When Lateef Ferguson speaks, his teammates listen. Not only did Ferguson finish last season as the PSAC Defensive Player of the Year, but he has also developed into one of the premier leaders on this team.
Now entering his senior season, he will be a captain.
“Lateef has been a leader since his sophomore year,” Head Coach Bill Zwaan said. “He hasn’t had to be the vocal guy because there have been other guys around him, but he’s been a leader as far as his play is concerned and when guys need a pick-up, he’s been there for them.”
Ferguson’s play on the field speaks for itself; a year ago he led all PSAC defenders with 114 tackles en route to being named the PSAC Defensive Player of The Year.
This is a team that has built its defense around strong, fast linebackers who fly to the ball and Ferguson typifies that strategy.
Last season, West Chester’s trio of linebackers were a force to be reckoned with; All-American Jimmy Lewis and former captain Chris Tagye flanked Ferguson.
Now, Lewis is in West Virginia and Tagye has become another set of eyes for one of the top coaching staffs in Division II football.
Ferguson will now be paired with potential impact players Sam Scott, Mike Dell and fellow captain Mike Mignogno.
The senior knows that he must now take his game to another level in 2007, especially if he and the Golden Rams intend on improving upon the disheartening end to their 2006 campaign.
Coach Zwaan is in the unique position to be returning 19 of 22 starters from team that advanced two rounds in the playoffs a year ago, and has expectations of taking the final three steps towards winning a national championship.
“After last season, I am very motivated,” Ferguson said. “Everyone knows how we ended our season last year. We worked hard all spring. We want to get better.”
In addition to Ferguson, Bill Zwaan Jr. and Mignogno were also named captains for the upcoming season.
Zwaan Jr. enters the season as the unquestioned steward of one of the top rated offenses in the PSAC from a season ago. The quarterback spent this spring improving his timing with receivers Cody Clark and Steve Miller in the absence of Mike Washington, who sat out spring practice with an injured foot. This was made evident in the first half of Thursday’s Purple and Gold game when Zwaan Jr. hit Clark who was wide open over the middle of the field on a dazzling 70-yard flea-flicker to the gold one yard line. Dean Millard scored on the very next play; such is the proficiency of this offense.
“After what I saw this spring, I think we should be one of the top offenses in the league,” Zwaan Jr. declared. “We have so many weapons that if somebody is out or hurt we can use somebody else [in their place].”
Just how high are the expectations within the locker room? Just ask Lateef Ferguson, “We can come out here and try to win the Division II Championship this year.”
Matt Lombardo hosts a weekly sports talk radio show on 91.7 WCUR, Saturday’s from noon-2 p.m. and simulcast worldwide at www.wcur.fm