The Wingate University football team enters the 2009 season with high hopes. Ten 2008
starters return on defense, giving the Bulldogs one of the most experienced units in the Southeast Region. Running back
Nelson Woods also returns, as his resume includes back-to-back 1000-yard seasons and numerous SAC honors.
Woods rushed a league-leading 248 times for 1238 yards in 2008. He scored nine touchdowns.
Vince Jordan returns after a solid first season with the Bulldogs. Jordan will spell Woods at tailback. Jordan is one of the top special team performers on the Wingate roster. When the Bulldogs utilize a fullback,
Ed Trussell can step in; he may also see time at tight end.
Bulldog head coach
Joe Reich feels offensive tackle
Ben Benshoof is one of the top performers in the South Atlantic Conference.
Mike Arndt (tackle) and
Andrew Garner (center) are also returning starters, giving the Bulldogs an experienced core. Benshoof was an All-SAC performer last year. Wingate will miss long-time O-Line starters
Cam LeGrand (three-time Academic All-District III honoree) and
Shelton Nelson, so Reich will look for players to step up to fill important roles.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback
Cody Haffly will have big shoes to fill, as he has the edge to replace senior signal-caller
JD Moore. Haffly completed 10-of-11 passes for two touchdowns in a limited role last season. Reich believes Haffly knows the system and is ready to make the next move.
James Hall will see time at quarterback as well. Offensive coordinator
Mike Long orchestrated the top passing offense in the league last season, so expectations are high.
Haffly will not lack for quality targets, as three of Wingate’s top five receivers return for the 2009 campaign.
ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® candidate
Ryan Webber is one of the top returning tight ends in the nation. In 2008, Webber caught 26 passes for 408 yards and six touchdowns. Reich looks for wide receivers
Delric Ellington,
Philip Thomas,
Antonio Cotton and
Marquise Allen to have break-out seasons in 2009.
Ellington is Wingate’s top returning pass catcher, as he snagged 36 receptions for 440 yards and four touchdowns during the 2008 season. Thomas
(18 catches in 2008) and Cotton (seven catches in 2008) will look to play expanded roles in Wingate’s wide-open offense.
Perry Floyd was one of Wingate’s top performers in the spring; Floyd hopes to make an impact on the Bulldog receiving corps in 2009.
Sean Jones and
Ivan Raymond should contribute as well.
Reich believes Wingate’s defense has the potential to be one of the top units in the Southeast. Five defensive ends return with significant experience. Two transfers will battle for time as well. The veterans include
Jon Garcia,
Mico Drew,
Hamilton Bradley,
Jon McKinney and
Matt LeMond. Garcia recorded three sacks in 2008, tops among Wingate’s returning defensive ends.
At defensive tackle,
Cody Cole and
Josh Yon enter fall practice as the starters.
Joseph Pignataro,
Josh Patch,
Tripp Smith and
Lamont Floyd return with much experience, giving Reich many options in the interior line. Defensive coordinator
Bobby James can move a defensive end to an interior position, if needed. Reich feels a key for the Bulldogs is finding the right combination on the defensive line.
Linebacker is a strong suit for the Bulldogs. 2008 team MVP
Greg Harmon is back, leading a talented crew. Harmon had 96 tackles and eight tackles for losses in 2008. Teammate
Ben Hinson led the SAC with 105 tackles last season.
Aaron Plyler returns after missing 2008 with an injury.
Clayton Hazeltine was one of the top stories in the SAC last season. He spent the first few days of Wingate’s fall practice as a true freshman safety. The Bulldog coaching staff moved him to linebacker and he developed into a starter for the team.
Richie Kazazian,
Ed Doughty and
Shane Outen bring much experience to the linebacker corps as well. Doughty could see time at safety for the Bulldogs.
Wingate was the number two passing defense in the SAC last season. If the Bulldogs reach these lofty heights again, All-SAC safety
Tylan Merkerson will be a huge factor. Merkerson posted a team-best four interceptions in 2008.
Travis Baker,
Robert Fletcher and
Derrick Jackson will battle for the other starting safety spot.
Three individuals with starting experience return at cornerback:
Brandon Lawson,
Luis Alvarez and
Terrence Stephens. In 2008, Stephens was sixth on the Bulldog charts with 48 tackles. He recorded a team-high 10 pass break-ups.
Lawson and Alvarez will provide senior leadership in the secondary.
Tyrone Scott,
Justin Squirewell and
Nelson Hicks will look to make a statement at cornerback before the 2009 season concludes.
Special teams are a big part of Wingate’s schemes. Long snapper
Kyle Davis is one of the best in the Southeast.
Jake Hardy and
RP Lopez will battle for place-kicking duties. Transfer place-kicker
Andrew Crutchfield will also play a role in Wingate’s future plans. Hardy is also in the mix at punter with
Phillip Hilliard.
The Bulldogs open the 2009 season with first-time opponent West Georgia on August 29. Game time at Wingate’s Irwin Belk Stadium and John R. Martin Field is slated for 1:30 p.m.
