EU-nified effort

By Lisa Byers

August 25, 2008 11:13 pm

— The start of a new football season is always an exciting time for Edinboro University head coach Scott Browning. This year, however, Browning appears to be a bit more excited than any other.
Why?
“I think this could be the best team we’ve had since I’ve been coach,” Browning said.
And Browning credits that to one of the biggest keys to success in athletics: team unity.
“We have a bunch of guys who in the last couple of years have played a lot of football for us and have gotten knocked around,” he said. “I think they’ve grown up and feel like now it’s their time and they know it’s going to take all of them together to make it happen.
“They are totally committed to one another as a team. We have the truest meaning of the word team and that means a lot.”
Of course, so does experience. And that is something else the Fighting Scots have plenty of. Edinboro, in fact, has 14 returning starters — eight on offense and six on defense. Four of those players were 2007 All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West selections, including PSAC West Offensive Player of the Year Trevor Harris.
Harris begins his third season as the Fighting Scots’ starting quarterback. And what a resumé he has already built. Just a junior, Harris already ranks third in career yards passing (5,815) and fourth in total offense (6,011 yards). Last year, Harris finished the season 292 of 426 for 3,268 yards and 30 touchdowns — all single-season records at EUP. His 292 completed passes also broke the PSAC record.
Harris has plenty of weapons back to have another outstanding season, including his top three receivers from a year ago in Rich Cerro, Ryan Rybicki and Jeremy Burr. All-American tight end Kyle Witucki has graduated, but he will be replaced by senior Denayne Dixon, who caught two touchdown passes in a limited role last season.
Add in a veteran offensive line, that includes Josh Bzorek, Rob Stoner, Eric Costello and Mike Fazio, and running back Houston Brown and the Scots’ offensive unit should again be stellar.
Defensively, is where the Scots will need to improve.
One of the top defensive teams not only in the PSAC but the nation in recent years, Edinboro struggled in 2007 finishing 12th in passing defense (256.4 yards per game), seventh in rushing defense (149.5) and eighth in total defense (381.4) in the PSAC.
Browning feels the right steps have been taken to turn that around in 2008.
“Our staff when the season was over went on and did a lot of research and we’ve changed some things defensively,” Browning said. “I just think it better suits the personnel we have. We have simplified things. What we’re going to ask of our players is going to be much easier on our players. They have a better understanding of what we want.”
Among those helping to make it all happen on defense will be defensive ends Mike Enoch and Jeremy Appell, tackle Chad Brooks, nose guard Adam Smith-Friedman, linebackers Y’hoshua Murray, Ryan Greene, Hardin Moss and Greg Sondag, safeties Dan Skelton and Ben Swank and cornerbacks Jesse Williams and Branden Williams.
“I’m excited about us on defense,” Browning said. “If we can avoid giving up the big play, I think we can really grow into being a strong unit.”
Freshman Merle Bouchat and Pittsburgh transfer Alex Romanias will take care of the kicking duties for the Scots.
Browning said sophomore wide receiver Josh Brown and true freshman Nate Boland, a fullback, could be key contributors.
“Nate Boland is a kid who has caught everyone’s eye,” Browning said. “We thought coming in he was going to be a guy that could contribute.
“He’s talented; has a lot of skill. But I think right now he is better than we thought. We’re real excited about him.”
Edinboro opens its season with three straight road games. The Scots’ first game is Saturday at West Liberty State.
Edinboro travels to Shippensburg on Sept. 6 and then to C.W. Post on Sept. 13 before hosting rival California (Pa.) on Sept. 20 at Sox Harrison Stadium.
All that time on the road could spell bad news for the Fighting Scots, who only plan to benefit from the added time together.
“I think it’s really going to be interesting,” Browning said. “We’re going to find out what kind of team we are.
“Hopefully being on the road together will allow us more time to grow together. If we can do that we’re going to be a good football team.”

Lisa Byers can be reached at 724-6370, ext. 277 or by e-mail at lbyers@meadvilletribune.com.