Tabbed a Contender

Crusader Gridders Picked Second in MAC Preseason Coaches' Poll

SELINSGROVE, (Pa.) — The Susquehanna University football team has been tabbed a contender to vie for a second-straight Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth League title as it was chosen second in the league according to the MAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Widener (8-3 overall, 8-2 MAC) shared the Commonwealth League title with Susquehanna last season and is favored to win that league again this season, despite dropping a 28-24 decision to the Crusaders in Chester on the final Saturday. The Pioneers received a maximum five first-place votes for 25 points, and also earned the other two votes as overall champion. Susquehanna (6-3 overall, 6-2 in MAC) was second in Commonwealth League voting with 20 points and also received the final championship vote. Juniata (5-5 overall, 5-3 MAC) was a close third in league voting with 17 points.

Lycoming is favored by the 11 head coaches to win its fourth consecutive MAC championship. The Warriors, who received nine of 11 votes as overall champion, are also favored to repeat as Freedom League champs with a maximum 16 points and four first-place votes. They return 16 starters from last season's team, which advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the fourth straight year. Lycoming (10-1 overall, 9-0 MAC in 1998) has won 28 consecutive MAC games since 1995, the longest winning streak since Wilkes (1965-69) and Widener (1978-82) each won 30 straight.

Wilkes (5-4 overall, 5-3 in MAC) was a close second in the Freedom League poll with 13 points, including the other championship vote. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams.

The poll was released Tuesday at the 1999 MAC Football Media Luncheon at the Ramada Hotel On-The-Square in Wilkes-Barre.

Susquehanna returns four league All-Stars who have all been honored as "Players to Watch" in Division III according to the USA Football Web site (www.usafootball.com). Senior defensive end and tri-captain Denny Bowers is also a returning second-team All-South Region pick by Don Hansen's Football Gazette as the lone returnee on a defensive line which helped Susquehanna finish second in MAC and fifth in D-III against the run (69.7 yards per game) last year. The 6-2, 250-pounder led the team in '98 with nine sacks and 20 tackles for 89 yards in losses among his 41 tackles (26 solo). Fellow senior tri-captain and free safety Mario Cromartie was a second-team league All-Star last season as he led the secondary with 65 tackles (39 solo), three interceptions and two break-ups. Both 6-4, 260-pound junior offensive tackle Randy Zook and 6-2, 265-pound senior guard Anthony DeSantis were league All-Stars who helped the team top the MAC and finish 16th in Division III rushing offense (254.4 yards per game). Zook was a first-teamer and also first-team All-South Region according to Football Gazette.

"It's good and it's gratifying (to be picked second). We've talked about it in our coaching meetings that it's (the preseason poll) all based on last year because you don't know the recruits and how the chemistry of teams are going to be," said Briggs, who is the winningest coach in program history at 61-31 (.663). "We have a unique situation here at Susquehanna. We've got a strong tradition and I think that backs up what we've done the past couple of years."

Widener returns five starters on a defense that led all divisions in rushing defense, allowing a paltry 31.4 yards per game for third-year head coach Bill Zwaan (15-6). Senior standout linebacker Bill Collins (114 tackles in 1998) is the leader of a group that ranked seventh in Division III in total defense last year, yielding 226.1 yards per game. On offense, junior quarterback Mike Granato threw for 2,041 yards and 15 touchdowns to rank fourth in the MAC in passing efficiency.

Juniata brings back all 11 starters on an offense that ranked 22nd in Division III in passing yards per game (274.2) for second-year head coach Kevin Burke. Senior quarterback Joe Montrella (2,324 yards, 19 touchdowns) will look to hook up often with junior wide receiver Matt Eisenberg (51 catches, 895 yards), who led the MAC with 10 touchdown receptions and returned two punts for touchdowns.

Lycoming will be keyed by Preseason All-American senior wide receiver Tim Dumas, who led the MAC in receiving with 62 catches for 1,041 yards and eight touchdowns. Head coach Frank Girardi is in his 29th year (202-65-5) and his team will feature a potent defense led by returning Freedom League First Team All-Stars Cameron Coleman at defensive line, Jesse Gambone at linebacker, and John Scanlan at defensive back.

Under fourth-year head coach Frank Sheptock (18-12), Wilkes will also be a threat in the Freedom League behind a potent offensive attack led by MAC career rushing leader and senior running back Mike Hankins (867 yards rushing in 1998). The Colonels also return All-Star receivers in sophomore Brian Miller (45 catches) and senior Jason Phillips (33 catches), and junior tight end Ryan James (30 catches).

 1999 Middle Atlantic Conference Football Preseason Coaches' Poll

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