Monday, September 22, 2003
MORAVIAN
COLLEGE GREYHOUNDS, 1-2 (1-2 MAC)
LEBANON
VALLEY FLYING DUTCHMEN, 1-2
(1-1 MAC)
1:00
p.m.; Saturday, September 27, 2003
Steel Field (c. 2,500); Bethlehem, PA
THE GAME: Moravian looks to snap a two-game losing streak in a Middle
Atlantic Conference contest versus Susquehanna University. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m.
at Steel Field.
THE COACHES: Scot Dapp (West Chester ’73) is in his 17th season
at Moravian, with a career record of 101-65-1 (.608). He entered the season 45th in winning
percentage among NCAA Division III active coaches. Dapp has earned Coach-of-the-Year
honors from the MAC three times including Co-Coach of the Year in 1997 and has led the ’Hounds
to two appearances in the NCAA playoffs and the ECAC Southeast Championship game in 2002
Lebanon
Valley coach Mike Silecchia (Mansfield ’78) is in his
sixth season at the school with an overall mark of 10-43 (.189).
THE SERIES: Saturday’s meeting will be the 58th in the series with
tied at 28-28-1 lead. Moravian has won the last three meetings, 41-21 last season, 34-20
in 2001 and 19-6 in Annville in 2000 while the Flying Dutchmen's last win was a 24-13 decision
in 1999.
LAST TIME THEY MET: In Annville last fall, wide receiver Jed
Warsager returned the opening kick 98 yards for a touchdown and Moravian never
looked back in a 41-21 victory over Lebanon Valley College in MAC action. Nate
Strohl (Coplay, PA/Whitehall HS) added the kick to give the Greyhounds a 7-0
lead. Warsager finished the game with 175 return yards on three kickoff returns. The
Greyhounds next score was a 50-yard scoring pass from quarterback Charlie Bowden to
tight end Rick Kulp. Tailback Josh Fick became the
16th player in Moravian history to reach 1,000 career yards rushing with 10:55 left in
the second quarter. The Greyhounds would add their third touchdown 1:55 after Fick’s milestone
on a 26-yard scoring pass from Bowden to wide receiver Ben Hawkins. Bowden completed
eight of 17 passes for 172 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Moravian
would score three more points before halftime on a 19-yard field goal by Strohl. Strohl also
had the have the first points of the second half with a 32-yard field goal. Fick scored
on a one-yard touchdown run with 10:49 left in the fourth quarter. He finished the game
with 39 yards on 12 carries. The Greyhounds finished off the scoring on a 46-yard touchdown
run by Hawkins. Cornerback Jarrod Pence and safety John
Panikiewsky (Carteret, NJ/Carteret HS) led the Moravian defense with eight tackles
each. Defensive back Paul Block had three pass break-ups.
LAST WEEK: Moravian dropped it second straight game, falling to Susquehanna
University, 26-14, in Middle Atlantic Conference action. The Greyhounds allowed the first
26 points of the game while committing four turnovers. The Greyhounds broke up the shutout
with 3:57 remaining in the fourth quarter when sophomore quarterback Jerry Venturino
(Hopatcong, NJ/Hopatcong HS) found freshman wide receiver Shawn Martell
(Bethlehem, PA/Bethlehem Catholic HS) on a 42-yard scoring strike. Senior Josh
Miller (Boyertown, PA/Boyertown HS) connected on the extra-point to cut the Crusader
lead to 26-7. The touchdown pass was the first in Venturino’s career
and capped a 95-yard scoring drive. Martell was Moravian’s leading
receiver in the game, catching three passes for 68 yards. Venturino would
throw his second touchdown pass with just 12 seconds remaining in the game, finding freshman
wide receiver Josh Kline (Reading, PA/Exeter HS) for a four-yard score
after avoiding a sack. Miller added the extra-point to set the final score
at 26-14. Venturino was 11 for 24 in the game for 164 yards, two scores
and an interception after coming in to replace senior starter Will Seng (Allentown,
PA/Dieruff HS), who completed four of eight passes for 39 yards but was intercepted
twice. Freshman tailback Chris Jacoubs (Fair Haven, NJ/Rumson-Fair Haven HS) led
the Moravian ground attack with 49 yards on nine carries while senior tailback David
Darmofal (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights HS) added 29 yards on 15 attempts.
Senior wide receiver Jeff Lowry (Catawissa, PA/Southern Columbia HS) and
senior fullback Ray Burgan (Egg Harbor, NJ/Oakcrest HS) each caught two
passes for 22 yards. Burgan also gained six yards on two carries. Senior safety John
Panikiewsky led the Greyhound defense with 12 tackles while senior linebacker Steve
Maslanek (Stockholm, NJ/Vernon Township HS) and sophomore linebacker Richie
Cline (Union Beach, NJ/Keyport HS) each had six tackles with one for loss. Senior
defensive lineman Justin Moyer (Allentown, PA/Salisbury HS) and junior
defensive lineman Kevin McLaughlin (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast Catholic HS) each
had sacks in the game.
SCOUTING LEBANON VALLEY: The Flying Dutchmen enter the contest 1-2 record
after falling to Widener University, 74-17 last weekend. Senior Pete Henning leads
the Lebanon Valley offense on the ground with 197 yards and two touchdowns on 63 carries.
Junior Eric Laird has contributed 42 yards on eight carries. Henning also
returns kicks and is averaging 25.6 yards per kickoff return and 9.3 yards per punt return.
The Flying Dutchmen have used four quarterbacks this season. Sophomore Zach Buffington
has completed 19 of 35 passes for 213 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions
while senior Roger Poorman has connected on 16 of 45 attempts for 195
yards, a touchdowns and four interceptions. Sophomore Garrett Mowrey has
completed ten of 20 pass attempts for 70 yards and an interception while freshman Dan
Kelly is four for 12 for 49 yards and an interception. Senior Scott Marek and
junior Jarrod Way lead the Flying Dutchmen wide receivers with nine catches
and a touchdown apiece. Marek has 158 yards while Way has
73 yards. Junior Dave McCullough has caught eight passes for 100 yards
while Henning has seven receptions for 52 yards. Sophomore wide receiver Luke
Rendine has caught four passes for 45 yards and a touchdown while freshman wideout Brandon
Shank has four catches for 37 yards. Sophomore Kevin Keller handles
the kicking duties for Lebanon Valley. Keller is averaging 39.6 yards
per punt with a long of 52 and three punts inside the 20-yard line. He is also one-for-two
on field goal attempts with a long of 20 yards, and five-for-five on extra-point attempts.
Junior Brian Andrewsky leads the Flying Dutchmen defense with 23 tackles
with two for loss. Junior Lucas Robinson has added 16 tackles with nine
for loss and three sacks while junior Brian Oberdick has 13 tackles and
an interception. Senior Eric Miller has added 19 tackles with four for
loss while junior Mitch Nyman has 18 tackles, two sacks and an interception.
Freshman Dan Stauffer has added 17 tackles and two pass break-ups while
sophomore Maurice Moore has 15 tackles and a sack. Sophomore Jimmy
Holzman has 13 stops.
YOUNG, BALANCED & EXPERIENCED ‘HOUNDS: Of the 86 players on
the Moravian roster, 33 are freshmen, 29 are sophomores and 13 are juniors. There are 11
seniors on this season’s squad, and the Greyhounds return 46 letterwinners and 11
starters.
GREYHOUNDS IN THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC CONFERENCE: Beginning two seasons ago,
the Middle Atlantic Conference became an 11-team conference instead of two separate leagues.
Moravian was selected to finish seventh in the MAC Preseason Coaches Poll this season while
Lebanon Valley 11th was picked to tie for fifth in the MAC poll. Lycoming College was selected
as the top team in the MAC.
THE MAC STATISTICAL RANKINGS: The Greyhounds are ranked fifth in the
MAC in total defense, allowing 323.7 yards per game. The squad is eighth in passing defense
at 197.7 yards per game and the defense is fourth in rushing yards allowed at 126.0. The
Greyhounds are fifth in points allowed at 18.3 per game but the squad is ninth in points
scored per game at 14.7. Offensively, Moravian is sixth in the MAC at 349.3 yards per game.
The Greyhounds are ranked fifth in rushing offense at 175.7 yards per game and sixth in
passing offense at 173.7 yards per game. Moravian is tenth in turnover margin with a -1.0
per game average as the Greyhounds have committed eight turnovers while forcing five turnovers.
Individually, senior quarterback Will Seng is fourth in pass efficiency
at 112.8, ninth in passing yards per game at 119.0, and tenth in total offense at 133.7
yards per game. Freshman tailback Chris Jacoubs is tenth in rushing yards
per game at 60.0 yards a contest. Sophomore defensive back Tyler Chomik (Allentown,
PA/Allentown Central Catholic HS) leads the MAC in kickoff return average at 28.0
yards per kickoff return. Chomik is also tied for fourth with four pass
break-ups. Senior Josh Miller is tied for ninth in kick scoring at 2.7
points per contest, and he is seventh in field goals per game at 0.33 and fifth in extra-point
percentage at 83.3 percent (five of six). Junior punter John McLain (Belvidere,
NJ/Belvidere HS) leads the MAC in punting average at 40.6 yards per punt. Senior
cornerback Nate Pogue (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty HS) leads the MAC with seven
pass break-ups while senior safety John Panikiewsky is tied for second
with six pass break-ups. Pogue is also tied four eighth in interceptions
with 0.67 per game.
THE QUARTERBACKS: Senior Will Seng has completed 28
of 56 pass attempts for 357 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions. Seng has
been sacked four times this season, and he was run for 44 yards on 19 carries. Sophomore Jerry
Venturino has completed 11 of 24 passes for 164 yards, two touchdowns and one
interception. Venturino has been sacked three times this season.
IN THE BACKFIELD: In the backfield, freshman tailback Chris Jacoubs leads
the Greyhounds with 180 yards on 33 carries. Senior tailback David Darmofal has
added 157 yards on 51 attempts. Darmofal went over 1,000 yards in his
career versus FDU-Florham, and he now has 1,132 yards as a Greyhound, 15th all-time. Sophomore
fullback Kevin Lukich (Ogdensburg, NJ/Wallkill Valley HS) has 62 yards
on 15 carries. Junior tailback Cody Hendershot (Bangor, PA/Bangor HS) has
added 42 yards on ten carries while senior fullback Ray Burgan has 21
yards on nine attempts. Freshman Marc Panepinto (Perkiomenville, PA/Boyertown HS) has
added 17 yards on two rushes.
THE WIDE RECEIVERS: Senior wideout Jeff Lowry leads
the Greyhounds with six receptions for 103 yards and two scores. Senior tailback David
Darmofal has added five catches for 48 yards while sophomore fullback Kevin
Lukich has five receptions for 39 yards. Senior wide receiver Kevin Miltenberger
(Carlisle, PA/Carlisle HS) has caught four passes for 90 yards and a touchdown
while freshman wideout Shawn Martell has four receptions for 72 yards
and a score. Junior tight end Chad Opdyke (Bath, PA/Northampton HS) has
grabbed four aerials for 37 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore wide receiver Russ
Demko (Hellertown, PA/Saucon Valley HS) has three receptions for 52 yards. A total
of 12 different players have caught at least one pass for Moravian this season.
DEFENSIVE FRONT: Junior defensive end Shawn Nelson (Bethlehem,
PA/Bethlehem Catholic HS) leads the Greyhounds up front defensively with 17
tackles, two tackles for loss and half a sack. Sophomore defensive end Bryan
Kohlbecker (Middletown, NJ/Middletown South HS) has added ten tackles while
junior nose tackle Kevin McLaughlin has seven stops and a sack. Sophomore
defensive end Robert Stockley (Red Bank, NJ/Middletown South HS) has
five tackles, a sack and a pass break-up while senior defensive end Justin Moyer has
made five stops with a sack.
THE LINEBACKER CORPS: Senior linebacker Steve Maslanek leads
the linebackers with 18 tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception. Senior linebacker Josh
DiGiacomo (Zionsville, PA/Emmaus HS) has added 17 tackles; a tackle for loss,
half a sack and one pass break-up. Sophomore linebacker Richie Cline has
added 14 stops while sophomore backer Steve Cline (Union Beach, NJ/Keyport HS) has
nine tackles. Junior linebacker Bill Carasia (Fair Haven, NJ/Rumson-Fair Haven
HS) has made ten tackles and an interception.
THE DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD: Senior free safety John Panikiewsky leads
the Moravian defense with 19 tackles, an interception and five pass break-ups. Senior cornerback Nate
Pogue has made nine tackles, two interceptions, two tackles for loss and seven
pass break-ups this season while sophomore Tyler Chomik added 11 tackles
and four pass break-ups. Junior Jim D’Agostino (Oakland, NJ/Ramsey HS) has
nine tackles while sophomore Gerald Weiss (Gilbertsville, PA/St. Pius X HS) made
three stops before leaving the FDU-Florham game with an injury. Junior Bill Skriletz
(Coopersburg, PA/Southern Lehigh HS) has eight tackles while freshman defensive
back Israel Aguila (Bethlehem, PA/Freedom HS) made four tackles in a reserve
roll.
KICKING GAME: Junior punter John McLain is averaging
40.6 yards on nine attempts. Three of his punts have ended up as touchbacks and two others
have been inside the 20-yard line. McLain had a long punt of 48 yards. Senior kicker Josh
Miller made his first career field goal attempt, a 27-yard field goal, to open
the scoring for the Greyhounds this season, and he is one-for-two on attempts this season.
He added five extra-points on six tries in the game. Sophomore place-kicker Nate
Strohl (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall HS) has missed three games with an injury.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Senior Kevin Miltenberger returned eight
punts for a total of 48 yards with a long return of 11 yards. Sophomore Tyler Chomik also
has two-punt return for 20 yards with a long of 15 yards. Freshman Chris Jacoubs returned
two kickoffs for 47 yards for the Greyhounds while freshman Chris Tomelden (Barnegat,
NJ/Southern Regional HS) recovered an FDU-Florham on-side kick attempt with just
over a minute and a half to play in the game, helping seal the Moravian victory. Chomik has
added six kickoff returns for 168 yards and a long of 47 yards while senior Ray
Burgan has one kickoff return for 21 yards.
OVERTIME ‘HOUNDS: Moravian has played a total of seven overtime
games since the NCAA instituted the rule for the 1996 season and is 5-2 all-time in the
extra-session. Last year was the second time since 1996 that the Greyhounds did not play
at least one overtime game.
WINNING WAYS: Moravian had 11 consecutive winning seasons—all under
Coach Scot Dapp, from 1987 to 1997 and has had 13 winning seasons in Dapp’s 16
years. The 11-straight winning seasons is the longest in school history. Dapp ranks
third among Greyhound coaches in winning percentage.
ON THE AIRWAVES: For the seventh straight year, the Greyhounds football
game will be aired on WGPA, Sunny 1100 AM. Chris Michael will be the play-by-play
announcer this week with color commentary from Jim Wills.
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