2008 Thunder Football Season Preview

The Wheaton Thunder football team enters the 2008 season with enthusiasm, experience and a hunger to regain the CCIW title, which eluded the team last year after having won five conference championships between 2000 and 2006. There is great reason for excitement with 14 returning starters from the 2007 team, as well as last year's kicker and punter. “Experience is absolutely critical to success. And we have plenty of experienced players returning this fall,” notes Wheaton head coach Mike Swider.

Mike Swider" width="200" align="right" src="/images/football/2007/12/5/swider.jpg" />Swider (PICTURED RIGHT) notes, “Our players have trained hard all off-season and are as focused as any group we have ever had.” The veteran Thunder mentor adds, “The 27 returning seniors also represent the largest senior class that we have had in my 24 years at Wheaton.” These young men will add to the poise and maturity of this team, not only on game days, but throughout each week as well.”

Swider is also excited about the return of two former assistant coaches. Walt Whitehead returns after a one-year absence to serve as the team's offensive line coach and Len Vandenbos will coach the running backs after a six year absence from the program. The Thunder head coach notes, “These are two excellent coaches, who bring a wealth of experience to our staff as well as a great appreciation for Wheaton football.”

DEFENSE: The Thunder returns seven starters from a defense that led the CCIW and was among the Division III leaders in scoring defense. Wheaton held opponents to 15.8 points per game last year. Last year's unit was 12th in the nation in rushing defense (81.8 ypg) and 27th in total defense. Among the seven returning defensive starters, three defensive linemen come back, as do three defensive backs.

Despite the loss of NFL draftee Andy Studebaker and All-CCIW defensive tackle Javier Almanza to graduation, Wheaton returns a formidable defensive front line. Swider notes, “Our defensive line comes back with a lot of experience. When Andy Studebaker and Javier Almanza got hurt, guys like Eric Theisen, Grant Rozkowiak, Nick Theobald (PICTURED LEFT) and Ben Kuenzle all stepped up. Well now they come back with a lot of experience.”

Kuenzle earned First Team All-CCIW honors at defensive end in 2007. He tallied a team-high nine quarterback sacks and was tied for the team lead with 13-1/2 tackles for lost yardage. Swider notes of the senior, “Kuenzle is an athletic kid and a big-play guy.” Theisen made a smooth transition to defensive end from tackle last season, stepping in when the position was ravaged by injuries. He recorded 42 tackles and tied for the team lead with 13-1/2 tackles for lost yardage. Swider notes of the senior, “Theisen gives us tremendous flexibility with his ability to play well at defensive tackle or end.” Seniors Aaron Reyes and Jeff Root should also contribute at defensive end this season.

Theobald returns as a starting defensive tackle. At 6' 3”, 280-pounds, Theobald made 31 tackles, including six tackles for lost yardage last year. Swider mentions, “Theobald is a big, strong tackle. He fills those gaps inside; you are not going to bounce him around.” Rozkowiak saw considerable playing time last year as a junior, filling in for an injured Almanza. Rozkowiak tallied six tackles for lost yardage, including 2-1/2 quarterback sacks.

Senior Steve Pagh returns at middle linebacker after earning All-CCIW recognition last season. He recorded 47 tackles, with nine tackles for lost yardage, despite missing time with an injury last year. Swider notes, “Pagh is a big, strong kid who has played a lot of football for us the last few years.” Senior outside linebacker Mike McKinney (PICTURED RIGHT) is scheduled to return to the team after missing all of the 2007 season with an injury. In 2006 McKinney earned First Team All-CCIW recognition with 59 tackles, including nine for lost yardage. Swider says of the Thunder team co-captain, “A healthy Mike McKinney will be a real shot in the arm to our defense. He is a proven player with a lot of experience.” Swider notes of the other outside linebacker position, “Jon Ryan will be fighting for a spot at outside linebacker. He is an athletic young man with a lot of talent and ability.” Senior David Harper and juniors Ryan Hoyt and Steven Lutes could all give contributions at linebacker this season.

Wheaton returns three starters to the defensive secondary, including both cornerbacks - Pete Ittersagen (PICTURED LEFT) and Tyler Langs. “Our corners are very strong with Ittersagen and Langs. They are very good with a lot of experience”, notes Swider. He adds, “Pete has started the past three years and Tyler has a full year as a starter.” Ittersagen was a First Team All-American last season, also earning recognition as the CCIW's “Defensive Player of the Year”. He led the Thunder with 72 total tackles and 18 passes broken-up, including three interceptions. Langs posted an impressive sophomore campaign, making 58 tackles, with 11 passes broken-up and three interceptions. Seniors Dave Lindberg and Daniel Meeh will provide quality depth.

Shane Woodward" width="179" align="right" src="/images/football/2008/7/15/woodward.jpg" />Free safety Shane Woodward (PICTURED RIGHT) is a returning starter who will serve as a team captain this season. Swider comments, “Shane is a physical kid who can run and hit you.” The Thunder mentor adds, “At the other safety it will be a competition between Jordan Schirman, Brian Hollett and Lance Martin.”

OFFENSE: Wheaton returns seven starters on the offensive side of the ball. The club should have a wealth of depth and versatility on offense.

Wheaton returns two experienced quarterbacks this season, as Sean Norris and Kyle Bradley both saw considerable playing time last year. Swider notes of the pair, “We are in a good position with two experienced quarterbacks returning this year.” He adds, “Sean is our returning starter, but it will be a competitive situation at the position.” Norris threw for 1,255 yards last season, including 11 touchdown tosses. Bradley passed for 918 yards, completing 63.6% of his passes with nine touchdowns.

Andrew Hershey" width="179" align="left" src="/images/football/2007/10/27/hershey.jpg" />Wheaton returns depth at tailback, including returning starter, Andrew Hershey (PICTURED LEFT). Swider says of the position, “Andrew Hershey, Rocky Gingg and Brady Wright bring us great depth at the tailback position.” Hershey earned Second Team All-CCIW accolades last season as he averaged 4.6 yards per carry on 595 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. The Thunder head coach notes, “Hershey is a tough guy who works hard to get you yards.” Gingg saw solid action as a freshman, despite some injuries. He recorded five touchdowns last year on just 54 carries, rushing for 198 yards. “Rocky Gingg is a solid player with a lot of talent,” comments Swider.

Alex Pokorny" width="179" align="right" src="/images/football/2007/11/10/pokorny1.jpg" />Swider mentions of his fullbacks, “We have two seniors at fullback in Jeff Lake and Dan Newman who give us a lot of flexibility. In addition to playing at fullback, Newman could see time at tailback and Lake will probably also see time at tight end.” Junior Mike Bertucci is poised to step in at tight end for the Thunder this season. “Mike Bertucci is a good football player and has good speed for a tight end”, comments Swider. Sophomore Austin Zoerhof could also contribute along with Lake at tight end.

At receiver, returning starter Alex Pokorny (PICTURED RIGHT) will likely be joined by junior Freddy Ellis at wide out. “Pokorny and Fred Ellis provide us with a lot of speed and they both have a tremendous ability to catch the football,” says Swider. Pokorny, a team captain this year, led the Thunder with 19.8 yards per catch last season, with a team-high six touchdowns on 575 receiving yards. He had a strong effort with five catches for 151 yards and a touchdown at Illinois Wesleyan last season. Swider notes, “Danny Hindman and Andy McClain will compete to be our slot receiver, while a number of other players will also compete for significant playing time.”

Jesse Scott" width="179" align="left" src="/images/football/2008/7/15/Jesse_Scott.jpg" />“Our offensive line has considerable experience coming back,” comments Swider. He adds, “Jesse Scott, Mike Orr and Justin Carpenter are the most experienced players on the line.” Scott (PICTURED LEFT), an All-CCIW selection last year, is a returning starter at tackle. Carpenter started last year at tackle and Orr has experience on the line and is expected to be the starting center this year. At guard there will be a competition between senior Steve Franz, sophomore Henk Brands and junior Dan Dipzinski who has moved from the defensive line.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Senior placekicker Tim Ellingsen (PICTURED RIGHT) returns for his third season in that role for the Thunder. “Tim Ellingsen is a difference maker,” notes Swider. He adds, “He is a great kicker, who has a lot of confidence and a strong leg.” Ellingsen made 10 of his 13 field goal attempts last year and connected on all 44 of his PAT attempts.

Sean Norris will serve as Wheaton's punter for the third straight year. Last season he averaged 36.8 yards per punt on 42 punts. The consistent Norris booted 18 of his 42 punts inside the 20-yard line.

Pete Ittersagen will return punts once again for Wheaton. He earned Second Team All-American honors from D3football.com as a return specialist last season. Ittersagen was among the Division III leaders in yards per punt return last year, averaging 14.4 yards per return, including two for a touchdown. Alex Pokorny was Wheaton's leading kickoff returner last year, averaging 20.5 yards on 19 returns. Joining Pokorny in the mix to return kickoffs will be Freddy Ellis, Tyler Langs and Charlie Antal.

NEWCOMERS: This fall, Wheaton will bring in its largest freshman class under Swider, as 35 new players from around the United States will join the Thunder program. Swider notes, “They are a talented group of players and will help us continue to win football games for years to come. They come from 13 different states, including nine from Texas.”

SCHEDULE: Once again Wheaton will face a tough 10-game schedule. The season will open with non-conference match-ups against 2007 NCAA Division III Playoff participants Bethel (Minn.) and Concordia (Wis ). Wheaton's final non-conference game will be at Hope College on September 27. Swider notes, “Our three non-conference games will be great tests for us and will prepare us for the tough CCIW schedule that follows.” Once again, a difficult CCIW schedule will face the Thunder with road contests at Augustana, Carthage and Elmhurst. Wheaton will open conference play on October 4 at home against North Park as North Central, Illinois Wesleyan and Millikin will also visit McCully Stadium this season.

Originally published by Wheaton College Athletics: /news/2008/7/16/FB-08preview.aspx