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Centennial Conference Athletics

Franklin & Marshall College Diplomats

 

Head Coach John Troxell

Troxell (Lafayette ‘94) enters his seventh year as head coach with a 29-33 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: 43/13
Offensive System: Multiple
Defensive System: Multiple

Offensive Preview

Starters Returning (6)
FB-Peter Gumas, Sr.
WR-Tim Muller, Jr.
WR-Jordan Zackery, Soph.
 LG-Chad Tothero, Jr.
RG-Sami Caygoz, Sr.
RT-Sam Wojciechowski, Sr.

The Diplomats enter the 2012 campaign with question marks at quarterback and running back after the graduation departures of John Harrison and John Kaschak ... junior E.J. Schneider is the heir apparent as the signal-caller ... he completed 54 percent of his passes for 567 yards and two scores last fall, while running for an additional 145 yards ... soph Lamont Jackson ran for 284 yards and a touchdown in eight contests ... F&M likes to put the ball in the air and the Dips return a pair of good receivers in Tim Muller and Jordan Zackery ... the pair shared the team lead with 44 receptions and each found paydirt two times ... Muller had a pair of 100-yard performances against Muhlenberg and Gettysburg ... soph Paul McGann snared 26 passes while Jackson had 20 catches ... senior Sami Caygoz and Sam Wojciechowski lead the interior line, along with junior Chad Tothero.

Defensive Preview

Starters Returning (10)
DE-C.T. Marsh, Sr.
NG-Kenny Provost, Sr.
DT-John Gandolfo, Sr.
LB-Nick Barbieri, Jr.
LB-Brendan Wengerter, Jr.
LB-Mike Shin, Sr.
LB-Sam Massaro, Sr.
CB-Jonathan Struss, Sr.
S-Brian Velasco, Soph.
S-Phil Barbieri, Jr.

F&M's strength could be on the defensive side of the ball ... C.T. Marsh headlines a trio of seniors on the frontline ... a second-team All-CC pick, he had 45 tackles, including 14.5 for loss, and 8.5 sacks ... Kenny Provost, a second-team All-Centennial choice last fall, clogs the middle and had 38 stops and 4.5 sacks a year ago ... the key returnee on defense should be senior Sam Massaro, who missed almost the entire 2011 season with an injury ... he was a first-team All-Centennial pick as a sophomore after recording a team-high 95 tackles ... junior Brendan Wengerter is the leading returning tackler (64) and also picked off a pair of passes in 2011 ... classmate Nick Barbieri was the team's second-leading tackler with 51 stops, while senior Mike Shin had 33 tackles, including 8.5 for loss ... soph Brian Velasco shared the team lead with three interceptions as a rookie and will man the safety positions with junior Phil Barbieri ... senior Jonathan Struss will start at cornerback.

Special Teams Preview

Starters Returning (2)
PK-Chris DeStefano, Jr.
P-Devin Hunter, Sr.

Junior Chris DeStefano will handle the place-kicking duties ... he made 6-of-10 field goals last season and has converted 75 percent of his collegiate tries ... senior Devin Hunter averaged 37.0 yards on 23 punts, including six inside the 20 ... Zackery averaged 9.8 yards per punt return last season, while Barbieri (20.1) and Struss (15.4) shared the kick return duties.

2012 Outlook

The 125th season of Franklin & Marshall football should be dominated by the defense early, while the offense rounds into shape ... the development of Schneider at quarterback and the emergence of a running back will be the key to F&M's success in 2012.

 

 

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

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