2006 FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW
When Cris Welch took over the Graceland football program in 2002, he was at the bottom of the hill looking up. The Yellowjackets were coming off a 0-10 season and had a record of 16-34 over the previous five years. It was simply amazing then when GU went 5-5 followed by an 8-2 season in 2004, their first winning season in seven years. Graceland took it a step further in 2005 by going 9-3, winning its first Heart of America Conference Championship since 1975 and qualifying for the NAIA National Championships for the first time. Despite some tough losses to graduation, Coach Welch and the Yellowjackets look to 2006 as the year that they reach the top of the hill.
Graceland had the best offense in the conference last year averaging 430.3 yards a game while scoring 31.8 points a game which was second best. All successful offenses must have a field general and the Yellowjackets have a good one in Quarterback Clayton Braddock. Braddock, an All-American and HAAC Offensive MVP, completed 54% of his passes (196-363) for 2787 yards and 27 touchdowns. In just two seasons he has thrown for 5707 yards with 52 touchdowns and should break all the career passing records this season. The top target, Anthony Ferguson, has graduated after breaking all the single-season receiving records. He caught 73 passes for 1174 yards and 15 touchdowns. Geary Davenport was the second leading receiver with 35 catches for 385 yards and four touchdowns. Expecting to battle for playing time are Cedric Carmel, Aaron Luebe, Drew Melton and Anthony Perez.
The ground game should be punishing with 80% of the rushing yards returning. Julius Strong ran for 751 yards and four touchdowns in eight games last. He needs just 125 yards to become the all-time leading rusher in school history. Pedro Cunningham and Davenport both rushed for over 300 yards last season. Mike Stephens enters the 2006 season injury free and will be looking to see some action. Ryan Hefta earned All-HAAC honors for his blocking ability at fullback.
The key to success will be the offensive line. Last year, Graceland was second in the nation as they allowed just 9.5 sacks in 12 games. The Yellowjackets lost Bernard Green, Nathan Mabry, Louis O’Brien and Rufus Williams to graduation. The four starters all made All-HAAC and Williams was an All-American as well. James Blake is the lone returning starter and he and another returnee, Justin Nave are expected to provide the veteran leadership. William Cruz and Matt Sutton look to fight their way into a starting position.
Defensively, Graceland was second in total defense in the HAAC giving up 293.2 yards a game and were third in rushing defense with 111.3 yards a game. There are some questions left to be answered with the loss of seven starters. The defensive line lost two starters but they look to be fairly strong with a big group of players looking to step up. Randy Connor, Joey Elliott, Adam Lyons, Raphael Murphy and Michael Stuart will anchor the front line.
The linebackers were decimated by gradation with nary a starter returning. Nate Bennett and Robert Pentek are expected to step up and take charge. Bennett was second on the team with 93 tackles and 11 for a loss as well as having two sacks. Pentek had 36 tackles with four for a loss. The new personnel pushing for playing time are Chris Bell, Justin Blocker, Jason Gates, Cameron Godfrey, Isaac Martinez, Ryan Nicholas and Milton Thomas.
The defensive secondary returns all four starters making it the most experienced unit of defense for Graceland. All-American Roshe Hepburn had a strong season with 98 tackles, blocked 12 passes and picked off seven. Teon Black and James Thomas had three interceptions each and both had over 30 tackles. Michael Harmon had 36 tackles and blocked three passes while David Herrera had 27 tackles, blocked three passes and picked off one.
The special teams will be an area of intense focus with the loss of Danny Laguna. He was the third leading scorer with 42 points (five field goals and 27 extra points) and had the third best punting average in school history at 39.4. Layton Squire will handle the punting duties while Herrera will assume the place kicking duties fulltime. Jason Enright, Zach Stuart and Nick Summers will provide depth and stability to the unit.
