Seton Hill Football

For those living in Western Pennsylvania, there is a distinct aroma in the air. It is the smell of college football and the start of the highly anticipated 2011 Griffin Football Season. Although the Griffins will be a relatively young team this year, they will still look to be a contender in the WVIAC championship race. The offense returns six starters from last season including quarterback DJ Lenehan and all conference tight end Zach Delo. SHU also returns the entire wide receiver corp. The Griffin defense will be looking to make strides under new defensive coordinator Pat Stewart. The defense will return eight starters from a year ago and will be led by 2 time captain and first team all conference selection at linebacker Nick McGahagan.

Helping the team to stay focused in its goals, are team captains senior tight ends Zach Delo (Ambridge, PA) and Chris Galadyk (Colonial, NJ), sophomore defensive lineman Yannick Cudjoe-Virgil (Baltimore, MD) and senior linebacker Nick McGahagan (Youngstown, OH). These four individuals serve as the foundation for the Griffin squad in which the team will look to throughout the 2010 campaign.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Griffins return six starters from a year ago with the majority of the returnees being skill position guys. Leading the way for the Griffin offense will be senior quarterback DJ Lenehan (Easton, PA). Lenehan owns many of the Seton Hill passing records and will be looking to lead the Griffin offense during his senior season. Lenehan will be pushed at the quarterback position by transfer from Cal (PA) Ryan Morris (Cincinnatti, OH). Freshman quarterbacks Geoff Bangley (Winter Haven, FL) and Nick Halfhill (Mt Pleasant, PA). Getting the bulk of the carries this year will be the duo of junior Daniel Butler (San Diego, CA) and sophomore David Miller (Greensburg, PA). Butler was second on the team in carries last season and scored two touchdowns. Miller was impressive in his freshman season and is looking to carry that momentum into a successful sophomore season.

The strength of this year’s offense could be the receiving corps where the Griffins top five return from last season and it is loaded with talent, speed, and big-play capability. Seniors Sean Randall (Baltimore, MD) and Jorge Valdovinos (Los Angeles, CA), junior Anthony Armstead (Baltimore, MD) and sophomores Tyler McIntosh (Columbus, OH) and Marquell Specks (San Diego, CA) give Lenehan and the Griffin quarterbacks a great group of receivers to throw to.

The tight end/H back position is quite deep for the Griffins this season. Returning starter and senior captain Zach Delo (Ambridge, PA) looks to have a huge season after coming off quite a productive junior campaign. Delo, whose size and speed present a challenge for safeties and linebackers alike, will definitely be a main target for Lenehan this year. Working with Delo will be fellow captain Chris Galadyk (Colonial, NJ), who is making the switch from the defensive side of the ball and redshirt junior Gar Chappelear (Grove City, OH). These three will see significant action this season and may find themselves in sets where they are on the field at the same time.

Leading the way up front for the Griffin offense will be the returning starters on the offensive line in juniors Nate Carman (Wellsville, OH) and Austin Recker (Whitehall, PA). These two will be looked upon to lead a young offensive line. Sean Monahan (Easton, PA) also returns on the offensive line and Kyle Holin (McKeesport, PA) and Mitch DeVall (Monroeville, PA) will both be making the switch to the offensive side of the ball this season to help on the offensive line.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Griffins return eight starters. With a few new faces and a new defensive coordinator, SHU looks to revamp its defense from a year ago. In many eyes, the strength of the unit lies in the linebacking corp. Last season’s defensive MVP Nick McGahagan (Youngstown, OH) looks to lead the defensive and continue to be productive from his outside linebacker position. McGahagan was third in Division II last season in tackles for loss. Surrounding McGahagan will be juniors Robert Jordan (Cleveland, OH), Calvin Mason (Haines City, FL) and Rodney McMath (Lake Whales, FL). Sophomore Chris Holston (Homestead, FL) will also provide some depth to an already strong unit.

The defensive line returns a strong group that saw significant playing time last season. Sophomores Michael Akers (Pittsburgh, PA) and Yannick Cudjoe-Virgil (Baltimore, MD) and senior Matt Cristiani (Sarasota, FL) all return and look to make a big impression in 2011. Sophomores Preston Lewis (Cleveland, OH) and Orlando Irby (Richmond, VA) will be looked upon to provide depth on the line along with former running back Patrone Wood (Concord, CA) who will be making the switch to the defensive side of the ball.

The secondary will be a unit that is interesting to watch in 2011. Although it struggled at times last season, the Griffins return a very talented group. Junior Jonathan Feagin (Lake Whales, FL) and sophomores Brandon Alexander (Baltimore, MD) and Jonathan Edwell (Pittsburgh, PA) all return at the corner position. At the safety position, senior Danilo Bautista (San Diego, CA) returns. He had two interceptions last season. Transfers Chris Martinez (Inglewood, CA), Terrance McCoy (Inglewood, CA) and Jason Russell (Los Angeles, CA) each will provide depth in the Griffin secondary.

Special teams are one third of the game and SHU will look for ways to change the complexion of games this season with their effort on special teams. The place-kicking position is up for grabs as senior incumbent Steve Padilla (San Diego, CA) is being pushed by red-shirt junior Josh Cavalier (Greensburg, PA). Sophomore punter Aaron Prescott (Uniontown, PA) has impressed the coaches during camp and has earned the position for the season opener. .

The team opens the season with a two game homestand against non conference foes. The home opener is on September 3rd when the Griffins battle PSAC foe Slippery Rock. Assumption College will visit Offutt Field the following week. WVIAC play opens up on September 17th when the Griffins travel to last year's NCAA Semifinalist Shepherd. Six more WVIAC contests follow including the homecoming contest with Fairmont State on October 22nd. A non conference matchup at home with Urbana on November 5th breaks the streak of conference games before the Griffins close out the regular season with a WVIAC matchup with Glenville State on November 12th.