Coming off three straight seasons of winning at least five
games, optimism is high for the 2008 Apprentice School football
team. Of the 78 players who opened camp, an equal amount are
returnees and newcomers.
This year's team will have a new look, starting at the top as
first-year head coach Michael Vite takes over for Phil Janaro who
moved into a management position with The Apprentice School.
Vite, who comes to the Builders after serving two years as
defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Guilford College,
has a solid background on the defensive side of the ball.
Over the last 14 years he has served as a defensive coordinator at
Morgan State University, Murray State University, Southern
University, Southern Illinois University and Bacone College.
A couple of key spots will need to be addressed on offense where
quarterback Kyle Franklin and wide receiver Travis Reid
graduated. Franklin did not throw an interception in 230
passes last season, while Reid rewrote the receiving record books
with a senior season capped by being named ACFC Offensive Player of
the Year. He became the first 1,000-yard receiver in the
nearly 90-year history of Apprentice School football.
The quarterback position will see junior Phil Caralla (left) take
over for Franklin. A native of Tarpon Springs, Fla., Caralla
saw plenty of action as the punter last season and will bring more
mobility than the pocket-passing Franklin.
At wide receiver, junior Markim Gordon returns as the leading
receiver after catching 18 passes for 163 yards. Others
looking to make a name in the receiving corps this year include
sophomores Bryan Cain, Xavier Townes and junior Teo Ellis along
with a trio of freshmen.
The offensive backfield will be a strong suit this year as
junior Sam Arnold will return after a sophomore season that saw him
erase a couple of long-standing Apprentice School records.
The Tampa, Fla. native became the first running back in the last 23
years to run for 200 yards in consecutive games. He
first did it in a win over SUNY Maritime running for 202
yards. The next week he carried the ball 43 times for 249
yards in a 45-14 victory over Southern Virginia, breaking school
records set in the 1985 season for carries and yards in a
game. Arnold finished with 878 yards on the season and five
touchdowns. Complimenting him this year will be sophomore Reggie
George and a trio of freshmen.
The offensive line will be another strong suit as four of the
five saw significant playing time in 2007. Seniors Mike York
and Chauncey Jones have seen action throughout their careers and
will lead an offensive line that helped the team average 140 yards
per game on the ground which was the highest total since
2000. Juniors Lamar Johnson and Jeff Leckrone along with
sophomore Kelvin Evans will provide needed experience to the unit.
"We have a good mix of talented veterans and youngsters at every
position who are growing together as a unit," said Vite. "Our
offensive line returns with experience at every position and a good
group behind them who will help them gel into a strong group for
us."
On defense, Vite will see a healthy, experienced core of
returnees headed by senior linebacker Jeremy Smith. The
Pelham, Ga. native topped the team in tackles last year with 67 and
was a second-team All-ACFC performer.
The defensive front line will have a good mix of power and
speed. In the middle will be senior Edgar McKinney (6-0/260)
and sophomore Andrew Balarbe (6-0/230). McKinney is a
fourth-year veteran who will shore up the right tackle spot.
Pushing him is sophomore James Lee who ended last year with 40
tackles. Balarbe has impressed the coaches with his work
ethic in spring ball and will lead the left tackle position.
Chasing him for playing time are two healthy linemen in junior
Vernon Eason (6-1/295) and sophomore Mike Kinder (6-6/340).
Smith will be the leader of the linebacker group this year after
his stellar performances in 2007. After him will be a few
youngsters who have impressed the coaching staff with their
readiness for college ball through spring practice: freshmen Jarvis
Middleton, Ramon Quinones, Hawaii native Mana Ohia and sophomore
Jeremy Drayton.
The defensive backfield will be the most experienced unit on
defense. Three of the four either started every game or saw
action in every game in 2007. Seniors Ronald Blount and
Robert Hannah will man a safety and a cornerback spot. Blount
had two interceptions last season and is moving to strong safety,
while Hannah had 39 tackles and one interception from his
cornerback spot. Junior Daniel Richmond (right) will man the
free safety position after a sophomore season with an interception,
pass deflection and 17 tackles. Sophomore David Stevenson is
being pushed by freshman Deondre James and sophomore Bobby Fairley
for playing time at the right cornerback position.
"The players are working very hard to get into the right mindset
to play the defense needed for us to accomplish our goals," Vite
said.
Special teams will see a slight change this season as Caralla will
just handle quarterback duties instead of punting. Junior
Matt Edelen (left) will handle both the placekicking and punting
duties. The Maryland native set a modern-era record last
season hitting 31-of-34 PAT's for a 91.4% conversion rate.
Freshman Chase Dornbusch will push Edelen for action at both spots.
"You got to have great special teams in order to compete for a
championship," said Vite. "All spots are working very hard
for playing time on special teams. We have good competition
going on for kicker, punter and long snapper."
The schedule this season will definitely challenge the Builders
out of the gate. Preseason top 25 NAIA powers Malone College and
UVA Wise are the first two games for the Builders followed by a
pair of first-time opponents in George Mason and Fairleigh
Dickinson-Madison. October will bring only one home game,
with ACFC opponent Salisbury University before a pair of road games
against Division II Lake Erie College and another ACFC opponent in
Wesley College. The final month will see another first-time
opponent in Webber International University from Florida at home
for Trades Day, followed by the final ACFC game of the season at
Frostburg State University. Southern Virginia University will
close out the season at home for the annual Oyster Bowl on November
15.
"We have a very competitive schedule ahead that will challenge
the players and coaches," said Vite. "We are looking forward
to the challenges that lie ahead."
