EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University football team has been hard at work preparing for the 2019 season, continuing to build on a turnaround campaign last year where they finished 6-4 under second-year head coach Jonathan Drach. The Colonels will have an opportunity to put their preparations to the test Saturday, September 7 when they open the 2019 campaign with a 1:00 p.m. non-conference matchup with Hartwick College at Wright Stadium.

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Wilkes returns several key performers in skill positions as well as depth and experience up front on both sides of the ball this season. "Our motto hasn't changed too much from last season, we just need to continue to improve and remain driven day in and day out whether it's at practice or in game situations," said Drach. The team saw it first three-game win streak since 2009 when they posted victories over Alvernia University, Albright College and FDU-Florham in three consecutive Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) games last season. Wilkes also finished with its first winning season since 2010 when the Colonels posted a 6-5 mark including a trip to the ECAC Southeast Championship game.
 
After a scrimmage earlier this preseason against Utica College at Schmidt Stadium, Wilkes will head to Oneonta, N.Y. week one for a Hartwick squad that finished 0-8 a season ago.
 
Below is an in-depth look at the squad, position-by-position heading into the final week before the regular season begins.
 
OFFENSE
The Colonel offense looked a bit different a year ago using a much slower-tempo, physical approach as evident by leading the MAC in time of possession at 33:02 per-game. The Colonels averaged 25.6 points per-game including five games with 30-plus points. "On the offensive side of the ball we return four starters on the line which will anchor our scheme and lay the foundation of the offense," explained Drach. "Obviously Jose Tabora (Egg Harbor Township, NJ/St. Augustine Prep.) returns under center and we have some skilled players both in the backfield and out wide that he can spread the ball around to bother opposing defenses."
 
QUARTERBACK
Tabora is back under center and figures to be one of the best at the position in the MAC if not the region. The junior signal-caller led the MAC in yards passing (2,658) and yards passing per-game (265.8) while ranking second in completions (218), attempts (359) and touchdowns (23) a year ago. He did damage with his legs running for a team-best 518 yards and six more scores showing his dual-threat capabilities.
 
Hampered by injuries his first two seasons at Wilkes, Tabora enjoyed a full year running the Colonels offense and the success showed not only in his individual statistics but the teams. The Wilkes offense topped the league in passing (273.8 yards per-game) while also ranking fourth in the MAC in total offense (376.5 yards per-game).
 
Wilkes features a very deep stable of quarterbacks behind Tabora in sophomores Heath Hoovler (Sparrowbush, NY/Burke Catholic) and Doug Weist (Frackville, PA/North Schuylkill) along with junior Wade Rippeon (Damascus, MD/Damascus) and freshman John Washington (Brooklyn, NY/Eagle Academy). All are capable of running the Wilkes offense both in the short term and long term situations if needed.
 
RUNNING BACK/FULLBACK
The running back position may be the youngest and most inexperienced of the offense as the top two rushers behind Tabora from last year are gone. Kelvin Gonzalez (Wanaque, NJ/Lakeland Regional) showed promise in his rookie campaign only to have it cut short by injury. He finished with 19 carries for 20 yards and one touchdown in four games. Gonzalez will look to increase his role this season with more touches. Jeremiah Acker (Moscow, PA/North Pocono) is also back after posting 12 carries for 50 yards.
 
Two rookies look to make immediate impacts at the position as Kamaal Reed (Egg Harbor City, NJ/Cedar Creek) and JaQuan Sheals (Dallas, TX/Cheshire Academy) bring different dynamics to the Colonel run game. Reed is a downhill runner with both speed and power while the speedy Sheals will be utilized in open space and catching the ball out of the backfield.
 
Malachi Clore (West Lawn, PA/Wilson West Lawn), Brandon Taragna (Telford, PA/Souderton) and Nick Gazzola (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) round out the running back group.
 
With the offense highlighting a smash-mouth style of running, Wilkes used the fullback position on a consistent basis last season. Look for returners Joseph Leszczynski (Pompton Plains, NJ/Pequannock) and Matt Rossi (Stewartstown, PA/York County Tech) to see plenty of time at the position along with rookie Joe Curry (Galloway, NJ/Cedar Dreek). Travis Taylor (Takoma Park, MD/Montgomery Blair), Bryce Criscuola (Huntington, NY/Huntington) and Kevin Brown (Baltimore, MD/Mervo) add depth to the group.
 
WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END
The Colonels graduated their top receiver in All-MAC selection Jeff Steeber (Shickshinny, PA/Berwick) but still return a bevy of talent and skill to continue to make the passing game one of the best in the MAC. Nick Yanik (Edison, NJ/Edison Twp.) is back after catching 51 balls for 706 yards and four touchdowns. Yanik will move into the spot vacated by the departure of Steeber as the Colonels go-to receiver on the outside. Derek Nelson (Pompton Plains, NJ/Pequannock) also returns to bolster the outside after posting 36 receptions for 413 yards and four scores.
 
It will be more by committee after Yanik and Nelson as Richard Ermeus (Hillside, NJ/David Brearley) and rookie Nate Whitaker (Upper Darby, PA/Haverford School) add depth behind the two starters. Aboubacar Fofana (Bronx, NY/Kennedy) has shown great abilities in his first year with both his speed and hands. Eddie Soto (Albany, NY/Colonie Central), Brian Carter (Baltimore, MD/Towson), Jason Schweizerhof (Warninster, PA/William Tennent), Jonah Lilley (Wurtsboro, NY/Monticello), Chase Ohlson (Slatington, PA/Northern Lehigh) and Mike O'Donnell (East Newark, NJ/Harrison) round out the wide receiver corps.
 
Four players are back at tight end as Bryce Harrison (Hunlock Creek, PA/Northwest), Justin Deihm (Honey Brook, PA/Twin Valley), Jordan Jones (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Twp.) and Jacob Katz (New City, NY/Clarkson North) all return to shore up the position. Harrison and Deihm shared starts last year combining for 16 catches and 140 yards. Jones finished with seven receptions for 94 yards. Katz coverts to the position after spending last year with the quarterbacks and his 6'6 frame should help create matchup problems with opposing defenses. Rookies Michael Goralski (Southington, CT/Xavier) and Marquis Suite (Baltimore, MD/Delone Catholic) round out the group.
 
OFFENSIVE LINE
Three starters return on the front five including both tackles and one of the guards. Senior Mike Osayi (Middletown, PA/Middletown) and sophomore Brendan Boris (Kulpmont, PA/Mount Carmel) are back to protect Tabora's blind side as the two combined for 20 starts last season. Vincent Rogers (Rahway, NJ/Rahway) is also back at guard after appearing in all ten games a season ago. Rookie Cory Berrien (Old Forge, PA/Old Forge) has emerged as the starter at the other guard while fellow freshman Billy Anderson (Mount Carmel, PA/Mount Carmel) is poised to take over for long-time starter Anthony Marcincavage (Hanover Twp., PA/Hanover Area) at center.
 
Returners Ben Mandell (Edison, NJ/J.P. Stevens), Joey Fleshman (Malvern, PA/Conestoga), Joshua Fitzsimmons (Kunkletown, PA/Pleasant Valley), Nicholas Kubala (Shippensburg, PA/Shippensburg), Keith Allen (Trenton, NJ/Hamilton West) and Tyler Shephard (Greenacres, FL/Berean Christian School) as well as rookies Anthony Zabala (Birdsboro, PA/Exeter Twp.), Caleb Foote (Hamburg, PA/Hamburg Area), Lucas Scott (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Valley), Sebastian Cardelle (Riviera Beach, FL/Palm Beach Gardens), Ryan Martel (Meriden, CT/Francis T. Maloney) and Abel Gonzalez (Nyack, NY/Nyack) will all vie for time in reserve roles at multiple positions along with line.
 
DEFENSE
The Colonel defense used a bend-but-not break mentality in 2018 ranking sixth in the MAC allowing 28.1 points per-game. Wilkes will rely heavily on its front four and standout middle linebacker Bud Moyer (Tamaqua, PA/Tamaqua) to stop opposing team's rushing attacks and get to the quarterback. "We have a veteran group on that side of the ball especially our guys up front," noted Drach. "All three levels of our defense have guys coming back in leadership roles which will help our younger players feel comfortable quicker than usual."
 
DEFENSIVE LINE
It all starts up front stopping the run and getting to the quarterback and the defensive line has the experience and young talent to do just that. All four starters are back as Vinnie Werner (Duncannon, PA/Susquenita) and Dane Tarantelli (Gordon, PA/North Schuylkill) look to clog up the middle at the tackles. Pat Ricci (Gilbertsville, PA/Boyertown) and Justin Trolinger (Carlisle, PA/Carlisle) will add the speed rush on the outside at ends. Werner led all defensive linemen with 40 tackles and added 1.5 sacks. Tarantelli posted 26 stops with 3.0 sacks. Ricci enjoyed a breakout year finishing with 33 tackles and a team-high 9.0 tackles-for-loss and 5.5 sacks (5^th in the MAC). Trolinger rounded out the group with 22 tackles and one sack.
 
Derek Schneider (Spotswood, NJ/Spotswood) and Vinny Bobbin (Schuylkill Haven, PA/Blue Mountain) were key reserves last year and will look to increase their roles from the end position. Brandon Holcomb (Boynton Beach, FL/Boca Raton Community) and Kevin Linden (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) impressed at camp as rookies and will also vie for time in the lineup. Damon Barhight (Wyoming, PA/Wyoming Area), Shane Davidson (Spring Hill, FL/Weeki Wachee), Thomas George (Gainesville, FL/Oak Hall), Billy Costner (Bordentown, NJ/Bordentown Regional), Mateik Nembhard (Edison, NJ/J.P. Stevens), David Greene (Piscataway, NJ/Picataway), John Bender (Elizabethtown, PA/Elizabethtown), Antonio Marino (Bordentown, NJ/Bordentown Regional), Michael Renard (Mifflinburg, PA/Mifflinburg), Cameron Stephens (Bellefonte, PA/Bellefonte), Giovanni Raduazzo (Everett, MA/Everett), Adam Piston (Laurys Station, PA/Parkland) and Daniel Lopez (Piscataway, NJ/Piscataway) make the defensive line the largest group on the team.
 
LINEBACKER
It all starts with Bud Moyer (Tamaqua, PA/Tamaqua) at the linebacker position for Wilkes. An All-MAC performer a year ago, Moyer finished third in the MAC with 93 tackles including 9.0 for loss and a half sack. He also got it done in pass defense posting three breakups in coverage. A do-everything linebacker using speed and strength, Moyer will continue to lead the second level for Wilkes both in the defensive run game and pass game.
 
Cole Jesmer (Dover, PA/Dover) is back after posting 16 tackles a season ago. Gabe Allgyer (Paradise, PA/Pequea Valley), who missed last year due to injury, returns to add more experience to the group after posting 17 tackles and an interception in 2017. Also returning is Tyler Nelson (Hawthorne, NJ/Hawthorne), Gregory Chrysler (Mount Joy, PA/Donegal), Ian Allison (North Chili, NY/Churchville-Chili) and Aidan Sinisgalli (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Jefferson Twp.).
 
Wilkes also added a talented rookie class in Devin Braun (Parkville, MD/Parkville), Jacob Gelvin (Reading, PA/Governor Mifflin), Jason Hampton (Lakeland, FL/Lakeland), Billy Doron (Hawley, PA/Wallenpaupack), Dante Gazzola (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) and Liam Egan (Calverton, NY/Riverhead).
 
SECONDARY
The secondary had its up and downs last season due to inexperience but that shouldn't be the case in 2019. Nahjir Woods (Piscataway NJ/Piscataway) returns as the top corner after finishing with 41 tackles, eight pass breakups and three picks. He will be looked upon to cover the top target on the outside for opposing teams. Anthony Washington (Montoursville, PA/Montoursville Area) is in line for the other corner position after seeing limited time (five tackles in nine games) as a rookie last season.
 
Zachary Weber (Douglassville, PA/Twin Valley) returns at one of the safety positions after posting 36 tackles and one interception last year. Avery Demko (Mount Carmel, PA/Mount Carmel) and Dylan Walck (Hamlin, PA/Western Wayne) have made strong strides in their first camp and will look to make immediate impacts in the Colonel secondary. Ishmael Coleman (Philadelphia, PA/Willingboro), John Vanlenten, Chase Sincavage (Schuylkill Haven, PA/Blue Mountain) and Zach Nesheiwat also return to add depth to the secondary along with a talented rookie class of Jack Malatesta (Bloomsburg, PA/Bloomsburg), Quincy Banks (Bronx, NY/Kennedy), Jeremie Hernandez (Bronx, NY/Kennedy), Donte Downing (Nyack, NY/Nyack), Phil Davis (Milton, PA/Milton Area) and Tylen Jennette (West Haven, CT/West Haven).
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
Wilkes has two kickers on the roster as Alexander Despirito is back to take on the kicking duties in 2019. He went 4-for-8 on field goal attempts including a perfect 3-for-3 on kicks between 20-29 yards. He will also take on the kickoff responsibilities this fall. Yanik will serve as the punter after posting 21 punts for 804 yards, good for 38.3 yards per-punt. Rookie Justin Pollack (Sloatsburg, NY/Suffern) will serve as a second option in the kick game.
 
NOTES
- Wilkes will play two non-conference games to open the season before eight straight MAC opponents. The Colonels will not play every team in the conference this season under the new schedule format, with the Lebanon Valley week two game serving as a non-conference contest.
 
- Homecoming is set for Saturday, October 5 at 1:00 p.m. against Alvernia University. Senior Day will take place Saturday, November 9 at 12:00 p.m.
 
- The annual Mayor's Cup game against cross-town rival King's College is scheduled for the season finale Saturday, November 16 at McCarthy Stadium.
 
- NEPA Local Sports Media, in its second year partnering with Wilkes, will be the official voice of Colonel Football providing audio at all home contests. Tom Ferguson will serve as the play-by-play voice of the Colonels.