COLLEGE FOOTBALL: E&H Wasps begin new era without Jennings

Emory & Henry Wasps

Coach: Don Montgomery (seventh season)

Conference: Old Dominion Athletic

2010 Record: 5-5, 1-5

Key returners: Dustin Beck, Sr., QB; Zack Santolla, Jr., FB; Daniel Preston, Sr., DE; Ed Smith, Sr., LB; Daniel Woods, Sr., SS; Matt Turchin, Jr., PK; T.J. Frazier, Sr., P

Promising newcomers: Joseph Vaughn, Fr., RB; Shane Wicks, Sr., LB; Isaac Bowman, Fr., OL; Leroy Strickland, So., TE

Key losses: Caleb Jennings, RB; Rakeem Rutherford, DB; Brad Lester, OL; Eric Tilson, OL; Derrick Patterson, DL.

Potential must-see game: Sept. 17, at University of Virginia’s College at Wise

Coach’s Quote: “I feel very good about where we’re at. We have a lot of competition for positions, the attitude of our guys is great, and we’re healthy. If you can get the mental and physical parts of the game together, that’s a pretty good start for the season.”

 For the past four years, the Emory & Henry football story centered around one player. With an irresistible mix of courage and skill, running back Caleb Jennings earned near mythical status.

A new chapter in E&H football unfolds Saturday as the Wasps host regional rival Ferrum in a 1 p.m. start.

“Life goes on,” E&H coach Don Montgomery said. “Caleb was certainly a great leader and he did everything he could to help our team. Yes Caleb will be missed, but our kids have adjusted this fall.”

The Wasps, who return 15 players who started at some point last season, were tabbed for fifth in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference coaches poll. The E&H coach isn’t concerned about the respect factor.

“Our kids might notice that, but I don’t even think about it,” Montgomery said “From past experiences, I know that those things are not worth much.”

The preseason buzz in Emory centers around the new rapid-fire offense. In last Friday’s scrimmage against Averett, E&H averaged over 8 yards per play while holding an inexperienced Averett team to around 2 yards.

For the E&H coach, it’s all about the tempo

“Even through we went no-huddle a lot last year, we’re playing at a much faster tempo than what we’ve ever played here before. And we looked pretty sharp against last week,” Montgomery said.

Junior Adam Pugh (Norwalk, Ohio) is the likely starter at tailback, with junior tailback William Pearl providing speed. Meanwhile, 235-pound junior Zack Santolla (Roanoke, Va.) returns at fullback.

Junior Kyle Boden (Knoxville, Tenn.) is the projected starter at quarterback, while returning starter Dustin Beck is also in the mix.

“Adam has waited his turn, but we’ve got a lot of talent in the backfield,” Montgomery said. “It’s great to have Beck and Boden back. Both of those guys are competitive, smart and savvy.”

Six-foot-two Junior Davan Ross (Glen Wilton, Va.) and 6-foot-3 senior Corey Ware (Buchanan, Va.) are working at receiver.

“We’re going to spread the ball around,” Montgomery said. “And we have a good situation on offense, with mostly juniors and seniors.”

Two familiar faces are back on defense. Six-foot-four senior Ed Smith, who missed last season due to an injury, returns at linebacker. Senior Shane Wicks, who started last season at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, joins Smith at linebacker.

The other veterans on defense include senior end Daniel Preston, junior linebacker Devan Sproles, senior strong safety Daniel Woods and cornerbacks Anthony Jones and Michael Young.

As usual, the preseason practice routine – which includes 6 a.m. weightlifting sessions – has been rigorous. A total of 177 players reported for fall practice.

“I think we’ve only lost four or five kids, and that’s largely due to our senior leadership and the type of kids that we’ve recruited,” Montgomery said.

The E&H coach has created a leadership program where the seniors hold individual meetings with players from each class.

“I feel very good about where we’re at,” Montgomery said. “The players worked hard in the offseason and came in ready to go.”

Special teams are also a strongpoint, with the return of kicker Matt Turchin and punter T.J. Frazier.

The Wasps will again play a six-game junior varsity schedule. Former Sullivan South standout Bobby Taylor was a JV sensation last year but is not on the roster this season.

It may take a while, but Montgomery feels the Wasps will adapt without their undersized hero.

“We had to play without Caleb a little bit last year, and that forced us to rely on other strengths,” Montgomery said. “Caleb has been out to practice a couple times so far and we miss him, but we’ve had the spring and fall to adjust.”

Ferrum features a mix of the old and new. After a 17-year run with mixed results, head coach Dave Davis retired at the end of last season.

David Harper, a former Panther standout who twice earned Division III All-American honors at linebacker, is the new boss of the Panthers.

Harper has been a member of the Ferrum coaching staff for 18 years, including stints offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator.

Ralph Isernia was Harper’s first hire, and he will serve as offensive coordinator. Isernia spent the past six years as offensive coordinator at Charleston, W.Va., where he engineered a record-setting offense. In 2009, Charleston (9-2) led all NCAA Division II schools in pass effiency.

Isernia, who also worked at five other schools, was a finalist for the Div. II Assistant Coach of the Year award in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

“It will be interesting to see what Ferrum does on offense,” Montgomery said. “In the past, they’ve been an option team but their new offensive coordinator has run the spread option in the past.”

Once again, the player to watch is senior Marcus Mayo. The quarterback earned USA South Offensive Player of the Year honors last season after passing for 1,368 yards, rushing for 422 yards and accounting for 455 yards as a kick returner.

Mayo, who earned preseason All-American honors in one publication, also helped guide the Ferrum basketball team a school record for wins last season.

With 15 returning starters, Ferrum was picked for third in the USA South. Senior offensive lineman Jack McDowell, junior running back Steven Harris and senior safety Tae Motley earned All-ODAC honors last season.

agregory@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Greg_BHCSports | (276) 645-2544