrival. His 74% win ratio prior to the start of the 2010 seasons was the best for any Albright Football coach with at least three seasons leading the program, while his 26 wins are the most of any Lions' gridiron coach in his first three years on the job.
THE SERIES
This will mark the 35th meeting between the two schools, as Albright holds an 18-16 advantage in the series. Wilkes took a 38-35 victory last season in Edwardsville in week four.
UP NEXT
The Colonels finally make their home debut against Widener University next Saturday. It will be a big day for the University as a whole as Homecoming and the naming of Schmidt Stadium will take place. It will be the 26th meeting between the two schools, as Widener holds a 15-10-1 advantage in the series. The Pride took a 41-21 victory last season in Chester, Pa.
THE RALSTON ATHLETIC COMPLEX'S NEW LOOK
The Ralston Athletic Complex is currently in Phase II of a $3 million renovation, which has seen a new synthetic turf along with lights added to the stadium. Fencing, a temporary visitor's press box and comfort facilities, as well as an upgraded public address system are additional features of this part of the project. In addition to the Colonels football team, Wilkes men's and women's soccer along with field hockey will play on the new turf in the fall, while the lacrosse team uses the field in the spring.
ON TOP OF THE RECORD BOOK
Going into today's game against Albright, Sheptock's 94 wins stands as the school's all-time leader. Sheptock's 94 career wins has been built up over 15 seasons of work and includes a program-record 11 wins in 2006. In 160 career games, Sheptock has a winning percentage of .702.
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) was excellent in his first game under center this year against Susquehanna going 20-26 for 216 yards and three touchdowns. He also used his feet to cause problems for the opposing defense, rushing for a team-high 71 yards including a 37-yard scamper. Junior Tyler Berntsen (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) also saw time in the contest going 1-2 for 32 yards. Berntsen carried the ball three times for 10 yards in the Colonels spread attack.
THE COLONEL RBs
Senior captain Zach Tivald (Edison, NJ/Edison) rushed for 58 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries against Susquehanna. His touchdown came midway through the fourth quarter putting the Colonels up 30-15. Sophomore Auxence Wogou (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) was held in check against Susquehanna rushing for 29 yards on just two carries. Wogou did break off a 27-yard rush in the third quarter. The Colonels racked up 162 rushing yards against the Crusaders in week one.
THE COLONEL WRs
Senior captain Todd Eagles (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown East), in his third season with the Colonels after transferring from West Chester, enjoyed the finest day of his career against Susquehanna catching eight balls for 143 yards and three touchdowns. For his performance, Eagles was named to the MAC Honor Roll in week one. He accounted for 18 of the Colonel 30 points in the contest. Wogou may have been held in check on the ground, but had a nice effort catching the ball out of the backfield with four receptions for 49 yards. Senior Shawn Gregson (Dingmans Ferry, PA/Delaware Valley) posted three catches for 27 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). Webb is the epitome of consistency in the Colonel program having started in every game since he walked onto campus (33 games) at multiple positions on the line. Joining Webb are returning starters juniors Simon Tkach (Lehighton, PA/Lehighton) and Chris Grube (Orwigsburg, PA/Nativity) who have combined for 21 starts in their Wilkes careers.
THE COLONEL DL
The defensive line may be the deepest and most experienced group of the entire defense and it showed against Susquehanna limiting the Crusaders to just 43 yards on the ground. Five seniors return led by captain Harry Reese (Plymouth, PA/Wyoming Valley West) is starting his second year on the defensive side of the ball after playing his first two seasons at running back. Reese posted four tackles and 1.0 tackles for loss in week one against Susquehanna. Fellow senior James Moore (Orwigsburg, PA/Blue Mountain) had a solid outing posting two tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 1.0 sack.
THE COLONEL LBs
A young, athletically gifted group of linebackers, including three starters, are back to solidify the defense in 2011. Preseason All-American Tate Moore-Jacobs (New Cumberland, PA/Cedar Cliff) returns to lead an experienced group of linebackers after a stellar first year. Moore- Jacobs posted a team-best 11 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one interception at Susquehanna. Returning starters sophomores Rob Houseknecht (South Williamsport, PA/South Williamsport) and Tom Calabrese (Belvidere, NJ/Belvidere), and senior Seth Fetterolf (Berwick, PA/Berwick) are also back. Houseknecht posted three tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss, and 1.0 sack in week one, while Calabrese finished with two tackles. Fetterolf contributed five tackles with 1.0 tackles for loss.
THE COLONEL DBs
The Colonels struggled to keep the Susquehanna passing attack at bay in week one allowing 421 yards through the air including four touchdowns. The unit will look to bounce back against Albright who average 247.5 yards in the passing game through two games. Senior corners Matt Gunther (Easton, PA/Easton) and Joe Chrismer (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) man the outside for Wilkes. Gunther made two stops in week one, while Chrismer finished with nine tackles, pass break-up, and one pass deflection. Junior Shane Stanek (Bogota, NJ/Bogota) saw extended time in the secondary posting four tackles last week.
THE COLONEL SPECIALISTS
The Colonels look to sophomore Geoffrey Arentz (Stevens, PA/Lancaster Catholic) to take on the kicking/punting duties in 2011. Arentz made good on his debut canning a 25-yard field goal against Susquehanna. He punted twice in the contest averaging 33.5 yards per-punt including a long of 34 yards and one inside the twenty. Gregson took kick-off return responsibilities averaging 26.0 yards per-return. Wogou fielded one punt return for 42 yards in week one.
SCOUTING THE LIONS
On offense, the Lions are led by junior quarterback Adam Galczynski who threw for 163 yards (7-for-10) and one touchdown in the win against Geneva College last week. For the year, Galczynski has completed 13-of-19 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns. Josan Holmes leads the ground game totaling 169 yards and two scores through two games. Scott Pillar is the top threat on the outside catching six balls for 145 yards and two touchdowns. The Albright defense may be one of the best in the MAC allowing just 263 yards of total offense through it first two games, including a defensive touchdown in the win against Geneva. Mark Bergery tops the defense with 12 tackles and three pass break-ups. Matt Pattison posts a team-high 2.5 tackles for loss, while Don Gould contributes a team-best 2.0 sacks.
