Coach Don Montgomery’s Emory & Henry College Football team enters the 2007 season on the heels of a 6-4 (4-2) 2006 campaign. This left the team tied for 2nd in the ODAC, and brings the team into the fall with high expectations. The Wasps had a pair of 1st-team all-ODAC performers on the defensive side of the ball, five 2nd-team all-ODAC players on offense, as well as a pair of honorable mention all-ODAC players. The 2006 team also had the ODAC Defensive Player of the Year, and Honorable Mention All-American in senior linebacker Marshall Doss.

“Our players know that the difference between wins and losses is how you think and how you approach your goals,” said Montgomery. “And since this staff has been here, we have taught them to think big. And that mentality is starting fall into place.”

Coach Montgomery’s philosophy is there are 3 parts to football, and you need to be solid in all three. For this team to be successful, they need to “Run with Dominance,” “improve on special teams,” and set their goal to be the “top defense in the league.” In 2006, the Wasps made great strides toward these goals, but still have room to improve.

KEY LOSSES

The 2006 defensive team was anchored by Marshall Doss (90 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss). Doss earned the 2006 ODAC Defensive Player of the Year Honor, as well as making Honorable Mention NCAA Div.-III All-American. His outstanding play and leadership will be hard to replace.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Wasps also will have some big shoes to fill. Key losses on offense include: QB Todd Woods (2-time All-ODAC, 1667 yds., 17-TDs, 7-Int’s); WR’s Brennan Stewart (All-ODAC, 38-572, 6-TDs) and Jerad Jackson (2-time All-ODAC, 26-323, 3-TDs); and OL C- Frank Luton (All-ODAC).

These losses will definitely be felt, but according to Coach Montgomery, “every team graduates great players each year, and it’s up to the younger players to step up and fill key roles in their place the following season.”

RETURNING PLAYERS

The 2007 Wasps have 15 starters (6 offense/9 defense) returning from last years team. Four of these fifteen returnees are all-ODAC performers, two each on offense and defense.

OFFENSE

Last season the Wasps made big strides in Rushing Offense, going from last in the conference in 2005 to third in the ODAC in 2006. The team goal is to be 1st in ODAC Rushing in 2007, and an experienced line, and a great group of backs should help to that end. Coach Montgomery’s philosophy of “Rushing With Dominance” should be attainable with this group.

The offense has to replace the leadership of Todd Woods and Frank Luton, as well as the big play ability of Brennan Stewart and Jerad Jackson. The 2007 Wasps will have a very familiar look, with a confident quarterback running the spread offense. QB Daniel Booher (Soph.), is very familiar with the spread offense, as he ran a version of the offense at Tennessee High in nearby Bristol, TN. Backing up Booher at quarterback will be Mike Simmons (Sr.-Harrisonburg, VA) and JC Simmons (Soph.-Roanoke, VA). All three quarterbacks have experience in this offense, so the Wasps offense should be just as dynamic. And with the mobility of Daniel Booher, the offense may be even more wide open than in the previous few seasons.

Sharing the backfield with the QB’s will be all-ODAC running back Matt Gillespie (Sr.-Newton Falls, OH, 732 yards, 4-TDs). Gillespie will be joined by returners Caleb Moore (Jr-Seymour, TN, 404 yards, 5-TDs), and Carleton Bell (Soph.-Bristol, TN). These backs will be challenged by newcomers Cain Ringstaff (Richlands, VA and UVA-transfer) as well as Caleb Jennings (Richlands, VA) last years VHSL Division 2, Player of the Year with his 40-tds from last season.

The Wasps have three strong blocking senior-fullbacks in returning starter Tia’Von Hamler (Sr.-Big Stone Gap, VA), Matt Assenat (Sr.-Blue Ridge, VA), and Ryan Davenport (Sr.-Kingsport, TN) as well as Sophomore Ryan Shaw (Bristol, TN).

At receiver, the task of replacing the performance of Stewart and Jackson will fall upon many young and capable hands. Jonathan Hawkins (6’4” Soph.-Crockett, VA) may have been one of the best high school receivers in the state as a senior. He’s a big rangy receiver that can run and jump well, and make catches, while Gavin Haynes (Sr.-Clifton Forge, VA, 25-287, 3-TDs) brings that big play ability to the field. Others expecting to see action are Ryan Mettinger (Jr.-Warrenton, VA), Greg Swafford (Soph.-Elizabethton, TN), Josh Castle (Soph.-Gate City, VA), Steven Friend (Jr.-Falls Church, VA), and Jordan Stewart (Jr.-Shawsville, VA). With this group, the Wasps have a wealth of talented receivers.

Tight Ends Jeremy Keene (all-ODAC, Jr.-Richlands, VA) and Brian Bush (Soph.-Bent Mountain, VA) are both great blockers, who are big, strong, run fast, and can catch the ball in traffic.

The offensive line will be anchored by returning starters at Guard James Hairston (Soph.-Martinsville, VA) and Chris Mickno (Jr.-Matthews, NC); And this pair will be joined by fellow returning starter at Tackle: Brad Lester (Soph.-Conyers, GA). Josh Clawson (6’4”/310, Senior-Grassy Creek, NC) will return at the Center position after missing much of last season due to injury. He is the Wasps strongest returning player in the weight room. Josh Burgess (6’4”, 340, Soph.-Salem, VA) will also see some playing time at Center.  Transfer student, Garrett Arms (6’5”, 330, Richlands, VA) should also make an impact. The incoming offensive linemen are physically bigger than the many players on the current roster, and Arms is a good example of that. Other upperclassmen that will be contenders are Mike Starkey (Jr.-Pulaski, VA), Mike Avery (Sr.-Hendersonville, NC), Davis Bodie (So.-Knoxville, TN), Ryan Elliott (So.-Verona, VA), Ryan Stone (So.-Rocky Mount., VA) and Jake McKee (Jr.-Morganton, NC).

DEFENSE

This fall the Wasps return 9 starters from a team that was ranked #1 in Rushing Defense in the ODAC. The team looks to improve upon its #7 ranking in Pass Defense, to achieve its goal of being the top overall defense in the conference.  The defense does return three all-ODAC performers, but loses ODAC Defensive Player of the Year, and HM All-American Marshall Doss, but still should remain in the top of the ODAC in defense.

The Wasp coaching staff expects to see production from 8-10 very good defensive linemen. The defensive line is led by a 1st team all-ODAC defensive end in Matt Baldwin (Jr.-Jefferson, NC). His performance and leadership will help lead a very deep defensive line. Other returning starters on the line include DE- Chris Wade (Jr.-Buena Vista, VA) and the Defensive Tackle starting rotation includes- Trent McVey (Sr.-Bristol, VA), Dustin Rexrode (Jr.-Dayton, VA), Jamie Whitaker (Sr.-Maryville, TN) and Josh Yates (So.-Haysi, VA). Others expecting to see time on the field on the defensive line are: SR-Donnie Anderson, JR’s- Jake Rea, Matt Sprouse and Joe Boggs, SO’s.- Josh Dye and Brady Buckley.

At Linebacker, the loss of Marshall Doss will be felt, but the leadership of Evin O’Sullivan (Jr.-Fredricksburg, VA), an all-ODAC performer, will lead the linebacking corps. O’Sullivan is “the epitome of a Division-III football player,” according to Coach Montgomery and should pick up much of the leadership on defense. Joining O’Sullivan, and competing for playing time will be Srs.- Hank Loutzenhiser (Zelienople, PA), Jeb Sarver (Harrisonburg, VA), and Zach Franks (Warrior, AL); Jrs. – Kevin Worley (Bristol, VA), Kevin Wolfe (Abingdon, VA), LeAndrew Lloyd (Princeton, WV); and Soph’s.- Brad Fulton (Maryville, TN) and Daniel Barnes (Charleston, WV).

The Wasps look to improve upon last years 7th-ranked pass defense, and have the depth to do so. The defensive backfield returns 3 starters from a year ago in HM all-ODAC cornerback Joey Daniels (Jr.-Roanoke, VA), a 2-year starter at corner in Bryan Furr (Jr.-Charlotte, NC), and free safety BT Roberts (Soph.-Foster, WV).  Others also returning and expecting time on the field are Jr.- Aaron Hall (Clifton Forge, VA), and Sophs.- Trey Angle (Pulaski, VA), Tyler Brown (Chesterfield, VA), Brad Fulton (Maryville, TN), and Terence Maxwell (Kingsport, TN). Also expected to contribute are transfers Anthony Huggins (Widener College) and Jonathan Weber (Delaware).

On special teams, the Wasps return K-Trey Mitchell (Jr.-Radford, VA), as one of the conferences best returning kickers. Luke Hawk (Jr.-Blountville, TN) is a more than adequate backup at kicker position. Ideally one of 4 incoming freshmen with punting experience will step up and take the job, but Mitchell can handle the punting duties if necessary.

According to Coach Don Montgomery, “If we achieve our goals (improve on special teams, improve pass defense, and run with dominance, and improve the turnover ratio) then we will be in position to compete with our opponents, and in position to win the conference. We have to shoot for the stars, and hopefully we’ll get to the top of the mountain!”