By Rich Adragna
North Division
Last year’s runaway leaders and Division I-AA runners-up, the Minutemen of UMass, are looking for a repeat performance against the competition this coming fall. Quarterback Liam Coen, who put up career highs last season in passing yards and touchdowns, will return as their signal-caller. Despite the departure of leading receiver Brandon London to graduation, Coen still has both J.J. Moore and Brad Listorti to be receiving threats. The rushing game of the Minutemen does have a question mark as leading rusher Steve Baylark departs for the NFL. Their defensive leaders, tackles leader Jason Hatchell and sacks leader David Burris, will return to make significant contributions to the Minutemen defense.
New Hampshire will hope to give UMass a run for its money in the North Division this season. The talented Ricky Santos, last year’s winner of the Walter Payton Award, will return to the Wildcats for his senior year in the quarterback position, as will the one-two punch of running backs Chad Kackert (sophomore) and Chris Ward (senior). Wide receiver Keith LeVan will become Santos’ new favorite target after losing both Aaron Brown and David Ball to graduation. Linebacker Husain Karim and defensive end Marvin Wright will return for their senior years to lead the Wildcats’ defense.
The Maine Black Bears will head into the season without last year’s starting signal caller Ron Whitcomb. In his place will be sophomore Michael Brusko. Also lost to graduation was rushing and receiving leader Arel Gordon. The rushing game will rely on Jhamal Fluellen, while Brusko will have Manzi Pierre as his top target. Junior Lamir Whetstone was a huge contributor to the Black Bears’ return teams, and will be back to do some more damage.
With Anthony Orio and John Sperrazza sharing time as quarterback, the Northeastern Huskies improved from a dismal 2005 to reach .500 in the conference in 2006. The Huskies hope that the two will improve to make them a contender. Senior Maurice Murray will lead the rushing attack while Chris Plum will replace Kendrick Ballantyne, who signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Ravens this spring, as their go-to guy in the receiving corps. The defense will have some holes to fill as Matt Campopiano, Louvans Charlot and Lamar Gay have all graduated. Senior Joe Mele will anchor the defense in their absence.
The University of Rhode Island can only hope for improvement after a dismal showing against their conference rivals last season. Although there is plenty of depth at the quarterback position, junior Derek Cassidy will most likely reprise his role as the starter. The Rams have retained many of their significant players from last season, including conference First Team rusher Joe Casey, which could give them a chance to contend with the rest of the conference.
South Division
The James Madison Dukes became a dominant force in the division en route to an NCAA playoff appearance. This season, they will look to repeat that success without star QB Justin Rascati and defensive leader Akeem Jordan, both of whom signed free agent contracts in the NFL. The Dukes are expected to hand the starting role to Rodney Landers, who saw limited time last year. Eugene Holloman will return for his senior year to lead the rushing game, as will top receiver L.C. Baker.
Like the other teams in this division, Villanova is looking to take down JMU and claim the top spot. The Wildcats will have to do so without last year’s star QB Marvin Burroughs, who graduated last May. Also lost to graduation was the talented Dequese May, who was their leading rusher and receiver. Junior Antwon Young and sophomores J.C. Unitas and Travis Miller will compete for the starting position, and senior Matt Dicken will shoulder the load for the rushing game.
After starting 2006 strong, Towson was marred by mediocrity as they fell into third place and sported a .500 mark against conference opponents. Junior Sean Schaefer had put up very impressive numbers last season and will look to do the same this year. Rasheed McClaud and Nick Williams will return for their final years to impact the Tigers’ ground game. The receiving corps, however, has taken a hit as scoring leader Eric Yancey graduated in May. They hope that Marcus Lee, Dayron Arnold and Demetrius Harrison will compensate for losing Yancey. Jordan Manning will be a force on the defensive side of the ball.
After making a dominating run in 2005, Richmond’s 2006 campaign was certainly forgetful when they faded down the stretch after starting off strong. To return to the form they had the season before last, the Spiders will need the young Eric Ward to mature and become an efficient starting quarterback. The running game will rely on the one-two combo of junior Tim Hightower and sophomore Josh Vaughn. Junior Arman Shields will be a primary target in the receiving game.
Joe Flacco impressed many when he made his debut with the Delaware Blue Hens last fall. This season, he wants to take it to the next level and is looking to bring the Blue Hens back to glory after a dismal 2006. Leading rusher Omar Cuff will return for his senior season looking to make improvements. Delaware will depend on sophomores Aaron Love and Kervin Michaud, and Robbie Agnone to replace the graduated Ben Patrick, who led the team in many receiving categories. On the defensive side, KeiAndre Hepburn is gone, but sacks leader Erik Johnson will be back to give opposing offenses some bad dreams.
Along with Hofstra, the William & Mary Tribe were last season’s conference doormats. They hope not to repeat it this season. Senior QB Mike Potts will be expected to carry the offense with junior Jake Phillips as a Plan B. Senior Joe Nicholas will shine in the wide receiver position, and junior DeBrian Holmes is expected to replace Elijah Brooks as the Tribe’s star rusher. For the defense, junior lineman Adrian Tracy and his 15.5 sacks from last season will return to William & Mary to instill fear and pain in any opponent who dares to face against him.