Golden Rams focusing on future
LJ Harrell
Issue date: 11/16/09 Section: Sports
The 2009 football season ended a couple of weeks too early for the West Chester University Golden Rams this year. A season that started with a lot of promise ended in disappoint as they were not able to make the NCAA playoffs for the first time in six years.
The entire season was not lost for the Golden Rams. They were led by a defense that was the best in the PSAC and one of the best in the entire country. West Chester gave up 17.3 points per game led by a group of linebackers that could be considered the best in school history.
All-American linebacker Mike Dell led the team, a year after winning the PSAC Eastern Division defensive player of the year award. He led the team in tackles (72) and recorded an interception in the final game of the season against Mercyhurst.
Playing beside Dell were seniors Sam Scott, Mike Holland and T.J. Cascio. Scott led the PSAC with 16.5 tackles for loss this season. He also recorded a team-high 7.5 sacks, while also intercepting a pass in the final game against Mercyhurst. Holland, a transfer from Villanova, finished second on the team with 64 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss. Cascio started the entire season, even when injured, and did a phenomenal job covering backs and tight ends out of the backfield.
"Certainly the linebacking core is outstanding," head coach Bill Zwaan said. "I don't know if we will ever have a core like that again."
The front three for West Chester was also a force throughout the year. James Thorpe, Travis Ford-Bey and Scott Schiavo put consistent pressure on the quarterback towards the end of the year which allowed the linebackers and secondary to make game changing plays. Troy Wasserleben, Jason Hunt and Lucas Fickel gave the starting three a chance to come off the field by continuing to dominate the line of scrimmage when asked to play.
The secondary was led by seniors Kevin Garland and Corey Rhood. Garland made the switch to defensive back from running back so that he could get on the field and show off his athletic ability. Garland led the Golden Rams with three interceptions, including returning one for a touchdown against Cheyney. Rhood continued his stellar play as the West Chester safety and finished with two interceptions. Cordero Newkirk and Matt Colyar also helped in the secondary as starters opposite of Garland and Rhood.
The entire season was not lost for the Golden Rams. They were led by a defense that was the best in the PSAC and one of the best in the entire country. West Chester gave up 17.3 points per game led by a group of linebackers that could be considered the best in school history.
All-American linebacker Mike Dell led the team, a year after winning the PSAC Eastern Division defensive player of the year award. He led the team in tackles (72) and recorded an interception in the final game of the season against Mercyhurst.
Playing beside Dell were seniors Sam Scott, Mike Holland and T.J. Cascio. Scott led the PSAC with 16.5 tackles for loss this season. He also recorded a team-high 7.5 sacks, while also intercepting a pass in the final game against Mercyhurst. Holland, a transfer from Villanova, finished second on the team with 64 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss. Cascio started the entire season, even when injured, and did a phenomenal job covering backs and tight ends out of the backfield.
"Certainly the linebacking core is outstanding," head coach Bill Zwaan said. "I don't know if we will ever have a core like that again."
The front three for West Chester was also a force throughout the year. James Thorpe, Travis Ford-Bey and Scott Schiavo put consistent pressure on the quarterback towards the end of the year which allowed the linebackers and secondary to make game changing plays. Troy Wasserleben, Jason Hunt and Lucas Fickel gave the starting three a chance to come off the field by continuing to dominate the line of scrimmage when asked to play.
The secondary was led by seniors Kevin Garland and Corey Rhood. Garland made the switch to defensive back from running back so that he could get on the field and show off his athletic ability. Garland led the Golden Rams with three interceptions, including returning one for a touchdown against Cheyney. Rhood continued his stellar play as the West Chester safety and finished with two interceptions. Cordero Newkirk and Matt Colyar also helped in the secondary as starters opposite of Garland and Rhood.
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