EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University football team finally returns to competition after nearly 22 months from its last date of play where the Colonels made their first debut in a postseason contest since 2010. The Colonels, under head coach Jonathan Drach who enters his four season at the helm of the program, begin their 2021 campaign on Saturday hosting Keystone College at 1:00 p.m. at Schmidt 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 the 2019 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.
 
Wilkes raced out to a 5-0 start during 2019 before a setback against eventual Middle Atlantic Conference Champion Delaware Valley in week 7. Wins against FDU-Florham and cross-town rival King's in the Mayor's Cup propelled the squad to eight wins, the most since the 2006 season when Wilkes went undefeated in the regular season and finished 11-1 overall. The team finished 6-2 in MAC play settling for third place in the team standings when the season concluded.
 
After a scrimmage earlier this preseason at Utica College, Wilkes sets its sights on Keystone, a team that hasn't played a full varsity schedule yet since its restart in 2019.
 
Below is an in-depth look at the squad, position-by-position heading into the first game of the regular season.
 
OFFENSE
The Colonel offense figures to mirror the last time they were on the field in 2019, using the run game to slow down the tempo and control possession as evident with its 32:25 time of possession last season which finished second overall in the MAC.  The offense averaged 29.9 point per-game including six games with 30-plus points. "Our offense will be built up front with our offensive line where we return four of five starters", said Drach.
 
QUARTERBACK
Jose Tabora (Egg Harbor Township, NJ/St. Augustine Prep.) is back under center and figures to be one of the best at the position in the MAC if not the region in his final season in the blue and gold. The senior signal-caller threw for 2,209 yards on166-for-290 passing including 17 touchdowns. He also used his legs to keep drives alive rushing 112 times for 472 yards and eight more scores.
 
The position is very deep with two juniors, Heath Hoovler (Sparrowbush, NY/Burke Catholic) and Doug Weist (Frackville, PA/North Schuylkill), also back to solidify the position. Hoovler finished 2019 in limited time with 101 yards passing and two scores while Weist threw for 87 yards and one touchdown. Both are capable of running the Wilkes offense in both short term and long term situations.
 
RUNNING BACK/FULLBACK
The running back position may be the youngest of the offense as only one player who saw significant time returns this year. Kamaal Reed (Egg Harbor City, NJ/Cedar Creek) is back after rushing 62 times for 246 yards and three touchdowns. Reed is a downhill runner who looks for contact and tough yards in between the tackles.
 
Rookie Elijah Jules (Red Bank, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) has emerged as the lead runner out of camp showing great speed and agility to break tackles and make big runs. Both Reed and Jules can also catch the ball out of the backfield in target screen plays as well as delayed routes.
 
With the offense highlighting a smash-mouth style of running, Wilkes will continue to use the fullback position on a consistent basis. Look for sophomores Joe Curry (Galloway, NJ/Cedar Dreek) and Kevin Brown (Baltimore, MD/Mervo) to see plenty of playing time at the position paving the way for Colonel runners.
 
WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END
The receiving core also looks to be young this season as both projected starters played limited time in 2019. Sophomores Larry Brown (Severn, MD/Archbishop Spalding) and Cory Pelzer (Somerset, NJ/The Pennington School) will be looked upon to make plays on the outside, both possessing good hands and disciplined route running.
 
All-MAC selection at returner sophomore Nate Whitaker (Upper Darby, PA/Haverford School) will also see time on the outside and will continue to use his speed and agility to make big, long plays for the Colonel offense. Junior Jonah Lilley (Wurtsboro, NY/Monticello), with three years experience under his belt, will also be asked to fill roles in the receiving core for the squad.
 
Junior Jacob Katz (New City, NY/Clarkson North) returns to shore up the tight end position where the Colonels like to use both in blocking and catching situations. Katz, at 6'6, creates matchup problems with his height and strength against opposing secondary and linebackers. Rookie Jason Dean (Auburn, PA/Blue Mountain) will also vie for time at the position.
 
OFFENSIVE LINE
In what may be the key to the offense's success this season, four of the five starters return from 2019 as the Wilkes offensive line looks poised to be one of the best in the MAC. Wilkes averaged 139 yards per-game on the ground scoring half of their total touchdowns by way of the run game.
 
Sophomore Billy Anderson (Mount Carmel, PA/Mount Carmel) returns at center to pilot the line as well as sophomore left guard Cory Berrien (Old Forge, PA/Old Forge). Rookie Brandon Parkin (Florham, Park, NJ/Morris Catholic) is the only non-returning starter but is expected to solidify the left side of the line. The entire right side is back including senior guard Vincent Rogers (Rahway, NJ/Rahway) and junior tackle Brendan Boris (Kulpmont, PA/Mount Carmel).
 
Three more first year players will add depth to the already strong offensive line including Chris Rodriguez (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall), Aidan Palochik (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth) and Alex Sias (Flemington, NJ/Immaculata).
 
DEFENSE
The Colonel defense will continue its use of the 4-3 base relying heavily on the front seven to stop the run and create pressure on the opposing team's quarterback. Three upperclassmen return in the secondary looking to improve upon the 237.2 yards per-game it gave up in 2019. Wilkes also appointed a new defensive coordinator this season as Chris Vega, now in his sixth season, will take over the defensive play-calling responsibilities.
 
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. It'll start at the corners where senior Pat Ricci (Gilbertsville, PA/Boyertown) and sophomore Adam Piston (Laurys Station, PA/Parkland) are back. Ricci led the squad with 6.5 sacks in 2019 also adding 24 tackles including 7.5 tackles-for-loss. Piston will see an advanced role this year after seeing time in seven games in 2019.
 
Two rookies emerged at the tackle position through camp as Angel Ramos (Breinigsville, PA/Parkland) and Steele Hess (Palmerton, PA/Whitehall) will anchor the middle of the Colonel defensive line. Junior Billy Costner (Bordentown, NJ/Bordentown Regional) and rookie Kenneth Shazel (West Hartford, CT/Conard) will provide depth in the interior as well.
 
LINEBACKER
After graduating All-MAC performer Bud Moyer after the 2019 season, Wilkes will look to a fresh group of players to roam the middle level of the defense. Sophomore twins Dante and Nick Gazzola (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) will play the inside linebacker positions while rookie Oyome Adoga will roam the outside. D. Gazzola finished with 10 tackles in ten games in 2019. Also returning to add depth to the position is sophomore Billy Doron (Hawley, PA/Wallenpaupack). Doron posted 13 tackles in nine games in 2019. Junior Chase Sincavage (Schuylkill Haven, PA/Blue Mountain) and rookie Nick Troutman (Kulpmont, PA/Mount Carmel) will also vie for time at the outside and inside backer positions respectively.
 
SECONDARY
The secondary had its ups and downs in 2019 due to inexperience but that should not be the case in 2021. Junior Nahjir Woods (Piscataway NJ/Piscataway) returns as the top corner after finishing with 27 tackles and a team-high three interceptions in 2019. Sophomore John Washington (Brooklyn, NY/Eagle Academy) converted to corner after beginning his career as a quarterback. At 6-2, 215 his size and athletic ability will create problems for opposing receivers. Look for rookie Devon Bryant (Brooklyn, NY/Abraham Lincoln) and sophomore Jeremie Hernandez (Bronx, NY/Kennedy) to also see time locking down the outside.
 
Sophomore Dylan Walck (Hamlin, PA/Western Wayne) is back at free safety after posting 23 tackles, one interception and two pass breakups in his first season. Junior John Vanlenten will also see time at the safety position behind Walck. At strong safety first year Jesse Addesso (Staten Island, NY/St. Joes by The Sea) emerged as the starter throughout camp. Addesso is sized well at 6-2, 205 and can defend both receivers/tight ends as well as running backs. Sophomore Phil Davis (Milton, PA/Milton Area) will see time at the position as well
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
Justin Pollack (Sloatsburg, NY/Suffern) is back to do the kicking duties for Wilkes after going 4-for-6 on field goals including a season-long 37-yarder. He also took two kickoffs averaging 61.5 yards pinning opposing offenses deep in their own territory. Rookie Alex Orlando (Allentown, PA/Emmaus) has assumed the punter role for the Colonels after the graduation of Alexander DeSpirito.
 
Whitaker is back to take kick returns after earning All-Conference status in his rookie campaign. He finished second in the MAC with a 28.5 average taking two all the way to the house for scores in 2019.
 
NOTES
- Wilkes will play two non-conference games, one to open the season and one to conclude the season, sandwiched between eight straight MAC opponents. The Colonels will not play every team in the conference this season under the MAC's schedule format, with the King's College week 11 game serving as a non-conference contest.
 
- Homecoming is set for Saturday, October 2 at 12:00 p.m. against Stevenson University. Senior Day will take place Saturday, November 6 at 1:00 p.m. against Delaware Valley University
 
- The annual Mayor's Cup game against cross-town rival King's is scheduled for the season finale Saturday, November 13 at 12:00 p.m. at McCarthy Stadium.
 
- NEPA Local Sports Media, in its third year partnering with Wilkes, will be the official voice of Colonel Football providing audio at all home contests.