08/10/07

A Season of Change

     A season of change has arrived at Thomas More College. A new coach, a new field, and a renewed sense of excitement about TMC football has created a buzz on campus, and it will be the team’s response to all of these changes that will dictate their success in 2007. The Saints now enter into their third season as members of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC).

      The biggest change comes at the top, as Jim Hilvert takes over the reigns of the Thomas More football program. Hilvert comes to the College after serving as defensive coordinator for archrival Mount St. Joseph. “We will play a physical, exciting brand of football here,” said Hilvert. “This team will be aggressive on both sides of the ball.”
      New schemes on offense and defense have brought additional changes, as has the departure of five defensive starters, including two All-Americans. However, the Saints were able to benefit from a solid spring practice season, which they hope will ease the transition for the veterans and lead to great things this fall.
     “The spring was important for us because it got our team accustomed to how we do things here,” said Hilvert. “It gave us a better indication of the type of personnel we have in the program, as well. However, we know you never judge football players in t-shirts and shorts.” The Saints look forward to being judged in helmets and pads come September 1st.

OFFENSE

     The Saints find their most battle-tested players on the offensive side of the football, as nine players return with starting experience. “We will be sure to get the ball in the hands of our playmakers in space,” said Hilvert. “And we know you have to run the ball to win games. I think we have the talent to accomplish both of those things.”

Quarterback

     For the second straight season, junior Trevor Stellman (Burlington/Conner) returns as the lone returner at the position. But unlike last season, he enters the fall with a full season of experience as a starter and undisputed signal caller for the offense.
      “Trevor is very a smart young man and has a certain moxie to him,” said Hilvert. “As a captain, the team will be looking to him to come up with the big play when we need it.”
      Stellman, a pre-med major, showed his ability to make game-changing plays as he guided the Saints to two straight come-from-behind victories to start off the 2006 season. He started every game for Thomas More last year, prior to a season-ending injury in Week nine. As a sophomore, Stellman was 99-for-174 passing, amassing over 1300 yards and throwing 12 touchdowns. In a winning effort against Huntingdon, Stellman came one yard shy of the single-game passing record with 384 yards.
     “He has a presence in the pocket and on the football field,” said Hilvert. “With a full season and another spring under his belt, the sky is the limit for Trevor this year.”

Running Back

      One of the many playmakers Stellman will have at his disposal is sophomore running back Cordario Collier (New Albany, IN/New Albany). Much like Stellman at quarterback, Collier is the lone returner at his position.
      Despite limited action, Collier rushed for 489 yards and five touchdowns in four games, good enough for honorable mention in the PAC. His breakout games came in a Saints’ victory over Westminster, when he rushed for 143 yards on 14 carries and three touchdowns.
     “Monty (Collier) expects to be great,” said Hilvert. “He is a relentless worker and is never satisfied with anything less than perfection.”
      Joining Collier in the backfield could be senior Andrew Carpenter (Cincinnati, OH/Reading) or junior Antwan Thornton (Dayton, OH/Kettering Alter).      Thornton honed his skills on the junior varsity team in 2006 and had a solid spring. Carpenter saw time last year at tight end, a position the coaching staff expects him to make an impact at this season.

Wide Receivers

      With more than 60 percent of the team’s receiver production lost to graduation, Thomas More will look to senior John Resch (Louisville/Trinity) to have a breakout season. For the second straight year, Resch is the team’s top returning receiver. In the past two seasons, Resch has hauled in 41 receptions for 564 yards, and looks to add to those totals in 2007.
      Senior Kyle James (Ft. Thomas/Highlands) will be exclusively a receiver for his final season. A versatile athlete, James had a terrific off-season, setting all-time TMC strength records in every category for quarterbacks and receivers. Last season, James played quarterback, running back and wide receiver, in addition to his duties as a kick returner. In fact, he was the starting quarterback in the Saints’ Bridge Bowl XI victory over Mount St. Joseph. James rushed for 169 yards, had 129 yards passing and amassed 23 receiving yards in 2006.
      Junior Nick Dew (Newport/Newport Central Catholic) made solid strides last season and finished fourth on the team in receptions, catching 11 passes for 167 yards and one touchdown.
      One of the pleasant surprises of the spring was junior Cory Liles (Tollersboro/Lewis County), who was voted Most Improved Player of the camp. Liles was strictly a junior varsity player last season, but picked up the new offense quickly and has the coaching staff optimistic about what he could contribute in 2007.

Tight End

     For the past few seasons, the tight end has been primarily used as an extra blocker in the Thomas More offense. Last season, a trio of tight ends totaled just five catches for 67 yards and one touchdown. “We definitely want to get our tight ends involved in the whole offense here,” said Saints offensive coordinator, Brian Sheehan. Senior Andrew Carpenter (Cincinnati, OH/Reading) and junior Nick Heinl (Tipp City, OH/Tippecanoe) have an early edge on the position, and will look to make the tight end more of a threat in the passing game. At 6-4, 250, the staff would not be surprised to see converted quarterback Ryan Stewart (Powell County, KY/Powell County) make a push for playing time.

Offensive Line

     The offensive line boasts the most experience of any position on the Thomas More team, sporting five players that have started at least five collegiate games.

     “We will be very good up front,” said Hilvert. “They are an experienced, battle-tested group.” Leading the charge will be senior captain Brandon Lee (New Albany, IN/New Albany), and junior Clayton Garrigus (New Indianapolis, IN/Ben Davis), a fellow all-conference selection. Lee enters 2007 as a projected four-year starter, while Garrigus comes in following a successful return to the gridiron in 2006. After missing all of 2005 due to injury, Garrigus earned first team PAC honors as a sophomore. Stellman’s blind-side will be protected by another three-year starter, Keith Cureton (New Albany, IN/New Albany), while junior Brandon Shouse (Hebron/Conner) is poised to retain the starting role he earned during the latter half of last season. Senior Steve Evans (Springboro, OH/Springboro) brings valuable experience as a starter to the table and is expected to contribute at the guard position.

DEFENSE

The Saints defense will have quite a different look in 2007. In addition to a new scheme, gone are All-Americans Mark Carlisle and Chris Willis, while senior Rashwan West (Oxford, OH/Talawanda) will be playing a new position.

Defensive Line

       With the return of two all-conference performers in junior captain Greg Frey (Cincinnati, OH/Princeton) and Bo Allen (Indianapolis, IN/Lawrence North), the defensive line will bring experience and stability to a young defense this season. Allen led all linemen with 44 tackles, including 10 for loss and three sacks, while Frey added 30 tackles, 5 TFLs and one interception.
      Joining these two monsters in the interior are four defensive ends that have all had opportunities to start in the past: Juniors Ryan Lindeman (Florence/Boone County), Tim Mosely (California/Campbell County) and Kyle Duncan (Ft. Mitchell/Beechwood), along with sophomore Andrew Damico (Independence/Simon Kenton). Mosely was the most productive of the quartet with 18 tackles and three sacks, followed by Lindeman with 14 tackles and one sack.
      Sophomore Jeff Helmer (Ludlow), who missed all of last season with an injury, is expected to make an impact coming off the edge. Senior Matt Short (Union/Ryle), junior Tyler Grant (Wurtland/Raceland) and junior Kasey McClanahan (Williamstown/Grant County) will also be looked upon to provide experience and depth.

Linebacker

     Brad Steinmetz (West Harrison, IN/East Central) is the lone returning starter from a linebacking corps that featured three all-PAC honorees. The All-American led the PAC with 15 tackles for loss, and was second on the team with 75 tackles. Steinmetz also lead the team with eight sacks.
Says Hilvert, “Brad is the guy at linebacker. He is a very good football player and has a great understanding for the game. It is critical that he provides leadership on this young defense, especially early in the season.”
      The remaining linebacker positions will be filled by players who have little or no varsity experience. Only Jerry Scarlato (Ft. Thomas/Highlands) has appeared in a varsity game at the linebacker position. Junior Eric Northrup (Union/Ryle), a converted quarterback, will be playing his third position in three seasons.
      Juniors Dan Tillet (Florence/Boone County), Lloyd Sexton (Covington/Holmes) and Jordan Logan (Ludlow), along with sophomores Brandon Kohrs (Newport/Newport Central Catholic) and Kyle Finn (Walton/Scott) will look to secure playing time.

Defensive Back

     With the graduation of four key players, the defensive backfield absorbed arguably the biggest loss of any position group on the team. The Saints will look to projected four-year starters West, who converts to safety this season, and cornerback Terence Toone (Columbus, OH/South) for proven talent in the secondary.
      West, a two-time All-PAC performer, is the fastest member of the Thomas More football team and moves from weakside linebacker to strong safety. Despite aligning farther from the ball, he plans to spend plenty of time in the box supporting the run. Last season, West was fourth on the team with 50 tackles, 2.5 for loss and one interception, which he returned 65 yards for a touchdown.
Toone, who was second-team all-PAC in 2005, had 15 tackles and lead the team in interceptions with two picks last season.
       The versatility of Nate Kapsal (Ft. Mitchell/Beechwood) will give him an edge on the competition for the vacant secondary positions, having played both safety and cornerback in the past. Seniors Les Colegrove (Raceland), George Evans (Cincinnati, OH/Deer Park) and David Dransman (Cincinnati, OH/Colerain), along with sophomore Josh Schmitz (Bellevue) will all compete for playing time.

SPECIAL TEAMS

         The kicking game looks to improve on its consistency this year behind junior kicker David Sheeley (Fairdale). Sheeley was 16-for-24 on PATs, and 3-for-4 on field goals last season, with a long of 29. Look for a group of freshman to come in and compete for kicking duties, as well as fill the vacant punting position.
In the return game, James and West have both shown the ability to score whenever they touch the ball. James holds the school record for most return yards in a game and longest return. West led the duo overall last year, averaging 20.8 yards per kickoff return.