Waynesburg University Season Preview
With the Waynesburg University football team’s season starting this weekend, the Jackets hosted Frostburg State in a preseason scrimmage last Wednesday evening.
Spectators had a chance to watch a large variety of players compete under the lights, including some starters from last season.
Last season the Yellow Jackets went 3-7, the worst season in head coach Rick Shepas’ 12-year tenure.
Shepas said the incoming class of football players “is one of the best classes” he’s seen in four years. The new players are spread throughout many positions on the team, which Shepas said has further encouraged the upperclassmen to play at a higher level.
“There are [many freshmen in different positions], and you know what that’s done? Competition,” said Shepas. “It’s made our upperclassmen better; it’s made them own some things.”
Furthermore, Shepas said there were a number of players who impressed him during the scrimmage:
| Chad Walker | Freshman RB | 5’8” 180 | Waldorf, Maryland / Thomas Stone HS |
| Whitney White | Freshman DB | 5’9” 180 | Imperial, Pennsylvania / North Hills HS |
| Ben Ciero | Sophomore RB | 5’7” 210 | Honor, Michigan / Ramstein [Germany] |
| Jarves Crews | Freshman RB | 5’9” 190 | Uniontown, Pennsylvania / Laurel Highlands HS |
Additionally, now sophomore Jake Dougherty will be returning as the starting quarterback again for the Yellow Jackets. Last season, Dougherty completed 60.1 percent of his passes, throwing for 1,872 yards and 19 touchdowns versus 12 interceptions.
After his freshman year starting for the team, Shepas said Dougherty will have more freedom on the field.
“We’re going to turn [Dougherty] loose; we’re not going to keep such a tight collar on him,” said Shepas. “I think he’s moving better in the pocket, he has the luxury of seeing all the competition in the conference [last season] and now he’s been through a full year and a spring in our system. I think you’ll see a different, more confident guy.”
Aside from their sophomore quarterback, the Jackets are also returning other key players from last season:
| Kevin Barnes Jr. | Senior WR | 50 rec-773 yards-8 TDs (team leader in all three) / HM |
| Tim Cooper | Senior WR | 35 rec-432 yards-3 TDs |
| Josh Mundell | Senior CB | Injured for most of 2015 / 2014: 3 INTs-54 tackles / HM |
| Zach Machuga | Senior DL | 58 total tackles-10 tackles for loss-3.5 sacks / HM |
Despite the impressive incoming class, the Yellow Jackets have lost a number of important players due to graduation. Here are the biggest departures from last season’s team:
| Jerry Lawman | RB | 184 rush-891 yards-8 TD-25 rec-128 yards / 2nd-Team All-PAC |
| Willie Leavell | RB-WR | 24 rush-117 yards-1 TD-33 catches-184 yards-2 TD / HM |
| Aaron Palmer | LB | Team-leading 83 total tackes-7.5 tackles for loss / HM |
| Nik Sappie | OL | 1st-Team All-PAC |
| Jordan Voitus | DL | 30 total tackles / HM |
For the upcoming season, Shepas said they are taking a very focused approach.
“This is a reestablishment of foundation for us [this season], so we are trying to reestablish,” said Shepas. “We’re not pie in the sky thinking we’re going eight and two, who knows we might, but we’re willing to reestablish the foundation [of the team].”
With a revitalized Presidents’ Athletic Conference to compete in, Shepas said that every team is a threat this season.
“Everybody is our biggest competition [in the PAC] because everyone has improved,” said Shepas. “It’s a competitive league; it’s going to be a tough deal.”
The Yellow Jackets will start their season on Saturday, Sept. 3, for a nonconference matchup against Muskingum University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 pm.