Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Defense the focus for WCU team with high hopes
WEST GOSHEN » Year 17 of the Bill Zwaan Era at West Chester is starting quite differently from most of the 16 that have come before.
A former quarterback and offensive coordinator, Zwaan’s teams usually boast an explosive, high-scoring attack -- and that may be the case again in 2018. But a lot of the preseason attention is leaning toward the Golden Rams’ defense, which is as experienced, and as deep, as any he’s had since taking the reins in 2003.
“The pieces are back, we got some guys back from injury, and it looks like we have everything we need,” said WCU middle linebacker Tyler Morrissey, a returning All-American.
There are eight full-time returning starters in the lineup, plus a pair of former starters who did not play a year ago due to injury: end Ch’aim Smith and tackle Shaquille Ryder. In addition, the defensive ranks are filled with players who have innate abilities – like a nose for the football – that most players simply don’t possess.
“It’s not a thing you can coach, but a knack they have, and then you can build off of that,” Zwaan explained. “The really good ones come in already having a knack for where the ball is going to go.”
A prime example is Morrissey, who has Division I size (6-foot3, 256-pounds), and roams from sideline to sideline as a tackling machine. He led the PSAC with 137 stops as a junior, and added 14 tackles for loss.
“Tyler is obviously one of the best we’ve ever had,” Zwaan said.
“I think our defensive front is going to be better this season, so blockers will have a tougher time getting to Tyler. The thing about him is he sees plays, and he’s in the best shape he’s ever been in.”
Senior end Diquan Gilbert (6-
3, 240) led the Rams with nine sacks a year ago, and now with Smith (6-4, 245) on the opposite side, WCU has a pair of relentless pass rushers on the edge.
“You put those two together and (opposing teams) will have to pick which one they are going to try to stop,” Zwaan said. “Gilbert is in better shape this year – he looks like a different guy.”
Coming off an All-PSAC East season, Smith suffered a broken fibula in the first quarter of the season opener and was redshirted. He had seven screws, a rod and a pin, inserted into his right leg.
“I played 14 years without an injury,” Smith said. “It was a struggle last year because I had to learn how to be a leader and help my team in a way I wasn’t used to. But it helped me grow a lot and I learned a lot about myself and my team.”
At tackle, West Chester has an array of big bodies who have starting experience, like Omar Peterkin (6-2, 295), Joe DeSanto
(6-3, 272) and Ryder (63, 310), who hasn’t played since starting all 13 games in the 2014 season. Add in Rhode Island transfer Tyrone Barge (6-2, 290) and the versatile Shane Griffin (6-3, 240), and the interior line is loaded.
“Our depth along the line is amazing,” Smith said. “This is my fifth year and we have the most pieces we’ve had since I’ve been here.”
At outside linebacker, the Rams are quick and athletic. Senior Nydair Rouse is an All-Conference multi-year playmaker at the hybrid rover position, and sophomore Nate Barnes has grown into the position after playing safety in 2017.
“(Barnes) is a big kid (6-3, 218) and we knew he was going to keep getting bigger,” Zwaan said. “He may not have the exact size you want in an inside linebacker, but he uses his speed and quickness to avoid blockers.”
To top it all off, the secondary returns intact, with All-Region lockdown cornerback Shaquille James headlining the group.
“The back end, which has kind of been a bugaboo, we have returnees at
every spot,” Zwaan said. “Our depth there is questionable, but the starting group is really good.”
“The back end, which has kind of been a bugaboo, we have returnees at every spot,” Zwaan said. “Our depth there is questionable, but the starting group is really good.”
Hard-hitting safeties Jaray Elder and Jordan Burnley registered 61 and 40 tackles, respectively, a year ago and enter the campaign much more seasoned. The other corner spot will be split by veteran seniors Quintin Smith and Jaishon Thornton.
The overriding concern with the defense is depth, especially if WCU is beset by injuries at certain positions.
“We are pretty solid right now, especially our (starting) group,” said defensive coordinator Mike Furlong. “We have a lot of veterans back, so things have been fairly smooth.
“We are trying to develop some depth in the second group, shuffling some in and out, and trying to get a look at some of the freshmen guys, to see if they might be able to help us this season.”