I will be previewing all of the NE-10 football teams over the next 10 days. I will roll out each team in my preseason poll from # 10 to # 1. The NE-10 will release the coaches' preseason poll on August 19th.

The season starts on September 1st when St. Anselm travels to Wagner and Pace is at Millersville.

Here is my pick for #7 in the league in 2016:

American International College Yellow Jackets (4-7, 4-5 NE-10)

Coach: Art Wilkins, 23rd year (140-89)

Opening Game: September 3rd vs. Shippensburg

2016 Schedule

2015 Stats

2016 Roster

It was not a typical American International College type of season in 2015. They had a losing season for the first time since 2002 and the offense struggled to move the ball effectively. The defense was solid as usual but was not able to steal many games.

The offense will need to click early. Kwame Jarvis saw the majority of time under center last year but might be challenged by several other quarterbacks on the roster for playing time. Marcel DePina and Willie Brown are the top returning running backs and will need to grind out yards on the ground. Ryheime Moore and Kyle Boyer-Tucker will be the main threats in the passing game and need to stretch the field for the Yellow Jackets. The offensive line is also big and strong and will need to gel early in the season.

The defense is always the heartbeat of American International. Jarrod Shelby and Raymond Durrett will be the focal point of the defense at the linebacking position. Omari Manhertz and Danny Omoregie will be tough to stop on the defensive line. Daquian Holmes is the most experienced member of the secondary and is always a threat for a pick six. The Yellow Jacket defense is always strong and physical and teams will have trouble matching up against them.

Art Wilkins enters his 23rd season and will need to have his young squad gain confidence quickly. The seniors on the team will need to be leaders early and get those younger players on the same page. The offense will need to find their groove early and the defense will make their usual plays.