By Andrew Scharff
The 2006 Hofstra football season did not go as planned. With new head coach and defensive mastermind Dave Cohen taking over for longtime coach Joe Gardi, a 2-9 season was not what Pride fans expected, nor wanted, to see. Coach Cohen and his staff still remain optimistic that they can turn it around and make a 2-9 turn into a 9-2.
“Last season was last season and this season is this season. But as you start a new season each team is a new one,” said Cohen. “And that team is it’s own body. It’s own breathing, living, growing body.”
He added, “So just because we were 2-9, the message is the same as if we were 9-2. We have work to do. We have to improve everyday we have practice and become a more efficient and effective football team.”
Hofstra is going to have to improve on last year’s dismal season without their three main scoring threats from last season. Quarterback Anton Clarkson, running back Terry Crenshaw and wide receiver Shaine Smith (who is now with the St. Louis Rams) were all lost to graduation. Hofstra also lost half of their offensive line to graduation: Jed Prisby, Chris Durkin and Frank Coccaro.
The quarterback position is still up in the air as Cohen has yet to name his starter. He has three possible choices. The first is the only returnee of the three. Senior Dennis Davis seems to be the frontrunner. Davis, 6 feet 4 inches, 229 pounds, has great which Cohen loves, but since he was backing up Clarkson for most of his time, he has not seen too much of the field.
The other two candidates are Corey Christopher and Bryan Savage. Christopher is a junior transfer student from Nassau Community College. He was an honorable mention All-American. Savage transferred from Coffeyville Community College in Kansas. Savage, who Cohen notes as an all-around athlete spent time playing football at the University of Wisconsin.
“There is a lot of excitement at the quarterback position. I like the competition at quarterback,” Cohen said. “It has made the three men work harder. I am excited to see what the end result of this project is going to be. I think that will be a surprise to a lot of people.”
If there is set position on the offense, it is the backs and receivers. Kareem Huggins is a senior this year and will be the feature back this season. Under Gardi, Hofstra loved to air out the football, but Cohen came in last year and showed he wanted to be able to run it.
Cohen said that the Pride would continue to use two back sets. They might be throwing the ball a little more than last season. Catching those passes will be senior receivers Charles Sullivan, junior Ottis Lewis and Julian Watts, who also plays defensive midfield for Hofstra’s lacrosse team.
The area that Cohen feels his team is most improved in is the area that needed it most. Cohen watching a young offensive line grow right in front of his eyes. Players like center Jason Goodman, tackle Brian Frederick, tackle Mike Trice, guard Derek Moore and guard Shawn McMackin have all garnered the attention of the coaching staff.
“The offensive line might be the most improved part of the team,” Cohen said. “But I do think we still have ways to go.”
Defensively, all Cohen needs to see is results. Unlike the offense, the defense is full of experienced players who have shown they can play on the college level when healthy. The defensive line which returns three starters, Cohen has plenty of speed and size. Thomas Massey, Shemiah LaGrande and Ken Sussman all return, while Joe Akabalu is a front-runner to replace graduated Justyn Davis.
Then come the linebackers, which are the strength of this Hofstra team. Senior Gian Villante will team with D.J. Talvacchio (who missed last season due to injury) and A-10 Rookie of the Year Luke Bonus to make what will a very dangerous linebacking core. If Villante or Talvacchio get injured (they have both been injured in the past), local product Stanley Gutierrez has been one of the best players in spring practice.
“We have three big, strong physical players that also do not have any mobility shortcomings,” said Cohen.
In addition, along with Talvacchio coming back from an injury, Hofstra welcomes back safety David Darby. Darby, one of the team leaders of the Pride season, will team with safety Manny Anderson, cornerback DeWayne Whitaker and cornerback Kyle Arrington to make a veteran group of defensive backs.
Cohen is also pleased with his special teams. With All-American kicker Rob Zarrilli and punter Chris Hanly, Cohen feels if ts comes down to special teams, he’s got the best personnel.
As spring practice is now over and with the Pride getting ready for the season, there is one more situation the team has to deal with. Besides moving from the A-10 to the CAA, Hofstra goes to having six home games this season, where as last season they had to play on the road seven times. Their first home game is the season opener Sept. 8 against Furman
Hopefully a little home cooking is all the Pride needs to start moving toward winning ways.