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| Mountaineers
sign fourteen players for next season |
Allie Woods
Sports Minor Beat |
The Appalachian State University football team secured 14 players,
including seven linemen and seven players from North Carolina on
signing day, Feb. 5.
“We are happy to get these guys,” head coach Jerry Moore
said. “They are the players we went after, but we don’t
really know until August when we get them in here and start working
them out.”
Mountaineer recruits have been primarily lineman to fill holes left
by graduating seniors.
On offense, the Mountaineers lose starters Jim Vasquez, Brady Washburn,
Thomas Herron, Joe Patrick and JasoLeMay.
Freshman Daniel Bettis will see a lot of action at tight end after
having a strong inaugural season in which he visited the end zone
three times.
A key addition to the offensive line could come from recent recruit
Jeff Butler. Butler, a 6-foot, 3-inch, 280-pounder was named the
Northwest Arkansas Lineman of the Year in his senior season.
“Hopefully they come in and learn the system quickly, and we’ll
get it done,” quarterback Richie Williams said. “The line
could be a little shaky, but will get better as they gain more confidence
and we begin to click and gel.”
The most notable loss on the defensive line is All-American Josh
Jeffries. To try to ease the blow, ASU added George Carr Jr., Charles
King and Marques Murrell from the high school ranks.
King tallied 113 tackles in his final season at Camden High School.
Murrell and Carr combined for over 35 sacks in their final two seasons
at the high school level.
Look for two red-shirt freshmen, Kyle Knox and Omar Byrom, to see
significant action in 2003.
“Omar and Kyle will be ready to play. They could have played
the second half of this season,” Moore said.
In addition to the linemen, the Mountaineers signed two running
backs, Alan Atwater and Wilner Marc. Atwater rushed for 1,925 yards
and 16 touchdowns in his final campaign at Southern Nash High School.
Marc rushed for 670 yards and eight touchdowns last season for Chaminade-Madonna
High School.
At defensive back, ASU loses three starters, Scott Cornatzer, Steve
Kitchens and Erik Crutchfield, but signed three players for next
season.
Gerald Kennedy made six interceptions for Dudley High School, as
well as blocked nine kicks and returned four punts for touchdowns
in 2002.
Corey Lynch gained over 3,000 yards in his career along with 31
interceptions as a defensive back.
Micah Sparkman, a three-year starter at North Brunswick High School,
led the team in picks the last two seasons.
“Offensive and defensive line was our main focus,” Moore
said. “We got a couple good cover corners and maybe a safety.
We also have some good returners and people to back up.”
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| Golan takes head coach
position at Evansville, assistant coach to USC |
Allie Woods
Sports Minor Beat |
After
leading the Appalachian State University men’s soccer team
to a 12-4-1 mark in 2002, head coach Dave Golan has decided to make
the next step in his coaching career.
Recently, Golan interviewed for and accepted the position of head
men’s soccer coach at the University of Evansville in Evansville,
Ind.
“We’re excited to have him here,” said Bill Boxell,
Evansville’s sports information director. “His first impression
has been really strong with community and the players.”
In his first season in Boone in 2001, the Mountaineers went 10-8,
finishing fourth in the Southern Conference.
The Mountaineers played to a 12-4-1 record in 2002, earning them
the second seed in the Southern Conference tournament where they
were defeated by the Virginia Military Institute Keydets.
“Dave was only here a short time but the program was better
for him being here,” Athletic Director Roachel Laney said.
“He came in and won; he also brought stability and left a good
team nucleus here.”
ASU looks to have another strong season in 2003 after losing only
three seniors and returning three all-SoCon performers.
Two key losses will be senior goalkeeper Greg Brooks to graduation
and freshman forward Steve Mellor, who will transfer to Duquesne
University.
“Next season could be totally different,” said freshman
forward Matt Breeding. “Whoever we get could help or hurt the
program, it depends on how well they connect with the players.”
At Evansville, Golan inherits the program from Fred Schmalz. Golan
will have big shoes to fill as Schmalz leaves as the third winningest
coach in Division I history.
During the Schmalz era, soccer success permeated through the campus
as they made 11 NCAA tournament appearances and two runs to the
final four.
“Dave has a good background and good vision on where he wants
to go and where he wants the program to go,” Boxell said.
Without a football program to compete with, and the support of the
community and university, look for Golan to have great success with
the Purple Aces.
Also departing from the ASU program is assistant coach Bryan Cunningham,
who will take over as the head assistant at the University of South
Carolina.
The interviewing process will begin this week and will be led by
Laney. |
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