Training Camp Spotlight: Weight of Season on Offensive Line
8/17/2012 11:20:00 AM | Football
Millersville, Pa. - There's a great deal of pressure on Millersville's offensive line, especially when coaches are saying that the key to the season is the performance and health of the position. The good news is that all five starters plus several experienced veterans return and a handful of talented newcomers could drastically improve both depth and performance.
The Marauders' offensive front gave up 44 sacks, ranking 146th of 150 Division II teams in sacks allowed. The team totaled 537 lost rushing yards—100 more than any other team in the PSAC. It finished the season averaging 2.5 yards per carry.
Much of the issue was lack of depth and injuries. Starting tackles Andrew Boal and Josh Hunter missed games, and by the end of the season, offensive line coach Jim Shiffer was holding the unit together with spare parts.
“We have all five starters back on the offensive line and a couple of guys coming in that can really help us,” said head coach Greg Colby. “I don't know how quickly the young guys will help us, but we'll have more depth. It was ugly at the end of last year with all the injuries. The biggest key to the season might be the health and performance of the offensive line.”
Boal, a junior right tackle, is the anchor of the line. The Souderton product has started 16 games in two seasons. His long arms and size make him a natural protecting the quarterback's blindside. He missed spring practices with an injury but is fully healthy for fall camp. Senior right guard Chase Godfrey was one of three linemen to start all 11 games in 2011, and he has played in 30 games. Also a heavyweight on the wrestling team, Godfrey is a hard-nosed scrapper.
Junior Luke Richmond enters his third season as a starting center in the PSAC. He started his career at Cheyney and landed at Millersville last season where he started all 11 games, giving him 21 career starts.
Hunter missed four games in 2011, but has started 13 games in two seasons. He solidifies the left side of the line at tackle. He's as talented as any player on the line, and Colby expects him to have a better season. Redshirt sophomore Kevin Bohl opened camp as the starting left guard after starting all 11 games in 2011. He opened the 2011 season at guard but bumped out to tackle when injuries occurred.
Junior Marvin Gaskill flipped from defense to offense last season and at 295 pounds can be a road-grader at guard.
A newcomer that Colby expects to fight for playing time is Ron Kennedy, a redshirt sophomore that was last seen at Shippensburg in 2009. A near 300-pounder, Kennedy was an All-YAIAA First Team selection at William Penn High School.
A pair of true freshmen may also crack the lineup. Medford, N.J., native Lenny Sanelli tips the scales at 282 pounds and impressed Colby as a senior at Shawnee High School. Hatboro-Horsham graduate Matt Schuck, who weighs in at 270 pounds, was an All-Suburban One Continental First Team selection.
The Marauders' offensive front gave up 44 sacks, ranking 146th of 150 Division II teams in sacks allowed. The team totaled 537 lost rushing yards—100 more than any other team in the PSAC. It finished the season averaging 2.5 yards per carry.
Much of the issue was lack of depth and injuries. Starting tackles Andrew Boal and Josh Hunter missed games, and by the end of the season, offensive line coach Jim Shiffer was holding the unit together with spare parts.
“We have all five starters back on the offensive line and a couple of guys coming in that can really help us,” said head coach Greg Colby. “I don't know how quickly the young guys will help us, but we'll have more depth. It was ugly at the end of last year with all the injuries. The biggest key to the season might be the health and performance of the offensive line.”
Boal, a junior right tackle, is the anchor of the line. The Souderton product has started 16 games in two seasons. His long arms and size make him a natural protecting the quarterback's blindside. He missed spring practices with an injury but is fully healthy for fall camp. Senior right guard Chase Godfrey was one of three linemen to start all 11 games in 2011, and he has played in 30 games. Also a heavyweight on the wrestling team, Godfrey is a hard-nosed scrapper.
Junior Luke Richmond enters his third season as a starting center in the PSAC. He started his career at Cheyney and landed at Millersville last season where he started all 11 games, giving him 21 career starts.
Hunter missed four games in 2011, but has started 13 games in two seasons. He solidifies the left side of the line at tackle. He's as talented as any player on the line, and Colby expects him to have a better season. Redshirt sophomore Kevin Bohl opened camp as the starting left guard after starting all 11 games in 2011. He opened the 2011 season at guard but bumped out to tackle when injuries occurred.
Junior Marvin Gaskill flipped from defense to offense last season and at 295 pounds can be a road-grader at guard.
A newcomer that Colby expects to fight for playing time is Ron Kennedy, a redshirt sophomore that was last seen at Shippensburg in 2009. A near 300-pounder, Kennedy was an All-YAIAA First Team selection at William Penn High School.
A pair of true freshmen may also crack the lineup. Medford, N.J., native Lenny Sanelli tips the scales at 282 pounds and impressed Colby as a senior at Shawnee High School. Hatboro-Horsham graduate Matt Schuck, who weighs in at 270 pounds, was an All-Suburban One Continental First Team selection.
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