NCAA preview: Simon Fraser is “bigger and much more athletic than last year” says Johnson

With a large turnover in roster personnel and the returns of some key veterans and an energetic coaching staff, the Simon Fraser University Clan football team is aiming for the top seeds in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in 2011. However, their first win in conference play is needed first. The first opportunity for that win will come on September 3 when the team will take on Pacific University in Oregon.

Prior to the start of the 2010 season, head coach Dave Johnson brought in brand new personnel to fill the Offensive and Defensive Coordinator positions. Coming into 2011, Brent Barnes will return as Offensive Coordinator while Defensive Coordinator duties will fall onto the head coach. The rest of the coaching staff is largely the same plus the additions of a few graduate assistant coaches.
“We have a strong mixture of experience and youth on this team,” said Johnson. “Just competing is not our goal. If we can execute our plays and play at a higher level, we can win games. We are bigger and much more athletic than we were last year. ”

Quarterback:

After mixing around with three different quarterbacks in their NCAA debut season, the Clan will count on the services of just two, returning starter Greg Bowcott and new recruit, Trey Wheeler. Wheeler, a freshman out of Liberty High School in Seattle, is expected to start for Simon Fraser in their first game against Pacific University. Bowcott assumed the role as starting quarterback late last season after both Quinton Agosta and Ryan Schwartz were not able to get the job done.

Running Back:

The Clan will lean on not one, not two but five running backs this season. Gabe Ephard and Bo Palmer have garnered much attention in the past for their ability to drive the ball for consistent yardage. However, the likes of Cole Tudor, Steven Spagnuolo and Sean Snead are expected to get some action at some point in the season.

“We may lean on more of a running game this season,” added Johnson. “With five running backs, it may seem like that but I think we have the personnel to be as balanced as possible with our offensive game.”

Offensive Line:

Brad Erdos and Kris Gluppe lead a veteran group on the SFU offensive line for 2011. This is an offensive line that will need to provide strong protection for their young quarterback in Wheeler and the team`s growing running game.

Receivers:

SFU is blessed this season with a good mix of different types of receivers. On one hand, the team will have big junior Mathis Baumbach returning and on the other hand, Keyon Slowly, a 5`8 160lb freshman from Toronto. Rounding out the receiver core are BJ Bryant, Tore Corrado and Bobby Pospischil.

“We are excited to see what we can get out of our wide variety of receivers,” added Johnson. “There are guys of different body types and different skill sets and we will have to find ways to insert guys into different situations. ”

Defensive Line:

Justin Capicciotti and Dan Martin will return to the defensive line in 2011 for their senior years’. Despite originally being a linebacker, Andrew Marshall will play at defensive end this season. SFU may go to freshman Kristian Lawrence to fill out the defensive line but there is no doubt that there are more options for the Clan coaching staff.

“We brought in five new defensive tackles this offseason,” added Johnson. “They will each have to play and someone like Kristian
Lawrence is a guy with a steep learning curve who will have to use his big frame to his advantage. Justin Capicciotti has had a tremendous training camp and is playing at a high level right now.”

Linebackers:

Sophomore linebacker Casey Chin is expected to be one of SFU’s starting linebackers. Adam Berger, who converted from defensive back to linebacker will fill another spot while Cody Croasmun and Malcolm Allen will battle for the third and final linebacker spot.

Added Johnson: “We will be young and thin at linebacker this season but we are still fast and physical.”

Defensive Back:

Nigel Palma leads a crew of defensive backs that will be relied on when short or long passes are made by opposing offenses. Matt Isherwood has stepped in at free safety as a safeguard from deep passes.

“Nigel Palma has really stepped up into a leadership role,” said Johnson. “Any time you have a defensive back step up to be a leader like he has, it shows tremendous character.”

Kicker:

Freshman Ian Sternau will be relied upon for kicking duties while Pospischil, Slowly and Corrado will be counted on to improve the return game on special teams for Simon Fraser.

“Championships are choices each one of our guys makes every day,” said Johnson. “From what they are doing in the classroom, in the kitchen, in the weight room, on the field and off the field, they are deciding on whether they want to be a champion. This year, we have guys that do that every day and the big difference over last year is the level of quality character in our dressing room. We are having success in so many ways off the field and there are so many positives that we are putting ourselves in a good position to be successful very soon. ”