East Stroudsburg Warriors

2013 Record: 7-4 (4-3)


Head Coach: Denny Douds (244-171-3, 41st year)
Defensive Coordinator: Chadd Braine
Offensive Coordinator: Mike Terwilliger

Top returning players: QB Matt Soltes, RB Robert Healy, WR John Schnaars, DL Bryan Thomson, LB Cody Simcox, TE Steven Jones

The upside: The Warriors return more proven talent than any team in the PSAC.
The downside: The two toughest games of the year loom large in weeks 9 and 10.



This team is loaded. From a roster standpoint, this should be the best team the Warriors have fielded in several years. Pick any position on the field and the Warriors have a proven veteran in that slot. The defense, which made some big steps forward a year ago, brings back 10 starters. Offensively, three linemen and nearly every skill player return. The two-deep us filled with experience and legit All-Conference caliber talent. There is no doubt about it, if the Warriors want to shoot back to the top of the PSAC East, this is the year to do it.

For years, East Stroudsburg has been one of the top offensive teams in the PSAC and the country. But last year, the offense got off to a little but of sluggish start with the passing game, but the defense kept them in the games with AIC and Shippensburg. Ship eventually pulled away for a win, but the opener with AIC would have been a loss if not for some outstanding defensive stands. That was really the launching pad for a solid season on the defensive side of the ball. The Warriors did struggle with some of the betting running teams in the conference, but with the amount of muscle returning on the line and at linebacker, I think they will be much better in 2014.

It starts up front with veteran tackle Bryan Thomson. Douds has praised Thomson as one of the best leaders he has ever had, and the senior is also a former defensive player of the year. Last year, he finished third on the team with 62 total tackles, which is quite an accomplishment for a tackle. Thomson is joined up front by three fellow seniors, Sam Trunzo, John Noble and Brandon Gattelli. This foursome made up the staring lineup in 10 of 11 games last year and combined for 20.5 sacks. Behind them, leading tackler Cody Simcox (94 total tackles) is back to run the unit from his middle linebacker position, along with Kaje Cowans (60 total tackles) on the outside. The other OLB position is the only spot that needs to be filled. The secondary returns four starters, including three that started every game in 2013 (CB Teron Dobbs, FS Dean Vitale, SS Anthony Singlar). CB Konrad Mims missed three games due to injury, but started the other eight. This group was responsible for 11 of ESU's 13 interceptions last year.

Stat sheets may indicate that ESU brings back six starters on offense, but that's a little bit misleading. They really only have three holes to fill. Two of them will quite difficult. Standout linemen Greg Blue and Pete Wolmart have been lost to graduation and filling their spots will be a challenge. However, the remaining three incumbents on the line started every game last season. All three are juniors, so they should continue to improve and be the foundation of the offense through 2015.

The other position that must be filled is WR Robert Bleiler, who finished third in the PSAC in total catches last year (71). The good news is that his spot is already taken care of. Dusty Reed has returned after missing 2013. Reed was the team's top target in 2011 and 2012 and has 143 career receptions to his credit. He should slot back into the number 1 receiver role and will start along side John Schnaars (51 catches, 718 yards, 8TD) and Gerard Wendowski, who played well in a reserve roll last year. Also a huge weapon (literally and figuratively) in the passing game is 6'6" TE Steve Jones. Jones earned first team All-PSAC East last year at tight end.



Outlook
Expectations are high. The team knows what they are capable of and the coaches have shown their respect by picking the Warriors second in the preseason poll. I've set the bar even higher by picking them to win the East division. As I said up front, this is the year to do it. The offense is well set for the next two years, but after 2014, it could be a few years before they have this much talent on defense again. The time is now for the Warriors.