Over the course of the week, athletics.lycoming.edu will provide in depth looks at the Warriors, beginning with a peak at the team's offense on Wednesday, the team's defense today and a look at the team's special teams on Friday.

2014 Season Preview
Tuesday- Overview
Wednesday - The Offense
Thursday - The Defense
Friday - Special Teams

Having led the MAC in scoring defense in each of the past three years, the Warriors will once again stick with the formula that has served so well during defensive coordinator Steve Wiser's 37 years in the position – a 4-3 alignment, pressuring the quarterback naturally and dominating the line of scrimmage.
 
Unlike in the past three years, though, where All-American and all-region linemen quickly developed into the team's stalwarts, two-time Preseason All-American Troutman will carry that role this year as a safety.
 
Troutman, who led the nation in interceptions in 2013, leads a talented secondary group that features three returning starters. Troutman provides great instincts for the ball and the ability to make a big play, as he clinched a win over nationally-ranked Delaware Valley with an interception with 1:31 left.
 
"When you can start with a guy who led the nation in interceptions, it's a good start," Clark said. "He can make up for so many mistakes. That's such an invaluable asset. Tanner is really talented. He has phenomenal instincts. He has another gear speed-wise. His second interception against Stevenson last year, there was a throw that looked like a punt that you didn't ever think he'd get to and he just went to get it."
 
To the sides of Troutman, the team will also return both cornerbacks in junior Matt Malecki (Stevensville, Md./Kent Island) and senior Ryan Mihoci (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional). Malecki made 43 stops in his first year as a starter and second-year starter Mihoci made 28 stops and intercepted three passes, as he continued to develop into a solid shutdown cornerback.
 
Juniors Mike Gentile (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) and Jesse Freer (Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) enter the season as favorites to earn playing time at the other safety slot, while others will work into the lineup in the backfield, including sophomores Zach Cooney (Waverly, N.Y./Waverly), Daulton Parmer (Millersville, Pa./Penn Manor), Austin Pollick (Olanta, Pa./Curwensville Area) and Kirby Moist (Lewistown, Pa./Mifflin County), plus a group of 14 freshmen.
 
"The secondary should be deep and talented," Clark said. "Our depth in the secondary a year ago was a concern, but there are some guys who can help us now. That is a good group."
 
After losing two all-conference linebackers, the Warriors will need to rebuild in the middle of the field, but the team has two special weapons in their arsenal – namely 26^th year linebackers coach Mike Weber and senior captain Kyle Sullivan (Coatesville, Pa./Bishop Shanahan).
 
Weber has mentored six All-Americans and 23 all-conference selections in his tenure and rebuilding the linebacking corps is not something that is new to him and he has one piece firmly in place in returning all-conference weakside linebacker Sullivan.
 
Sullivan is the top returning tackler, posting 59 stops as a junior to go with five tackles for a loss and a fumble recovery. A tough, fast linebacker, Sullivan has the ability to get involved in nearly any play on the field.
 
"Kyle really has to step up, and you know what, he will," Clark said. "In the first half of last year, he might have been our best linebacker. Kyle needs to be a leader and I think he will be. When you lose a first-team all-conference guy and a guy who was the best defensive player in our conference two years ago, those are going to be very hard guys to replace."
 
The team also returns junior Brian Campbell (Drums, Pa./Hazleton Area), who saw significant playing time as a sophomore, making 27 tackles at the middle linebacker position, where he backed up Kabongo Bukasa. He will face a position battle with sophomore Mike Neuman (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley), who appeared in five games as a freshman, making five tackles.
 
"Brian Campbell could be really good," Clark said. "When Kabongo was hurt last year, we threw Brian over even though he hadn't played defense in a couple years. His speed for a linebacker is similar to Kabongo's. It's just going to be an experience thing."
 
On the strong side, though, the Warriors will rely on another new face to replace First Team All-MAC selection Tyler Denike. Sophomores Kevin Bettis (Ijamsville, Md./Urbana) and Kenton Heinbaugh (Grantville, Pa./Lower Dauphin) will compete for time at the spot, but several others will also work into the lineup during the season.
 
Junior Phil Schron (Albrightsville, Pa./Marian Catholic) made 15 tackles in 2013 as a backup to Sullivan and senior Jermaine Reyes (West New York, N.J./Memorial) returns to the team after a year off. Sophomores Malcolm Bell (Severn, Md./Old Mill) and Dan Heinrichs (Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) will also fight for time, along with a group of seven freshmen.
 
On the line, the Warriors will have to make up for the loss of All-American Dwight Hentz, but with a group of seven linemen that saw significant playing time in 2013, the Warriors enter the year with one of the most experienced lines during Clark's tenure.
 
"When we play against some bigger offensive line groups, we think how we mold our defense with winning through speed and athleticism," Clark said. "When you can beat people off the ball and change the line of scrimmage, everything starts to break down for an offense."
 
At the tackle positions, the Warriors will feel the loss of Hentz, but two players with plenty of experience are ready to step up in seniors Zack McMenamin (Prospect Park, Pa./Interboro) and Jimmy Nottingham (Hightstown, N.J./Hightstown). McMenamin developed into a starter as a junior when he posted 29 tackles and two sacks and Nottingham continued to improve, despite fighting injuries in the season, finishing 15 tackles and three starts to his credit.
 
Junior Josh Cook (Hatfield, Pa./North Penn) will also see plenty of time on the field after posting 14 tackles and two sacks as a sophomore.
 
On the outside, a rash of injuries in 2013 led to plenty of Warriors earning valuable playing time, which is something Clark hopes will pay off this season.
 
Senior Braden Zeiner (Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall-Coplay) leads the group, as he made 28 tackles, seven for a loss and added three sacks in his first full year as a starter. Juniors Cole Welham (Lewistown, Pa./Lewistown Area) and John Ciurlino (Springfield, Pa./Springfield) are not far behind and both give the team powerful, fast options. Welham struggled with injuries early in the year, but finished with 12 tackles, three for a loss, and Ciurlino finished with three sacks and 10 tackles.
 
Sophomore Adin Hines (Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Township) also worked into the starting lineup at the end of the season and will see increased action this year.
 
"I wish we had Dwight, just like a year ago I wished we had Nate (Oropollo) and the year before that I wished I had Anthony (Marascio)," Clark said, "but it should be a deep and talented group. Braden Zeiner, Zack McMenamin and Jimmy Nottingham have all been on the field. Cole Welham and John Ciurlino are both tall, rangy athletic guys. Josh Cook has been on the field and Adin Hines got his feet wet as a freshmen. It is an intriguing group and we're excited to see what happens there."
 
Juniors Jarrett Jeffries (Edison, N.J./J.P. Stevens) and Tyler O'Connell (Ogdensburg, N.J./Jefferson Township) and sophomores Bradley Biever (Schuylkill Haven, Pa./Schuylkill Haven) and Jon Rummel (Lykens, Pa./Williams Valley) will also work for playing time along with four freshmen.