NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – With the conclusion of preseason camp, Head Coach Scott Benzel and his Westminster College football team are now planning for their Week 0 meeting with Delaware Valley College.
The Titans travel to Doylestown, Pa. for Saturday's noon showdown and the 2022 lidlifter. The Titans tallied eight wins en route to last season's Presidents' Athletic Conference crown and an Eastern College Athletic Conference bowl berth.
Westminster's recent Blue-White scrimmage was encouraging for Benzel, who related,
"I was pleased with the overall effort with all three phases (offense, defense, special teams). Defensively, we were able to get multiple hats to the ball. Our team speed on defense is going to be our calling card all year long."
Continuing, Benzel assessed, "Special teams got some much needed work and we got to identify some things that could be better. I was disappointed in an 'operation' mistake. We simply can't have that.
"On offense," Benzel continued, "I think we have a lot of playmakers. The challenge is consistency and limiting turnovers. When you have big-play potential, the urge to force plays can be evident. We did that, and it will cost us. If we just take what is given to us we will have a lot of success on offense."
Westminster will be led by the returning trio of Titans in quarterback Cole Konieczka (Coraopolis, Pa./Moon Area High), running back Ryan Gomes (Tampa, Fla./Walter L. Sickles High), and wide receiver Tylon Eilam (Sharon, Pa./Sharon High). Tackle Gabriel Cleveland (Cumming, Ga./South Forsyth) will anchor the O-line. All are seniors, with the exception of Eilam, who is a junior.
Spearheading the defense will be returning D3football.com All-America selections in linebacker Ian Barr (State College, Pa./State College High), end Brayden Thimons (Natrona Heights, Pa./Highlands), and safety Bryce Thomas (Saint Marys, Ga./Camden County High). All are seniors.
Senior placekicker and leading returning scorer Joshua Byers (Pittsburgh/Canon-McMillan HIgh) also will be counted upon.
Regarding the Blue-White scrimmage, Benzel said, "Individually we had some standout performances – perhaps too many to mention, to be honest."
But the preseason scrimmage with John Carroll University and the Blue-White outing are different for players and coaches when it comes to game week preparation.
"We are excited about playing (this) week," began Benzel (9th season, 56-24, 70%). "Game Week always feels better. Players' energy changes when they know an opponent is waiting on Saturday.
"Del-Valley is a 'gorilla,' to be honest – big, strong and fast," Benzel assessed. "We will have to play a whale of a game to beat them. Our players have learned what these games have looked like. We played Wesley, Wittenberg, Mount Union and Hobart in the past few years here. It's what makes our place special. We want to be the best, and these are great measuring sticks. I'm excited for Saturday to hit the road and go East."
Link to watch the game live on Saturday. https://gomacsports.tv/delvalaggies/
