2008 Football Preview

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."