~ Jeremy Duncan ~ (Wilmington file photo)
Posted: Aug 26, 2014
There are two words that have permeated the off-season: competition and depth.
As the Wilmington College football team enters the 2014 season, the Fightin' Quakers are poised to put a winless 2013 season in the rearview as they build OAC-level depth. As depth litters the roster, competition for spots will be team-wide and the team will have stronger special teams in turn.
"The scheme, offensively and defensively, is there for us to be successful," said Wilmington head coach Stacey Hairston. "We didn't have enough depth to have competition at every single position and that kind of hurts you – especially in the second half."
Unfortunately, a lot of the depth will be extremely young as Wilmington supplemented the 40-plus returners on the roster with more than 70 freshmen.
"Having freshmen playing right away is not a bad thing," said Hairston. "Obviously, if a freshman is starting or playing, that means we believe that we are a better team with them on the field. All freshmen have a learning curve that they must go through, but if they have the talent and are mentally ready, the learning curve can be sped up. As coaches, it is our job to put our young players in positions to be successful by recognizing their limited experiences and not asking them to do too much."
OFFENSE
In their first season under the pro-spread attack, the Fightin' Quakers displayed the ability – at times – to be very efficient and explosive. However, the inability to run the football led to struggles on third down and in the red zone.
With more than half their starters lost from a season ago, the WC offense will look dramatically different this season. Wilmington will have a new quarterback for the first time in five years, but whomever claims the new signal caller role will have an All-American to as a security blanket.
Junior Jeremy Duncan (Cincinnati, OH/Archbishop Moeller), who earned OAC Receiver of the Year honors in 2013, returns after leading the league with 118.4 yards per game. He set a Wilmington College and OAC record with 327 yards receiving against Muskingum.
"We have to put ourselves in a position to allow Jeremy to be successful," said Hairston. "We learned from last season that he can't do it by himself. The young man had almost 1,200 yards receiving and we still went 0-10. We have to force teams to play him honestly, and we have to have someone else to throw the ball to. We need a receiver in the slot and opposite him. Potential wise we have some guys that we will be comfortable throwing the ball to. "
Finding a couple of complements opposite Duncan should benefit the tall, speedy threat. Senior tight end Matt Stooksbury (Centerburg, OH/Highland) is the second leading returning pass catcher with 16 receptions for 198 yards. He will be looked upon to carry a larger load in 2014.
Sophomore Tyler Tarnowski (Brecksville, OH/Brecksville-Broadview Heights) developed over the season and had a reception in all seven games he played. Tarnowski finished with 14 catches for 207 yards and a touchdown.
Sophomore Justin Lee (Middletown, OH/Madison) returns to Wilmington after sitting out the 2013 season.
Sophomore Austin Jarbo (Gratis, OH/Preble Shawnee) is the lone player on the roster that has taken snaps in the Wilmington offense, playing in four games.
"He is very confident," said Hairston. "For someone who hasn't played a lot, that can be a good thing or a negative thing. He is not timid, not scared, and he is a competitor. On the other hand, there are some things that he has to learn. He is the only one that has been in our system, so he has an advantage. Most times you can equate that to it's his job to lose."
However, 6-6 freshman Brandon Mitchell (Verona, PA/Fox Chapel) brings the physical tools to challenge Jarbo. Three other freshmen quarterbacks are poised to challenge as well.
As much as Wilmington looked for options in the backfield, they start the season without a single option that has played a single snap in the WC offense.
"Not being able to run the ball was probably our biggest Achilles heal when it came to get trying to get first downs, trying to sustain drives, trying to finish drives; we were not very good on third down or in the red zone because we were not able to run the ball," said Hairston. "When you are not able to run the ball, it makes it difficult. It's very important that we can run the ball this year."
Sophomore transfer Chase Manica (Shelbyville, KY/Shelby County) played in five games for Mount St. Joseph last season, rushing for 95 yards on seven carries and one touchdown. Manica took the bulk of the running back reps during spring practice.
Another transfer, junior Kyle Davis (Wilmington, OH/Wilmington), played in two games with Thomas More in 2013. Several freshmen – Tahj Sho-Johnson (Princeton, WVa./Princeton), Eric Flynn, Jr. (Cleveland, OH/Central Catholic) and Yariel Munoz (Palm Beach Gardens, FL/Seminole Ridge) – will all compete from the outset.
"We bring in a couple dynamic young guys that bring us something we don't have across the board, speed," said Hairston. "We hope their learning curve is fast. As you know all freshmen coming in, there is a learning curve they have to go through."
Regardless of the many young options at the skill positions, the ability of the offense to live up to its full potential lies firmly in the trenches. Juniors Tyler Johnson (Lebanon, OH/Lebanon) and Matt Buell (Camden, OH/Preble Shawnee), both started eight games for Wilmington. They are the leading candidates to man the left side of the WC offensive line. Senior Scott Duncan (Liberty Twp., OH/Lakota East), and senior Tyler DeVore (Springfield, OH/Greenon) have both earned starts along the line over the past two years.
Newcomers Spencer Carroll (Roxboro, NC/North Person), Sterling Clark (Cincinnati, OH/Northwest), Ben Eriksen (Springfield, OH/Southeastern) and Christian Barnett (Marysville, OH/Marysville) could find a way in the rotation.
DEFENSE
Defensively, the Fightin' Quakers surrendered more yards and points than any other team in the OAC in 2013. However, there will be a plethora of new faces on that side of the ball when Wilmington takes the field in its opener.
Wilmington returns four starters, including the league's leading tackler in junior Tarrell Starckey (Richmond, VA/Highland Springs). Starckey recorded at least nine tackles in nine of WC's 10 games, which includes a school record 22 against Marietta. The junior is the center of the strongest unit – linebackers – on the team.
"When I look at our linebacking corps, it brings a smile to my face," said Hairston. "In the 3-4 defense, you better have some linebackers that can fly and get to the quarterback. Nick Williams has proved, when healthy, he is as hard-nosed as can be, and when he gets a chance he is going to hit you. Tarrell is a playmaker. He is very athletic and a guy that the offense has to know where he is. He has proven that he is going to make plays and he wants to make plays. No doubt that he is the leader of our defense.
Williams (Cleveland, OH/Fairview), a junior, has yet to play a full season, but has the potential to be Robin to Starckey's Batman on defense. Senior Jared Burson (Springboro, OH/Springboro) started the first five games, and returns for his senior season. After stepping into a starting role in week six, sophomore Trenton Waters (Bowling Green, OH/Bowling Green) tallied 31 tackles in four games.
A host of newcomers, as many as 12, will push for playing time. At the minimum, they will provide the foundation for improved special teams.
While there are four players that have started games for Wilmington, the defensive line has zero. All three starters have graduated leaving the Fightin' Quakers searching for options.
"Anytime you lose three seniors, especially guys that took all the reps, it's going to be an uphill battle," said Hairston. "I feel pretty good about the young guys coming back. With the young guys learning from scratch; they don't have a whole lot of bad habits, and I think it's going to make us more productive going forward. I actually expect our defensive line to play better."
Junior Linden Ayoki (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle) has improved his conditioning and could be a handful for opposing offenses. The 300-pound nose guard has shown glimpses of dominance.
Senior Jason Phillips (Etiwanda, CA/Etiwanda) moves to defensive end in his final season after playing linebacker in his previous two. The hard-hitting defender could have a breakthrough season with his hand in the ground. Sophomore Brent Rountree (Ocala, FL/Vanguard) saw very limited varsity action.
A lot of Wilmington's issues on defense came in the defensive backfield as the Fightin' Quakers surrendered 253.8 yards per game through the air. Coming into 2014, it's a true freshman, Kevin Carter (Louisville, KY/Pleasure Ridge Park), that's providing some excitement about leading the improvement on the backend.
"We are bringing in some young guys to compete for jobs, and one of the ones that stands out immediately is Kevin Carter," said Hairston. "He is on another level when it comes to an athlete. Kevin Carter is an impact player, no doubt about it. He is a player that will make a difference. He is a freshman that hasn't taken a snap yet, but he makes us better than we were last year."
Junior Amari Bryant (West Chester, OH/Lakota West) moves back to his original position of cornerback after spending the 2013 season at linebacker and safety. Improving on his conditioning level is the top priority, according to Hairston, in order for Bryant to reach his full potential.
Seniors Eric Watts (Zanesville, OH/Zanesville) and Drew Dutoi (Bremen, IN/LaVille) combined to make eight starts last season, but each played in all 10 games for the Fightin' Quakers.
"Watts showed glimpses that he could be very good," said Hairston. "He got dinged up a little bit, and once he got dinged up – he played a little differently. I am expecting Watts to come in and provide the leadership we are going to need in the defensive backfield. Drew, technique-wise, is very savvy. His biggest issue is he lacks top end speed. My goal is to have cover guys so we can use Drew where he is best. Actually, he played excellent for someone that was limited foot speed-wise."
Junior Cody Reigelsperger (Trenton, OH/Edgewood) and sophomore Canyon Wilder (Hilliard, OH/Central Crossing) could factor into the rotation at safety.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Sophomore Grant Brown (Stoutsville, OH/Stoutsville) returns to handle the kicking duties. Brown was 13-of-15 in extra points and 3-of-4 in field goals. Sophomore Cole Voltz (Mt. Sterling, OH/Madison Plains) also returns after handling the team's kickoff duties. The strong-legged Voltz will also compete for the team's punter position.
Much like every position on the roster, competition would be heavy on special teams as well as freshman Anthony Ruegg (Waynesville, OH/Waynesville) will put his proverbial foot in the race.
Wilmington opens the season 1 p.m. September 6 at Olivet for its only non-conference game of the season. After a bye week, the Fightin' Quakers will play nine straight OAC games.