2008 Football Outlook

While Guilford’s football team has set numerous team and individual records in his first three seasons, head coach Kevin Kiesel would trade them for an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) title and the Quakers’ first NCAA Division III playoff berth. With 13 starters and 10 seniors among 55 returning letter winners from last year’s 6-4 club, Guilford is poised to make a run at its first league crown since 1997. With 33 students in their third or fourth college football season, the Quakers have one of their most experienced units in some time.

"When you have an experienced, older team, they understand the work and dedication it will take in order to accomplish their goal - a league championship" Kiesel said.

Guilford benefits from an experienced quarterback in redshirt-senior Josh Vogelbach (pictured), who has started three years in the Quakers' read offense. Kiesel suggests Vogelbach has seen nearly every variety of defensive scheme, yet continues to produce at a high level. Guilford’s high-octane offense has led NCAA Division III in passing yards per game in both of the past two seasons and could become the first school since Wheaton (Ill.) College in 1985 to lead the division three years in a row. Vogelbach is 2,702 yards and 45 touchdowns shy of becoming Division III’s career leader. The two-time First Team All-ODAC pick has thrown for 10,561 yards and 104 touchdowns in 30 games. He battled through a nagging injury last season to set 10 ODAC records and garner second team all-region honors from D3football.com.

While the 2007 D3football.com Second-Team All-South performer owns 17 school records, Kiesel suggests Vogelbach would trade them for a higher prize.

"Josh is a complete team player," Kiesel said. "Josh is only interested in winning football games, and his ultimate goal is a championship. Josh is the first person to give credit to his teammates for his accomplishments."

Redshirt-junior receiver Hagen Miller led Division III with an ODAC-record 10.3 receptions per game. An honorable mention All-ODAC pick in 2007, he joined receivers coach Chris Barnette '07 as the second Guilford student in three years to lead the nation in catches per game. Miller caught a school-record 103 passes for 976 yards and 11 scores in his first season as a starter. While the Quakers will miss Joe Joyner '08 and his 31 career touchdown catches, Guilford returns senior Kevin Vaughn (pictured) and junior Chad Kastor, who combined for 120 receptions and nine touchdowns in 2007. Redshirt-junior Pete Bobak, who plays both tight end and receiver, finds seams in the coverage and delivers timely receptions.

In addition to Joyner, graduation claimed lineman Brad Davis '08 and fullback Zach Bobak '07 from last year’s offensive starters. Two-time Second Team All-ODAC pick Blake Underwood centers this year's very experienced line, which returns seniors Andy Parker and Kendall Wallace, plus junior Martin Brown, all of whom started every game last year. Underwood, Parker and Wallace have started the past 20 games together. Underwood could also replace Davis at left tackle, in which case Parker would move to center. Junior Justin Davis also played regularly and will see the field often in 2008.

The veteran tandem of juniors Mike Cooper (pictured) and Matt Eiland, plus redshirt-sophomore Justin Parker, provides versatility and combined for 699 yards and six scores last year. Each back brings a little different look and skill to the backfield, which keeps defenses guessing all the more. Junior Thomas Kicinski moves from defense to running back after impressing the coaches with his speed and ballhandling on kick returns. He averaged over 21 yards per kickoff return last season.

While the Quakers’ offense has soared with the nation's best, the defense has struggled. Second-year man Joe Mitskas was promoted as the Quakers’ fifth defensive coordinator in six years last spring when Michael Vite took the head coaching job at the Apprentice School. Mitskas will also coach the defensive backs and get help from Kiesel, who directs the defensive line for the first time in over a decade.

"We’re going to keep what we do very simple," Kiesel said. "The players are going to know exactly what they’re doing, what their assignments are and because of that, they’re going to play with confidence and aggressiveness. We just simplified everything. We’re going to have our players very confident in our defensive schemes."

Kiesel should benefit from a more experienced defensive unit in 2008. In 2007, nine of 11 regular starters were in their first or second season on the Quakers’ defense. Second Team All-ODAC lineman Mike Six (pictured) leads the cast of returning defenders. The three-year starter fearlessly creates headaches for opposing offenses with his speed, strength and agility.

"Off the field and in the weight room, Mike is a tremendous leader," Kiesel said. "He’s just a tremendous talent. He’s strong. He’s fast. He’s agile. He’s very competitive. I’ve coached a lot of great defensive players and he could be one of the best when it’s all said and done."

Kiesel notes the offensive trend of spreading the field, which creates more single-assignments for blockers. Look for Six in a variety of positions on the front line alongside classmates Tyler Ledford and Jackson Williams as well as juniors Kevin Cumberland and Nick Dove. Junior Markas Brunson, an honorable mention All-ODAC linebacker in 2007, may also drop down end if Mitskas and Kiesel find adequate depth at linebacker.

"If you look at Markas, the best place to play him is up front," Kiesel said. "He can cause more havoc and make more of an impression on the game."

Senior free safety Danny Langston, Guilford’s top tackler for two years running, and junior Richie Paul lead the veteran defensive backs and linebackers, respectively. Junior cornerback Dan Presley (left) heads into preseason camp with five interceptions in 20 career starts. Junior Shawn Maczka returns to the defense following an injury-riddled 2007 campaign. Senior Kelby Brooks is another returning linebacker, but could move to defensive end.

Kiesel expects an improved kicking game with the addition of coach Shawn Thomas, an all-star kicker at Winston-Salem State University and indoor football veteran. Guilford returns junior kicker Hunter Chappell (right) and sophomore punter Levi Carter among its specialists. Chappell, Guilford’s most valuable special teams player last year, had the Quakers’ fourth-highest PAT total (33) after winning the job early last year. Carter averaged 33.7 yards per kick last year with 14 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.

Picked fifth in the annual preseason ODAC Coaches' Poll, the Quakers open their 102nd recorded football season Sept. 6 versus crosstown-rival Greensboro College in the 12th annual Gate City Soup Bowl game. The contest will be played under the lights of Guilford’s Armfield Athletic Center for the first time and opens the season for both clubs, another first. The Quakers hold a slim 6-5 series lead, which has developed into a very entertaining rivalry.

Watch for another high-scoring affair Sept. 27 when Guilford opens league play at defending champion Hampden-Sydney College. The teams combined for 1,352 total offensive yards in last year’s 56-49 Tigers’ win. Other schedule highlights include a rare Friday night contest with visiting Southern Virginia University and a Nov. 1 tilt at defending ODAC runner-up Randolph-Macon College.