Local talent sharpens the Lancers
August 31, 2009
By, Tom Flannagan, Correspondent
Worcester, MA -- The brightest financial minds in the country
could rack their brains for days trying to find someone who has
benefited from the economy’s downward turn.
It’s likely they’d never come up with a college
football coach as the answer.
Worcester State coach Brien Cullen, however,
attributes his team’s roster, one loaded with former local
high school stars, to simple economics.
“I think what’s really helped us out is the fact that
a lot of these good local players who may have in the past gone
away to a private D2 school or elsewhere out of state to play, are
sticking around because they’re getting their best bang for
the buck right here,” said Cullen, who will lead the Lancers
in his 27th season. “I think once we got a few kids to stay
home, that kind of snowballed and this group is dedicated to
turning things around here.”
The Lancers, who in their glory days of the not-so-distant past
relied on the pass and a quick-strike offense to overwhelm
opponents, have undergone a makeover.
Things will change this season. Cullen will turn to a deep
backfield full of Central Mass. alumni to pound out yardage and
wins.
Highlighted by Fitchburg High product and senior Will
Earley, the backfield also features junior Garret
Jones of Nashoba Regional and sophomore Marcus
Price of Doherty. Earley paced the Lancers with nine
touchdowns and 951 rushing yards a year ago.
“We have some good experience back there and all three backs
really bring their own strengths and different running
styles,” said Cullen, whose team finished 2-8 last season.
“Two years ago, Garret was our top back and last year it was
Will, so we know what they can do and Marcus is just as capable of
having big games for us.”
While a coaching staff and a group of running backs can talk all
summer about being a run-oriented team, it really isn’t up to
them.
“There’s no question as to which part of our team has
to have the most success in order for us to win, and that’s
the offensive line,” Cullen said. “We have a good,
solid group there and they take pride in being able to run the
ball.”
The offensive line has a nice blend of youth and experience, led
by seniors Sean Doolin and Doug Gallant. Sophomore
Adam Peloquin, a 260-pounder from David Prouty,
and 6-foot-3, 300-pound sophomore Raquale Burnett,
a South High product, figure to add size and depth up front.
That line also will be responsible for the protection of
quarterback Tony Tokarz, who starred for
Wachusett. Tokarz transferred to Worcester State from Mount Ida
this year.
Cullen is hoping his defense can improve from last year and feels
he has the pieces to make that happen.
Senior defensive end Steve Melville, a captain
and 2008 D3football.com All-Northeast selection, recorded eight
sacks last year.
Chances are if Melville can’t hurry, sack or knock down the
quarterback, one of his linebackers will. The Lancers have the
makings of a great linebacking corps, highlighted by junior Tyler
Russell, a Wachusett grad who led the team last year with 91
tackles. He’ll be joined by David Bugan and senior Matt
McLean.
Bugan, who was a virtually unstoppable running back at Shepherd
Hill, played the last few seasons for the semipro Worcester
Wildcats before enrolling at Worcester State as a freshman.
“Dave is an impressive kid,” Cullen said of the
230-pounder, who seeks contact on every play. “I know he
could play running back for us, but we just told him we needed a
linebacker and he was great about it. He went right to work with
the other linebackers and he looks like he might have a big year
for us.”
The Lancers open the season at 7 p.m. Friday when they host
Assumption.
“That’s all any of us are thinking about right
now,” Earley said of the first-ever meeting between the city
schools as varsity programs. “It definitely gives us
motivation as a team, knowing we’re going in as the D3
underdog. All summer long, we’ve been thinking about that
first game and getting our season started off the right way.”
•Coach: Brien Cullen (27th year,
135-99).
•League: New England Football Conference
(Bogan Division).
•2008 record: 2-8, 2-5 league.
•Top returnees: Sr. RB, Will Earley (197
carries, 912 yards, 9 TDs), Sr. WR, Dave Salvi (28 catches, 524
yards, 5 TDs), Sr. WR, Joe Dicalogero (19 catches, 221 yards, 1
TD), Sr. OL Sean Doolin, Jr. OL Doug Gallant, Sr. DE Steve Melville
(48 tackles, 18 for loss, 7-1/2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles), Jr. LB
Tyler Russell (91 Tackles, 55 solo, 8 for loss, 3 sacks), Jr. DB
Andrew Tokarz (42 tackles, 4 pass breakups, int.), Sr. DB Tom
Szalno (41 tackles, 4 pass breakups, int.), Jr. DB Paul Lewis (31
tackles, 6 pass breakups), Sr. PK Pat Skelton (3 of 6 FG, 26 of 26
PATs, 33.2 yards per punt).
•Key losses: QB Pat Good (5,197 yards, 41
TDs in career; third-most yards/TDs at WSC), LB Nick Gallant (45
tackles, 2.5 for loss), DB Matt Leeds (32.5 tackles for loss, 13
sacks in career), DL Chris Grautski (13 tackles for loss, 6-1/2
sacks in career).
•Notable newcomers: So. QB Tony Tokarz
(1,297 yards, 14 TDs, 16 ints.; 113 rushes, 447 yards, 5 TDs at
Mount Ida), Sr. WR Jake MacLeay, Fr. LB David Bougan.
On the Web:
2009 Worcester
State Football Schedule
From Friday - Millersville 31, Assumption 28