Panthers kick off season vs. Indy - Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

The Kentucky Wesleyan College football team expects to put more points on the board this season.

Keeping points off the board, however, is where the Panthers expect to make the biggest strides.

KWC opens its 2009 campaign when it visits Indianapolis at 6 p.m. today. Panthers head coach Brent Holsclaw expects it to be a good barometer for how far his defense has come during the preseason.

"Indianapolis is an off-tackle team," Holsclaw said. "We'll see how the kids have jelled."

KWC put a recruiting emphasis on the defensive side of the ball, particularly on adding size, and the strategy appears to have paid off.

"The defense will turn your head with some of the size they have," said Holsclaw, who begins his seventh season as head coach.

The Panthers (4-6) tried to find some junior college players to fill holes after giving up 216 yards a game on the ground last season. Opponents picked up nearly five yards every time they ran a rushing play.

"Defensively, it was no secret as to where we struggled," Holsclaw said. "We focused on improving our recruiting level defensively."

One of the Panthers' key additions is David James, a 5-foot-11, 221-pound linebacker who was an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision recruit.

"He's a beast," Holsclaw said.

James is listed as a starter at middle linebacker. There is also size and speed at outside linebacker with Ken Stoklosa (6-foot, 248) and Brian Oberley (6-foot, 223).

"We have a very good linebacker corps and a veteran secondary," Holsclaw said. "Our defensive ends were good junior college players."

KWC will start a mammoth freshman at defensive tackle in Robbie Piper. He is 6-3, 402 pounds out of Perry Central High School and was an All-State player in Indiana.

With eight starters coming back on each side of the ball, the Panthers have a chance to be competitive.

The primary offensive weapon continues to be quarterback Chris Owen, a junior from Evansville Central who returns for his third season as a starter. Owen threw for 1,818 yards last year, completing 188-of-281 passes for 66.8 percent. He has the longest touchdown pass in KWC history, 95 yards to Josh Smith last year against St. Joseph's.

"(Owen's) work in the weight room has improved dramatically," Holsclaw said. "The ball has been jumping off his arm."

Owen's primary target will likely be wide receiver Vince Lalonde, a 5-10 junior who was a versatile performer, catching 373 yards worth of passes.

"He's our franchise player," Holsclaw said. "He can catch, he can run, and he can even throw a little bit. Vince could start for anybody that we play, and that includes Murray."

KWC returns some ample parts of its rushing attack from last season.

Thomas Gordon is the top true running back, a returning sophomore who went for 372 yards on 58 carries. He was third in all-purpose yards with 679. The 5-9, 179-pounder was also one of the team's top kickoff returners, averaging 22.1 yards per attempt.

Junior college signee FuQuan Borum, a 6-2, 211-pounder, is hard runner who played two seasons at Erie Community College.

"Our rush offense is much improved," Holsclaw said. "We had 1,000 yards last season, and we'd like to double that this year."

One of the top area players for the Panthers is an anchor on the offensive line. Jay Fallin, a 6-2, 307-pound senior, is a three-year starter from Hancock County.

The offensive line is an area where the Panthers can ill afford to have injuries.

"We have seven or eight there who can play," Holsclaw said. "But where we have a lack of depth is along the offensive line."

As usual, the Panthers brought in a large freshman class, numbering 45 and including several area players.

Joey Kramer, a former Daviess County standout, is second on the depth chart at wide receiver.

Print Friendly Version