published Tuesday, August 27,1996
THIEL COLLEGE
Greenville, Pa.
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Football '96
Thiel looking to snap 22-game skid
With 13 starters returning, and 70 new recruits, first-year Thiel College football head coach Dave Armstrong will try and blend youth and experience to ``restore the roar'' to the Tomcats program.
Armstrong faces a difficult task in trying to turn around a program that has lost 22 straight games.
But Thiel gets a golden opportunity to snap that streak when it opens the 1996 campaign Sept. 7 at home against Oberlin College. Oberlin owns Division III's longest streak with 30 straight losses.
The veterans who still remain with the team will form the ``backbone of the new program,'' according to Armstrong.
``The veterans and newcomers have accepted my message of hard work, discipline and the right attitude,'' Armstrong said. ``With the new attitude we should be able to turn this program around.''
The Tomcats' schedule won't provide an easy rookie campaign for Armstrong. Thiel competes in the Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC), with perennial football powerhouse Washington & Jefferson, winners of 10 straight league crowns, newcomer Alfred and traditional rivals Grove City, Wayneesburg, and Bethany. The non-conference schedule includes strong teams from Allegheny, Gannon and Catholic.
The offensive line must rebuild after losing four of its five starters. All-PAC OT Myron Bundrant of Mercer is the lone returnee. Three of the top five receivers are back this fall. All-PAC tight end Kurt Junk (Reynolds), led the Tomcats with 21 receptions in '95. Another top returning receiver is Mercer's Bob Calvin.
The defensive line should be a key in the rebuilding process. DT Brian Scott (Reynolds) is one of the returning starters.
``The defensive line of Scott, Kuchcinski, Diley and Sanfilippo, might have to carry us early on in the season,'' Armstrong said. ``We will look to them right away to provide experience and leadership.''
Kennedy's Todd Pilopovich will add depth here and should battle for a starting position.
Mercer's Brad Yoder is one of three returnees in the secondary.
Bendau, Bundrant, Diley and Morgan will serve as captions this season.
``The players voted on the four captains, and they are great examples for the rest of the team, on and off of the football field,'' Armstrong said.
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Updated August 29, 1996