BEREA, OHIO -- The 2009 Baldwin-Wallace College football team returns 29 lettermen, including a number of key starters on offense, defense and special teams as it hopes to compete for both an Ohio Athletic Conference title and a berth into the NCAA Division III Playoffs.
Offensively, the Yellow Jackets will be led by All-OAC quarterback Anthony Gardner (Rocky River/ Lakewood St. Edward). The senior signal-caller completed 190-of-298 (63.8 percent) passes for 2,318 yards and 14 touchdowns last season and enters his fourth season as a varsity contributor with 274 completions in 473 attempts (57.9 percent) for 3,485 yards and 22 TD. Also an adept runner, Gardner has carried the ball 221 times for 458 yards and seven more TD, including 141 yards and five TD a year ago.
"We're expecting Anthony (Gardner) to have an outstanding senior season," said Head Coach John Snell, who enters his eighth season with a 46-26 career record. "He has improved each season and is a great leader on and off the field. His ability to lead and make plays will provide a huge difference for us this season."
The Yellow Jackets also return a trio of talented running backs to the offense in juniors Kyrell Crook(Columbus/ St. Francis DeSales) and John McGraw (North Ridgeville) and sophomore Tim Miker (Parma/ Senior).
Crook gained 711 yards and scored six times in 2008 and caught 15 passes for 314 yards and another TD. McGraw, who missed most of last season due to injury, ran for 214 yards and two TD as a freshman in '07.Miker had a solid frosh campaign a year ago with 272 yards and six TD and caught seven passes, including one for a score, and averaged 22 yards on 22 kick returns.
The Yellow Jacket receiving corps will be paced by sophomore wideout Devon Jennings (Euclid), who recorded 28 receptions for 409 yards and two scores as a freshman. Senior receiver Matt Dash (Medina/ Buckeye) and senior tight end John Stock (Fairview Park/ Lutheran West), who each reached double-figures in catches in 2008, are also back this fall. Dash scored once and averaged 16.5 yards-per-reception. Stock averaged 11.4 yards-per-catch and made an impact in the return game with 181 yards on only eight kickoff returns. BW will also look to junior wide receiver/kicker Brad Pollock (Broadview Heights/ Brecksville-Broadview Hts.), who lettered last season.
"We return a lot of key guys at the skill positions that are going to help us maintain a balanced attack," noted Snell. "We have talented and versatile guys that each bring a little something diferrent to the table."
The B-W offensive line will be anchored by a pair of returning starters in senior All-OAC tackle Brett Scarl (North Olmsted), who started all 10 games on the left side in 2008, and junior right tackle Danny Love (Chagrin Falls/ Kenston). The guard spots are expected to be manned by senior Jeremy Lassiter (Shaker Heights) and junior Dan Paterline (Reynoldsburg) who each saw significant playing time last season.
"Any success an offense will have depends greatly on the stability of its line," said Snell. "We have a solid group of veterans that we will rely heavily on and we're expecting some of our younger guys to step up and provide depth."
Defensively, B-W will be paced by its three starting linebackers in senior All-OAC selection Paul Burger (Mentor), senior Brad Koester (Sunbury/ Big Walnut) and junior Ryan Kish (Amherst/ Marion Steele).
Burger led the team with 73 tackles and enters his senior campaign with 201 career stops. He also tied for the team lead with two interceptions and a forced fumble in 2008.
Koester recorded 30 tackles before missing the final five games of 2008 with an injury. Kish totaled 41 tackles despite missing three games to injury and has 100 for his career.
"Our linebackers are our most experienced group," said Snell. "Not only are they solid tacklers, they have the ability to cover and rush the passer. We're expecting them to set the tone for the defense this year."
Senior strong safety Ryan Clokey (Massillon/ Perry) is expected to lead the B-W secondary and provide depth at linebacker after starting at each position last season. He made 56 stops in 2008 and enters the 2009 season with 105 for his career.
The secondary returns a pair of starting cornerbacks in senior Pete Taylor (North Olmsted) and sophomoreRyan Dugan (Mentor). Taylor had 34 tackles and an INT last year and Dugan had 41 stops and a pair of INT.
On the line, B-W returns a pair of starters in senior tackle Kyle Menn (Willoughby/ South) and junior end Keith Darbut (Miami, Fla./ Palmetto Senior). Menn posted 30 stops and a sack and Darbut had 13 tackles and four sacks last season. Senior end Brandon Fast (Ashland/ Senior), junior tackle Kevin Phipps (Reynoldsburg/ Watkins Memorial) and sophomore end Joe Fitch (Elyria Catholic) also return after lettering in 2008.
"Both our secondary and line have playmaking capabilities," said Snell. "Each group has a nice mix of veterans and youngsters that should continue to get better and better as the year goes on."
On special teams, the punting will be handled by senior Scott Nealon (Avon Lake), who averaged 35.9 yards in 35 attempts last season. Pollock will handle the kicking duties after taking over the starting job at the end of last season and connecting on two-of-three field goals and all six of his extra point tries.
The Yellow Jackets open the 2009 season on Saturday, September 5 when they host Heartland Athletic Conference powerhouse and 2008 NCAA Division III playoffs participant Franklin (Ind.) College at 1:30 p.m. on Tressel Field at The George Finnie Stadium in Berea.
After a bye-week, B-W travels cross-town to play OAC-rival John Carroll University in the annual "Battle for the Cuyahoga Gold Bowl Trophy" on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7:00 p.m. in University Heights. The Jackets host Marietta College on Sept. 26 at 6:30 for "Community and Family Day" prior to playing back-to-back games against 2008 NCAA playoff participants Mount Union College (October 3) and Otterbein College (October 10). The Oct. 3 contest in Alliance will be played under the lights at 7:00 p.m. and the Oct. 10 matchup in Berea will be The College's Homecoming Game at 2:00 p.m.
"Our schedule will be a challenge as it is every year playing in the OAC," noted Snell. "Playing three playoff teams in five games will force us to play at a high level right out of the gate. We're hopeful to get off to a good start and to continue to get better each week. In our conference, you have to be at your very best each week to have a chance to win."
