OFFENSE  |  DEFENSE |  SPECIAL TEAMS

WILKES-BARRE, PA (August 29, 2018) – The 2017 King's College football team leaned heavily on experienced play at many different positions on both sides of the ball. The Monarchs, led by the stand out connection of quarterback Zach Whitehead and wide receiver Tyler Marroni, were second in the conference in scoring offense with 29.6 points per game while also averaging 422.6 yards of offense per game.

The offensive unit, which averaged just 29:08 minutes of possession in 2017, was potent, effective and for the most part efficient. Whitehead finished his senior season second in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) in passing yards with 276.6, while his quarterback efficiency, while Marroni was third in receiving yards with 108.8 per contest. Marroni also added eight scores through the air, and Trey Campbell and Corey Flynn also combined for eight touchdown receptions of their own.

Move ahead a year and many of the experienced contributors on offense have departed. Whitehead. Gone. Marroni, Campbell, Flynn, Marquis Miller. All gone. But the good news for an offense that only returns three starters this year is that there are talented, hungry, young playmakers ready to step into big-time roles in 2018.

With so much youth on both sides of the ball, the task of getting inexperienced players the valuable experience they need will come early. The good news is that with another MAC school coming into the fold, the scheduling could have worked out well for the Monarchs in 2018.

With Alvernia College adding football this season, it opens the opportunity due to new scheduling for the Monarchs to play two non-conference games before conference action gets underway in the third contest of the season for Homecoming on September 22 at 1 p.m. against Stevenson University.

That should bode well for a team that currently has 29 sophomores and first-year players listed on the first two-deep depth chart of the season. It will give the team an opportunity to play the season opener at Moravian Saturday afternoon in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, followed by a bye week and a home game with Hartwick College September 15 before getting into the eight-game conference slate.

Following Homecoming, King's will be back out on the road at Lycoming College, before hosting Widener University Saturday, October 6. Back-to-back trips to Reading, Pennsylvania follow the home game with Widener, taking on Alvernia and Albright College. A two-game home stand for the Monarchs includes Senior Day Saturday, November 3 against Delaware Valley University.

The annual Mayor's Cup Game with rival Wilkes University will be held November 10 at noon at Wilkes in Schmidt Stadium. King's currently holds the previous rivalry trophy after last year's exciting 40-26 victory in McCarthy Stadium.

Here's a position-by-position look at the Monarchs heading into this season.

QUARTERBACK
The quarterback position is going to look different as described above, but with departure breeds competition and that's what the signal caller position has had going this fall for the Monarchs. King's path to success will rest in the arms of a pair of sophomores in Gabe Boccella and Tommy Klock.

Boccella played in four games for the Monarchs last season as a freshman and completed five of the seven throws that he made. Boccella has strong command of the offense and is a strong exterior runner, getting the throws out quick and efficiently. Joining him in the competition has been Klock, a transfer from Division II Millersville University. Klock is a bigger presence in the pocket and uses that frame well on inside runs.

Decision making and quick reads will be key to King's spread offense, and that will rely heavily on the pair of sophomores who have both done a great job in camp of showing leadership abilities. The coaching staff is also raving about freshman play caller Tyler Moore, who has a great arm and has a bright future ahead of him.

RECEIVERS
The Monarchs graduated their top four pass catchers from a season ago and the next two in terms of receptions were Jordan Downes and Titus Nelson, the team's primary running backs. The opportunity to step up and make plays on the edges will be there this season, and the person that can convert plays and help move the offense will get the lion's share of the reps.

So far through camp, sophomore Tim Constantino has provided a steady, sure-handed option on the edge for the quarterbacks. Constantino is very quick in and out of his breaks and has worked hard physically to earn a starting position after making just two catches in 2017 for 20 yards.

Opposite of Constantino right now is junior D'Andre Harvey, a flanker with great size at 6-2 and 195 points. Harvey is a speedy, long receiver that did not get a ton of chances last season due to the experience in front of him, but he did haul in two catches for 15 yards as a sophomore in five games.

Sophomore Joel Whitteker did not make a catch last season in his opening campaign as a Monarch but has come to preseason camp in great shape ready to make an impact. Junior Devin Ringler is another interesting name to keep an eye on, as the huge 6-5 target could be a serious weapon in the red zone for King's.

The Monarchs also employ a hybrid position that plays like a tight end, but also blocks on the inside and can catch the ball in the slot and out wide. Senior leader CJ Curry made three catches last season as a junior but has had a tremendous camp and will be a go-to player in many ways this year.

Sophomore Brandon Cohen out of Feasterville, Pennsylvania is another player the coaching staff has spoke highly of, as he has very dependable hands and is an effective blocker as well. Senior Travis Wenner will be used as a blocker and receiver as well, while also lining up in the backfield from time-to-time.

RUNNING BACKS
One of the most experienced spots on the team is in the backfield for the Monarchs, who return Downes and Nelson, each of whom will be depended on to lead the way this year. With such a young quarterback rotation, running the ball effectively will be key this season. The two-headed monster, which has been nicknamed by Downes as "Thunder and Lightning," will have the opportunity to put its stamp on most games offensively.

Downes, named First Team All-MAC last season, rushed for a team-best 678 yards last season, averaging nearly 4.9 yards a carry while scoring five times. That total included a monster 23 carry, 165-yard, 2 TD contest against Misericordia, along with a 16 carry, 101-yard contest against Albright. Downes has the ability to hit the edge and get to the second level, along with some shake to make defenders miss. Downes also caught 19 passes last year, averaging nearly 10 yards per reception.

Look for Nelson to get onto the field with Downes plenty in 2018, as he is also a capable blocker and pass catcher in his own right. The 5-11, 230-point bowling ball loves the contact, and rushed for 358 yards last season, busting a team-best 87-yard touchdown run in a 12 carry, 118-yard outburst against Misericordia last season. His explosiveness also was on hand with a 72-yard touchdown reception against Albright.

When those two are not on the field, freshman Quincy Clark will be the next in line to get carries. Clark has shown to be electric with the ball in his hand, having breakaway speed and great vision. Fellow freshman running back Brendan Mozeleski also had an incredible high school career at Old Forge High School and will look to get some carries in his first season with the Monarchs.

OFFENSIVE LINE
King's starting offensive line looks to be another of its more experienced groups this year, though there will be some newcomers looking to etch their name into a consistent and starting role. Six players played a decent amount on the line for the Monarchs last season, and that core will be very important on controlling the line of scrimmage for King's.

In the middle at center, senior Ben Bekanas was on the field for every offensive play for the Monarchs in 2017, and he looks to be the anchor and stalwart again making the calls. Left tackle Brennan Walsh has had a great offseason, has improved in all aspects and continues to provide a vocal leader on the line for KC.

A pair of converted defensive linemen also look to get starting nods this year right now, as sophomore Joe Damiano is slotted in as the starting right guard while junior Peter Swartz is slotted at the right tackle position. Both are tough, physical and bring the nasty mentality to the group. Brian Oleson, a 6-2, 330 junior, is returning from injury but is talented, athletic and ahead of schedule in his rehab right now.

Sophomore Joe Parker, who filled in for Oleson when he was injured last season, has had a year of experience now and looks to hold down the left guard position. The reserves right now on the offensive line are young, but eager and show promise. Look for sophomores Trevor Brown and Patrick Shire, along with freshman Michael Santiago and junior Samuel Alvarez to also get time on special teams or along the line.

DEFENSIVE LINE
The coaching staff and defensive line will rely heavily on the two returning players with experience, as senior Devrin Baynard and Izuchukwu Mozie are both back after playing in nine games last season. Baynard and Mozie are both big bodies with strong hands that get off the ball well, so each should be strong starters at the "A" and "T" positions along the line.

Senior Will Cameron has worked hard over summer to get himself in position to hold a position in the rotation on the defensive line, as has Dylan Leone, who is eager to get top reps at end this year. Sophomore Jake Fries, a converted linebacker, will play end for the Monarchs this season, trying to use his speed and quickness to get to opposing quarterbacks.

In the middle of the line, sophomore Antoine Felder has impressed in the preseason, showing a great motor and ability to clog the middle with his 5-11, 340-pound frame. Felder is slotted in right now as the starting nose tackle and should be very effective at occupying blockers, compressing the pocket and rushing lanes.

Freshman Gabe Fattizzi will play nose as well for King's, using more quickness and agility in the middle this season. Fellow newcomer Justin LeCadre has very good size and speed and is another name to watch out for this fall for the Monarchs along the line.

LINEBACKERS
Every defensive unit depends on working together on each level to get the job done, but the linebackers are the ones that are looking to make plays all over the field. Right now, with camp ending, it looks very likely that the Monarchs will start three sophomores at their two inside linebacker and one outside linebacker position.

Sophomore Mando Sallavanti has been a tremendous leader and is passionate about the program here at King's. His attitude and belief in what the defensive unit can be, and his vocal leadership in the middle this season will be a big part of how this talented group competes and performs. Sallavanti made 33 solo tackles, 18 assisted stops along with 4.5 tackles for loss in 2017, highlighted by an eight-tackle performance against Moravian last year.

Next to Sallavanti looks to be another sophomore in Yusef Wheeler, who has fantastic speed and instincts. Wheeler only played in three games last year as a newcomer but made two total stops and is looking to make a name for himself in this is second year on the squad. Fellow sophomore Cory Wilson is returns after battling injuries, and Zackary Kenard, Salvatore Mistretta and Danny Bentley will all strengthen the middle linebacking core.

On the outside, sophomore Charles McCall played in six games last year as a freshman and has had a strong camp. He will work on the outside with fellow sophomore Myles Shelton, as the two play more of a "rover" type spot as an extra linebacker-safety hybrid.

SECONDARY
The secondary group this year will benefit from being able to focus on one aspect and position, and the specialization of having the depth should help the entire group. Some of the returning letter winners in the defensive backfield played both safety and corner last year, but this year it looks more that the ability to work at just one spot should benefit both the unit and player.

Out wide at cornerback, junior Mikal Butler has had a strong camp and will be a strong coverage option for the Monarchs. Butler made one interception last year but played in all 10 games and made 28 total tackles. He will be counted on to be a lockdown-type corner this year.

Opposite of him will be a young but talented group of corners, as freshman Glenn Mandere is slated to open across from Butler at the other corner position. Mandere has strong ball skills and works well with his hands, as does fellow freshman Marcus Pacheco, who is currently working in the slot and out wide. Sophomore Elijah Demosthene is another new name that will be looking to make an impact at corner for the Monarchs after playing in four games last season.

Sophomore Jaret Horn is another player that has progressed into a leadership role this season. Horn will play closer to the line of scrimmage as your more typical strong safety type, using his physicality and work rate to make plays. Sophomore Tommy Gilmore is listed as the starting free safety heading into the season opener, and he will play a little farther back as an overhang spot and ball hawk deep.

Sophomore Robert Ellersick and junior Robbie Wachter will add depth at the safety positions in yet another young but talented group for King's.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Another intriguing battle that has been going on during the preseason camp has been that at kicker, as a pair of freshmen in Kenny Macko and Jack Barreras have been battling it out for the top spot. That position, which was made vacant with the departure of Mike Tumminello, will be just as important on kick-offs with hang time than on scoring plays.

During the scrimmages, both Macko and Barreras had strong moments with made PATs and field goals, and both look capable of handling the kicking load this fall. Constantino punted full time last year as a freshman and will try to handle both receiver and kicking duties this fall after averaging 33.5 yards per punt a season ago, downing 11 inside the 20.

Freshman Samuel Hoon will also get a chance to punt for King's this year, as he has a strong leg and his traditional punting along with the new-style "rugby" punt from Constantino will give the Monarchs plenty of options.

On kickoff returns, Downes will share duties with Horn this season, while Horn and Quincy Clark are poised to handle punt returns this season for the Monarchs.