BEREA, OHIO -- In 2008, the Baldwin-Wallace College football team will look to battle for both the Ohio Athletic Conference and National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III National Championship. Every year, the goals are the same for the Yellow Jacket program, which is regarded as among the best in Division III every year.
A year ago, B-W finished 6-4 overall and 5-4 in the OAC and had its 40th winning season in the last 41 years.
This season, seventh-year Head Coach John Snell welcomes back 26 lettermen and 10 starters, including three offensive linemen and All-America candidates Joe Kowalski (Macedonia/ Nordonia) at defensive tackle and Paul Burger (Mentor) at middle linebacker. Snell is hoping that the newly installed Fieldturf at The George Finnie Stadium will be the 'Magic Carpet' as the Yellow Jackets play host to John Carroll University, Mount Union College, Heidelberg College, Ohio Northern University and Capital University this fall.
"We are looking forward to the challenges of the 2008 season and playing in our renovated stadium against some outstanding competition," said Snell, who has a 41-21 career mark in six seasons at his alma mater. "We open the schedule at Franklin (Ind.) College who made the Division III Playoffs last year. Every year, we play the best possible schedule and we think that challenges our young men to continue to strive for excellence.
"Offensively, we return some solid people who have the talent and ability to put the ball in the endzone," said Snell. "Each of the past two years, Anthony Gardner has made strides at quarterback. He will be challenged for the starting spot again this year.
"Defensively, we feel that Joe Kowalski and Paul Burger are outstanding leaders and football players," continued Snell. "Traditionally, the B-W defense has been solid, and we feel that we have the talent to be solid again.
"One of our main concerns entering preseason camp will be finding a placekicker and punter," said Snell. "Both Kevin Soflkiancs and Adam Wilburn were key student-athletes for us. In terms of returns, we feel that we return a corps of talented individuals and have some incoming talent to fill those roles."
Offensively, junior quarterback Anthony Gardner (Rocky River/ Lakewood St. Edward) will be back to lead the offense after sharing the job last season with graduated QB Mickey Mental. In 2007, Gardner completed 54-of-107 passes for 50.5 percent and 796 yards with six touchdowns. He also ran for 353 yards and a pair of TD, including a 76-yard jaunt in a 21-18 upset of ONU in Ada.
Gardner will have a host of experienced receivers at his disposal, including seniors Mike Kowal (Parma/ Senior), All-OAC selection Matt Lepley (Bellevue), Dan Damico (Marion/ Catholic), John Geretz (Huron) and Mike Glynn (Columbia Station/ Columbia) and junior speedster Steve Price (North Olmsted). Lepley led the group and caught 32 passes for 398 yards and three TD and averaged 10.8 yards on 12 punt returns. In addition to catching passes, Kowal and Price served as the kick return specialists with Price finishing among the '07 OAC leaders.
On the line, seniors Broc Dial (Canal Fulton/ Northwest), a second-team ESPN THE MAGAZINEAcademic All-District IV pick, captain and center John DiMattio (Girard, Pa./ Girard) and juniors Brett Scarl (North Olmsted), Danny Love (Chagrin Falls/ Kenston) and Jon Wilson (Brooklyn Heights/ Cuyahoga Hts.), all return with experience.
In the backfield, look for junior Kyrell Crook (Columbus/ St. Francis deSales) and sophomore John McGraw (North Ridgeville) to be the top returnees. Crook, who returns following an injury a year ago that limited his contribution to 23 carries for 70 yards and two receptions for 33 yards. McGraw ran for 211 yards in 54 attempts with two TD and added another score via a receiving TD. Look for senior fullback Craig Lindsley (Huron) to join the duo and be an effective blocker, runner and pass catcher.
Defensively, Kowalski, Burger, senior ends Joe Hance (Barberton) and Dale Buckner (Berea), sophomore OLB Ryan Kish (Amherst/ Marion Steele) and senior cornerback Karl Schreiber (Bay Village/ Bay) all will play key roles. Kowalski led all lineman with 61 tackles in '07, including a team-leading 15 for loss and 7.5 quarterback sacks. He is a two-time All-OAC choice. Burger, a 2006 All-OAC pick and a 2007 preseason All-American choice, returns after an injury plagued 2007 season that limited him to 36 tackles after making a team-leading 92 stops in '06. Kish had 59 tackles. Schreiber had 40 stops and led the team with three interceptions..
In addition, look for senior safety Brian Palsa (Bellevue), junior safety Pete Taylor (North Olmsted), junior CB's Ryan Clokey (Massillon/ Perry) and Brad Koester (Sunbury/ Big Walnut), junior end Kyle Menn (Willoughby/ South), sophomore end Ben Pahl (Miami, Fla./ Gulliver Prep) and sophomore LB Lazarus McRae (Warren/ Harding) all to compete for starting roles and playing time.
On special teams, B-W lost Soflkiancs, a 3-time All-American and 2-time Academic All-American punter and Wilburn, a three-year starting placekicker, to graduation. A battle will ensue in preseason camp for those starting roles.
The Yellow Jackets open the 2008 season on Saturday, September 6 when they travel to 2007 NCAA Division III playoffs participant Franklin (Ind.) College for a 1:30 p.m. game. Following an off week on Sept. 13, BW opens its home schedule on Saturday, Sept. 20 against Cleveland cross-town and OAC rival John Carroll University at 6:30 p.m. in the Annual Battle for the Cuyahoga Gold Bowl Trophy.
