Local Small College Highlights
By Jeff Breese

Edinboro

The Fighting Scots enter the season ranked eighth in the nation in Division 2. Former University of Illinois head coach Lou Tepper has his work cut out for him with conference games at nationally ranked East Stroudsburg on Sept. 3 and at home two weeks later against No. 13 Shippensburg.

Tailback Andre Burke will run behind the same offensive line that helped him rush for 1,713 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2004. Starting quarterback Justin Bouch is also back. The defensive leaders will be free safety Tom Davidson, corner Chris Avery and linebacker Jim Soltis. The three combined for 19 of Edinboro's school record 30 interceptions last season.

Washington and Jefferson

Nationally ranked W&J returns 15 starters from last year's 12-1 squad. Keep an eye on Belle Vernon native Aaron Krepps, one of the top weapons in D-3. Krepps totaled 15 receiving touchdowns as part of his 70 receptions and 979 yards receiving. He also ran for 196 yards on just 20 rushing attempts, in addition to returning a punt for a touchdown and averaging nearly 20 yards per return. Starting quarterback Chris Edwards threw for 3,000 yards and 38 touchdowns a year ago. Running backs R.J. Zitzelberger and Ryan Mendel both return after being the team's number one and two rushers respectively. Despite losing lose three of their top five tacklers, the Presidents return seven starters on defense.

Elsewhere

California University of Pennsylvania's opener against Fairmont State will be broadcast live August 27 at 12:30 PM by FSN Pittsburgh... Robert Morris will play its first ever on-campus football game Sept. 17 against Butler in the new 7,000 seat Joe Walton Stadium. Walton recently signed a contract extension that keeps him with the program he built through 2009 Duquesne replaced ultra-successful head coach Greg Gattuso with Jerry Schmitt, previously at Westminster Jeff Hand takes over the reigns at Westminster after spending four years as head coach at PAC rival Waynesburg Rick Shepas replaced Hand at Waynesburg after spending seven seasons at Massillon High School in Ohio Seton Hill starts playing football this season under head coach Chris Snyder, who has the daunting chore of coaching a team made up almost entirely of freshmen.