2016 North Atlantic Conference Preview

850 Ridge Avenue Suite 301 Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Office: (412) 321-8440 Fax: (412) 321-4088

Central Connecticut State University Bandits New Britain, CT 2015 Record: 2-6 Head Coach: Trey Tucker Assistants: Christian Echeverria Team Captain(s): Daniel Tincopa, Austin Guptel, Dave Donahue, Eric Rich Returning Starters: 13 Players to Watch: Dave Donahue, Dave Camille

Season Outlook Central Connecticut is looking to bounce back in 2016 after a disappointing 2-6 2015 season. A turnaround will be led by the “Daves” Dave Donahue and Dave Camille. The CCSU coaching staff is hoping an influx of new lineman will add up to some more victories this season

Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors Willimantic,Connecticut 2015 Record: 5-2 Head Coach: Glenn Doughty Team Captain(s): Michael Crowley, Kyle Maynard, Caleb Erikson, Ryan Jendraszek

Returning Starters: 10 Players to Watch: Kyle Maynard, Michael Crowley, Justin Schaffer

Season Outlook The Warriors are looking to build on a very good 2015 season and make their way to the top spot in the North Atlantic in 2016. There are a lot of uncertainties as they enter this fall but look for ECSU to lean on the strong armed QB Kyle Maynard, Maynard looks to be among the best QB’s in the NCFA this season. At his disposal are two very talented receivers in Michael Crowley and Justin Schaffer. Coach Doughty feels if the team can focus “not on what they did yesterday but on what they do next” they can be there at the end of the season for the NCFA playoff race

850 Ridge Avenue Suite 301 Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Office: (412) 321-8440 Fax: (412) 321-4088

University of Hartford Blackhawks West Hartford, Connecticut 2015 Record: N/A Head Coach: Martin Jones Assistants: Team Captain(s): Elijah Olivero Returning Starters: 6

Season Outlook Hartford is looking to rebuild after sitting out the 2015 season due to a lack of players. They are very much an unknown but are optimistic they can begin to build a foundation to build future success upon.

Sacred Heart University Pioneers Fairfield, Connecticut 2015 Record: 7-2 NCFA Playoff Qualifier / 2015 NAC Champions Head Coach: Greg Jones Assistants: Dennis Regan Pat Casey Geremy Grate Dan Polaski Rob Johnson Nick Bartoli Team Captain(s): Brian Moore Returning Starters: 12 Players to Watch: John Rock, Brian Moore, Will Kassar, Mateo Soto, Ryan Welby, Curtis Sutherland, Emir Drazhi, Ryan Murtha

Season Outlook Sacred Heart jumped into the NCFA in style last fall, winning the NAC title and being a qualifying for the first ever NCFA playoffs, narrowly falling to eventual NCFA Champs Middle Georgia State. Sacred Heart will have to replace a good number of seniors who provided the leadership needed to win that NAC championship, Coach Jones is confident that the returning players will step into that leadership void and some new additions both to the roster and the coaching staff can fill in the talent areas to repeat as conference champs. QB Will Kasser will return to lead the Pioneer offense while John Rock and Brian Moore will be the stalwarts of the Pioneer defense this fall. Look for Sacred Heart to once again be near the top of the NAC, circle the match up with Vermont as it is very likely the NAC champ will come from the winner of that matchup

850 Ridge Avenue Suite 301 Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Office: (412) 321-8440 Fax: (412) 321-4088

The University of Vermont Catamounts Burlington, Vermont 2015 Record: 4-3 Head Coach: Jeff Porter Assistants: Darren Haynes Doug DeMaio Jason Paul Team Captain(s): Jake Ermolovich, Blake Walker, Griffin Comerci Returning Starters: 9 Players to Watch: Eddie Hockenbury, Seth Gonya, Pat Shea, Sam Messenger, Griffin Comerci, Jake Ermolovich, Blake Walker, Patrick McGrath

Season Outlook Vermont was knocked off their NAC platform last year by NCFA newcomer Sacred Heart and enter 2016 very hungry to reclaim their throne at the head of the North Atlantic. For a lot of teams, a 4-3 2nd place conference finish would be a welcome season but for Coach Porter and the rest of the Catamounts that gets filed as a disappointing season. In order to rectify that issue Vermont will be looking to a strong returning crew that can lead the way. Offensively once again Sam Messenger will be anchoring the offensive line, don’t let his size fool you, he is among the best there is in the NCFA. Pat McGrath and Griffin Comerci lead the charge on defense and will both takes snaps on the offensive side of the ball as well. Being the only non Connecticut school in the NAC means Vermont doesn’t have a natural rivalry game which to them is a good thing as they can focus on each week as a game with their “biggest rival”. Look for Coach Jones to put Vermont in a position to once again sit atop the NAC this fall