When the Wilmington College football team grapples with Heidelberg 1:30 p.m. Saturday, the Fightin' Quakers know what the need to do, stop the run. (Game Notes)
The Student Princes present Wilmington with the top rusher in the league, senior Bryan Lacey. He is coming off a 207-yard effort in the 63-28 win over Marietta, and is averaging 111.6 yards per game.
"Their running back is the top back in the conference, and they want to make sure he finishes the season strong," said Wilmington head coach Stacey Hairston. "They are looking at our game in which they want a strong output. When things break down, he does a good job of avoiding people, making people miss, and he is capable of the big play. They are focused on getting the run going, and if you load the box to stop the run, the open up the pass."
When they pass, sophomore Tyler Stoyle has been efficient for the Student Princes. He has started the last five games, and is completing almost 66 percent of his passes (91-of-138) for 1,035 yards with 15 touchdowns and just one interception. Six different receivers have caught a touchdown with receivers Nick Delisa and Demetrius Magee combining for 10 of the 18 aerial scores.
While Heidelberg has seemingly found its signal caller, the Fightin' Quakers will be starting their fourth quarterback of the season. Senior receiver Justin Lee (Middletown, OH/Madison), who finished the game against Mount Union at quarterback, will start for Wilmington. He was 6-of-10 for 65 yards and one interception.
Sophomore Brandon Mitchell (Pittsburgh, PA/Fox Chapel) returns to receiver, where he will be the only veteran option.
Defensively for Heidelberg, seniors Will Lance and Clay Staib are stout for the Student Princes' defense, combining for 86 tackles. Staib is adding 5.5 tackles for loss with a forced fumble and interception.
Senior Joey Wooley leads the team with 3.5 sacks, while sophomore Austin Crowe has a team-high seven tackles for loss.
Seniors Tarrell Starckey (Richmond, VA/Highland Springs) and Nick Williams (Cleveland, OH/Fairview) are currently fourth and fifth in the league averaging 10.3 and 9.9 tackles, respectively.
