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Five Year History
2014: 11-2 (NCAA Playoffs - second round)
2013: 13-2 (NCAA Playoffs - National semi-finals)
2012: 7-4
2011: 5-6
2010: 4-7

Head Coach: Bill Zwaan (101-47, 13th year)
Offensive Coordinator: Bill Zwaan, Jr. (2nd year as OC, 4th year at WCU)
Defensive Coordinator: Mike Furlong (22nd year as DC, 25th year at WCU)

Five Players to Watch
TE Tim Brown
RB Brandon Monk
DT Andrew Cohen
S Drew Formica
OT Doug Gilbert



The West Chester Golden Rams football team has neither a PSAC Championship ring nor a divisional banner to show for the past two seasons' work, but one could make a very solid argument that WCU has been the best program in the conference during that time. In 2013, the Rams missed out on a berth in the championship game in a three-way tie breaker with Bloomsburg and Shippensburg, but went on to establish a school record with 13 wins. West Chester finished the regular season at 10-1, then earned three post-season victories before their run came to end in the national semi-finals at Lenoir-Rhyne. A year later, the Rams again finished 10-1 in the regular season and advanced to the second round of the national playoffs. With a two year record of 24-4, WCU has more overall victories than any other PSAC team, as well as the most post season wins (4), They're tied with Bloomsburg for most regular season wins (20) and fewest losses (4). The Huskies are the only PSAC team to have defeated West Chester in the past two seasons. It's been a fantastic two year run for the Rams, who are looking to earn their first outright PSAC East title since 2008. Putting together another double digit win season will be a tall order this year.

Priority number 1 for the Ram's offense is to integrate a new signal caller to replace Sean McCartney, who led the PSAC in total passing yards last year. The assumed starter is Jr. Andrew Derr who served as the backup to McCartney for the past two seasons. Unfortunately for the team, Derr had a troubling off-the-field incident in March that excluded him from spring practice and left his status in question for most of the summer. As of now, he remains with the team and is listed as the starting quarterback on the preseason depth chart. Derr is entering his fourth year with the program and has seen action in 14 games to this point. However, he did not participate in the team's first scrimmage on August 22, which re-opens many questions about both his status and his readiness for the upcoming season. Sophomore Pat Moriarty and Jr. Alec Werner split most of the snaps in the scrimmage. Werner has half a season's worth of starting experience as a true freshman at Kutztown in 2013.

Top receivers Mike Doty and Eric Brundidge have moved on, which leaves the starting receivers slots up for grabs. Shannon Mayer (25 catches, 247 yards, 3TD) and Adam Dempsey (21 catches, 171 yards, TD) have the most experience but Jim Hurley, who played in 12 games last year, brings a little more height to the position. Tight End Tim Brown actually led the team in receptions (53 catches, 1059 yards, 17 TD) and is preseason first team All-American. Brown is one of the most gifted and dominant skill players in the PSAC and will be a very friendly target for a new starting QB. Fellow TE Shawn Driggins may see time in the backfield this year as a fullback / H back and could be a significant receiving threat.

The backfield will be set with returning first team All-PSAC east selection Brandon Monk (214 carries, 1296 yards, 9 TD) and Eddie Elliott (129 carries, 639 yards, 6 TD). The duo also combined for 51 receptions out of the backfield. They may be the top running back tandem in the PSAC this season. Up front, the Rams must replace two first team All-PSAC East linemen, but a third, T Doug Gilbert will be back. Fellow starter Vince Lostracco also returns and is projected to play along side Gilbert on the left side of the line. The left side of the line will be new but projected starters Tyler Drob at Guard and Michael Unger at Tackle each started one game last year and saw action in many others. They'll inexperienced in the depth behind the starting five so the Rams will need good fortune on the injury front.

The defense has some experience returning, but faces the challenge of replacing two of the best players the program has had in recent years. Defensive back Al Hajj Shabazz is currently in camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and LB Ronell Williams was an All American talent for three straight years. Second team All-PSAC East DE Mike Culbreath has also graduated from the program. Returning is Andrew Cohen, who was a first team All-PSAC East selection at tackle. Cohen was a force in the interior line and finished fourth on the team in total tackles with 65, including 20 for loss of yardage, which was third most in the PSAC. Cohen will probably be the best D lineman in the PSAC East and should be on the All-America watch lists throughout the 2015 season. Fellow senior Barry Lyons (31 total tackles, 7 TFL) will start along side Cohen, giving the Rams a formidable interior. The defensive end spots will be filled by new starters. John Dubyk (18 total tackles) saw action in all 13 games last season. Jr. Byron Cooper made three starts at DE in 2014 before being lost to injury. He will slot back into a starting spot for the new season.

The linebacker positions will need some retooling but Brandon Pepper (39 total tackles) has played extensively over the past two seasons and Ralph Reeves (28 total tackles) earned a few starts last year in relief if injured Ronell Williams. So. Dan Sherry (20 total tackles) played a supporting role in 2014 but will be expected to step up as a starter. Sr. Drew Formica will be the leader in the secondary. Formica has started every game for the past two years and finished third on the team with 67 total tackles in 2014. Formica should be a candidate for post season honors. CB Blaise Sheiler is also a returning starter, but the Rams will be a short on experience in the rest of the two deep for the secondary.

Long time punter Rich Bruno, who also assumed place kicking duties last season, has graduated, leaving a significant gap in special teams.

The Final Word
There is talent on this team but depth could be concern in a lot of areas. Defensively, a lot will depend on how well prepared the linebackers are. Derr's off season troubles make me wonder about his level of preparation for the season, but if he is ready to go, he has the talent to be the next in a long line of successful QBs at West Chester. I don't think WCU will be far enough along to beat Lenoir-Rhyne in week 1 so The Mercyhurst game is critical. After week two, the Rams have a three week stretch of Seton Hill, Millersville and Lock Haven - all games they should win. If they win one the first two, they should be in good shape when the East division schedule ramps up. If they start 0-2, things could go downhill quickly.