BEREA, OHIO -- The Baldwin-Wallace College football team has been picked to finish 23rd by D3football.com. The Yellow Jackets continue their national recognition having already been selected in the Top-20 by both the Lindy's College Football Annuals and the Street & Smith's College Football Preview magazine. (To view the entire D3football.com preseason poll, please click here)
The only Division III football poll voted on and published from preseason to championship, the D3football.com poll is generated by a panel of 25 coaches, Sports Information Directors and media members from across the country.
Entering the 2004 football season, B-W has high hopes again. A year ago, the Yellow Jackets had their first 10-win season since 1991, their first NCAA Division III Playoff berth since ’91 and won their first national playoff game since it won the Division III national title in 1978.
Back on defense are five outstanding players and a bevy of others who contributed to its success in 2003.
"We return a number of key defensive players who started as well as a number of others who saw time as part of our rotation on the line, at linebacker and in the secondary," said Head Coach John Snell, who has an 18-4 record and .818 winnning percentage at his alma mater. "We feel that we have the talent and ability to be solid on defense."
Leading the way on defense will be junior linebackers Justin Princehorn (Massillon/ Washington) and Joe George (Massillon/ Perry). A year ago, both players recorded more than 100 tackles and had outstanding seasons. In addition, a number of solid returnees on the line are back as is senior cornerback Justin Andes (Canal Fulton/ Canton Central Catholic).
"Justin and Joe return as two of the top defenders in the Ohio Athletic Conference, and we are confident that they can be leaders on our football team," said Snell. "Justin has the ability to be dominant and is an outstanding leader. Joe has great instincts and leads by example. Our players look to both Justin and Joe for leadership and solid play."
Offensively, B-W will need to replace a record-setting quarterback, its most prolific running back in school history and three key starters on its line. The strong point will be the return of four solid wide receivers, led by four-year starter Dave Ehrman (Strongsville), Nate Wilder (Youngstown Cardinal Mooney) and two other rotating tight ends.
"We lost some key personnel on offense," said Snell. "The key for us early will be to develop offensively while asking our defense to again play solid, strong football."
OAC rival Mount Union College earned top spot in the D3football.com preseason poll receiving 13 of 25 first-place votes while Capital University was selected 12th.
The Yellow Jackets open the 2004 season on Saturday, September 4 when they travel to Meadville, Pennsylvania to play Allegheny (Pa.) College.
FOR MORE B-W SPORTS INFORMATION, please contact Sports Information Director Kevin Ruple by telephone at (440) 826-2327, by FAX machine at (440) 826-2329 or via e-mail at kruple@bw.edu.
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