2011 Kalamazoo College Football Season Preview

2011 Kalamazoo College Football Preview
With solid veterans on both sides of the ball, the 2011 Kalamazoo College football team will continue to challenge and compete as one of the top teams in the MIAA.

“We have some outstanding players on offense, defense, and on special teams,” said fourth-year head coach Jamie Zorbo. “The key for the 2011 season is consistency in all aspects of the game. I’m confident our offense will continue to produce, and my expectations are extremely high on defense.”

Offense
The Hornets have been known for their up-tempo style on offense in recent years, and the 2011 season should be just as exciting. Dimeko Price enters his junior year at running back and is one of the most explosive players in the league. Price earned second team All-MIAA honors at running back last year, but was also honored as first team All-MIAA return specialist.

“Price is a great all-around player and we will obviously try to get the ball in his hands as much as possible,” said Zorbo.

Price rushed for 943 yards with three touchdowns last season, but also was second on the team with 43 receptions for another 359 yards. He also averaged 21.3 yards per kick return and ranked second in the league in all-purpose yards.

Nick Jones returns for his senior season at quarterback after completing 55.9 percent of his passes and averaging 168.8 yards passing per game with six touchdowns last season.

Senior receivers Josh Paul and Jon Vigi are expected to step in and play a major role in the offensive effort. They are joined by Jimmy Frye, a junior who was second on the team with 622 receiving yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore last season.

Zorbo expects the offensive line to be improved with the experienced Erick Helfmann, Justin Peters, and Robert Relief up front. Helfmann was a second team All-MIAA selection last season.

Defense
Zorbo also expects the Hornets to be good up front defensively. Senior defensive end Adam Cares had 31 tackles, including seven for lost yardage last year, and is the strength of the line.

Seniors Mike Page and Andy Herman will lead at linebacker. Page was a second team All-MIAA selection last year after leading the Hornets with 79 tackles, including 11.5 for lost yardage and two sacks. Herman had 59 tackles, including 2.5 for lost yardage.

Adam Powers and Jake Schell are seniors who will lead the secondary. Powers was second on the team with 76 tackles last year and four fumble recoveries. Schell was third on the team with 65 tackles.

The Hornets should also be strong on special teams. In addition to having Price as one of the league’s top returners, the Hornets also have the league’s top kicker and punter. Travis Braun enters his junior year after earning All-MIAA first team honors as kicker last year. Braun was 27-for-27 on extra points last season while leading all of NCAA Division III with 15 field goals in 10 games (15-for-19). Andy Herman is the team’s punter in addition to his role at linebacker. Including non-conference games, Herman led all MIAA punters with a 38.3 yard average last season.

Schedule
Kalamazoo College’s Angell Field is currently undergoing a complete renovation which will include a synthetic turf playing service, state-of-the-art locker rooms, and a new press box inside the new stadium services building. During the construction period, Kalamazoo College will practice at Western Michigan University’s facilities and host five home games at Waldo Stadium.