Golden Rams focusing on future
LJ Harrell
Issue date: 11/16/09 Section: Sports
The West Chester offense started off slow this year, but got it going in the middle of year. Even without All-American wide receiver Mike Washington, the Golden Rams were able to move the ball at will while putting up 33.9 points per game.
Senior quarterback Joe Wright led the offense as he finished his final season with 2,759 yards and 20 touchdowns. Wright overcame many injuries and surgeries to start the last two seasons as the West Chester signal caller.
The Golden Rams had playmakers all over the field. Led by senior wide receiver Steve Miller and junior wide receiver Dan DePalma, the West Chester passing game continued their success over the past couple of seasons under Zwaan. Miller finished with 46 receptions for 759 yards and nine touchdowns. DePalma, who moved from cornerback to wide receiver, finished the season with 45 receptions for 832 yards and nine touchdowns.
Senior tight end Ryan Paulson, who was a preseason All-American selection, had a tough start to the season, but he came on towards the end. In the rivalry game against Bloomsburg, Paulson had 104 yards receiving to help lead the Golden Rams to victory. Sophomore wide receiver Will Gardner also caught three touchdowns in his first season as a starter.
"Ryan Paulson is probably going to end up being one of the best tight ends to ever play here," Zwaan said.
West Chester had trouble running the ball throughout the season, but was loaded with talent at the running back position. Senior running back Lee Hopkins finished with 278 yards and four touchdowns. Also contributing were junior D'Andre Webb (423 yards and seven touchdowns) and sophomore Jackson Fagan (203 yards and four touchdowns). Starting fullback Matt McLaughlin also got some carries as he finished the season with three touchdowns.
The West Chester offensive line, led by center Kyle O'Neil, did another solid job of protecting Wright throughout the season. While passing the ball over 300 times over the season, the West Chester quarterbacks were sacked only 13 times.
Senior quarterback Joe Wright led the offense as he finished his final season with 2,759 yards and 20 touchdowns. Wright overcame many injuries and surgeries to start the last two seasons as the West Chester signal caller.
The Golden Rams had playmakers all over the field. Led by senior wide receiver Steve Miller and junior wide receiver Dan DePalma, the West Chester passing game continued their success over the past couple of seasons under Zwaan. Miller finished with 46 receptions for 759 yards and nine touchdowns. DePalma, who moved from cornerback to wide receiver, finished the season with 45 receptions for 832 yards and nine touchdowns.
Senior tight end Ryan Paulson, who was a preseason All-American selection, had a tough start to the season, but he came on towards the end. In the rivalry game against Bloomsburg, Paulson had 104 yards receiving to help lead the Golden Rams to victory. Sophomore wide receiver Will Gardner also caught three touchdowns in his first season as a starter.
"Ryan Paulson is probably going to end up being one of the best tight ends to ever play here," Zwaan said.
West Chester had trouble running the ball throughout the season, but was loaded with talent at the running back position. Senior running back Lee Hopkins finished with 278 yards and four touchdowns. Also contributing were junior D'Andre Webb (423 yards and seven touchdowns) and sophomore Jackson Fagan (203 yards and four touchdowns). Starting fullback Matt McLaughlin also got some carries as he finished the season with three touchdowns.
The West Chester offensive line, led by center Kyle O'Neil, did another solid job of protecting Wright throughout the season. While passing the ball over 300 times over the season, the West Chester quarterbacks were sacked only 13 times.
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