2019 Season Preview

A Quick "Announcement"

Before I get into the annual preseason preview, I'd like to recognize the fact that 10 years ago today (8/24/09) I "officially" started this blog. I am not sure if this means today is the 10th birthday or anniversary of the "Comin' Atcha" blog, but either way, it's hard to believe so much time has gone by!

While 633 posts seems like a lot of "work", the rewards far outweigh the time spent. The best part of this avocation has been getting to know many of the players, coaches, fans, alums and families connected to Hobart College Football through this and other social media.

Thank you all for your continued support of this site in the past, present and future. I'll keep blogging for as long as I can - another 10 years sounds like a good goal to me...

"Back to where it all began.." - ABB

Anyway, here we go!

Previewing #Team126

Although last season’s 5-4 mark was disappointing, this decade has arguably been the best in Hobart College’s history. The Statesmen (who have a new logo / brand identity for 2019 and going forward) have cemented themselves as a “household name” as far as Division III football goes and HC Kevin DeWall ’00 enters Hobart’s 126th season with confidence after a successful spring practice session and strong incoming recruiting class. While he believes the depth and talent of the team has room for improvement, he also knows there are the necessary pieces in place to challenge for yet another Liberty League title.

The LL is as competitive as it’s ever been, similar to how it was over a decade ago when two teams would regularly qualify for the NCAA playoffs. Hobart will once again be facing one of the toughest schedules in the East Region, if not the nation, which would make earning the program’s 24th consecutive winning season (sorry, not sorry NCAA) quite an achievement.

Offense

QB - The LL’s top scoring and total offense returns many, if not all, the key pieces from last year’s squad. Coach DeWall is pleased with the progress and competition between SR QB Ryan Hofmann and SO QB David Krewson. Hofmann’s experience and understanding of the playbook may give him a slight edge, but it’s no denying the athleticism and versatility Krewson provides, especially on RPO types of plays. Either way, it’s a nice problem to have two strong quarterback candidates.

RB - This group should also be a strength, led by offensive captain and SR RB Brian Haeffner. JR RB Alex Milliken showed flashes last season and it’s likely you’ll see players like JR FB Shane White get carries versus being used as a more traditional FB. SO RB Isaiah Hopkinson converted from DB and adds speed and depth to this group, as do three new FY RBs. 

TE - This unit has size and depth with SR TE AJ Perlino, and JR TEs Jimmy Adams and Jake Bergmann coming back. With the graduation of Matt Woods ’19, someone will need to step up as a receiver. Perlino did score on two receiving TDs, but overall this group is pretty inexperienced. FY TE Charlie Pierce brings additional size and pass catching ability, but time will tell how long he gets into the mix. Also, back is FY TE Mike Zaccone who received a red shirt year after he missed the 2018 season because of injury.

WR - The strongest unit on the offense is probably the WR corps which is led by the experienced group of SR WR Jake Catalioto, SR WR John DelliSanti, and SR WR Ray Conley. This trio combined for over 1,180 receiving yards and scored 14 TDs last season. SO WR Shahkyle Matthews adds depth and speed as does JR WR Mike Giacobbe, who turned into a very reliable possession receiver last season. 

OL - This brings us to the most critical group of the offense, if not the entire team. There are three starters back from last season, but the decision over whether they’ll remain in their same positions as 2018 is TBD. JR OL Alex Lanzana is a smart and tough C and JR Dillon Carrey and SO Ludner Mercy had good seasons as LG and RG, respectively. That leaves an open competition for two tackle spots, assuming one of the guards isn’t moved to cover one of those positions. SO OL Dalton Kindt has potential to earn one of them, but will have some competition from a number of different Statesmen. There are no SR OL players on the roster, and only four of them are JRs, making this a young and mostly inexperienced group. If Hobart can find the right combination and build depth along this OL, they’ll be good shape.

Defense

Defensively Hobart will continue to improve upon the 3-4 / 2-4-5 hybrid scheme they switched to in 2018. While it took some time, the Statesmen defense was much improved, especially in the latter half of the season.

DL/DE - Up front Hobart returns a number of talented players including SR DL Reid Crobok, SO DL Naj Johnson and JR DT Isaiah Boone. The DE / edge group is anchored by SR DE Collin Hudgins and JR DE Zach Rudolph. The Statesmen need to generate more sacks this season, after only netting 18 in 2018, which was the second lowest total in the LL.

ILB/OLB - The LB corps welcomes back SO ILB Bryan Aguilar as well leading tackler SR OLB David McCarthy. JR OLB Emmett Forde, JR OLB Collin Urie also return as does SR ILB Josh Walker and JR ILB Nathan Cooley. FY ILB CJ Calero is back and looking strong after needing a red-shirt year after suffering a non-contact ACL tear in the 2018 preseason. SO ILB Dante Kimbrough has converted over from RB and adds depth here.

CB/FS - The secondary returns a deep group of players like defensive captain SR CB Jayson Prince who’ll play his third position in as many seasons. SO FS Jay McCoy and JR FS Cal Sullivan will look to improve upon their 2018 debuts at the varsity level. JR CB Jared Leake returns as the Statesmen’s top cover corner. Also returning is JR CB Matt Horgan. 

With the addition of SR QB Joe Germiniero at Ithaca, as well as key returning offensive starters at RPI, Union, SLU and other rivals; the Hobart pass defense will need to improve from allowing last season’s league high 21 passing TDs and third most passing yards marks. Overall the Statesmen defense was last in passing efficiency with a league worst 144.4 mark. Hobart was tougher against the run, finishing third overall in the LL allowing 130.8 YPG and only 13 rush TDs. INTs could improve also, as Hobart only intercepted opposing QBs nine times last season, basically a 1 PG average (by comparison, the RPI defense had 19, with four returned for TDs).

Special Teams

Hobart boasts one of the best PKs in the nation in JR PK Kyle Hackett who’s on his way to rewriting the Statesmen record books. His list of recognitions from national publications continued to grow as he was named to the 2019 D3football.com preseason All-American team. Waiting in the wings is SO PK Rob DiGregorio as well as FY PK Lucas Amaral. The Statesmen are in the need of a true punter, as last season they relayed on SR WR John DelliSanti to cover those duties. Time will tell if DelliSanti continues in this capacity or if Amaral or DiGregorio fill in that important role. 

Schedule

With a seven-game stretch that opens with #13 Brockport, two NJAC teams and having to face Union, RPI and Ithaca before their bye week, each week will be a playoff type of game for the Statesmen if they want to make it back to the postseason for the first time since 2016. The good news is six of the Statesmen's games are home at the "Boz". The Statesmen are 8-2 at home the last two seasons.

Synopsis

As I stated in my LL preview as part of the D3football.com Kickoff 2019 publication, this season the Statesmen come into 2019 looking to play the unfamiliar role of "spoiler." While 2018 was humbling at times, you have to give Hobart credit as they learned from the early missteps and remained a tough out down the stretch - losing very close contests to Ithaca and RPI by a TD each, but winning the rest of their LL games by a 123-68 margin.

To be fair the Statesmen played the No. 1 strength of schedule in Division III last season, and this year won’t be much different. Realistically, this is the toughest schedule in the East Region, and Hobart knows it. The good news for Statesmen fans is they return enough players and talent to give them a chance.

That said certain 2018 issues such as penalties (Hobart was the most penalized team in the LL last season, averaging 82.1 YPG) and turnovers (+1 in TOM) should improve dramatically in Year 2 of the DeWall regime. Overall I'm excited to see how this season unfolds.

It begins 2 weeks from today at the Boz against Brockport.

Thanks for 10 years of reading and go 'Bart!