FOOTBALL

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - With a host of talented veterans returning mixed with a group of promising freshmen, the Norwich football team is poised for a "breakout" season in 2007. Head coach Shawn McIntyre, who is entering his third season at the reins of the Cadets' program, is optimistic about his team's outlook as fall camp opens. With just nine seniors on this year's roster, McIntyre will rely on team captains Joe Brown, Justin Collens, Darnell Jackson and Brendan Recchia to help bring along the young, but capable squad.

McIntyre and his coaching staff have a stern test ahead of them this fall as they are revamping both the offense and defense. In an effort to better compete in the increasingly tough Empire 8 conference, Norwich will employ a no-huddle spread offense in 2007. The spread plays to the strength of the team's returning quarterbacks and also enables the team to utilize one of the squad's biggest strengths: speed and athleticism.

"The kids that we have are very well-suited to running the spread offense," says McIntyre. "With the wide receivers that we have on our roster, and the athletes that we have at running back, we think that we'll be able to put more athletic players out on the field."

On the defensive side of the ball, the Cadets are transitioning from a 4-4 base defense to the 3-4 to better defend the pass. McIntyre is confident that his players will adapt well to the changes on both sides of the ball, and believes that they will be thriving by opening day.

"The players adapted to the change in defense very, very well during the spring," says McIntyre. "The newcomers are going to have to step up and play very well for us if we are to be successful running it."

OFFENSE

When Norwich said goodbye to last year's starting quarterback Marcus Adames following graduation this past May, the position was left wide open. McIntyre and offensive coordinator Brian Divelbliss will be tasked with finding a new signal caller to lead the Cadets' offense in 2007. Junior Andy Holz is the only returning quarterback with any varsity experience, having guided almost 20 series during his first two years.

While Holz may have the experience, he does not have the job-at least not yet. McIntyre will open the position up, and the competition should be fierce. Sophomores Tim O'Connor and Chris Gilding will vie for the position, as will freshmen Zach Angelos, Jordan Earl and Guerschom Jean-Gilles.

"The quarterback position will be fun to watch down at practice and as we move through our preseason scrimmages," says McIntyre. "That's a position that is going to be very interesting and wide open throughout camp."

In stark contrast to the quarterback position, Norwich seems to be set at running back for each of the next two seasons in junior speedster Darnell Jackson. A supremely-gifted runner with blazing speed and elusive quickness, Jackson looks to build on a solid sophomore season with an even better junior campaign.

The coaching staff is looking for a big year out of sophomore Kyle Marzeoti, who will serve as the primary reserve behind Jackson for a second straight year, while a host of freshmen will come in and fight for playing time as well.

E.J. Flannigan and Nate Stroffoleno, who received significant playing time last season, figure to be the playmakers at the wide receiver position as both athletes possess all of the skills necessary to become difference makers on the outside. George Whigham headlines a group of talented freshman that are capable of stepping in right away.

Tight end Justin Collens returns this season after suffering an injury last fall and will be penciled in as the starter at that position. In addition to serving as a valuable pass-blocker and pass-catcher, Collens will be counted on to provide leadership as one of the team's captains.

Joe Brown, a three-year starter and another one of the squad's captains, will anchor the offensive line at right tackle. Three-year starter Nick Ditcheos and Henry Ohrenberger return along the front wall as well. A promising group of freshmen, led by Don Hanni and Chris Marden, will vie for the remaining two starting spots, giving McIntyre a good mix of players with experience and guys that can come right in and help out.

DEFENSE

Breaking the mold and transitioning away from the 4-4 defense for the first time in 30 years, Norwich will employ a 3-4 base defense in 2007.

"We feel that we have better personnel for that system right now," says McIntyre. "We think that we'll be able to defend the pass better out of that base."

Senior defensive back Brendan Recchia, a three-year starter and one of the top athletes at Norwich, will lead the secondary as one of the squad's captains. The former shortstop on the Cadets' baseball team has developed into the top cornerback in the program. Joining Recchia in the defensive backfield are Matt Provuncher and Dan Wilde, who both received ample playing time a year ago. Donovan Brown, who transferred from Idaho State joins the mix this season, as do incoming freshmen Noah Pressley and George Rizo.

Although Norwich lost all of its starting linebackers from 2006, McIntyre feels that the linebacking corps can be strong with veterans Jim Kiritsy and David Petruzzi assuming larger roles this year.

The Cadets figure to be strong along the defensive line with Brendan Bosse, Richard Cumby and David Kelley returning to the team.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Coach McIntyre puts a lot of emphasis on special teams, and this year's unit should be strong. Sophomore Chris Seifert, who possesses a strong leg, will handle placekicking duties for the Cadets this season. Freshman Derek McGill, who averaged over 40 yards per punt in high school, will be the favorite to win punting duties.

Speed merchant Darnell Jackson is the team's primary kickoff return specialist, but Dan Wilde and George Whigham can handle kicks as well.

"With the NCAA pulling the kickoff back to the 30-yard line, we feel that our kickoff return game will be a big weapon for us," says McIntyre. "Darnell (Jackson) returned three kickoffs for touchdowns last year, and had another three or four that he took over the 50-yard line. Anytime the ball is in his hands on a kickoff return, there is a real chance that he's going to score."

The sure-handed Brendan Recchia will be the team's main punt returner, with Nate Stroffoleno and Dan Wilde serving as chief reserves in the punt return game.

"We spend a lot of time on special teams," says McIntyre. "We maximize that area. Non-offensive TDs are very important to us; we put a lot of emphasis on it."

SCHEDULE

Norwich begins its 2007 schedule with four non-league games, opening the season at Mt. Ida on Sept. 1. Following the season-opening road trip, the Cadets return to Northfield on Sept. 8 for its home debut against St. Lawrence at Sabine Field on Alumni weekend. Norwich travels to Husson on Sept. 15 before concluding the non-league portion of its schedule at home against SUNY Maritime on Sept. 22.

Conference play kicks off with a home date opposite Alfred on Sept. 29. Back-to-back road tilts versus Division III powers Ithaca (Oct. 6) and St. John Fisher (Oct. 13) follow, prior to the team's open date. After hosting Hartwick on Oct. 27, Norwich closes out its home slate on Nov. 3 versus Utica. The Cadets wrap up their 2007 regular season the following week when they travel down I-91 to battle Springfield College.

Coach McIntyre enters this season with the same goals that he lays out for his squad every season.

"My goals for the program are always pretty simple," says McIntyre. "We're going to have a tough preseason camp, we want to win our first game, we want to win the league and go onto the NCAA Tournament and we want to win the national championship. In addition to our on-field objectives, high academic performance in the classroom is always another key for our program."