1997 MONMOUTH COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW:ANEW YEAR, NEW LOOKS@

Every athletic season brings its own blend of optimism and excitement for coaches and fans alike and the 1997 Monmouth College football season promises to open with plenty of new faces, new ideas and even a new-look Midwest Conference. Head coach Kelly Kane, who has directed the Fighting Scots to three conference championship games in his 13-year tenure, hopes the personnel changes will help Monmouth take advantage of an odd scheduling situation and return to the top of the league standings. With Coe and Cornell Colleges, the two dominant football teams in the MWC South Division in recent years, leaving for the Iowa Conference and playing a one-year independent schedule, the champion of the division will be determined by only three games this fall. Kane and his coaching staff hope to combine veteran athletes with a promising group of freshman and transfer players to challenge for divisional honors and return to the postseason championship.

OFFENSE

One of the team strengths this year appears to be the backfield and receiver corps, which will carry a large percentage of the early burden as Kane and quarterback coach Mark Reed attempt to establish a definite starting quarterback from several preseason candidates. Three area prep running backs with proven game experience return to carry the ball in the Scots= option-oriented offense, led by senior co-captain Nathan Johnson (Monmouth,IL/Monmouth). Johnson, who was the Scots= top ground gainer in 1996 with 265 yards, is joined in the backfield by high school teammate Gentry Tate (Monmouth,IL/Monmouth), who added 259 yards and three TDs during his rookie season. Junior John Turnquist (Monmouth, IL/Warren) (175 yds, 3 TD) rounds out the local trio and gives the Scots an effective rusher as well as a pass receiver out of the backfield. Another area player who may factor into the Monmouth rushing attack could be Brian Hetrick (Gladstone,IL/Union), who has impressed the coaches in preseason drills.

Junior wide receiver Jeff Timmons (Lewistown,IL/Lewistown), who also serves as the team's punter, earned All-Conference honors at both positions last year and returns as the top pass catcher. Timmons grabbed 19 receptions for 428 yards and 5 touchdowns in 1995 and could be joined in the starting lineup by sophomore Andrew Tyra (Tremont,IL/Tremont) (7 rec, 2 TDs). Junior Paul Smith (Westmont,IL/Westmont), who posted a team-high 10 catches as a freshman, will return after being hampered by injury last year and will be pressed for playing time by a score of first-year receivers.

Kane faces a challenge in the selection of a dependable signal-caller to direct Monmouth's wishbone-option offense. Veteran backup Mike Cryer (Wood River,IL/Wood River) returns for his senior season and the recruit class includes a number of talented and promising players, including transfer students Kevin Engledow (Zionsville, IN/Zionsville) and Jason Woepking (Columbus Junction,IA/Columbus Community). Engledow threw for 3300 yards and 26 touchdowns in his prep career and Woepking was an All-District high school quarterback whose 6'3" height is an advantage in the pocket. The staff will also take a close look at freshman Jay Gunning (Kewanee,IL/Wethersfield), who ran a successful option offense in high school and brings tremendous foot speed to the position.

The Scots lost four full-time or part-time starters from the offensive line and must rebuild a solid unit to protect the quarterback and ball carriers. Seniors Andy Kerley (Clinton,IL/Clinton) and Dwayne English (Farmington,IL/ Farmington) return with playing experience, as well as potential underclassman starters Matt Tipton (Peru,IL/LaSalle-Peru), Otis Burge (Byron,IL/Byron), Joshua Shevokas (Decatur,IL/ MacArthur), Zac Chatterton (Avon,IL/Valley) and Jason Wheat (Miami,FL/South Ridge).

DEFENSE

The Scots= front seven again looks to be one of the team=s solid areas with a number of experienced veteran players anchoring another traditionally strong Monmouth defensive unit. Defensive coordinator Roger Haynes= biggest challenge will likely be to find consistent results from the secondary unit to complete the defensive side of the Scots= game plan.

Senior co-captain Sean Dwyer (Wentzville,MO/Francis Howell) is the heart of the linebacker group and will be counted on to repeat his junior season results, which saw him finish second on the team with 65 tackles. Another senior, Jim Hardesty (Canton, IL/Canton), provides a versatile player at either linebacker or defensive end and will split time with Dan Taylor (Woodhull,IL/AlWood) and Drew Anderson (Galesburg,IL/Galesburg).

The interior line is also in capable veteran hands with the team=s third co-captain, senior Mitchell Russell (Dunlap,IL/Dunlap), a fixture in the middle at nose guard. Russell posted 41 tackles and 2 sacks in 1996 while Robert Cassiday (Smithshire,IL/Southern) added 33 tackles and a sack from an outside tackle position. Matt Russell (Dunlap,IL/Dunlap) gives the squad another proven player on the line and the Monmouth coaching staff will also have a solid group of freshmen to consider.

The Monmouth secondary struggled early in 1996 due to inexperience and low numbers but came through with solid performances in key situations. With starting spots open this fall, several players will get close looks from Kane and Haynes in an attempt to produce the right mix to solidify the pass coverage units. Senior Bryce Adolphson (Aledo,IL/Aledo), whose 54 tackles were tops among the returning defensive backs, and juniors R.J. Haines (Rushville,IL/Rushville), Nate Boekholder (Oregon,IL/Oregon) and Josh Didier (Des Plaines,IL/Maine West) all performed well in starting opportunities and will likely see the majority of playing time in the early part of the season. Sophomores Clint Hillyer (Littleton,IL/Rushville), Jason Borhart (Monmouth, IL/Marengo), and Hugo Herrera (St. John=s [Wis] Academy), who switches from running back to defense this year, are other players who may challenge the veterans for time on the field, as well as first-year defensive backs Ken Logan (Belleville,IL/East) and Ken Macak (Oak Lawn,IL/Oak Lawn Community).

  SPECIAL TEAMS

The Scots head into the new season with the punting half of their kicking game in place but must find a dependable placekicker. Timmons has ranked among the MWC leaders in punting average the past two seasons (60 pu nts, 36.1 yards per kick in 1996) and his 70-yard punt against Beloit in 1995 was the fourth-longest in team history. However, the loss of a two-year starting placekicker leaves Kane searching in the preseason for an accurate leg for both scoring and kickoff duties.

Monmouth has traditionally fielded solid kick return and kick coverage squads and this fall those units will be a critical part of the team=s overall success. The top kick returners from 1996 are gone but the Scots will likely man the special teams units with a variety of seasoned personnel.

  COACH'S PERSPECTIVE

 "This should be an interesting year for our football team," stated Kane in predicting what could be in the future for his charges. AHeading into preseason practices, our strengths appear to be the experience of many of our defensive starters, the punting game and an outstanding group of backfield performers and receivers. The addition of a large group of transfer players will help us to counter a bit of inexperience at the college level at a few positions."

Kane is aware of his squad=s weak spots but is quick to lend an optimistic tone to the season. AOur main areas of concern include determining a starting quarterback, replacing several quality offensive linemen and finding a kicker. If these weaknesses can be remedied, we could surprise some teams on our schedule.@

With the departure of Coe and Cornell, the three divisional games (Illinois, Grinnell and Knox) take on much more importance this season and that fact is not lost on the Monmouth coach. AThe key games for us will definitely be the three MWC South Division games,@ said Kane. AWinning those games will give us a divisional title and a berth in the conference championship game.@ Knox appears to be the early favorite as the team to beat in the MWC South while Grinnell and Illinois both have the ability to field improved teams. Ripon is the defending North Division and Midwest Conference champion by virtue of its 26-8 victory over Cornell in the 1996 title game.

SCHEDULE PREVIEW

Monmouth will once again open its schedule against regional non-conference opponents Eureka and MacMurray and will play St. Norbert and Lake Forest in intradivisional contests this fall. The Scots will play both Cornell and Coe in their traditional weeks in the middle of the season but neither game will impact the conference standings. Homecoming activities are set for October 18th against Coe and the 108th renewal of the Monmouth-Knox ABronze Turkey@ game, the 4th-longest Division III rivalry and 7th-longest series in all of NCAA football, is set for Saturday, November 1st at the Knox Bowl in Galesburg.

 1997 MONMOUTH COLLEGE FIGHTING SCOTS FOOTBALL -- NUMERICAL ROSTER

# / NAME / HT / WT / POS / YR / HOMETOWN / HS

1 / Josh Didier / 6'0" / 180 / DB / JR / DesPlaines,IL/MaineWest
3 / Bryce Adolphson / 5'10" / 160 / DB / SR / Aledo,IL/Aledo
4 / Paul Smith / 5'9" / 170 / WR / JR / Westmont,IL/Westmont
5 / Hugo Herrera / 5'10" / 180 / DB / SO / Mexico/St.John's Academy (WI)
6 / Jay Gunning / 5'9" / 135 / QB / FR / Kewanee,IL/Wethersfield
7 / Troy Boutin / 5'8" / 145 / RB / FR / Milledgeville,IL/Milledgeville
8 / Drew Anderson / 6'0" / 200 / LB / JR / Galesburg,IL/Galesburg
9 / Kevin Engledow / 5'11" / 175 / QB / SO / Zionsville,IN/Zionsville
10 / Jeremy St. Croix / 5'10" / 160 / WR / SO / PalmHarbor,FL/RiverRidge
12 / Josh Boyer / 6'2" / 165 / QB / SO / Galesburg,IL/Galesburg
13 / Micah Oleson / 5'10" / 185 / FB / SO / West Burlington,IA/W. Burlington
14 / Luke Burton / 5'9" / 180 / LB / SO / Monmouth,IL/Monmouth
16 / Jason Borhart / 6'2" / 195 / DB / SO / Monmouth,IL/Marengo
17 / Jon Baikie / 6'0" / 170 / RB / FR / Oak Lawn,IL/Oak Lawn Community
18 / Jason Woepking / 6'3" / 190 / QB / SO / Columbus Junction,IA/Columbus
19 / Josh Hewitt / 5'11" / 200 / LB / SO / Kingston,IL/Genoa-Kingston
20 / Ken Macak / 5'9" / 150 / DB / FR / Oak Lawn,IL/Oak Lawn Community
21 / Jeff Timmons / 6'2" / 205 / WR-P / JR / Lewistown,IL/Lewistown
22 / John Turnquist / 6'0" / 195 / RB / JR / Monmouth,IL/Warren
23 / Andrew Tyra / 6'1" / 185 / WR / SO / Tremont,IL/Tremont
24 / Gentry Tate / 5'11" / 175 / RB / SO / Monmouth,IL/Monmouth
25 / Nate Boekholder / 5'11" / 185 / DB / JR / Mt.Morris,IL/Oregon
27 / Brad Demont / 5'11" / 155 / WR / FR / East Moline,IL/United Township
28 / Paul Kibling / 5'9" / 175 / RB / FR / WestBurlington,IA/W. Burlington
30 / Clint Hillyer / 5'10" / 150 / DB / FR / Littleton,IL/Rushville
31 / R.J. Haines/ 6'0" / 180 / DB / JR / Rushville,IL/Rushville
32 / Nathan Johnson / 6'1" / 210 / RB / SR / Monmouth,IL/Monmouth
33 / Nick Smith / 5'11" / 165 / WR / FR / Morton,IL/Morton
34 / Preston Eiler / 5'11" / 180 / FB / FR / Monmouth,IL/Monmouth
35 / Brian Hetrick / 5'10" / 170 / RB / FR / Gladstone,IL/Union
39 / Steve Nelson / 5'10" / 165 / DB / SO / Bloomington,IL/Aledo
40 / Mike Tarvin / 6'0" / 205 / LB / SO / Lewistown,IL/Lewistown
41 / David Reyburn / 6'2" / 155 / DB / SO / Monmouth,IL/Pensacola Woodham
42 / Dan Taylor / 6'1" / 205 / LB / SO / Woodhull,IL/AlWood
43 / Ken Logan / 5'9" / 175 / DB / FR / Belleville,IL/BellevilleEast
44 / Tyson Royer / 5'11" / 180 / WR / JR / St. Joseph,IL/St. Joseph-Ogden
45 / Mark Rask / 6'0" / 180 / DB / JR / Farmington,IL/Farmington
50 / Jon Carruthers / 6'0" / 200 / DE / SO / West Burlington,IA/W. Burlington
51 / Arturo Senteno / 5'11" / 220 / OL / SO / Chicago,IL/George Washington
53 / Dwayne English / 6'4" / 265 / OL / SR / Farmington,IL/Farmington
54 / Jason Wheat / 6'4" / 250 / OL / SO / Miami,FL/Miami South Ridge
55 / Wes Olson / 6'0" / 200 / LB / SO / LaHarpe,IL/LaHarpe
56 / Zach Maher / 6'0" / 200 / LB / FR / Princeville,IL/StarkCounty
57 / Ken Morris / 5'8" / 290 / DL / SO / Peoria,IL/Manual
58 / Matt Russell / 6'0" / 250 / DL / JR /Dunlap,IL/Dunlap
60 / Jose Estrada / 6'0" / 250 / OL / FR / Miami,FL/Miami South Ridge
65 / Zac Chatterton / 5'11" / 230 / OL / JR / Avon,IL/Valley
68 / Rick McMillin / 6'0" / 185 / LB / JR / Mt.Zion,IL/Mt.Zion
70 / Josh Shevokas / 6'4" / 255 / OL / SO / Decatur,IL/DecaturMacArthur
71 / Jim Hardesty / 6'2" / 210 / DL / SR / Canton,IL/Canton
73 / Otis Burge / 6'2" / 250 / OL / JR / Byron,IL/Byron
76 / Matt Tipton / 6'3" / 265 / OL / SO / Peru,IL/LaSalle-Peru
77 / Andy Becker / 6'4" / 265 / OL / SR / Warsaw,IL/Warsaw
78 / Andy Kerley / 6'1" / 290 / OL / SR / Clinton,IL/Clinton
79 / Nick Burge / 6'1" / 230 / DL / FR / Knoxville,IL/Byron
80 / Paul Wiggins / 5'10" / 16 0/ WR / SO / Chicago,IL/Loyola Academy
81 / Tony Baker / 6'4" / 210 / WR / FR / Rushville,IL/Rushville
82 / Judson Moon / 5'10" / 210 / WR / FR / Sherrard,IL/Sherrard
83 / Mike Fiedler / 5'9" / 135 / WR / FR / Woodridge,IL/Downers Grove South
84 / Mike Berlongieri / 5'8" / 165 / WR / FR / Beecher,IL/BloomTrail
85 / Sean Dwyer / 6'1" / 220 / LB / SR / Wentzville,MO/FrancisHowell
88 / Pat DuMais / 6'3" / 185 / WR / FR / Chicago,IL/Mount Carmel
91 / Kelly Feltes / 6'6" / 260 / DL / SR / Bethalto,IL/Civic Memorial
96 / Mitchell Russell / 6'1" / 230 / DL / SR / Dunlap,IL/Dunlap
99 / Robert Cassiday / 6'5" / 240 / DE / SR / Smithshire,IL/Southern

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