August 1, 2007

Bulldogs picked to finish second in the MIAA
Adrian ranked behind defending champ Hope College

The Adrian College football team enters the 2007 season with less hype than ’06 campaign. Gone is the Top-25 pre-season ranking and billing as the favorite in the MIAA.

The Bulldogs were picked to finish second in the league at August 2nd's MIAA Fall Sports Media Day on the campus of Albion College, behind 2006 champion Hope College. After a 4-3 conference mark a year ago and the loss of nearly all of the program's statistical leaders, the Bulldogs received a confusing message from the opposing conference coaches and media.

But the Bulldogs never have paid attention to any expectations other than their own lofty goal of winning the MIAA title.

While settling for a disappointing 5-5 finish to the ’06 season, the Bulldogs did accomplished several highlights, defeating rival Albion College for the fifth-straight season and setting 10 school records.

Head coach Jim Lyall has navigated the ever-changing waters of Adrian football and is entering his 17th season at the helm of the Bulldog gridiron squad. Over the past four seasons, Lyall has led AC to a 27-13 record, including two 8-2 marks.

Lyall commented on his overall view of the Adrian College Bulldogs, version 2007.

“We will be an exciting team in ‘07, with a strong emphasis on team speed in all three phases of the game.”

The Bulldogs are now settled into the Performance Stadium (dedicated in 2006), where they went 4-1 in its inaugural season, and have made additional adjustments to coaching staff changes.

Taking over the defense is long-time linebackers coach Jim Deere. Following the departure of Aaron Klotz, the platoon’s leader for five seasons, Deere will look to maintain a level of play that has kept the Adrian defense ranked near the top of the MIAA in recent years.

Deere, an Adrian alumnus, who has helped develop some of the best defensive performers in AC history, will have to find a way to cope with the loss of All-American and the NCAA all-time leading tackler, Taz Wallace and All-MIAA performer A.J. Marry at the middle linebacker spots. Other key defensive losses include 2006 seniors; defensive end Joel Howland and safety Mark Westenberg.

However the “D” is not without capable returners. The team’s second-leading tackler from a season ago, linebacker Kyle Dunaj, returns after recording 60 stops and 5.5 tackles for loss in his junior season. Also returning is Aaron Kieltyka, who had 53 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks as a junior from his outside linebacker position. Dunaj and Kieltyka will work to take over where Wallace and Marry left off, making plays against MIAA opponents.

Other defensive returners include cornerback Brandon Mohney, defensive lineman Gino Panza and defensive back Steven Spratt.

Mohney, a senior, had four picks and recorded 41 tackles with a sack in 2006. Panza, the team’s lone freshman starter last season, recorded 19 tackles in his rookie year, while Spratt had 21 stops, two tackles for loss and two interceptions as a junior.

Key newcomers to the starting defense will likely be linebacker Nick Pipia, defensive back Criston Calley, and cornerback Chris McGuire.

Pipia was caught behind Wallace and Marry in his first two seasons, while Calley has emerged as a junior after being part of the MIAA-champion 4 X 100 relay team in the spring. McGuire saw some action as a freshman defensive back in ’06.

Senior defensive back Chris Elsey has also been a consistent contributor in his three seasons at Adrian and had 16 tackles, and an interception last year.

Offensively, the departure of Ken Calhoun after five seasons as the offensive coordinator opens the door for Jeff Hancock to take the reigns of the Bulldog offense.

Hancock served as the Bulldogs’ wide receivers coach in 2006 after spending time as the tight ends for NCAA Division III National Champion Grand Valley State University in 2005, where he helped the Lakers average 33.4 points and 431.7 yards per game.

Hancock stated that the offense will utilize the element of surprise.

“The expectations have been set high. Going 5-5 is unacceptable. With the key group of hard-working returners and a wealth of young talent, we will surprise people.”

The Bulldogs lose record-setting quarterback Andy Denryter, the ’06 team’s leading rusher, T.J. Williams, and starting receivers Chester Evans and Brian McKenna. The offensive line has also lost center Carlos Lozano and guard Gabe Garcia.

The success of the mostly inexperienced skill positions will hinge on the play of the front five. The offensive line paved the way for 352.5 yards per game in 2006, ranking second in the MIAA, but must improve in their pass protection after allowing 33 sacks, eight more than any other conference team, last season.

“We return a very strong core of offensive linemen anchored by seniors Corey Hardcastle, Jeremy Zott and Brandon Murphy,” said Lyall.

Hardcastle will return at left tackle, while juniors John Ahearn and Chris Wiley both return at the guard spots. Zott also has starting experience on the O-line at the tackle position and Murphy has, not only seen considerable action, but emerged as a team leader in off season workouts.

The leading statistical offensive returner is senior All-MIAA wide receiver Desmond Upshaw.

Lyall spoke of his returning offensive skill players.

“On the perimeter we have all league wide receiver Desmond Upshaw, fifth-year senior Clint Miller, and Patrick Reagan. Our backfield will be anchored by seniors Tim Bruce, Anthony Tocco, and returning fullback Brandon Cooley who missed the entire 2006 season with an injury.”

Upshaw ranked third in the league with 79.3 receiving yards per game last season. He already has an MIAA Championship to his name, joining Calley and fellow wide out Patrick Reagan on the 2007 conference champion 4 X 100 relay team. His gridiron potential was shown at MIAA-champion Hope College last year when he had 10 catches for 174 yards and a touchdown.

Reagan will look to emerge as a big-play threat in his senior season after hauling in 28 catches for 296 yards and three scores last year.

The Bulldog offense will also feature junior Troy Niblock, a multi-talented athlete that has the ability to run, throw, catch and return. He recorded 234 rushing yards, 100 receiving yards, 40 passing yards, and 218 return yards in 2006. The White Pigeon, Michigan native could see time at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver in ’07.

Senior running back Anthony Tocco is the team’s leading returning rusher with 240 yards on 46 attempts a year ago. Matt Johnston, also a senior, could see increased carries after averaging 3.4 yards per attempt last year.

Sophomore wide receiver Joseph Beehler is the squad’s wide card. He had 175 return yards as a freshman, including a long of 43 and will look to have a break-out sophomore campaign.

The obvious question mark in all fans’ minds is the quarterback position. Niblock is a quarterback by trade, while junior Tim Hiller and sophomore Billy Keenist are in position to compete for playing time with any newcomers that my emerge.

As always, there is not an opponent on the schedule that the Bulldogs can take lightly, and Lyall knows it.

“The MIAA will be strong from top to bottom with last year’s champion, Hope, the team to beat. Every week will prove to be a strong challenge. The non-league schedule is as strong as ever with traditional rivals Defiance and Bluffton in our first two games. The addition of Huntingdon College (Alabama) will be a great challenge. Southern teams take their football seriously.”

Adrian opens play on September 1 at Defiance College at 1:30 p.m. and travel to Bluffton University on September 15 at 1:30 p.m. after their bye week. They open their home slate on September 22 against Huntingdon College of Alabama at noon. The Bulldogs close out September with a 1 p.m. MIAA-opener at Kalamazoo College.

On October 6, the Bulldogs host Olivet at 7 p.m. for their lone night game of the year during homecoming festivities. They then travel to Tri-State at 1:30 p.m. on October 13 before hosting Hope College and Wisconsin Lutheran College on back-to-back Saturdays at 1 p.m. and noon, respectively.

Adrian’s two November games consist of traveling to Albion at 1 p.m. on the third before hosting Alma College in the regular season finale at 1 p.m. on the 10th.

Even with the challenges and losses from the ’06 squad, the Bulldog mentor does not adjust his demands of this year’s team.

“We expect great achievement from this year’s Bulldog Football team,” ended Lyall.