2008 KWU Pre-Season Football Outlook
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

After finishing the 2007 season with a 5-5 overall record, the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes and head coach Dave Dallas hope to return to the top of the conference in 2008. Dallas is banking on a strong returning group on offense and a more experienced and matured defensive unit to provide immediate dividends for the Coyotes in 2008.

Dallas the rest of the Coyotes also hope that a more balanced attack on the offensive side of the ball will open up the offensive attack and provide more opportunities.

After two years of a decidedly rush-based offense, Wesleyan returned to a more balanced offense in 2007, only rushing for 56 percent of its total offense last season, as opposed to a 75-25 ratio in 2006 and a 67-33 ratio in 2005.

OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK – 11 RETURNING PLAYERS WITH STARTING EXPERIENCE

Kansas Wesleyan returns its entire offensive unit from a season ago. Dallas and the coaching staff feel that this group, which holds a lot of talent potential, combined with the fact that the group has been together for an entire season sets up a potentially very good year with the ball.

“We had a lot of talent of the offensive side of the ball last year,” Dallas said. “We weren’t very productive with ball, especially in the red zone. We just couldn’t score.”

The numbers speak the same words. KWU’s total offensive numbers were just 36 yards less than in 2006, but the Coyotes scored 38 less points (268 in 2006, 230 in 2007) than the 2006 squad that went 8-2 overall.

With a lot of returners and a more consistent, balanced attack, Wesleyan’s offense could flourish. Leading the way on the offensive unit is returning tailback Preston McCorkle (6-1, 225, Sr., Stratton, Colo. / Fort Hays State (Kan.)). McCorkle rushed for 1014 yards last season, tied for the best in the KCAC with Friends’ Trey Hightower. McCorkle went on to earn First Team All-KCAC honors last season. Outside of McCorkle being the top returner carrying the ball, Dallas also sees that Tyler Zachman (5-9, 175, So., Russell, Kan. / Russell HS) will get some chances after a good spring.

Dallas is also counting on several incoming transfers to provide added depth at the tailback position, including Jacob Winship, Ray Parker and Jeremy Washington.

Winship (6-1, 225, Jr., Yuba City, Calif. / Yuba College (Calif.)), led his team in rushing and scoring last season at Yuba College, while earning Honorable Mention All-Northern California Football Association honors. He rushed for just over 68 yards per game in a balanced offense that had two 60+ yard per game rushers. Parker (5-8, 200, Jr., Montclair, Va. / Butler CC (Kan.)) comes to Kansas Wesleyan after attending Butler CC in El Dorado. Before Butler, he was at St. John’s Military School in Salina. Washington (5-8, 200, So., Wharton, Texas / Blinn JC (Texas)) also looks to fit into the mix somewhere at tailback after transferring in after a season at Blinn Junior College in Texas.

At halfback, Brad Cintas (6-0, 225, Sr., Santa Clara, Calif. / Gavilan CC (Calif.)), will lead the way of the returners. He averaged just under ten yards per game rushing last season, but had eight catches for 42 yards and two touchdowns. Newcomers ready to fit into the mix are Kyle Barthel (5-10, 240, Jr., Bellingham, Wash. / Shasta College (Calif.)), Ryan Shelton (5-11, 210, Fr., Palm Harbor, Fla. / Palm Harbor University HS), the younger brother of linebacker Pat Shelton and Dane McCoy (5-10, 225, Jr., Discovery Bay, Calif. / Los Medanos College (Calif.)).

Senior returnee Marcus Lowe (6-2, 185, Sr., Orlando, Fla. / Graceland (Iowa)) leads a very talented group at wide receiver. The three-time Honorable Mention All-KCAC selection is within striking distance of Steve Willis’ career marks in total receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. After catching 36 balls for 522 yards and five scores last year, Lowe is just 37 catches, 454 yards and eight touchdown grabs away from Willis’ marks.

“Marcus will have a good year,” Dallas said. “Again it’s another guy that’s been in the program for a long time and understands our philosophy and works hard. Our receivers have a chance to make a big impact this year. With Marcus, Jason Dolan and Steve Valliere returning, along with our newcomers, we’ll be very good, very explosive.”

Returning at receiver to compliment Lowe are Dolan (6-0, 180, Sr., Salina, Kan. / Fort Hays State (Kan.)) and Valliere (5-10, 200, Sr., Redding, Calif. / Shasta College (Calif.)). Dolan earned Honorable Mention All-KCAC honors last year, grabbing 21 balls for 395 yards and four touchdowns. Valliere moves to the slot position out of the backfield last year.

Newcomers at receiver will compliment the strong group of returners, including Aaron Miller (6-2, 190, Jr., Deerfield, Kan. / Garden City CC (Kan.)) and a group of incoming freshmen that Dallas calls “one of the best we’ve had in a long time.”

The quarterback position is solid with returning senior Drew Dallas (6-3, 215, Sr., Salina, Kan. / Fort Hays State (Kan.)) leading the way. Dallas threw for over 1400 yards last season, ranking third in the conference at 140.9 yards per game.

A couple of freshmen have a chance to challenge Dallas at quarterback, including Johnny Park (6-1, 180, Fr., San Antonio, Texas / Antonian College Prep HS) and Chase Wilson (5-8, 165, Fr., Childress, Texas / Childress HS). Park starred at Antonian College Prep, passing for over 1400 yards with a 64 percent completion rate, and rushed for over 400 yards his senior season. Dallas and company got a good look at Wilson, as he played in the Greenbelt Bowl this summer, which Dallas and other Wesleyan coaches help at.

Dallas is also confident in the tight end having a more active role in the offense this season. Returning after missing last year with a back injury is Eric Thrush (6-5, 255, Jr., Janesville, Calif. / Shasta College (Calif.)).

Dallas sees opportunity for Thrush, Britton Smallwood and Dan Reynolds to all compete for the starting nod at tight end. Smallwood (6-3, 265, Fr., Canton, Texas / Stephen F. Austin (Texas)) comes to Wesleyan after a redshirt year at Stephen F. Austin, and Reynolds (6-2, 250, Jr., Sacramento, Calif. / American River College (Calif.)), who was recruited by the Coyotes in 2006 is back.

The offensive line remains virtually intact from a year ago, with some players returning from injury who will make an immediate benefit to the line. Returning players include Matt Fulton (6-3, 300, Sr., Ridgecrest, Calif. / Victor Valley College (Calif.)); Mark Robinson (6-1, 275, Sr., Gardena, Calif. / LA Harbor College (Calif.)); Viliamu Iosua (6-2, 300, Sr., Richmond, Calif. / Conta Costa College (Calif.)); Taylor Hurd (6-6, 315, Sr., Garden City, Kan. / Garden City CC (Kan.)); Schuyler Wilson (6-1, 305, Jr., Shasta Lake, Calif. / Shasta College (Calif.)); Sean Junkins (6-4, 315, Jr., Malibu, Calif. / El Camino College (Calif.)) and Will Slasor (6-3, 280, So., San Antonio, Texas / Taft HS).

DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK – 9 RETURNING PLAYERS WITH STARTING EXPERIENCE

Last year’s defensive unit was banged up often, but what was a bad situation last year could potentially be good for Wesleyan this fall. Sixteen returning players started at some point or another during the season, and that experience last year will pay dividends on the field this year.

“We return a lot of players on defense,” Dallas said. “Our defense will be better this year, we matured as a defensive squad and our recruiting helped us out a lot.”

The defensive line remains virtually intact from a season ago, flanked by ends Scott Moore (6-5, 265, Sr., Chicago, Ill. / College of the Canyons (Calif.)) and Dustin Trimble (6-0, 235, Sr., Hopland, Calif. / Mendocino College (Calif.)), and the interior linemen of Matt Case (6-4, 255, Nunn, Colo. / Highland HS) and a host of others.

Dallas is also optimistic on the return of Spencer Popple, (6-0, 225, So., Junction City, Kan. / Junction City HS) who missed most of the season last year with an injury. He also looks to incoming players Charles Starling (6-0, 308, Jr., Easton, Texas / Navarro JC (Texas)); Joe LaLone (5-10, 290, Jr., San Diego, Calif. / San Diego Mesa College (Calif.)) and Dustin Hoffer (6-5, 265, Jr., Topeka, Kan. / Independence CC (Kan.)) to help the cause on the defensive line.

“We have that depth perspective back that we haven’t had the last couple years up front,” Dallas said.

In the defensive backfield, the Coyotes have a big hole to fill with the loss of All-KCAC performer Willie Johnson, but a strong group of returning players have the potential to fill the void. Returners Branden Edward (5-11, 175, So., Humble, Texas / Humble HS), Corey Tate (5-10, 170, So., Irving, Texas / Nimitz HS) and Tim Feaster (5-10, 180, So., Chico, Calif. / Chico HS) will all see considerable playing time at cornerback, along with Kendrick Mitchell (5-11, 180, So., Humble, Texas / Humble HS), who redshirted last year. Newcomers Shea Harding (5-9, 180, Jr., Emeryville, Calif. / Contra Costa College (Calif.)) and Eric Davis (5-9, 180, Jr., Shawnee Mission, Kan. / Fort Scott CC (Kan.)) should fit into the mix somewhere at cornerback as well.

The linebacker position also has some spots to fill with the losses of Brandon McGinn and Colten Campbell to graduation, however, returning players Pat Shelton (6-3, 220, So., Palm Harbor, Fla. / Palm Harbor University HS), Mike Vaughan (5-11, 205, Jr., Richardson, Texas / Richardson HS) and Marcus Seirer (5-11, 195, So., Wakefield, Kan. / Wakefield HS) will all see time along with incoming player Vince Arellano (5-10, 220, Jr., Pittsburg, Calif. / Los Medanos College (Calif.)), who transferred to Wesleyan from Los Medanos College.

“If you look at things, we started 16 guys throughout the year on defense, there’s a flip side to that this year,” Dallas said. “It ought to pay off this year because we are a more experienced defensive team because of that fact.”

SPECIAL TEAMS OUTLOOK

Kansas Wesleyan will have to turn to a new foot to highlight its special teams game this year after USC transfer Troy Van Blarcom declared himself eligible for the NFL draft last winter.

Dallas again turned to the California junior college circuit to bring in a kicker for 2008. Scotty McKeon (5-10, 180, Jr., Rohnert Park, Calif. / Santa Rosa JC (Calif.)) will take over the punting and kicking duties for the Coyotes this season. McKeon led Santa Rosa in scoring in 2007, converting 60-of-61 PAT attempts and was 5-for-5 on field goals. He also punted for the Bear Cubs, averaging 33.7 yards per punt. Austin Cochran (6-5, 210, Fr., Brownwood, Texas / Early HS) has a chance to challenge McKeon for punting duties. Pat Shelton returns for long snapping duties after not being able to snap during the 2007 season due to a broken hand.

Jason Dolan will handle punt return duties for a second straight season after finishing the 2007 ranked third in the KCAC in punt return average. Kendrick Mitchell has a chance to fit into the return game somewhere, as does Corey Tate.

Steve Valliere returns to handle kick return duties in 2008. His explosiveness is no secret as Dallas calls him one of the best kick returners in the NAIA.

“Steve is a definite threat in the return game,” Dallas said. “With his explosive speed and agility, he is a threat to take it to the house anytime.”

Wesleyan kicks off the 2008 season on September 13 in North Newton against Bethel College.

“I am very optimistic about the upcoming season,” Dallas said. “We have the opportunity to be very good this season.”

-- KWU SI --