Third year head coach Joe Trainer feels very confident heading into the 2007 season.

“I feel very good about where we are,” remarked Trainer. “I think we have a better group of players than we had last year.”

This year, the Marauders return 37 letterwinners, including 19 starters, from the 2006 squad. Last season, Millersville battled numerous injuries en route to a 5-6 overall mark and a 3-3 record in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East.

“It was disappointing having so many injuries,” stated Trainer, “but the good thing is that a lot of freshmen got snaps and gained confidence and experience.”

OFFENSE

Quarterback

This season, the Marauders will look to replace four-year starter Dan Csencsitz. Csencsitz threw for 7,275 yards and 52 touchdowns in his four years at Millersville.

The competition to replace him as the team's signal caller is a tight race between red-shirt freshman Bill Shirk (Phoenixville/Phoenixville), Jamal Smith (Camp Hill/Trinity) and Drew Lagomarsino (Sellersville/Lansdale Catholic).

“I am very excited about the talent all three of them have,” said Trainer. “We are more athletic at the position and hope that it counters the lack of experience.”

In high school, Shirk and Lagomarsino were both three-year starters. They both garnered All-Pioneer Athletic Conference (PAC)-10 honors at the quarterback position. Shirk was also named the PAC-10 offensive player of the year.

Smith was a two-year starter. He also starred on the track team winning the District 1 championship in the high jump.

“They all have the potential to be very good PSAC quarterbacks,” said Trainer. “In the spring, no one hurt their cause. However, we won't know anything until we play Shepherd.”

Running Back

The sophomore duo of Brad Lantz (Towanda/Towanda) and Darnell Johnson (Gettysburg/Gettysburg) return to lead the Marauder backfield.

Lantz led the team in rushing with 857 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman. Johnson had 471 yards and two scores last season. He had a career best 244 yards in a win over Kutztown.

“I expect Darnell to have a breakout season,” stated Trainer. “He really busted out in the spring. Darnell added about 10 pounds, ran hard and worked on catching the ball.”

Freshman Cardoza Jacks (Coatesville/CASH) also stood out during the spring and is expected to have an impact on the Millersville ground game.

“I don't know what his role will be, but I expect big things from him,” said Trainer.

The backfield may get a bit of a shake-up with Lantz seeing more snaps at fullback as the offense looks to spread the ball around and get two threats on the field at the same time.

“Brad is more stout than the others and can be a better blocker,” said Trainer. “I think we can be successful with some combination of Brad and Darnell and Brad and Cardoza.”

“This is the most excited I've been about the position since I've been here,” said Trainer.

Wide Receiver

The Marauders will have a solid group of wide receivers with fifth-year senior Randall Eggleton (Philadelphia/John Bartram), junior Andrew Tischbein (Duncannon/Hershey) and red-shirt freshman Derrick Bass (York/York Suburban).

Eggleton returns after missing most of the 2006 season with an ACL tear suffered in the season opener against Shepherd.

“It's a tremendous boost getting him back and healthy,” remarked Trainer. “If he stays healthy he has the potential to be a premier receiver in the conference.”

In his career, he has made 68 receptions for 923 yards and four touchdowns. He had a breakout season in 2005 with 46 catches for 649 yards and two scores.

Tischbein stepped up to be a top receiver after the loss of Eggleton last year. In 2006, Tischbein led the Marauders with 557 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He was second with 36 catches.

“He did a tremendous job in stepping up in Randall's absence. Andrew put up some solid numbers,” praised Trainer.

Bass and Seymour will compete for the third and fourth receiver positions. Bass is a member of the Millersville track and field team. Seymour is a converted basketball player.

“Derrick had a great spring despite being limited in what he could do with track,” said Trainer. “Earl should make a significant contribution once he shakes off the rust.”

Tight End

Junior Derek Fry (New Bloomfield/West Perry ( Md. )) returns to the position he converted to last year. He made the transition from wide receiver to tight end. Fry caught 11 balls for 150 yards and five touchdowns. Standing at 6'7” and 230 pounds, Fry looks to create match-up problems for opposing defenses.

“Derek is the most experienced tight end returning to the position,” said Trainer. “This year, we look for him to take the next step and become an integral part of the offense.

Juniors Bob Swier (Limerick/Spring-Ford) and Trevor Levits (Pen Argyl/Pen Argyl) will look to see time at the position. Swier moved to tight end after being a linebacker last season.

“Bob brings that defensive mentality to the position,” said Trainer. “He is a very physical player.”

Levits is a transfer from Hudson Valley Community College . Last year with the Vikings, he made 16 tackles, three for a loss, as a defensive lineman.

Offensive Line

The offensive line is the most experienced group on the offensive side of the ball. The average weight of the five starters is 292 pounds. One year ago, this group was sixth in the conference, in sacks allowed (20).

“If this group can stay healthy, there is no reason why they can't be dominant,” said Trainer.

Seniors Ray Fowle ( Gaithersburg , Md. /Magruder) and Sean Plunkett (Jenkintown/Chestnut Hill Academy) are three-year starters looking to make an impact this season. Junior Adam Cobb (Hanover/South Western) is a two-time letterwinner who will be looked to as a leader.

“There are a lot of snaps among this group,” remarked Trainer. “They are the stabilizing force on the team and provide a lot of leadership.”

Sophomore Christian Calderon (Pottstown/Pottsgrove) is the biggest player on the line standing at 6'4” and 310 pounds.

“Christian did a great job starting for us as a true freshman,” praised Trainer. ”He can be an All-PSAC player.”

Sophomore Mike Stelle (Media/Garnet Valley) fought from the scout team to earn his starting position on the line.

“He really surprised us last spring,” said Trainer. “Mike is a player that can really solidify the line.

Red-shirt freshman Ryan Terry (New Holland/Garden Spot) and senior Matt Long (Marysville/Susquenita) are both battling for starting time. Freshman Ryan Carter (Pottstown/Pottstown) and sophomore Nick Kyper (Lebanon/Cedar Crest) will add depth to the rotation.

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

Four players, including one who earned All-PSAC East honors last year, return to the Millersville defensive line.

“The line has a chance of being a real strength for us,” said Trainer. “We are a little thin, but we have guys who have taken a lot of meaningful snaps.”

Junior Jarrod Linn (Gettysburg/Gettysburg) is an All-PSAC East second team selection from 2006. Last season, Linn recorded 38 tackles, including three-and-a-half for a loss. He also was second on the team with three sacks.

“Jarrod was solid for us last year,” said Trainer. “He is on the verge of doing some great things.”

Junior Kevin Kershner (Coatesville/Downingtown) will also have a big impact on the front four. Kershner was the team's sack (five-and-a-half) and tackles for a loss (eight) leader from a season ago.

Red-shirt sophomore Andy Keck (Elizabethtown/Elizabethtown Area) returns to the defensive line after appearing in just three games last season due to ACL surgery.

Inside Linebackers

“This is a group I expect to be significantly better this season,” remarked Trainer. “We had some injuries to key guys that really hurt us last year.”

Senior Matt Buck (Montgomery/Montgomery Area), a three-year player, returns to be the leader of the linebacking corps. He was the team's leader in tackles with 84. He was tied for 11 th in the PSAC with 7.6 tackles per game. Buck also led the Marauders with eight tackles for a loss.

Junior Matt Harmon (Downingtown/Downingtown W.) is expected to join Buck as the other starting inside linebacker. Harmon was tied for second on the team with 56 stops. He also had four-and-a-half tackles for a loss and an interception.

“Last year, he was thrown into the fire before he was ready and had an up-and-down year,” said Trainer.

Sophomore Troy Englehart (Annville/Annville-Cleona) returns from shoulder surgery and will rotate in with Buck and Harmon. Last season, he missed 10 games due to the injury.

“ Troy will add a nice boost to the defense,” Trainer said. “He is a physical player who will have a strong presence.”

Outside Safeties

“This is a group that we need to be playmakers,” stated Trainer. “These guys are all versatile and can do different things. That is what you want at this position. “

Seniors Marcus Banks (Philadelphia/Washington) and Eric Marshall (McSherrystown/New Oxford) will lead a very experienced group of outside safeties.

Banks was the fourth leading tackler on the defense with 54. He had four-and-a-half tackles for a loss, one-and-a-half sacks, two interceptions and a team high three fumble recoveries.

Marshall had 36 tackles, five-and-a-half for a loss, three sacks and two fumble recoveries.

A healthy senior Brandon Tyler (Gettysburg/Gettysburg Area) will look to be a key player in this bunch.

“ Brandon has been battling injuries the last two years,” said Trainer. “If he stays healthy, he will give us a big boost and see a lot of quality snaps.”

Senior Andrew Pugh (Hollidaysburg/Hollidaysburg Area) will also have an impact on the defense. Pugh had 46 stops, including three for a loss, and one interception.

Junior Jason Krol (Boothwyn/Garnet Valley) has been coming into his own the last two years. Krol recorded 33 tackles, three for a loss, and one interception a year ago.

Junior Jordan Shank (Mt. Joy/Donegal) rounds out this experienced group. A Mansfield transfer, Shank appeared in nine of the ten Mountaineer games last season.

Secondary

Senior Brandon Shelton (New Oxford/Gettysburg) will be the leader of the secondary. Last season, he was a first team All-PSAC East selection. Shelton was the team leader in interceptions with four. The four interceptions tied him for fourth in the conference. Shelton was the conference leader with 12 passes defended.

“My expectation for Brandon is to just dominate this season,” said Trainer. “He is the size that most teams don't have at that position.“

Sophomore Julius Carter (Philadelphia/Bartram Motivation) makes a position change to free safety. He made 24 tackles as a freshman at cornerback.

Red-shirt freshman Thomas Wilmer (Philadelphia/George Washington) will look to crack the line-up and provide depth to the safety position.

SPECIAL TEAMS

“Our goal is to win the special teams game every week and split (offense and defense),” stated Trainer.

Junior Derek Leslie (Landenberg/Avon Grove) will once again handle the punting duties for the Marauders. Last season, Leslie averaged 38.3 yards per punt, including a season long 56-yarder. He was sixth in the PSAC in punting average. He also had 12 punts land inside the 20-yard line.

“Derek has done a solid job working himself into becoming a very good punter,” said Trainer.

Sophomore John Banzhof (Lancaster/McCaskey) will take care of the kicking duties. The Mansfield transfer was six of eight on point after touchdowns last year.

“John has a live leg,” said Trainer. “We got better by adding his leg strength; he needs to be more consistent. He had a really good spring.”

Millersville opens the 2007 season on the road four times in the first five weeks.

“We will know early how good we can be and if we can compete for the conference crown,” said Trainer.

Millersville opens practice on Sunday, August 5 in preparation for the season opener at NCAA playoff participant Shepherd University on Saturday, August 25 at 1 p.m.