West Chester Tabbed Favorite in PSAC Football Eastern Division
2018 PSAC Football Preseason Notes
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- The West Chester Golden Rams have been tabbed the favorite to win the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Football Eastern Division following the preseason poll as selected by the league’s head coaches, the league office announced Friday.
WCU claimed six of the possible seven first-place votes after appearing in the PSAC Championship Game last season before advancing to the NCAA DII Football Playoffs. The Golden Rams return 16 starters from their 9-4 2017 campaign, including PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year, Tyler Morrissey. Overall, coach Bill Zwaan returns six all-conference performers.
The Golden Rams ranked in the top 10 in the PSAC in major offensive and defensive statistical categories last season.
Shippensburg grabbed the No. 2 slot in the poll following a 10-2 campaign. The Red Raiders made their sixth playoff appearance after producing the top defense (13.0 PPG) in the league. SU stymied offenses by allowing only 91 rushing yards and 177.8 passing yards per contest. Coach Mark “Mac” Maciejewski returns Freshman of the Year Winston Eubanks to an offense that averaged 452.8 yards per game.
The Kutztown Golden Bears swiped third while claiming a first-place vote. Coach Jim Clements is six wins shy of 100 for his career. KU returns 17 starters, including eight on the defensive side. The Golden Bears paced the PSAC in rush defense after allowing only 86.7 yards per game. KU’s offense impressed after finishing third in scoring (37.5) and will return star running back Craig Reynolds.
Bloomsburg was tabbed fourth in the poll and enters 2018 with an impressive streak of 19 consecutive seasons with a winning record. The Huskies return six starters on the defensive side and will look to impress once again after allowing 22.4 points per game last year; which was fourth best in the PSAC.
East Stroudsburg earned the fifth spot while coach Denny Douds enters his 45th season at the helm. Douds ranks 16th in NCAA history in career wins and seventh in games coached (462). ESU returns 15 starters, including senior tailback Jaymar Anderson. The first-team all-conference representative rushed for 1,046 yards and seven touchdowns.
Millersville was picked sixth and returns seven athletes on defense. The Marauders finished second in the PSAC in pass defense (178.1) while the team will be under the direction of first-year head coach J.C. Morgan. On special teams, MU will rely on the leg of sophomore Joey Farley. Farley went a flawless 34-for-34 on PAT’s while hitting five consecutive field goals to end the 2017 season.
Lock Haven rounded out the poll after being slated seventh. The Bald Eagles churned out 198.4 yards per contest on the ground, which was the fourth-best rushing offense in the PSAC. Coach Dave Taynor enters his fourth season at the helm and will return eight starters, including quarterback Kyle Knight.
WCU, ESU and MU open their respective seasons on Thursday, August 30 while the remaining four teams being play on Saturday, September 1.
East (# of 1st place votes)
- West Chester (6)
- Shippensburg
- Kutztown (1)
- Bloomsburg
- East Stroudsburg
- Millersville
- Lock Haven