EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University football team returns to competition after another successful season in 2021 as the Colonels finished 6-4 overall and 5-3 in Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) play including a 5-0 start to the year. The Colonels, under head coach Jonathan Drach who enters his fifth season at the helm of the program, begin their 2022 campaign on Saturday traveling to Keystone College at 1:00 p.m. in La Plume, Pa.
 
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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 year, 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 2021 before a setback against Widener University in week 7. A MAC win against Lebanon Valley in the second half of the season propelled the squad to six wins, the third straight season under Drach that the program has finished with six or more wins. The team finished 5-3 in MAC play, tied for third place in the team standings when the season concluded.
 
After a scrimmage earlier this preseason against Utica College, Wilkes sets its sights on Keystone, a team that it handled easily last year in its season opener posting a 46-7 victory at Schmidt Stadium.
 
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 has been balanced over the past three seasons using the run game to control tempo and clock while still having the ability to stretch the field with its passing game. Last season was much of the same as Wilkes finished third in total offense averaging 341.8 yards per-game including fourth in the MAC in rushing (149.4 ypg) and fourth in passing (192.4 ypg). The offense averaged 23.3 points per-game including four games with 30-plus points.
 
QUARTERBACK
It'll be a new era under center for Wilkes in 2022 with four-year starter Jose Tabora's (Egg Harbor Township, NJ/St. Augustine Prep.) graduation leaving some new faces to run the offense as the Colonels signal-caller. Sophomore Isaiah Rodriguez (Lebanon, PA/Lebanon) has emerged as the starter heading into week one. Rodriguez has yet to take a snap for Wilkes but possesses the size, arm strength and running ability to be able to give opposing defenses fits both in and out of the pocket. First year Jay Mazuera (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) will serve as the backup heading up a group of underclassmen who have yet to see game action at Wilkes including Jack Howell (Bloomsburg, PA/Bloomsburg), Cooper King (Northampton, PA/Northampton) and Travis Shaver (Massapequa, NY/Plainedge).
 
RUNNING BACK/FULLBACK
Sophomore Elijah Jules (Red Bank, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) is the top returner back for Wilkes at the running back position and is sure to be used early and often in the Colonels high-tempo offense. Jules rushed for 420 yards on 73 carries including a team-high five touchdowns. He averaged 5.8 yards per-rush and 52.50 yards per-game on the ground, both second on the team a year ago. Albright College transfer Walter Lewis (Sicklerville, NJ/Timber Creek) provides depth at the position having played in the MAC for two seasons prior to joining the Colonels program.
 
WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END
The wide receiver group may be the most talented and deepest that Wilkes has had in several years as a mix of proven upperclassmen mixed with some fresh faces look to make an impact on the outside this season. Heading the list of returners is All-MAC performer senior Nate Whitaker (Upper Darby, PA/Haverford School) who led the squad last season with 29 catches for 538 yards and five touchdowns including an 85-yard score. Whitaker will continue to give opposing secondary fits with his speed and quickness in and out of routes in 2022. Senior Cory Pelzer (Somerset, NJ/The Pennington School) also returns after posting 24 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns. Fellow senior Jason Schweizerhof (Warninster, PA/William Tennent) rounds out the top returners catching 24 balls for 267 yards and two more scores as Wilkes finished with 15 total touchdowns through the air in 2021.
 
Junior Zane Grover (East Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg), junior Xavier Powell (Poughkeepsie, NY/Arlington), sophomore Justin Moore (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern Regional), sophomore Devin Higgins (Pennington, NJ/Hopewell Valley) and Clarion transfer junior Jimmy Johnson (Fallston, MD/Fallston) create depth at the group both in long and short yardage plays through the air.
 
Junior Jason Dean (Auburn, PA/Blue Mountain) was limited in his time last season at tight end but will look to help with run blocking as well as being a valuable target for Colonel quarterbacks. Senior Michael Goralski (Southington, CT/Xavier) will add depth at the position and serve as the second tight end in different formations.
 
OFFENSIVE LINE
In what may be the key to the offense's success this season, three of the five starters return from 2021 as the Wilkes offensive line looks poised to be one of the best in the MAC yet again. Wilkes averaged 149.4 yards per-game on the ground scoring half of their total touchdowns by way of the run game.
 
Senior Billy Anderson (Mount Carmel, PA/Mount Carmel Area) returns at center to pilot the line as well as senior left tackle Brendan Boris (Mount Carmel, PA/Mount Carmel Area). Junior guard Aidan Palochik (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth Area) solidifies the left side of the line with Boris. On the right side, sophomore guard Mauro Guarino (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) jumps into the starter role after playing in a reserve role last season while first year Anthony Messina (Bellmore, NY/Mepham) emerged as the starter at tackle.
 
Senior Ryan Martel (Meriden, CT/Francis T. Maloney), junior Alex Sias (Flemington, NJ/Immaculata) and sophomores Damian Grullon (North Miami Beach, FL/North Miami Beach), Nick Meduri (Brigantine, NJ/Saint Augustine Prep) and Billy Searle (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) all add depth to the already strong offensive line.
 
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 150 yards per-game it gave up in 2021. Wilkes also appointed a new defensive coordinator this season as Anthony Trotta, a 2017 Wilkes graduate, 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 to do just that. It'll start at the corners where junior Kellen Redmond (St. Petersburg, FL/Calvary Christian) and senior Adam Piston (Laurys Station, PA/Parkland) are back. Piston was tied for the lead on the squad with 9.0 tackles-for-loss in 2021 while also adding 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hurries. Redmond finished with 18 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks last season.
 
At the tackle position juniors Angel Ramos (Allentown, PA/Parkland) and Steele Hess (Allentown, PA/Whitehall) will anchor the middle of the Colonel defensive line. Hess was impressive all last season finishing with 44 tackles, 6.0 tackles-for-loss and 2.0 sacks. Ramos proved just as valuable posting 38 tackles, 9.0 tackles-for-loss and 2.5 sacks.
 
First year Billy Schwanewede (Oradell, NJ/River Dell) and sophomores David Osman (Hellertown, PA/Saucon Valley), Lance Priestas (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) and Elijah Lee (Brooklyn, NY/Erasmus Hall) will allow a proper rotation of fresh players into the defensive line.

LINEBACKER
The linebacker group may be a bit inexperienced but have all the tools necessary to provide support up front in the run game while being able to cover tight ends and receivers in the passing game. Junior Nick Troutman (Kulpmont, PA/Mount Carmel) saw time in four games last season finishing with 12 tackles while senior Brandon Holcomb (Boynton Beach, FL/Boca Raton) played in five games posting 11 tackles and 2.0 sacks. Sophomore De'Von James (Mount Holly Springs, PA/Boiling Springs) rounds out the starters in the middle level of the defense.
 
Junior Andrew Amato (Wantagh, NY/Wantagh) and first-year Tallen Murray (Cedarville, NJ/Saint Joseph Academy) and Dylan Harrison (Quakertown, PA/Quakertown) will vie for time as well to provide much needed depth to the group.
 
SECONDARY
The backline of the Colonel defense will rely on some returning players as well as a few new faces to protect from aerial attacks by opponents. Seniors John Washington (Brooklyn, NY/Eagle Academy) and Jeremie Hernandez (Bronx, NY/Kennedy) are back to solidify the group. Washington finished with 32 tackles and two interceptions in 2021 while Hernandez made 12 stops and recovered one fumble. Junior Jesse Addesso (Staten Island, NY/St. Joes by The Sea) is also back having played in seven games in a starting role at safety last season posting eight tackles and one interception. Donnell Mackey-Woodson is the final returner back and emerged as the final starter in the group.
 
Senior Quincy Banks (Bronx, NY/Kennedy), sophomore Leroy Marshall (Cambria Heights, NY/Christ the King) and first years Mike Cornick (West Philadelphia, PA/William Penn) and Jake Lengle (Pennington, NJ/Hopewell Valley) will add depth to the group.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
All-MAC performer sophomore punter Alex Orlando (Allentown, PA/Emmaus) headlines the Colonels special teams after a stellar rookie campaign. Orlando topped the MAC in punt average at 40.4 while sending nine inside the twenty and three over 50+ yards. First year Nick Volpone (Delco, PA/Ridley) will take over as the field goal and PAT kicker while sophomore Brandon Shire (Perkasie, PA/Pennridge) returns for kick-off duties after a 44.0 average a year ago.
 
The ever-dangerous Whitaker will be back returning kickoffs again this season after averaging 24.5 yards per-return including one 91 yards for a touchdown.
 
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 again 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 1 at 12:00 p.m. against Albright. Senior Day will take place Saturday, November 12 at 12:00 p.m. against King's.
 
- The annual Mayor's Cup game against cross-town rival King's is scheduled for the season finale Saturday, November 12 at 12:00 p.m. at Schmidt Stadium.
 
- NEPA Local Sports Media, in its fourth year partnering with Wilkes, will be the official voice of Colonel Football providing audio at all home contests.