Parkland grad Siggins one key to ESU’s perfect start
Unbeaten Warriors travel Saturday to nemesis Kutztown
J.T. Siggins typifies the East Stroudsburg University football team through one month.
The Parkland High School graduate lacks the numbers to rank among the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference’s top five receivers. But he has shone when ESU quarterbacks have thrown his way, snagging 17 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns.
Plenty of Warriors have joined Siggins in playing well without amassing monster stats.
ESU’s focus on and execution of complementary football has led to success in the most important number: It has a 4-0 record heading into Saturday’s visit to PSAC East rival Kutztown (2-2).
“In the offseason we really pushed our three core values — work hard, compete and do it right,” Siggins said by phone after Tuesday’s practice. “We really took this personally.
“As a receiver, we really wanted to improve the receiver position because we couldn’t really throw the ball as much last year. As a team, we built together. Our chemistry is very good as well.”
ESU’s offensive balance stood out in the season’s first month.
The Warriors lead the PSAC in rushing yards (822) and yards per carry (5.3) and rank fourth in yards per pass (9.2) thanks to efficient play from three quarterbacks — Aaron Tobias, Charlie McKee and Sean McTaggart.
McTaggart, a redshirt sophomore, is slated to be the third different starting quarterback ESU has used this season. He threw for 241 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s comeback win at Lock Haven after replacing an injured
McKee.
McKee started the year as the backup to Tobias, who threw for 230 yards and four touchdowns in a season-opening win over Pace. Tobias hasn’t played since because of injury.
“I’ve never been around three guys that could play at this level really highly,” ESU coach Jimmy Terwilliger said. “The decision to name a starter was probably harder than it was playing all three.
“In our system, we can only go as far as the quarterback takes us so we recruit good players. We’ve had a great tradition of quarterbacks in our system. And they’ve done a tremendous job of leading us to the position where we’re at right now with this month of football.”
ESU will need to protect the football Saturday to continue its perfect start. Kutztown forced five turnovers last week in a 20-3 win over Shepherd, which went into the matchup ranked No. 13 in the American Football Coaches Association Division II poll.
Terwilliger also mentioned the need for explosive plays from his offense. Siggins delivered one last week with a 29-yard touchdown catch that capped a run of 21 unanswered points against Lock Haven.
“What separates him from the rest is his selfless approach to the game,” Terwilliger said of Siggins. “He moves in and out of his breaks as fast as anybody in our league. And when the ball’s in the air, he believes it’s his and goes and gets it.”
Going to Kutztown and earning a win would be a welcome change for ESU as Kutztown has won eight straight in the series. The Warriors’ last win was a 43-26 victory Oct. 26, 2013.
“We brought it up in the meeting [Tuesday],” Siggins said. “It’s been about 10 years since we beat them, so that’s definitely a factor going into this game.
“We’re really hungry, and we’re ready to get out there Saturday.”
Here’s a look at this week’s games.
EAST STROUDSBURG (4-0, 1-0 PSAC EAST) AT KUTZTOWN (2-2, 1-0)
When:12 p.m. Saturday. Taking note: ESU leads the PSAC in touchdowns (24) and scoring average (41.3 points per game). … Kutztown and ESU rank 1-2 in the conference in rushing defense, allowing 68.3 yards and 84.5 yards per game, respectively. … Kutztown senior defensive lineman Nigel Wilson has recorded at least a half-sack in each of the Golden Bears’ four games. He leads them in sacks (3 ½) and tackles for a loss (4 ½).
KEYSTONE COLLEGE (1-3) AT MORAVIAN (1-3)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday. Taking note: Moravian senior wide receiver Brad Bryan (Quakertown) caught six passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday’s 20-19 loss to SUNY Morrisville. He leads the Greyhounds in receiving yards (316) and yards per catch (18.6). … Keystone has lost its last three games after a 27-6 season-opening win against Gallaudet. … The game will be the first Landmark Conference contest for both teams. This is the first year the league has sponsored football.
MUHLENBERG (3-0) AT URSINUS (3-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday. Taking note: The Mules enter their Centennial Conference opener after having a bye last week. … Muhlenberg quarterback Joe Repetti leads the conference in passing yards (873), completion percentage (71.8) and touchdown passes (10). … Muhlenberg (40.0 points per game) and Ursinus (37.3) are the conference’s top two scoring teams. … Ursinus leads the conference with 188.3 rushing yards per game.