WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2012 FOOTBALL YEARBOOK
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2012 POSITION-BY-POSITION PREVIEW
TIGHT ENDS
OFFENSIVE LINE
SPECIALISTS
What Western Carolina lacks in experience as compared to a year ago that saw two seniors – Andrew Rogers and Taylor Spangler – take a bulk of playing time, the 2012 Catamounts make-up for in athleticism. Headlining the athletic players at tight end is projected starter, Nate Stephenson. Converted from defensive end two springs ago, Stephenson saw a few snaps in the position last fall behind the aforementioned seniors. He made his first collegiate reception on a 54-yard scoring strike at nationally-ranked Appalachian State. The Jacksonville, Fla., native has the ability to stretch the field, while also providing blocking support for the run or pass protection. Returning after missing the past two seasons with a back injury, senior Conner Orr figures to factor in on the playing time picture in this season. Although he did not record a reception in the position as a true freshman in 2009, Orr was very prominent in the rushing attack as he helped Michael Johnson rush for 568 yards and SoCon Freshman of the Year accolades. Adding depth to the position are redshirt sophomore Phillip Chavis who transferred into the program a year ago; redshirt junior Joe Korac who has also seen time at running back; and converted defensive lineman Daryl McIntyre. Talented freshmen London Richardson and Clark Eyers will join the position
One of the keys for Western Carolina’s offensive line in 2012 will be how three-year starter Teddy Rhoney returns from a season-ending knee injury last fall that also kept him out of spring drills. Rhoney has started all 28 games in which he has seen action and should provide an anchor on the offensive front. Converted from defensive line and taught the center position two springs ago, Quevalas Murray started all 11 games at center a year ago. He returns at the middle of the WCU offensive front for a second-straight season. Other keys along the offensive front are the continued emergence of guards Matt Hastings, Ryan Moore, Vince Williams and tackles Wes Cook and Dan Polaski, all of which who saw ample playing time in 2011. Junior transfer Steve Steiner – penciled in as a starter in the preseason – will be joined by redshirt freshmen Tyler Philpott and Helva Matungulu in challenging for playing time this year. Incoming freshmen Matt DeGraffinreed, Hunter Kirby, Andrew Potts and Josh Wineberg are expected to push the veteran unit, but may not be called upon in a starting role right away.
Western Carolina returns four specialists that saw the field a season ago including junior Clark Sechrest, who handled the bulk of the placekicking duties; sophomore Richard Sigmon, who was primarily used on kickoffs and holding on field goal/PAT attempts; redshirt sophomore Devin Roberts as the long-snapper; and Jarrod Couch, a walk-on who kicked off a combined four times for an average of 58 yards per boot. WCU also returns senior Leo Gamez who has yet to see game action despite dressing for numerous games. Although comfortable in roles from 2011, the four kickers on roster are expected to continue through on-going competition for the top slots on the two-deep. Sigmon and Couch are among the favorites again for kickoffs after combining for WCU’s 45 attempts a year ago. Sechrest, who will also contend for the starting punting job, was the only WCU kicker to placekick a season ago. He connected on four field goals and was a perfect 32-for-32 on PATs to lead the team in scoring (44 points). According to available research, Sechrest was one of just seven kickers inside the national top 100 to remain perfect with 30-ormore PATs attempted. Sechrest also punted five times for an average of 35.0 yards per kick.
NOTES: * Last season, Western Carolina had two tight ends haul in scoring strikes – since graduated Taylor Spangler and returning Nate Stephenson both caught touchdown passes; * Playing as a running back last year, Joe Korac rushed four times for eight yards.
TIGHT ENDS (6) 33 Joe Korac 44 London Richardson
5-11 5-10
230 225
R-Jr. Fr.
80 Phillip Chavis
6-2
225
R-So.
85 Conner Orr
6-4
230
Sr.
88 Nate Stephenson
6-2
235
Sr.
89 Clark Eyers
6-5
230
Fr.
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NOTES: * The 10 offensive linemen listed on Western Carolina’s preseason two-deep have combined to play in 123 games during their careers including 71 starts. OFFENSIVE LINE (15) 52 53 61 63 64 65 67 72 73 74 75 76 77 78
Quevalas Murray Andrew Potts Jake Thornton Matt DeGraffinreed Tyler Philpott Teddy Rhoney Matt Hastings Vince Williams Wesley Cook Hunter Kirby Steve Steiner Josh Wineberg Dan Polaski Ryan Moore
6-2 6-3 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-7 6-2 6-5 6-5 6-9 6-4
23
295 305 240 305 285 300 255 250 280 265 285 260 295 310
R-Jr. Fr. So. Fr. R-Fr. R-Sr. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-Jr. Fr. R-Jr. Fr. R-So. R-Sr.
NOTES: * Western Carolina was one of just two Southern Conference teams to be perfect in PAT attempts in 2011, connecting on all 32 – just one shy of matching Elon which went 33-for-33; * WCU has to replace its all-time leading punter, Blake Cain, who set the school record with 262 career punts ... His boots covered 10,145 yards in his four years with his career punting average of 38.7 ranking sixth in the school record book. SPECIALISTS (8) 36 Richard Sigmon
5-10
175
38 Clark Sechrest
5-11
190
So. Jr.
48 Jarrod Couch
5-10
180
So.
49 Leo Gamez
5-8
185
Sr.
56 Devin Roberts
6-1
200
R-So.
59 Chandler Addertion
6-3
210
Fr.
69 Blake Metcalf
6-1
170
Fr.
71 Phil Fiebernitz
5-9
210
Jr.
2012 CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL