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Centennial Conference Athletics

Franklin & Marshall College Diplomats

 

Head Coach John Troxell

Troxell (Lafayette ‘94) enters his eighth year as head coach with a 36-37 career record … he was named the Conference’s Coach of the Year in 2009 after leading the Diplomats to their best record (9-2) since 1996 … Troxell also served as an assistant at Muhlenberg (1997-2000) … he led F&M to their first back-to-back winning seasons (2009-10) since 1995-96.

Lettermen Returning/Lost: 29/16
Offensive System: Multiple
Defensive System: Multiple

Offensive Preview

Starters Returning (8)
QB-E.J. Schneider, Sr., 6-1, 190
RB-Lamont Jackson, Jr., 5-11, 190
RB-Frank Strumolo, Sr., 5-10, 195
WR-Tim Muller, Sr., 6-3, 195
WR-Jordan Zackery, Jr., 5-7, 155
LG-Chad Tothero, Sr., 6-2, 240
RG-Sam Dickinson, Sr., 6-1, 275
RT-Ryan Ignatovig, Soph., 6-4, 275

The Diplomats registered a seven-win campaign that included a win over Centennial champion Johns Hopkins ... with eight returning starters from a unit that averaged over 400 yards per game, F&M is in position to make a run at the Conference title ... senior QB E.J. Schneider led the CC in pass efficiency (148.17) and total offense (298.64) on his way to first-team All-Centennial honors ... he had six games of over 300 yards in total offense, including a 410-yard effort vs. Gettysburg ... his top three receivers are back in first-team All-CC pick Jordan Zackery (74 rec), Tim Muller (64) and Paul McGann (47) ... RBs Frank Strumolo (523) and Lamont Jackson (443) combined for nearly 1,000 yards between them with 14 TDs ... a pair of senior OG leads the offensive line in Chad Tothero and Sam Dickinson, while soph RT Ryan Ignatovig protects Schneider.

Defensive Preview

Starters Returning (5)
LB-Brendan Wengerter, Sr., 6-0, 215
LB-Ryan Young, Jr., 5-10, 205
CB-Aaron Fant, Jr., 5-10, 175
S-Chris DeStefano, Sr., 6-2, 200
S-Brian Velasco, Jr., 5-11, 185

Five starters are back in the fold for the Diplomats, but the Blue and White must find replacements down in the trenches ... NT Leo Chubinishvili and sophomore Jon Cox will anchor the interior, while soph A.J. Koikoi and senior Troy Harrison are leading candidates to start at DE ... senior Brendan Wengerter (33 tackles) and junior Ryan Young (47) are the headliners at linebacker and could be joined by senior John Stark ... junior S Brian Velasco is the leading returning tackler after making 69 stops a year ago ... senior Chris DeStefano made 38 tackles, while CB Aaron Fant had 42 stops.

Special Teams Preview

Starters Returning (1)
PK-Chris DeStefano, Sr., 6-2, 200

Senior Chris DeStefano will handle the place-kicking duties ... he made 33-of-40 PATs a year ago and was 2-for-5 on field goals ... the punting job will be won in camp.

2013 Outlook

Franklin & Marshall has the offensive weapons to light up the scoreboard in 2013 ... the question marks rest with the defense and how quickly the interior line develops ... until then, the Diplomats will have to outscore its opposition to contend for the Centennial title.

Over a century’s worth of football games have played out on Franklin & Marshall’s gridiron. Sponaugle-Williamson Field seats 4,000 spectators around its natural grass field, which is meticulously maintained by the College’s Facilities and Operations team.

More Previews

Dickinson | Franklin & Marshall | Gettysburg | Johns Hopkins | Juniata

McDaniel | Moravian | Muhlenberg | Susquehanna | Ursinus