Crusaders looking to bounce back

by dan burda (sports writer dan_b@newsitem.com)

Published: September 2, 2011

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SELINSGROVE - If it could go wrong for Susquehanna University last year, it seemingly did.

After winning the Liberty League title in 2009, the Crusaders had a rude welcome to the Centennial Conference with a 2-8 record.

While Susquehanna's play on the field obviously wasn't up to the task, several things off the field had a big impact.

But this year, all that is behind the Crusaders, and they're expecting the second year in the Centennial to yield better results.

"We're expecting big things, quite frankly," Susquehanna head coach Steve Briggs said. "Last year was full with every type of adversity from season-ending injuries to key guys with injuries to suspensions to losing coach Bob Pitello. We went through a lot, and I think whenever that happens you grow, and I think we have."

Looking over the roster, the Crusaders have 23 players who started at least one game for them last year. Add to that a whopping 60 freshmen and 17 sophomores, many of whom will see the field in some capacity, and they have the perfect mix of experience and youthful energy.

The offense will flow quite a bit through the steady hands of slot receiever Mike Ritter.

Last year, as a senior, Ritter caught 68 passes for 963 yards and eight touchdowns.

Because of injury, he had two separate starting quarterbacks last year.

Rich Palazzi and Matt Lottes are a pair of seniors that each saw time, but Palazzi has the early lead in camp after 57 percent of his passes last year for 1,682 yards and 15 touchdowns. If he can't stay healthy, Lottes will be waiting in the wings.

"Palazzi is coming off some crazy little injuries, but him coming back is a handful," Briggs said.

Running backs Greg Tellish and Connor McGrath are also back, as is tight end Matt Knouse.

"Offensively, the skill guys are back. The question is that we lost a good handful of offensive linemen," Briggs said.

Southern Columbia grad Cody Jones moves from guard to center for his senior season.

"He's doing a nice job, and he's a veteran up front," Briggs said and then noted that he has some big guys with solid size in the mix, but all lack experience.

Kramer Hovenstine, of Line Mountain, is third on the depth chart as a tight end.

"He's a big strong kid, with the tools," the veteran coach said, "and is very coachable."

Briggs considers the defense the team's strength, anchored by area juniors Ken Schetroma and Aaron Inch at defensive tackle and linebacker, respectively.

"Everyone on defense has played and started," he said. "It's a good group and a high-energy group."

Schetroma was fourth on the team with 56 tackles and a pair of sacks. He's started since a freshman.

Inch has a little muscle pull and hasn't practiced yet this preseason, but everyone knows what he can do.

"He makes us go on defense," Briggs said. And with 96 tackles to lead the team and two sacks, that's clear.

It all should add up to a much better year for the Crusaders.

"We've got the pieces, it's a matter of getting the confidence back after stubbing our toe a year ago," Briggs said. "We know what needs to be done, and how the adversity affects us will determine how well we do."

The Crusaders have bolstered an already tough conference schedule with a Week 1 meeting with Wilkes University. The two school have history from their time in the Middle Atlantic Conference and recruit a lot of the same players.

"It's a very competitive conference and we brought Wilkes in there this year, which I think is great because I'm close with Frank (Sheptock) and it's always been a traditional rivalry with us."

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