Published Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997
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1997 season preview
Westminster Titans have high hopes for the 1997 season
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1997 schedule Sept. 6 _ at W. Liberty State (W.Va.), 7 p.m. Sept. 13 _ Mansfield, 1 p.m. Sept. 27 _ St. Ambrose (Iowa), 1 p.m. Oct. 4 _ at Tiffin (Ohio), 2 p.m. Oct. 11 _ Urbana (Ohio), 1:30 p.m. Oct. 18 _ at St. Xavier (Ill.), 1 p.m. Oct. 25 _ at Malone (Ohio), 3 p.m. Nov. 1 _ Tri-State (Ind.), 1 p.m. Nov. 8 _ at Walsh (Ohio), 1 p.m. Nov. 15 _ Geneva, 1 p.m. |
After a 9-3 mark and a NAIA Division II national playoff appearance a year agao, the Titans, who tied for the '96 Mid-States Football Association title and were ranked 9th nationally at the end of the season, are hoping to make the next step with the ultimate goal of an unprecedented seventh national championship.
And with 11 starters and 29 lettermen returning, it appears to be a realistic goal for the Titans, who were ousted 28-9 by Findlay (Ohio) in the national quarterfinals, and head coach Gene Nicholson (52-15-2 in 6 seasons).
Leading the offensive attack for the third year is senior quarterback Todd Huda, who passed for more than 1,500 yards and 11 TDs with only 5 interceptions en route to earning all-conference honors a year ago.
The team's three leading receivers _ first-team all-conference flanker Tom Alexander (34 catches, 339 yards, 2 TDs), and Matt Dvorsak (31, 390, 2) and Joe Blasko, both honorable mentions _ also return.
With Blatt gone, New Castle High product Denny Flora (358 yards, 4 TDs) looks to shoulder most of the running load. He has three linemen back in center Thomas Dailey (240 pounds) and guards Emanuel DiNatale (290) and Mike Denison (275).
Despite the optimistic outlook on offense, the Titans will be forced into almost a complete overhaul defensively, as only two starters return. But what a pair they are.
Defensive ends Craig Villwock, an NAIA All-American last season, and Phil Park (13 sacks), a Don Hansen's Football Gazette All-American, combined for 22 sacks and should again harass opposing quarterbacks all season once again.
Locals on the squad are: the Wellendorf twins, Kevin and Ken, of Brookfield, Brody Little of New Wilmington, and Brian Tokar of Greenville. Kevin rushed for 175 yards and 4 TDs on 58 carries while seeing action in 9 contests a year ago as a reserve.
Expected to make immediate contributions are a pair of transfers from Youngstown State, fullback Nathan Toy and defensive back Nick Roberts.
Assisting Nicholson are: Darwin Huey, Scott Renninger, Carl Kokor, Sean Kelly, Pat Cuba and Tom Wiczen.
