Spokane, Wash. -- Whitworth University has accomplished much over the last two seasons of football, and the Pirates can add another significant achievement to that list in 2008. Whitworth has a chance to win a third straight conference championship in football for only the second time in school history, and for the first time since winning three straight from 1953-55.

“Our goal is always to be in a position to play for the conference championship and get into the NCAA playoffs,” said Whitworth head coach John Tully, who is 69-55 heading into his 14th year leading the program. “The fact that we’ve won two in a row demonstrates that we can accomplish that goal.”

The Pirates are coming off of an 8-2 season and a second straight Northwest Conference title. Whitworth returns seven starters, including 2007 NWC Offensive Player of the Year Adam Anderson (Jr., RB, Elk, Wash. – Univ. of Idaho/Riverside HS), on the offensive side of the ball. However on defense the Pirates will have to replace nine starters from a unit that led all of NCAA Division III in turnover margin last fall.

Tully, who has won the last two NWC Coach of the Year awards, is not deterred by the challenge.

“Our new starters will have been in the system for at least a year,” he said. “They just need an opportunity to play and gain game experience.”

If Whitworth is to make another run at a football championship, the Pirates will use the consistency and work ethic that the recent generations of players and coaches have established within the program.

“Our effort will never be questioned,” said Tully. “Our players expect to be good and the level of commitment to the program and work ethic improves every year.”

Offense:
The Pirates return seven starters on the offensive side of the ball and it will be no secret to any of Whitworth’s opponents that the emphasis will be run-first in 2008. After all, in addition to Anderson’s return this year, the Bucs have four starters back on the offensive line along with Kory Kemp (Sr., QB, Redmond, Wash. – Eastlake), an outstanding running quarterback.

Anderson ran for 958 yards (5.6 yards per carry) in 2007 and scored 11 rushing touchdowns to earn his conference awards. He did that while splitting time with Chris Ahsing, who was also a First Team All-NWC running back selection, but has since graduated.

Sharing running duties with Anderson in 2008 will likely be Milton Nelson (Jr., Spokane, Wash. – EWU / Lewis & Clark HS), who ran for 307 yards and four scores in a reserve role last season. Keith Parker (So., RB, Cheney, Wash. – Cheney) could force some playing time as well with his raw size and speed.

Unlike this time last year, Whitworth goes into the season with no questions at quarterback. Kemp won the role last season after a tough battle with three other players. He proceeded to complete 55% of his passes for 1,246 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions. He also ran for 260 yards and three touchdowns.

Mike Peck (Jr., Longview, Wash. – West Hills [Calif.] JC / R.A. Long HS) will provide back up to Kemp as the only other returning QB in the program.

It is at receiver that the Pirates need to fill in the blanks left by graduation. Gone are two of the three starting wide outs, along with the tight end.

Andy Largent (Jr., Spokane, Wash. – Washington State / Shadle Park HS) is the only returning starter at wide receiver. In his first year as a Pirate Largent caught 12 passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns. Steve Stockton (Sr., Spokane, Wash. – Ferris) has two solid years of playing experience and could move into one of the starting roles. Others who could battle for playing time at receiver include: Kuli’a Aiona (So., Kapolei, Hawaii – St. Louis), Brian Brady (So., Issaquah, Wash.- Issaquah), Eric Entel (Jr., Clarkston, Wash. – Clarkston), and Chad Flett (Sr., Spokane, Wash. – Mead).

Both Joey VanHoomissen (Sr., TE, Renton, Wash. – Kentridge) and Justin Wimberly (So., TE, Tumwater, Wash. – Tumwater) are experienced enough to move into the starting role at tight end. VanHoomissen caught two touchdowns last season, while Wimberly caught one. Jimmy Hill (Sr., TE, Renton, Wash. – Delta [Calif.] Coll. / Hazen HS) could also push for time on the field.

Whitworth will be as big and strong on the offensive line as the Pirates have ever been. Only at center will there be a significant change in the lineup.

Dan Sanders (Sr., Valleyford, Wash. – Freeman), a two year starter at quick tackle, is the veteran (and the smallest – 6’-3”, 250) of the group. His counterpart at strong tackle will be Jeff Kintner (Jr., Wenatchee, Wash. – Wenatchee), who was listed as 6’-4” and 275 last fall. Michael Cozad (Jr., Bellingham, Wash. – Sehome) returns to start alongside Kintner at strong guard and was listed last fall as 6’-3” and 275. Michael Nahl (Jr., West Seattle, Wash. – Univ. of Washington / West Seattle HS) worked his way into the lineup by midseason in 2007 after he transferred to Whitworth in the summer. Nahl is the biggest of the group at 6’-3” and 325 pounds.

Emilio Sulpizio (RS Fr., Spokane, Wash. – Mead) and Jimmy Mares (Sr., OL, Concord, Calif. - Los Medanos JC / Clayton Valley HS) are the front runners for taking over the starting spot at center.

Michael Berger (So., OL, Redding, Calif. – Foothill), Mundo Corrales (So., OL, Oak Harbor, Wash. – Oak Harbor) and Adrian Grissom (Sr., OL, Mead, Wash. – Mt. Spokane) could all battle for playing time along the offensive line as well.

Defense:
It is on the defensive side of the ball where the Pirates were hit hardest by graduation. Whitworth lost nine starters, all of whom earned either First or Second Team All-Northwest Conference honors, from a squad that led the nation in takeaways (35) and turnover ratio (+26) last season. All of the linebackers and defensive backfield have moved on.

Along the defensive front the Pirates do have some key experience returning. Brandon Martin (So., DL, Sweet Home, Ore. – Sweet Home) was a First Team All-NWC selection as a defensive tackle last season. He had 45 tackles, including 5.5 for loss. Martin’s partner on the inside of the four-man front, Gabe Shoemaker (So., DL, Shelton, Wash. – Shelton), also returns after registering 19 tackles a year ago. Andrew Hamstra (So., Denver, Colo. – Denver Christian) and Travis Niles (So., Spokane, Wash. – Mt. Spokane) have been in the program a year and should contribute on the defensive interior.

Jermane Easterlin (Sr., DE, Tacoma, Wash. – Bellarmine Prep) has been the top reserve at defensive end the last two seasons and should move into a starting role. Three others should battle for the other starting spot at defensive end: Jeff Erlenmeyer (So., Moses Lake, Wash. – Moses Lake), Taylor McMahan (So., Deer Park, Wash. – Riverside) and Jon Millard (So., Nine Mile Falls, Wash. – Lakeside).

Whitworth will not be completely inexperienced at linebacker. According to the coaching staff, this group could develop into one of the most talented positions on the team.

Nate Hadley (Jr., LB, Mukilteo, Wash. – Kamiak) has the most experience and will challenge for the starting middle linebacker spot. Cameron Stroyan (Jr., LB, Chewelah, Wash. – Jenkins) will be a factor in the chase for one of the starting outside positions.

Four sophomores who made immediate impacts on the team last season will also battle for starting roles and playing time. Layton Brown (So., LB, Kennewick, Wash. – Kennewick) made himself part of the regular linebacker rotation last fall, recording 43 tackles. Dane Gilbertson (So., LB, Lake Stevens, Wash. – Lake Stevens) appeared in all ten games and finished with 14 stops. Alex Couette (So., LB, Yakima, Wash. – Eisenhower) and Paul Werhane (So., LB, Beaverton, Ore. – Southridge) did not see as much playing time in Whitworth’s deep and talented linebacking corps last year, but the coaches believe both will be factors this season.

The Pirates will have to replace all four starters in the defensive backfield. All positions are up for grabs and the competition for those spots will be fierce once practice starts in late August.

Four players look to battle for the two starting cornerback positions. McLane Stone (Sr., DB, Orcas Island, Wash. – Orcas Island) and Kyle Duncan (Sr., DB, Kennewick, Wash. – Kamiakin) are the most experienced players in the group, while Derek Stottlemeyer (So., DB, Bothell, Wash. – Bothell) saw plenty of playing time as a true freshman. Travis Thompson (So., DB, Tacoma, Wash. – Fife) is another sophomore who will battle for time on the field.

There are five players vying for the two safety positions. Jordan Marshall (Sr., DB, Spokane, Wash. – Mt. Spokane) has three years experience in the program, while Bobby Hughes (Sr., DB, Coll. of Siskiyous [Calif.] / Spanaway HS) played in all ten games as a transfer last fall. Robert Schaefer (So., DB, Bothell, Wash. – Bothell) made an immediate impact in his first year. Eric Hovdey (So., DB, McCall, Idaho – Donnelly) and Dan Reeves (So., DB, North Bend, Wash. – Mount Si) are two up-and-coming players who could play a role this season.

Special Teams:
Whitworth’s kicking game is in good hands. In addition to his duties as a receiver on the offense, Andy Largent made 6 of 10 field goals and 32 of 37 PATs last fall. He will continue the place kicking responsibilities this year. Defensive back Jordan Marshall has a very strong leg and will continue to kick off for the Bucs.

Zach Clow (So., Blanchard, Idaho – Priest River) did a great job punting the ball last season, averaging 34.2 yards per kick and not allowing a block. He will continue in those duties this fall.
Both the kick off return duties and punt return duties are up for grabs and will be decided upon sometime before the first game.

Outlook:
Whitworth is ranked second in the 2008 Northwest Conference coaches preseason poll. The Pirates picked up one first place vote and finished just behind Linfield. Despite the graduation of more than half of the starters from 2007, the coaches within the conference expect the Pirates to contend again this season. Pacific Lutheran and Willamette followed the Bucs in the poll. Menlo, Puget Sound, and Lewis & Clark rounded out the rest of the list.

Whitworth’s schedule is chocked full of NCAA West Region opponents. In addition to the traditionally tough Northwest Conference, the Pirates will take on La Verne to open the season at home on September 13th. Road games follow at Redlands and Chapman. All three non-conference opponents are NCAA Division III West Region participants.

The Pirates will open practice on Saturday, August 23rd.

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