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2011 MOUNT IDA COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
2011 EASTERN COLLEGIATE FOOTBALL CONFERENCE (ECFC) MEDIA DAY/PRE-SEASON POLL
Following the most successful season in the 11 year history of Mount Ida College football, fourth year head coach Michael Landers will look to a high powered offensive filled with talented veterans to compete as one of the top teams in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) heading into 2011. The Mustangs were selected to finished third in the ECFC this season receiving two first place votes behind SUNY Maritime and Norwich University (link above).
"For us it's like being a fighter on the rise and we'll be facing some very good opponents we have to work our game plans, work the body and be a team that gives tremendous effort at all times," said head coach Landers.
The way we play is we're going to play fast and put pressure on our opponents," said Landers. "It was nice going to a bowl game last year and having more wins than we've had in the past but by all means we are not satisfied."
Landers and the Mustangs turned in an impressive season going 6-5 overall and 5-2 through ECFC competition. Mount Ida qualified for their first ever post-season bid selected to face Empire Eight powerhouse Springfield College in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) North Atlantic Bowl on November 20th. Although the Mustangs fell by a score of 26-17 to the Pride, being selected to compete in the ECAC bowl game was an impressive accomplishment for not only the program itself, but for coach Landers and his staff. Landers and the Mustangs have put themselves on the map the past three years and will continue to prove their ability in season's to come.
"We have to be a working class team, we need to control the football and create turnovers to be successful," said Landers. "We're going to try and improve week to week."
KEY LOSSES
A key loss for the Mustangs offensively is the departure of alumnus Paul Shaughnessy (Malden, MA/Northeast Metro) who is described as one of the most versatile players in program history. Shaughnessy, who had already established himself early on in the season as a viable option, became the focal point of the Mount Ida offense both through the air and on the ground after the injury to Johrone Bunch. Shaughnessy became the first ever player in the history of the program to eclipse 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in one year. His performance throughout the season was good enough for a second team all-ECFC selection at the end of the 2010 season.
On the defensive side of the ball the Mustangs lose both safeties in alumnus Julien Baptiste (Greenlawn, NY/Elwood-John Glenn) and Shane Gardner (Sunrise, FL/Northeast Regional). Baptiste, who was a two time first team all-conference player (2009, 2010), was third overall in tackles with 50.5 total and 41 solo adding three interceptions and five pass break-ups for the season. Baptiste tied the record for interceptions (8) in a career on senior day in a 69-18 ECFC victory over visiting Anna Maria College picking off two, including one that went back for a touchdown from 63 yards out. Baptiste is sixth all-time in unassisted tackle for his career with 114. Although Gardner does not hold as many accolades as Baptiste, he was a motivational player through action and voice as the captain of the team last year. Gardner was an all-ECFC honorable mention in 2010 and a second team all-conference player in 2009.
OFFENSE
Junior quarterback Scott Drosendahl (East Aurora, NY/East Aurora) comes off his best season to date heading into his third year at the helm of the Mount Ida offense. Drosendahl has blossomed through the past two years with loads of experience under center as the decision maker for 2011. Drosendahl had the most successful season of his career in 2010 throwing a program best 23 touchdown passes for 2,535 yards with 197 completions on 327 attempts. Along with breaking numerous season records, Drosendahl broke three individual game records during the same contest (v. Springfield College, North Atlantic Bowl) for most passes attempted (57), most passes completed (34), and most passing yards (373). Drosendahl ranked second in passing in the ECFC statistical standings recording 210.2 yards a game through the air as well as a 60.5 completion percentage.
"It's his (Scott Drosendahl) third year in the system, he's a little bit older and more mature, he understands where the ball needs to be delivered," said Landers. "For him it's all about understanding situations, the situations defenses are trying to put him in or the situations that arise in the game, from down and distance to time on the clock."
Returning to the offensive line this season is three year starter at center senior Matthew Bonomolo (Pearl River, NY/Nanuet). Although he's not your typical center due to his smaller size, Bonomolo is tough and smart enough to match-up against any player across from him.
Also returning to the line is sophomore right guard Frank Civitello (West Haven, CT/West Haven). Civitello was a solid addition to the offensive line last season and will be looked upon to continue where he left off protecting the quarterback and opening holes for the running game.
Senior Anthony Mitchell (Bronx, NY/Cardinal Spellman) will return to the line for his final season in a Mustang uniform. Mitchell saw significant time throughout the year in 2010 and will be counted on with his experience as a veteran.
"If you want to be an aggressive working class team you need to be able to run the football and our offensive line understands where they belong and their assignments," said Landers. "They're becoming a cohesive group and that's the important thing. They've got to be a tough group of kids and that's what they're going to have to be."
The Mustangs return two first team offensive all-conference players. Senior wide receiver Nick Lynch (Hampton Bays, NY/Hampton Bays), who was selected as a 2011 Consensus Draft Services (CDS) pre-season All-American, returns for his final season of play. Lynch became the first player in program history to eclipse 1,000 yards receiving in a single season (2010) hauling in 12 touchdown catches in the process. He also captured the record for receptions in a game (7.36). Lynch tied the record for most touchdown catches (4) in a contest against Anna Maria College back on November 6th and also snatched the record for passes caught in a game (13) in the North Atlantic Bowl. He was second overall in the conference in receiving averaging 14.4 yards a catch. He was 25th in the country for Division III in receptions per game and 30th for reception yards per game. Lynch was also selected to the New England Football Writers Division II/III All-Stars as one of the top three receivers in the region.
"We're looking for Nick Lynch to have another great year," said Landers. "He's a big body who's aggressive and he understands how to go up and get the football."
The Mustangs also return junior Matthew Valentini (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Jefferson Twp) who turned in a solid season last year in the receiver position. Valentini only missed one game last year due to an injury and was able to haul in two touchdown catches for the season for a total of 475 yards receiving for the year averaging 12.5 yards a catch on 38 that he hauled in.
Sophomore Ryan Furlow (Milford, CT/Joseph A. Foran) returns for his second season in the tight end position. Furlow saw action in nine games last season playing a big role as a blocker at the line.
The return of senior running back and 2010 CDS pre-season All-American Johrone Bunch (Meriden, CT/F.T. Maloney) will be a welcoming one after suffering a season ending injury against ECFC foe Gallaudet University midway through the schedule. Even though Bunch played in only five contests, he still managed to lead to the ECFC in rushing (137.2/gm) and in rushing scores (13) solidifying a first team all-ECFC selection. Bunch was selected as the third Mustang in the program's 11 year history to win the Boston Globe's prestigious Gold Helmet award in week five scoring six touchdowns eclipsing 216 total yards rushing in a 41-6 ECFC victory over Becker College. The following week he would be sidelined for the remainder of 2010. In only five weeks of play, Bunch managed to compile 823 total yards rushing averaging 137.2 yards a game adding 13 touchdowns. He is 1,063 yards shy of breaking the all-time record for rushing yards in a career held by alumnus Antwan Harris (4,061). Bunch has already broken the record for touchdown scored in a career (34) following his performance in the Becker College contest that led to his golden day.
"Having JB (Johrone Bunch) back is going to be very helpful," said Landers. "Like a lot of teams out there we want to run the football and JB will be the key element to be successful at it."
DEFENSE
"The thing about the defense is that everyone has to do their job," said Landers. "If someone doesn't do their job it's a touchdown on defense."
"The defensive backs have done an outstanding job so far and right now their one of the strengths of our team not just from a physical stand point and a focus standing point but from a leadership stand point," said Landers.
"We have to play fast, we have to play physical football and we need to know where we belong and do our job," said Landers. "Do our jobs, run to the football, play physical football, and try to create turnovers as much as possible."
The Mustang defense returns three all-conference players led by junior defensive end A.J. Knibbs (Spotswood, NJ/Spotswood) who turned in an impressive year in 2010. Knibbs, who came to Mount Id as a linebacker, moved positions and it paid off well for coach Landers and the Mustangs. Along with his all-conference recognition, Knibbs set the season record for sacks notching a conference leading 12.5 for the year after making the switch to the defensive line from safety as a freshman. Knibbs was fourth on the team in tackles with 50 total and 42 solo. Along with his 12.5 sacks, he recorded 15.0 tackles for a loss, three pass break-ups, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and eight quarterback hurries (all-time Mount Ida season record). Career wise, Knibbs is third overall in sacks (12.5) and fourth all-time in forced fumbles (4). Knibbs also owns the record for most fumbles forced in a game (2) against Hartwick College back on November 13th. He was named ECFC defensive player-of-the-week back on September 20th for his performance against Norwich University in a 22-21 ECFC victory adding five solo tackles, a big sack, two pass break ups, and two quarterback hurries. To add to his stellar year, Knibbs was also selected to the New England Football Writers Division II/III All-Stars as one of the top five defensive linemen in the region.
"AJ is growing and maturing, last year was his first time playing defensive line," said Landers. "He gives us a chance to rip an edge to have good edge pressure."
Sophomore Jon Proto (North Haven, CT/North Haven) rejoins the Mustangs after an outstanding 2010 season at defensive tackle as a freshman. Proto was honored with a second team all-conference selection for his play last year. He was second overall behind Knibbs in sacks with 6.5 adding 46 total tackles for the season (41 solo, 10 assist) good for fifth overall on the team and fourth all-time in the season books. He also added two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and two quarterback hurries. His 3.5 tackles for a loss against Gallaudet University back on October 16th is an all-time game record in the Mount Ida books. Proto will be a big asset to the defensive line this coming season.
"Jon Proto is a big body and has good gap control," said Landers.
Leading the linebacker core this season will be junior veteran Michael Brockenberry (West Haven, CT/West Haven) who comes off his best season to date. Brockenberry collected second team all-conference honors for his first time as an all-ECFC player. He was second overall in tackles for the season (61.5, 57 solo, nine assists) including five sacks (third overall), an interception, a fumble recovery, and a blocked kick. He was named the defensive player-of-the-week back on November 1st for his performance recording 7.5 tackles, 3.0 sacks for a loss of 20 yards, and an interception in a 25-23 Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) victory over hosting Husson University.
"Brock is in his third year if he continues to grow he can be an outstanding football player for us," said Landers.
Senior Kyle Lawson (Middlesex, CT/U-32) will see plenty of action in his final season of play in the linebacker position. Lawson was eighth on the team in tackles (33 solo, five assist) in nine contests played also adding 1.5 sacks for the year chipping in 3.5 tackles for a loss.
Senior Mackenson Charles (Lynn, MA/Lynn Tech) will continue his role in the defensive back position for 2011. He was 10th on the team last year in tackles (22 solo, six assist) and led the Mustangs in interceptions with three for the year. He also added two fumble recoveries and five pass break-ups.
"Mack is a senior, played significant time at corner in the past started a lot of games and he understands his fit and his role," said Landers.
Ultimately it's a unit, it isn't any single player that's going to make an impact for us," said Landers. "They need to work together, the need to be fierce in their pursuit of the football and they really need to create turnovers. The need to understand that the most important thing on the football field is the football itself, let's take it back, don't let the offense play with our football that's our football is the mind set we're trying to develop right now."
"Every practice is an opportunity to get better, every rep is an opportunity to get better," said Landers. "You either work to get better or you waste that so it's difficult right now, every position is open, you're getting either hired or fired on a rep. From rep to rep is a job interview until we get to that precious day on September 2nd when we get to play."
