2000 Season Outlook
SALISBURY FEATURES NEW LOOK OFFENSE, EXPERIENCED DEFENSE

Wood, a former Sea Gull all-American, expects to welcome back 40 players from last year’s 2-7 squad when preseason drills begin on August 14. He will also have at least that many freshmen and transfers, with many of them slated to see extensive playing time.

"I feel that the players we have returning this year are the ones that are committed to what we want to do," said Wood. "I believe this year is really the start of the new program. Between the returnees and the potential of the newcomers, I’m very optimistic about the 2000 season."

A preliminary look at the Sea Gulls, by position, as they begin preseason camp.

Junior Bryan Driskell is the only experienced returnee and begins the preseason as number one on the depth chart. He started six games in 1999 and passed for 755 yards and four TDs last season. Driskell will be joined by six new prospects at the position when preseason drills begin. Among the newcomers, sophomore transfers Jason Bungori (Juniata) and Tony Harrison (Bridgewater) have previous collegiate experience.

The four freshman all bring impressive high school credentials. Jace Carletti was a second team all-state selectee at Brandywine HS in Delaware. Mac Mollet is a product of Damascus HS in Montgomery County, MD. Tom Kolker was a three-year starter at McLean (VA) HS, while Todd Keiser played on a state championship team at Seneca Valley (MD) HS last year.

"Brian starts preseason as the number one quarterback," said Wood. "It’s his job, but I also believe he will be pushed and that means Brian has to perform well. We want our quarterback to be an athlete, and we’ll judge how they perform everyday in practice."

The Sea Gulls must replace last year’s ACFC co-Offensive Player of the Year and 1,000-yard rusher Myron Dent, but have sophomore Tony Ellis back this season to help offset the loss. Ellis (961 yds, 8 TDs in ‘98) was the conference’s Rookie of the Year two seasons ago but sat out last year. He led the Sea Gulls in both rushing and scoring in 1998.

Junior Reggie Boyce, who saw action in seven games last year (34 att, 111 yds), will also see plenty of action. Junior transfer Lemuel Thomas (Cheyney) may offer the most immediate help at tailback among the newcomers.

Sophomore Matt Rhoades appears to be number one on the depth chart at fullback, although senior transfer Brad Muir (N. Nichigan) has good experience. Newcomers Anthony Tucci and Sean Montpetit are also expected to challenge for playing time.

"Although we lose Myron, I think the running back position will be the strength of our offense," said Wood. "We’ll probably use different players depending on the sets we’re utilizing. I think we’ve got very good depth here."

The receiving corps is probably the unit that will feature the newest look this season. The only veterans among the top prospects are senior Andrew Canigiani and junior Ray D’Ambrosio, and neither player caught any passes last year. Canigiani was used primarily as a return specialist, while D’Ambrosio has lined up at quarterback during his first two seasons with the team.

Wood is counting on a number of newcomers to provide immediate help at the position. Transfers Kenneth Cooper (Juniata) and Allen Anderson (Morgan State) are the most experienced of the newcomers and could make the quickest impact.

Three other freshman - Anthony Pierouchakos, Jeff Boteler, and Kwasi Osei-Wusu - are also expected to contribute.

The Sea Gulls have solid depth at tight end, with senior Doug Batten, and juniors Josh Stark, and Zach Freistat.

"We think the receiving talent level is very good," said Wood. "We feel that all these players can step in right away and we don’t lose anything. We also want to utilize our tight ends more as receivers this season."

(preview date August 8, 2000)

The Gulls return just three of their top 10 linemen from last season, but will showcase a unit that should be much larger than last year. The anchors of the line will be a pair of three-year lettermen, seniors Larry Holmes (6-1, 240) at left tackle and Steve Lee (6-0, 250) at center. Sophomore Kelly Bryant (6-1, 245) could also secure a starting spot after serving as a backup last season. Newcomer Beau Ridgway (6-4, 320), a shot putter on the SSU track team in the spring, is also available.

Among the freshmen expected to contribute immediately are Ryan McDowell (6-3, 280), from Laurel (DE) HS, Morgan Monaghan (6-1, 235), Josh Lashley (6-2, 255), Richard Parry (6-1, 230) and Brandon Williamson (6-1, 240).

"We will definitely be bigger," said Wood. "The key will be how fast they learn and how quickly they will be able to contribute. We’ll need to instill some confidence in the new players."

The unit returns two starters from last year and six players who will form the core of the line. Senior Khalid Attia (6-2, 210) is a three-year starter and takes on added duties as one of the team captains this season. Junior Paul Duffy (6-2, 250) is the other returning starter, but will likely shift to tackle after playing mostly at end last season. Junior Justin Mays (5-10, 240) is projected to start alongside Duffy at the other tackle position.

Juniors Colin Meade (6-1, 230) and Tom McCarthy (6-2, 230) and sophomore Tom Fisher (6-3, 230) are the other top returnees.

"These are the six guys we will build around on the defensive line," said Wood. "A couple of these guys have had limited game experience, but its time for them to step up now. It’s their turn."

Four of the top six linebackers who saw significant playing time last season are back this year. The top tackler is junior Pat Brannan, who earned all-ACFC honors while leading the Gulls with 97 tackles last year. Junior Eric Sweet, who had 30 tackles as Brannan’s backup last season, will likely inherit one of the other starting spots. Junior Anthony Parker (45 tackles), returns as the starter at the other backer position.

Seniors Chuck Goldstein and Chris Varlotta are also candidates as starters. Freshmen Stephen Gomez and Peter Alosi could also contribute.

"Our defense is designed for the linebackers to be the leading tacklers," said Wood. "We want to have at least six linebackers we feel comfortable with. Maybe a couple of surprises will emerge during the preseason."

The Gulls return all four starters in the secondary. Senior CB Seth Haskins, back for his third year as a starter, earned first team all-conference accolades last year. Junior Bernard Smith returns as a starter on the other corner.

Junior FS Du’Juan Wilson, second on the team with 56 tackles last year, also earned all-ACFC honors. Sophomore Foster Epps, last year’s strong safety, will probably move to free safety this season, paving the way for junior transfer Bill Baisey or senior Corey Brown to move in as the new starter at SS.

A number of newcomers are likely to also emerge as immediate contributors, led by transfers Brian Banks (Marshall) and Richard Mann (Morgan State).

"We have a solid corners and lots of experience," said Wood. "I like to work things around the secondary on defense. There’s good veteran leadership back there."

Senior Ryan Pusey and junior Paul Jacko will handle the punting and placekicking duties again this season. Pusey averaged 33.7 yds/punt last year while placing eight kicks inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. Jacko converted 2 of 8 field goals and 9 of 12 PATs.

Seth Haskins ranked among the nation’s leaders in punt returns (14.3) and averaged 29.5 yds on kickoffs.

"Based on the experience we have coming back, I believe that our defense will have to carry us, especially in the early going. They will have to set the tone for this team this year. We want to be aggressive, to create more turnovers, and to control the line of scrimmage.

"Offensively, we’ll be doing some different things. We’re changing the system a little bit, but we’ll still feature multiple looks. We want to control the ball more."

"There’s lots of potential at every position, and how fast some of the younger players develop may be one of the keys for us. I feel good about our personnel, but we’ve got to push everybody. I believe that will make us a better team."