1999 Season Outlook

Colby College features a core of 30 letterwinners in its quest to restore a winning football tradition to Mayflower Hill this season.

Ten starters are included among that nucleus as 14th year head coach Tom Austin's club endeavors to improve on last year's 2-6 campaign. But while the number of letterwinners might suggest an abundance of upperclass experience, much of that experience rests in the sophomore and junior classes. So there is plenty of experience still to be gained and plenty of potential for upward mobility within the ranks of the NESCAC.

Colby's effort in 1998 was led by defense and special teams play that both ranked among the best in the conference. The Mules struggled offensively, however, scoring even or fewer points in five of their six losses.

The offense returns five starters, led by captains Bill Polin '00 and Tom Keblin '00. Polin is a third-year starter who will anchor the Mules' offensive front from the center position. Andrew Slattery '00 is another veteran along the line, and he and Bodo Heiliger '02 will start at the tackle slots, with Matthew Carter '01 and Brian Wezowicz '02 playing guard. Tackles Jason Cummings '02 and Timothy Sullivan '02 provide depth in the trenches.

Keblin ranked fourth among NESCAC rushers a year ago with 538 yards and eight touchdowns. He will be supported by Joseph Murray '02, who was a NESCAC rookie of the week last year and finished with 136 rushing yards. Blocking for that tandem will be fullback Adam Rolewicz '01, who had an injury-plagued 1998 season.

Andrew Tripp '01 (22 receptions, 316 yards) is the top pass catcher back from last season. Tripp, Dave McGeehan '01-who was injured last season, and promising Daniel Noyes '02 will get much of the playing time at wide receiver, while Lou Distasi, Jr. '01 is another capable flanker. Jason Meadows '01, one of the most improved players from a year ago, inherits the starting tight end slot, with depth to come from Pete Hans '00.

One of the biggest preseason questions concerned the identity of Colby's starting quarterback. Top candidates were veteran Matt Smith '00 and David Herrle '02, who showed promise while quarterbacking the junior varsity squad last fall.

Colby returns six starters from a defense that ranked third among NESCAC teams in 1998 in both fewest total yards and fewest points allowed. One of the defensive catalysts is end Brendan McGillick '01, the returning team leader in quarterback sacks (5.5) and third-best in tackles (49). McGillick is one of three returning starters along the defensive front, with tackles Jon Zadrozny '00 (47 tackles, 3.5 sacks in '98) and Mike Henderson '01 (3.5 tackles) helping to give the Mules a veteran presence along the line of scrimmage. Jason Grantham '02, who made vast strides during the off seeason, figures to play at the other end slot in Colby's four-man front. Ryan Vaughan '02, Justin Pare '01, and Sean Tulloch '01 will also get significant playing time.

Colby boasts considerable experience in its secondary, led by captain Darren Ireland '00, a third-year starter at cornerback who also led NESCAC in punting with a 37.0 yard average last fall. Mark D'Ambrosio '01 shifts to strong safety after starting two years at free safety. A year ago, he ranked third on the team with 66 tackles. Jason Brooks '02 moves into D'Ambrosio's free safety slot, while Jared Beers '01, one of the fastest players on the squad, steps into fulltime duty at the other cornerback slot. Both Brooks and Beers saw action in a reserve role last year. Safety Patrick Fahey '02 and cornerback Dennis Clark '01 are among the Mules' top secondary reserves.

Colby's linebacker corp will feature some new faces after the graduation losses of the team's top two tacklers, James Scribner and Aaron Whitmore, from a year ago. Among the linebacking candidates are Alex Clark '01, a converted defensive back and tailback, and Matthew Scofield '02, who saw reserve duty a year ago. Other veterans contributing at linebacker will be Drew Johnson '01, who missed the '98 season due to a knee injury, and Daniel Greenfield '02, who showed considerable improvement as a first year player.

The Mules' offense and defense will be complemented by special teams play that has a chance to come up big in critical situations. In Ireland, Colby boasts the league's top punter, while Keith Jonassen '02 stepped in as the Mules' placekicker a year ago and made all four field goal tries and went 15 for 15 on his extra-point kicks. Jonassen's kickoff also helped the Mules in the all-important field position category.

More chances for Josassen mean more scoring opportunities for Colby, be they field goals or touchdowns. And that, perhaps, is pivotal as the Mules strive for continued improvement in 1999 after a frustrating '98 season in which three of the team's six loses were by six points or fewer.

(-Ernie Clark)

To receive more information on Colby Football, please contact Head Coach Tom Austin by Email or by phone: (207) 872-3366.