Senior outside
linebacker Brad DeHaven returns to lead the unit. DeHaven was the 2003
Atlantic Central Football Conference’s (ACFC) co-Defensive Player of the Year
and an honorable mention All-American after leading the nation with 22 tackles
for loss (-100 yards).
The nationally-ranked SU defense returns nine
starters in 2004.
|
Alongside DeHaven
is senior captain Mike Myrtle, the team’s second leading tackler in
each of his three seasons, returning for his fourth season as a starter at
middle linebacker. Myrtle brings 214 career tackles and 21 tackles for loss into
the 2004 campaign. Sophomore Billy Leinemann, who registered 59 tackles
while enjoying a strong rookie season, returns as the starter at the third
linebacker position.
Senior Greg
Cannon (41 tackles), junior Jacquis McCray (20 tackles), and
sophomore Kenny Dunsmore (eight tackles) offer plenty of experienced
depth at the position.
“I believe that
our linebacking corps is one of the best in the region,” said Wood. “ Myrtle
and DeHaven provide lots of experience and leadership, and Leinemann’s
addition has really solidified the unit even further.”
Senior defensive
end Nick Good-Malloy (27 tackles, 9 TFL) and junior tackle Andrew
Deming (37 tackles, 3 sacks) return as anchors on the defensive line. Both
players earned second team all-conference honors in 2003.
The Gulls suffered an unexpected loss on the line during the offseason as senior
tackle Brandon Fields, a first team all-ACFC performer last year,
incurred a season-ending knee injury. Junior DJ Lathroum is the leading
candidate to fill Field’s spot, while sophomores Zach Armiger and Chris
Ricketts are the leading candidates at the other end position.
“I think we have
a very good core of returning players here and will get additional help from
some of our newcomers,” said Wood. “I’m pleased with the depth we have
along the line.”
First team
all-conference cornerback Chris Barr (37 tackles, 9 PBU) is one of four
returning starters in the secondary. The senior is joined by sophomore Byron
Westbrook (31 tackles) at the other corner position, with senior captain Sean
Sandora (29 tackles) at free safety and sophomore James Jones (29
tackles, 2 INTs) at strong safety. Senior Pat Barnes, a three-year
letterman and a dangerous punt return specialist, will also see significant
playing time at the corner positions.
“We have four returning starters with invaluable game experience who have also
gotten bigger and stronger in the offseason,” said Wood. “We have excellent
depth at cornerback and feel that we have at least eight players we can use in
the secondary right now.”
The offense returns
eight starters on a unit that averaged 337.4 yards/game and 31.7 points/game in
2003. Junior quarterback Dustin Johnson will lead the multiple option
attack once again after finishing third in the conference in rushing with a 74.1
ypg average. Johnson rushed for seven touchdowns and passed for another seven
last year. He begins the 2004 season needing just 130 yards to become the eighth
Salisbury player to register 2,000 career rushing yards.
Five of the top
nine pass catchers also return, led by senior Lesley Wills (15 rec, 273
yards, 3 TDs) and junior Mike Williams (11 rec, 150 yds, 2 TDs). Other
returnees include junior Adam Dickerson (26.8 yds/catch), sophomore John
Smith (1 TD) and junior Joe Early (23.5 yds/catch).
“I like the
combination of returning players we have at quarterback and wide receiver,”
said Wood. “I think we’ve got the strongest receiving corps we’ve had in
quite a while.”
The biggest
question mark on offense comes at running back, where the Gulls must find
replacements for their second and third leading rushers from 2003. The leading
candidates are junior Leroy Satchell, sophomore Francis Bryant,
and sophomore Darrell Walker. Satchell and Bryant each saw spot duty in
2003, while Walker returns to the squad after missing the last two seasons due
to injury.
 Junior
guard Brett Wehnert is one
of five returning starters on the
offensive line in 2004.
|
Regardless of who
emerges in the backfield, they will have the benefit of working behind an
experienced offensive line. Junior guard Brett Wehnert (6-1, 270), a
first team all-conference selectee, will anchor the unit that returns all five
starters. He is joined by tackles Kelvin Ricks
(6-4, 270) and Mike Ellis (6-2, 280), center Brendan Riley (6-0,
280) and guard Jerrod Sample (6-4, 365).
Four others
- Sean Tucker (5-10, 255), Sung Yang (5-10, 245), Tim
Metzger (6-1, 280) and Kristos Miliotis (6-0, 275) - add further
experience and depth along an offensive line that helped the Sea Gulls average
207.9 yards per game rushing in 2003.
“It’s nice to
have so much experience on the offensive line,” said Wood. “In addition to
five returning starters, we have some other returnees who can also step in at
any spot and perform just as well.”
The special teams feature two all-conference performers in senior punter Rick
Nistler and junior placekicker Brock Boland. Nistler set a new
Salisbury record with a season average of 39.5 yards per punt, ranking 14th in
the nation. Boland earned all-South Region honors after converting 7 of 10 field
goal attempts and scoring 42 points last season.
“One of the real
benefits to having so much depth and experience comes on the special teams,”
said Wood. “I expect us to perform very well on all the special teams this
season.”
The Atlantic
Central Football Conference expands to a six-member league in 2004 with the
addition of SUNY-Brockport and Buffalo State. Salisbury hopes to battle for the
conference title once again in 2004 and secure an at-large (Pool B) spot in the
NCAA playoffs for the second time in three years.
