With spring practice underway the Golden Ram football team announced its recruiting class for the 2008 campaign. Head Coach Bill Zwaan was charged with the task of rebuilding an offensive line that lost four starters to graduation a year ago.The 2008 recruiting class includes four offensive lineman, including Patrick Schell from Margate, NJ., who stands 6’4″ 320 pounds. This class will push the incumbent starters for reps during the summer months of practice.
“With the group of offensive linemen that we have graduated over the past two years, we feel that we have solidified that position for the future very well,” commented Zwaan. “This was also one of our best classes as far as skill players are concerned. We feel that we have some (players), who will possibly contribute right away.”
West Chester graduated receivers Cody Clark and Mike Brazill following the 2007 campaign, which leaves Mike Washington and Steve Miller as the top two receivers. Zwaan and company continued to reload at the flanker position, nabbing three receivers.
Defensively, West Chester picked up five defensive backs, two defensive linemen and one linebacker.
With linebackers Mike Dell, Sam Scott, Greg Smith and a host of young returning linebackers, Nick Hecht will have plenty of competition ahead of him on the depth chart.
West Chester went 9-3 in 2007, winning the PSAC East championship before falling to the Indiana University of PA Crimson Hawks in the opening around of the NCAA II playoffs 45-35 at Farrell Stadium. The Golden Rams open the 2008 campaign on August 28 at California.
The annual Purple vs. Gold spring game takes place April 18 at Farrell Stadium.
The entire recruiting class is listed at right.
Matt Lombardo is a third-year student majoring in communication studies with a minor in journalism. He can be reached at ML606516@wcupa.edu