The goal for the Wilmington College football team in 2015 is quite simple; win some games. Coming off back-to-back winless seasons, head coach Stacey Hairston is confident in the team he and his staff has assembled.
"Our goal now is to take the next step in building a competitive program," said Hairston. "The next step for us is to not just be competitive. Our goal last year was to be competitive, and give us a chance to win. We gave us a chance to win some games down the stretch. We made some mistakes, and that didn't happen. The next step is winning. At the end of the day it's about winning now. Learning what it takes to actually win a game, finish the game off. We have proven we have the talent to be productive on both sides of the ball, but you have to finish the game.
"We have a lot of experienced guys coming back," Hairston continued. "We are in a different stage from last year, when we had to rely on a lot of freshmen. Now we are in a different situation. For the most part, we are not counting on a lot of freshmen to start right away. We will be asking them to provide us with depth. Most of our key players are already here."
In possibly the most important and closely-contested battle, four players are in the mix at quarterback. A season after starting five different players at the position, junior Austin Jarbo (Gratis, OH/Preble Shawnee) and sophomore Brandon Mitchell (Pittsburgh, PA/Fox Chapel) return as the only two quarterbacks that have taken varsity snaps in the system.
After winning the job in camp, and playing the first five games, Jarbo enters fall camp with a slim edge in the race. The junior threw for 509 yards on 50-of-99 passing with six touchdowns and five interceptions. Despite missing half the season, Jarbo was also second on the team in rushing with 335 yards and three touchdowns.
Mitchell started two games before also being lost with an injury. He went 22-for-46 for 309 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Senior transfer Luke Creditt (Waynesville, OH/Waynesville), who joined the team for spring practice, is right in the middle of the competition.
"It's very important for us to identify that person that is going to run our offense, control the football and be smart," said Hairston. "Even though we don't have a whole lot of experience, it will be a battle. We have a quarterback competition going on. I am not looking for the most spectacular player back there. I don't need the most spectacular player. I need someone that is going to run our offense; be smart with the ball. There are enough weapons to help them, but we have to help our selves by being smart."
Whoever claims the job will have a plethora of talented weapons at his disposal, led by All-OAC running back Chase Manica (Shelbyville, KY/Shelby County). The junior led the team with 861 yards and five touchdowns. He rushed for more than 100 yards in four games, including a stretch of three straight. Manica gained a career-high 158 yards on just 13 first-half carries against Baldwin Wallace.
Senior Kyle Davis (Wilmington, OH/Wilmington) and sophomore Eric Flynn, Jr. (Cleveland, OH/Catholic Catholic) will also get their share of carries in the backfield. Davis added 158 yards on 46 carries, while Flynn, Jr. battled injuries and only gained 45 yards on 20 attempts.
"Our running back position is just as important, and maybe just a tad more important that our quarterback position, because of the talent we have there," said Hairston. "Chase has proven he can carry the load back there, and has proven when given enough carries – he can be pretty dynamic. He knows he can be a top back in the conference. The fact we have a couple other backs behind Chase makes me happy because now it gives us the versatility we need to be multiple. When you have three guys that are hungry, and wants to carry the load, it can only make us better."
While there is talent on the edges at receiver, it's pretty much unproven as Wilmington returns just 451 receiving yards from a season ago. Senior Justin Lee (Middletown, OH/Madison) accounts for more than 84 percent of that total with a team-high 379 yards.
The receiving corps will get a boost from sophomores Tyler Tarnowski (Broadview Hts., OH/Brecksville-Broadview Hts.) and Aroyal Wright (Cincinnati, OH/Newport (KY)). Both are returning after missing all of the 2014 season.
Tarnowski, who is coming off an injury, hauled in 207 yards and one touchdown as a freshman. Wright brings a play-making dynamic with his 6-5 frame.
"We have a lot of good skill players," said Hairston. "They have a lot of potential to be good in this conference. It's good to have a core group of guys that have the potential and the skill make-up to be very good. Now it's time to bring that to the forefront."
Sophomores Kalvin Butts (St. John's, MI/St. John's) and P.J. Meyer (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) bring a physical nature to the position, and will have to assume a bigger role in the offense.
Mitchell could be a wildcard at the position.
"When it comes to Brandon Mitchell, because he is so athletic and such a dynamic player, and I think he can be a great quarterback," said Hairston. "Sometimes you have so much God gifted talent – you don't work on the little things. The little things are harder for you. You have to refine your technique versus just going out there and being an athlete. He is a heck of an athlete. Early in camp, I need to know if he is going to be in the mix to be lead the way at quarterback. If not, we are not wasting him on the sideline."
Sophomore tackles Sterling Clark (Cincinnati, OH/Northwest) and Konnor Kinser (Tipp City, OH/Tippecanoe) each started nine games for Wilmington and will be the leaders of a unit light in numbers. Sophomores Lane Hacker (Cloverdale, IN/South Putnam) and Brandon Wogoman (Tipp City, OH/Tippecanoe) round out the offensive line returners for the Fightin' Quakers.
"Our offensive line is an area of little bit of concern because we don't have the depth or numbers," said Hairston. "But the numbers we do have are quality players, starting with Sterling Clark. I would take him over any other tackle in this conference and he is only going be a sophomore. He has the size and strength, and is going to do the nasty, tough jobs. He is going to be a true leader for the offensive line."
Defensively, Wilmington will move to a multiple 4-3 defense in 2015. The Fightin' Quakers used the defense a lot last season, but it will be their primary base defense.
With eight returning starters, including four seniors, the defense should be the strength of the team.
"When I look at our defensive unit, it kind of coincides with our team itself," said Hairston. "I recognize the shortcomings we have on defense. I know the whole picture. I look at what we doing on special teams and offensively. Most of our true leaders are on defense. Even though we have struggled, most of our hardest workers are on defense."
Senior Tarrell Starckey (Richmond, VA/Highland Springs) moves from linebacker to strong safety. Starckey, who was a first-team All-OAC linebacker in 2013, finished third on the team last season with 63 tackles in eight games.
"Tarrell moving to strong safety is going to help him," said Hairston. "I evaluated his play, although he was a very good linebacker for us, he is better in space. We didn't have that dynamic player in the secondary. Now we can put him the position where we can have him in the box. I can still blitz him or we can set him back."
Senior free safety Cody Reigelsperger (Trenton, OH/Edgewood) returns after starting all 10 games last season. He added 69 tackles and one interception.
For the first time in his career, senior Amari Bryant (West Chester, OH/Lakota West) will start a season in the same position he ended the previous. Bryant has played cornerback, linebacker and safety during his WC career, and will start the season at cornerback. A physical defensive back, Bryant's versatility allows him to move inside to the nickel back position when needed.
"When I visualize our defense going forward, especially this season, our nickel package will be pretty spectacular," said Hairston.
Sophomores Franco Villella (Troy, OH/Miami East) and Kentrell Lodge (Cleveland, OH/Salem (GA)) move to cornerback in the spring, and compete for snaps.
With Wilmington planning to use its nickel defense a lot, linebackers Nick Williams (Cleveland, OH/Fairview) and Jason Phillips (Etiwanda, CA/Etiwanda) will carry the bulk of the snaps in the middle of the WC defense.
Williams, a senior, earned All-OAC honors last season after finishing fourth in the OAC with a team-high 95 tackles last season. Branham was inserted into the starting lineup in week five and pulled down a career-high 10 tackles. He finished with 57 stops.
"No matter whether the ball is to him or away from him, Nick Williams is getting to the ball," said Hairston. "David in the middle, going to his second year, is only going to get better. He brings natural linebacker instincts. Having those two guys out there, and either side of them you have Tarrell – who is a former linebacker – and Amari, who is also a former linebacker. We are going to be very physical and athletic."
Junior Trent Waters (Bowling Green, OH/Bowling Green) and sophomore Jonathan King (Bellefontaine, OH/Bellefontaine) will compete for Wilmington's third linebacker.
Wilmington's defensive line struggled at times, but could make a resurgence of sorts thanks to some new additions.
"We have identified some players from last year that actually were not defensive linemen, but got to play some defensive line," said Hairston. "The closer they got to the line, the better they were."
Junior David Henry (Wilmington, OH/Wilmington) made the move late in the season, and will see huge strides after spending an entire offseason working on his technique. He finished the season fourth on the team with 59 tackles and a team-high nine tackles for loss.
"You look at David Henry, who naturally is a very dominating player," said Hairston. "He is very strong and physical, and having him close to the ball is going to be very exciting."
Sophomore Terrence Narcisse-Murphy (Castleberry, FL/Lyman) moves from linebacker to defensive end.
Sophomore defensive end Ryan Prince (Urbana, OH/Urbana) started all 10 games for the Fightin' Quakers, finishing with 30 tackles. He has added almost 20 pounds to his frame and should be able to hold up better in the trenches.
In the middle, sophomore Darren Milligan (Franklin, OH/Carlisle) returns as the only player with extensive varsity action.
"I am looking forward to Darren taking a huge step and solidifying our defensive tackle position," said Hairston.
Sophomore Isaiah Young (Louisville, KY/Pleasure Ridge Park) will also be in the mix. Junior Te'Qon Scott (Richmond, VA/Highland Springs) will be the wildcard along the defensive line.
"Te'Qon Scott came to us year ago, and wasn't eligible to play," said Hairston. "What I have watched him do over the last 17 months is transform himself. In the weight room, a year ago, he didn't work out the way he could have. I think he was learning about himself. But I give him credit, he bust his butt in the weight room. I was absolutely amazed with how strong he is. He worked so hard, he has put himself in position to where we are now depending on him."
The kicking duties will be handled by junior Grant Brown (Stoutsville, OH/Amanda Clearcreek) and sophomore Anthony Ruegg (Waynesburg, OH/Malvern).
They battled all year long with each getting their chances in games. Brown was 6-of-7 (86 percent) on extra points and 4-of-8 on field goals, while Ruegg was 11-of-12 (92 percent) on extra points and 1-of-3 on field goals.
Brown also punted for Wilmington, averaging a team-high 35.1 yards per kick. Junior Cole Voltz (Mt. Sterling, OH/Madison Plains) returns after missing last season with an injury. He handled the kickoff duties and punting in 2013.
Wilmington kicks off the 2015 season 1:30 p.m. September 5, hosting Bluffton in non-conference action on Townsend Field in Williams Stadium.
