A big reason for Hobart's return to the top of the LL in 2011 had a lot to do with one of Coach Cragg's best defensive units in several seasons. The Statesmen "D" allowed only 17.1 PPG and held opposing offenses to 283.1 YPG on average. They terrorized QBs racking up 27 sacks and helped Hobart to a +10 turnover differential which was a huge improvement from 2010's -7 TOM (last in the LL). Here is a positional overview of the Statesmen defense for this fall:
DB – With due respect to the number of outstanding seniors lost to gradation from last season's OL, the Statesmen’s biggest shoes to fill this fall in my opinion are those of four-time unanimous All-League and 2011 All-America award winner Drake Woodard ’12. Woodard started in almost every game of his four year Hobart career accumulating 145 tackles and 12 INTs over that time period. What the stats belie is the fact this unanimous first team All LL selection was probably one of the best cover corners the Statesmen have ever had (see post on 1/14/11) and neutralized most of the opposition’s best wide outs (insert a collective sigh of relief the Union's Justin Gallo graduated last spring as well). The good news for Hobart fans (and the returning and incoming DBs) is that Woodard is returning to Geneva as an assistant football coach while studying for his Masters.
Hobart only has a handful of experienced DBs returning this fall meaning Statesmen opponents are likely to test this group early and often. In the two losses in 2011, teams passed for approximately 300 yards per game showing that, even with Woodard, this unit can be vulnerable to a well run passing (and pass blocking) team.
The most experienced of the returning players is JR CB Connor Garrett. The San Diego, CA native started opposite of Woodard all of 2011 and contributed 18 total tackles, two pass break ups and one INT. Filling in for former FS Chad Dorrance (see post on 2/29/12) will likely be JR FS Jolyon Davis (started two games and had 17 tackles) or SO DB Fajiri Jackson. A potential starter at CB will be JR Kevin Hearon who scored on a 36 yard “pick six” to ice the 24-10 victory at Rochester in the regular season finale. Other potential contributors could be SR DB Rashaun Moore and highly touted FY CB Leif Colberg out of Cheshire Academy.
DE - What was a position of concern going into 2011 ended up being one of the Hobart’s biggest strengths thanks to the addition of 2011 LL Rookie of the Year Tyre Coleman. Coleman wreaked havoc on opposing quarter and running backs leading the league and finishing second in the nation in sacks (13) while also adding 19 tackles for a loss (also some of the best defensive performances in the nation in 2011) and five forced fumbles.
With JR DE Tim Murray transferring to Endicott College (MA), there will be a competition between a trio of Statesmen including JR DE Juan Breton, SR DE Kees Nordin and SO DE Jake Currie to play opposite Coleman. Personally I'd like to see Breton (who opted out of playing FCS level football at Sacred Heart University in CT to come to Hobart) emerge as a defensive force. He was highly regarded coming out of high school but so far has yet to see any meaningful time on the field. Another possibility could be a move similar to what occurred in 2011 when former DT Dane Wilcoxen '12 was asked by the coaching staff to play DE.
DL - Although Hobart will miss 2nd team All LL tackle Gianni Contro ‘12, the Statesmen return the bulk, literally and figuratively, of their defensive line. Leading the way is SR DL Nick Auriemma who’ll likely be joined by SO DL Troy Johnson, Raimonn Goddard and/or SO DL Ben Dunham-Kapaldo and JR DL Cory Einbeck and Jacob Powell.
LB – As usual a real strength of Hobart’s defense was at the inside and outside line backing positions. Although the Statesmen will miss the leadership and output (81 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 1 INT, and 2 FF) of Reggie Robinson ’12, the Statesmen return the majority of this critical unit. After winning the LL 2010 Rookie of Year award, JR OLB/SS Devin Worthington earned the LL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2011. Worthington was fourth on the team in tackles with 45 but did most of his damage behind the line of scrimmage adding 11.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 1 INT, two forced and three recovered fumbles. Lining up opposite Worthington on the outside in 2012 will either be classmate JR LB Austin DiMarco, JR LB Taylor Delperuto or JR LB Nolan Toran. Coaching the OLB unit will be former Statesmen Co-Captain and LB Kyle O'Laughlin '11.
Inside the Statesmen will be lead by SR LB and Co-Captain Andrew Klindera who finished second to Robinson with 51 tackles. Playing opposite Klindera will likely be SR LB and Co-captain Nick Zapp but expect to see JR LBs Thomas Elder and Cory Davis as well as a number of highly talented FY recruits look to see the field in 2012.
Next week I'll cover off on special teams and the 2012 (10 game!) schedule. Thanks and go 'Bart!
Friday, August 10, 2012
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Preseason Preview - Part I (Offense)
After another season of missing the playoffs, offseason scheduling snafus, self-reported NCAA infractions and loss of key players; the fall of 2011 was a breath of fresh air for Statesmen fans. Hobart destroyed out of conference rivals Dickinson and Saint John Fisher by 24 and 36 points, respectively, then was one point away from it's first undefeated regular season since the mid-1950's before claiming the share of the Liberty League (LL) and the NCAA automatic bid for the first time since 2008. The Statesmen took #3 Wesley to the brink, but eventually fell 35-28 in a close contest which was recognized by pollsters in this fall's preseason #22 ranking.
This fall the Statesmen appear, on paper at least, to be a very strong contender for the LL title. Hobart returns virtually all of their key players from last year’s stalwart defense. The Statesmen “D” ranked first in the LL virtually every relevant category and was recognized by the LL with two players of the year awards, three first team all conference and one All-American selections on defense. On offense the Statesmen return the majority of their skill position players but will need to reload on the offensive line to expand on last year's success.
Below is a positional preview of how Hobart stacks up heading into the preseason:
Offense
QB - SR QB and Co-Captain Nick Strang and SR QB Kelly Olney look to lead the Statesmen offense back to the NCAA playoffs in 2012. Strang started all eight of Hobart’s 2011 regular season games, but was literally knocked out of line up after receiving a concussion on an interception return in the season finale at Rochester. Although he didn’t earn much in the way of LL post-season praise, Strang finished 2011 as the fourth rated passer (in YPG) and third in total offense. The 6’ 4” 225 pounder was a dual threat, passing for 1483 yards and 15 TDs through the air while adding 289 rushing yards and four TDs on the ground.
Although Olney will probably remain as the back up to Strang in 2012, he has proven to be more than capable of leading the team. Last season Olney threw for 267 yards and one touchdown (TD) and received compliments from Wesley Head Coach Mike Drass based on his going 16 for 37 and 211 yards with no interceptions against the #3 Wolverines (who boasted one of the best defenses in all of DIII) in the first round of the NCAA playoffs.
Waiting in the wings and likely to see some time in certain situations is SO QB Patrick Conlan. Conlan (the son of former Buffalo Bills All-Pro LB Shane) appeared in four games last season and could be the “heir apparent” to run the Hobart offense in 2013 pending the development of SO QB Kyle Bayly or incoming recruits such as FY QBs Parker Thelander and Cooper Merrill [editor's note: Merrill checked into this fall's camp as a WR].
OL - The Statesmen graduated five seniors, including Kyle Sandy (2nd team All LL), Jarrid Blades, Kelvin Cruz, Brendan Hatlee (1st team All LL) and Anthony Coletta (2nd team All LL). Hobart’s only returning starter on this unit is SR OL and Co-Captain Art Garvey. The good news for the Hobart skill players is that the Statesmen have a number of underclassmen who received a good deal of playing time in 2011 and will welcome 10 returning linemen, including Garvey, into this fall’s camp. The likely successors to last year’s bedrock unit include Art’s cousin SR OL Tyler Garvey as well as JR OL Max Janoff, Alex Bush and Trevor Schutte and SOs DeAndre’ Smith and Ali Marpet.
FB - SO FB Dominque Ellis is the de facto starter after the offseason departure of Juan O’Farrill (see post on 2/29/12). The native Floridian finished the season fourth on the Statesmen’s rushing list, churning out 195 yards on 39 carries and one TD. Ellis was named to the All LL team as an honorable mention. Backing up Ellis will likely be classmate SO FB Aaron Sobell [editor's note: Sobell was not on the 8/12/12 updated roster meaning one of three incoming FY recruits, including Christopher Holoman from VA, will vie for playing time]
RB - Hobart boasts arguably the deepest and best RB corp in the entire LL including JR RB Steven Webb (first team All LL), SR RB and Co-Captain Bobby Dougherty (second team All LL), and a tandem of talented second year men in SO RB Alex Delaney and SO RB Alex Furtado. Webb led all Statesmen runners with 553 yards on 119 attempts including an electric 70 yard TD run (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g62EBsub1jY) against Union. Webb tallied a total of seven rushing TDs and added eight catches for 124 yards and one receiving TD. Dougherty rushed for 446 yards on 97 attempts and matched Webb’s rushing TD output with seven while also making 14 catches for 117 yards. Delany and Furtado appeared in a total of five games last season, Furtado getting the bulk of carries (18 vs. three) and scoring two rushing TDs.
TE - The TE position is mostly a blocking one at Hobart, but the Statesmen are happy to return SR TEs Brent Matazinsky and Andrew Zdrojewski along with SO TE Mike Berkowitz to the gridiron. Berkowitz lead this unit with two catches for 23 yards and one TD. Matazinsky added a 19 yard TD reception in the RPI game. Given the size and skill of these ends, I hope Coach DeWall has expanded the playbook to get them the ball more often this season.
WR - Although Hobart will miss the talents of last season’s leading receiver Garth Muratori ’12 (537 receiving yards and seven TDs); Strang or Olney will have plenty of targets as the Statesmen return a total of nine wide outs this fall. Leading the receiving corps is SR WR Junior Woodard. SR WR Jay Cronze, JR WR Yosh Karbowniczak (who also served as punter until injured and spelled by), SO WR Elvin Souffrant and SO WR Troy Robinson are all returning and looking to contribute. Woodard was second on the team with 27 catches for 373 yards, including an 83 yarder vs. Saint John Fisher, and three TDs. Souffrant and Karbowniczak caught 10 and 14 passes, respectively, for a combined 348 yards and two TDs. Although Robinson appeared in only three games, he scored a TD as one of his four receptions.
Next week I'll preview the defense. Go 'Bart!
This fall the Statesmen appear, on paper at least, to be a very strong contender for the LL title. Hobart returns virtually all of their key players from last year’s stalwart defense. The Statesmen “D” ranked first in the LL virtually every relevant category and was recognized by the LL with two players of the year awards, three first team all conference and one All-American selections on defense. On offense the Statesmen return the majority of their skill position players but will need to reload on the offensive line to expand on last year's success.
Below is a positional preview of how Hobart stacks up heading into the preseason:
Offense
QB - SR QB and Co-Captain Nick Strang and SR QB Kelly Olney look to lead the Statesmen offense back to the NCAA playoffs in 2012. Strang started all eight of Hobart’s 2011 regular season games, but was literally knocked out of line up after receiving a concussion on an interception return in the season finale at Rochester. Although he didn’t earn much in the way of LL post-season praise, Strang finished 2011 as the fourth rated passer (in YPG) and third in total offense. The 6’ 4” 225 pounder was a dual threat, passing for 1483 yards and 15 TDs through the air while adding 289 rushing yards and four TDs on the ground.
Although Olney will probably remain as the back up to Strang in 2012, he has proven to be more than capable of leading the team. Last season Olney threw for 267 yards and one touchdown (TD) and received compliments from Wesley Head Coach Mike Drass based on his going 16 for 37 and 211 yards with no interceptions against the #3 Wolverines (who boasted one of the best defenses in all of DIII) in the first round of the NCAA playoffs.
Waiting in the wings and likely to see some time in certain situations is SO QB Patrick Conlan. Conlan (the son of former Buffalo Bills All-Pro LB Shane) appeared in four games last season and could be the “heir apparent” to run the Hobart offense in 2013 pending the development of SO QB Kyle Bayly or incoming recruits such as FY QBs Parker Thelander and Cooper Merrill [editor's note: Merrill checked into this fall's camp as a WR].
OL - The Statesmen graduated five seniors, including Kyle Sandy (2nd team All LL), Jarrid Blades, Kelvin Cruz, Brendan Hatlee (1st team All LL) and Anthony Coletta (2nd team All LL). Hobart’s only returning starter on this unit is SR OL and Co-Captain Art Garvey. The good news for the Hobart skill players is that the Statesmen have a number of underclassmen who received a good deal of playing time in 2011 and will welcome 10 returning linemen, including Garvey, into this fall’s camp. The likely successors to last year’s bedrock unit include Art’s cousin SR OL Tyler Garvey as well as JR OL Max Janoff, Alex Bush and Trevor Schutte and SOs DeAndre’ Smith and Ali Marpet.
FB - SO FB Dominque Ellis is the de facto starter after the offseason departure of Juan O’Farrill (see post on 2/29/12). The native Floridian finished the season fourth on the Statesmen’s rushing list, churning out 195 yards on 39 carries and one TD. Ellis was named to the All LL team as an honorable mention. Backing up Ellis will likely be classmate SO FB Aaron Sobell [editor's note: Sobell was not on the 8/12/12 updated roster meaning one of three incoming FY recruits, including Christopher Holoman from VA, will vie for playing time]
RB - Hobart boasts arguably the deepest and best RB corp in the entire LL including JR RB Steven Webb (first team All LL), SR RB and Co-Captain Bobby Dougherty (second team All LL), and a tandem of talented second year men in SO RB Alex Delaney and SO RB Alex Furtado. Webb led all Statesmen runners with 553 yards on 119 attempts including an electric 70 yard TD run (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g62EBsub1jY) against Union. Webb tallied a total of seven rushing TDs and added eight catches for 124 yards and one receiving TD. Dougherty rushed for 446 yards on 97 attempts and matched Webb’s rushing TD output with seven while also making 14 catches for 117 yards. Delany and Furtado appeared in a total of five games last season, Furtado getting the bulk of carries (18 vs. three) and scoring two rushing TDs.
TE - The TE position is mostly a blocking one at Hobart, but the Statesmen are happy to return SR TEs Brent Matazinsky and Andrew Zdrojewski along with SO TE Mike Berkowitz to the gridiron. Berkowitz lead this unit with two catches for 23 yards and one TD. Matazinsky added a 19 yard TD reception in the RPI game. Given the size and skill of these ends, I hope Coach DeWall has expanded the playbook to get them the ball more often this season.
WR - Although Hobart will miss the talents of last season’s leading receiver Garth Muratori ’12 (537 receiving yards and seven TDs); Strang or Olney will have plenty of targets as the Statesmen return a total of nine wide outs this fall. Leading the receiving corps is SR WR Junior Woodard. SR WR Jay Cronze, JR WR Yosh Karbowniczak (who also served as punter until injured and spelled by), SO WR Elvin Souffrant and SO WR Troy Robinson are all returning and looking to contribute. Woodard was second on the team with 27 catches for 373 yards, including an 83 yarder vs. Saint John Fisher, and three TDs. Souffrant and Karbowniczak caught 10 and 14 passes, respectively, for a combined 348 yards and two TDs. Although Robinson appeared in only three games, he scored a TD as one of his four receptions.
Next week I'll preview the defense. Go 'Bart!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Hobart debuts at #22 in D3football.com Preseason Poll
In somewhat of a surprise, the pollsters at D3football.com have named Hobart #22 in their 2012 preseason poll.
A link to the poll is listed below (that's what she said):
Thursday, July 26, 2012
2012 Recruiting Roundup
The Class of 2016 seems like it will be another strong one for Hobart Football. Coach Cragg and his coaching staff have addressed several key needs including C, PK and DB.
If you've followed the blog this spring and summer most of these names will ring a bell (and should be posted to the Hobart roster when camp starts in another couple of weeks). Below (at this point) are the incoming Statesmen rookies:
OL
- Casey (Canterbury School, CT) OG
- DiJiulio (Walton HS, NY) C
- Scumurra (Williamsville South, NY) C
- O’Connell (Croton-Harmon, NY) T*
LB
- Toney (Huntington, NY) ILB
- Stanley (Palm Beach Gardens HS, FL) OLB/SS
- Holoman (Tuscarora HS, VA) ILB*
- Coughlin (Tottenville HS, NY) ILB
QB
- Thelander (Mamaroneck, NY)
- Merrill (Jackson HS, OH)*
WR
- Caban (Wilcox Tech, CT / Tabor Academy, MA)
- Osumah (Wilbraham and Monson, MA)
RB
- Burke (Amherst Central, NY)*
- Hartigan (Albany Academy, NY)
- Stern (Rye Country Day School, NY)*
TE/DE
- Bennett (American Heritage, FL) TE
- Liverio (Amsterdam, NY) DE
DB
- Colberg (Cheshire Academy, CT)
PK
- Snyder (Yarmouth, ME)
While there may be a few that I've missed over the spring and summer, these 19 recruits all appear to have a lot of promise. Looking forward to seeing the full roster up in the next week or so.
Only 37 days until the 2012 season kickoff in Geneva! That's all for this month, but I'll be back in August with a three part preseason preview.
Go 'Bart!
*Update as of August 12 - FY roster is up and not surprisingly the coaches at Hobart have moved these players to different positions. O'Connell is slated at DT instead of OL, Burke and Stern at CB instead of RB, Merrill at WR instead of QB and Holoman at FB instead of ILB. Osumah does not appear to be on Hobart's roster so perhaps the reports of his plan to enroll back in May have changed.
If you've followed the blog this spring and summer most of these names will ring a bell (and should be posted to the Hobart roster when camp starts in another couple of weeks). Below (at this point) are the incoming Statesmen rookies:
OL
- Casey (Canterbury School, CT) OG
- DiJiulio (Walton HS, NY) C
- Scumurra (Williamsville South, NY) C
- O’Connell (Croton-Harmon, NY) T*
LB
- Toney (Huntington, NY) ILB
- Stanley (Palm Beach Gardens HS, FL) OLB/SS
- Holoman (Tuscarora HS, VA) ILB*
- Coughlin (Tottenville HS, NY) ILB
QB
- Thelander (Mamaroneck, NY)
- Merrill (Jackson HS, OH)*
WR
- Caban (Wilcox Tech, CT / Tabor Academy, MA)
- Osumah (Wilbraham and Monson, MA)
RB
- Burke (Amherst Central, NY)*
- Hartigan (Albany Academy, NY)
- Stern (Rye Country Day School, NY)*
TE/DE
- Bennett (American Heritage, FL) TE
- Liverio (Amsterdam, NY) DE
DB
- Colberg (Cheshire Academy, CT)
PK
- Snyder (Yarmouth, ME)
While there may be a few that I've missed over the spring and summer, these 19 recruits all appear to have a lot of promise. Looking forward to seeing the full roster up in the next week or so.
Only 37 days until the 2012 season kickoff in Geneva! That's all for this month, but I'll be back in August with a three part preseason preview.
Go 'Bart!
*Update as of August 12 - FY roster is up and not surprisingly the coaches at Hobart have moved these players to different positions. O'Connell is slated at DT instead of OL, Burke and Stern at CB instead of RB, Merrill at WR instead of QB and Holoman at FB instead of ILB. Osumah does not appear to be on Hobart's roster so perhaps the reports of his plan to enroll back in May have changed.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Canterbury's Casey to Play for Statesmen
Newtimes.com reports that Canturbury School's (New Milford, CT) SR OL Brendan Casey has committed to attend Hobart.
The 6'2" 300 lb Casey, who hails from Boston, MA, also played on the DL for the Saints who finished winning three of their last four games after a rough start to their 2011 campaign.
A link to the article is listed below:
http://www.newstimes.com/sports/article/Canterbury-football-sends-9-of-14-grads-on-to-3635787.php
A link to Brendan's highlight video is also linked below:
www.hudl.com/athlete/339667/brendan-casey
Welcome to Hobart Brendan and go 'Bart!
The 6'2" 300 lb Casey, who hails from Boston, MA, also played on the DL for the Saints who finished winning three of their last four games after a rough start to their 2011 campaign.
A link to the article is listed below:
http://www.newstimes.com/sports/article/Canterbury-football-sends-9-of-14-grads-on-to-3635787.php
A link to Brendan's highlight video is also linked below:
www.hudl.com/athlete/339667/brendan-casey
Welcome to Hobart Brendan and go 'Bart!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Worthington and Coleman Named to 2012 Preseason All-America Teams
JR OLB/SS Devin Worthington was named to the D3Football.com Preseason All-American team today. He is the only player from the Liberty League (LL) to earn such an honor.
A link to the announcement is listed below:
http://www.d3football.com/awards/all-americans/2012-preseason
Worthington, last season's LL Defensive Player of the Year, finished fourth on the team with 45 total tackles; 11.5 tackles for a loss, six and a half sacks and a touchdown return in the NCAA playoffs against #3 Wesley.
Worthington also received a 2nd team AA nod from BSNCollege.com which also included SO DE (LLROY) Tyre Coleman on their 1st team. See the link below for more information:
http://www.bsncollege.com/pages/2012preseason
Congratulations to Devin, Tyre and go 'Bart!
A link to the announcement is listed below:
http://www.d3football.com/awards/all-americans/2012-preseason
Worthington, last season's LL Defensive Player of the Year, finished fourth on the team with 45 total tackles; 11.5 tackles for a loss, six and a half sacks and a touchdown return in the NCAA playoffs against #3 Wesley.
Worthington also received a 2nd team AA nod from BSNCollege.com which also included SO DE (LLROY) Tyre Coleman on their 1st team. See the link below for more information:
http://www.bsncollege.com/pages/2012preseason
Congratulations to Devin, Tyre and go 'Bart!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Huntington's Trayvon Toney to Play LB at Hobart
TheSportsFanNetwork.com reports that Huntington (NY) HS SR LB Trayvon Toney will suit up at LB for Hobart this fall. Toney was injured during his SR season but came back to play later in the year. He was named to the 3rd team Class A All State football team as a JR. He captained both the track and football teams at Huntington and received glowing praise from his coaches and teammates.
A link to the article, and highlight video from this JR year is provided below:
http://www.thesportsfannetwork.com/articles/5927-trayvon-toney-to-play-football-at-hobart/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=djTDY8FNmV4
Trayvon's clearly in good health too as he was one of the leading tacklers for Long Island in last month's Empire Challenge All-Star football game:
http://syosset.patch.com/articles/long-island-football-all-stars-dominate-nyc-in-empire-challenge
Welcome to Hobart Trayvon and Happy Independence Day!
A link to the article, and highlight video from this JR year is provided below:
http://www.thesportsfannetwork.com/articles/5927-trayvon-toney-to-play-football-at-hobart/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=djTDY8FNmV4
Trayvon's clearly in good health too as he was one of the leading tacklers for Long Island in last month's Empire Challenge All-Star football game:
http://syosset.patch.com/articles/long-island-football-all-stars-dominate-nyc-in-empire-challenge
Welcome to Hobart Trayvon and Happy Independence Day!
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