Local talent sharpens the Lancers

August 30, 2009

By Tom Flanagan, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

WORCESTER -  The brightest financial minds in the country could rack their brains for days trying to find someone who has benefited from the economy's downward turn.

It's likely they'd never come up with a college football coach as the answer.

Worcester State coach Brien Cullen, however, attributes his team's roster, one loaded with former local high school stars, to simple economics.

"I think what's really helped us out is the fact that a lot of these good local players who may have in the past gone away to a private D2 school or elsewhere out of state to play, are sticking around because they're getting their best bang for the buck right here," said Cullen, who will lead the Lancers in his 27th season. "I think once we got a few kids to stay home, that kind of snowballed and this group is dedicated to turning things around here."

The Lancers, who in their glory days of the not-so-distant past relied on the pass and a quick-strike offense to overwhelm opponents, have undergone a makeover.

Things will change this season. Cullen will turn to a deep backfield full of Central Mass. alumni to pound out yardage and wins.

Highlighted by Fitchburg High product and senior Will Earley, the backfield also features junior Garret Jones of Nashoba Regional and sophomore Marcus Price of Doherty. Earley paced the Lancers with nine touchdowns and 951 rushing yards a year ago.

"We have some good experience back there and all three backs really bring their own strengths and different running styles," said Cullen, whose team finished 2-8 last season. "Two years ago, Garret was our top back and last year it was Will, so we know what they can do and Marcus is just as capable of having big games for us."

While a coaching staff and a group of running backs can talk all summer about being a run-oriented team, it really isn't up to them.

"There's no question as to which part of our team has to have the most success in order for us to win, and that's the offensive line," Cullen said. "We have a good, solid group there and they take pride in being able to run the ball."

The offensive line has a nice blend of youth and experience, led by seniors Sean Doolin and Doug Gallant. Sophomore Adam Peloquin, a 260-pounder from David Prouty, and 6-foot-3, 300-pound sophomore Raquale Burnett, a South High product, figure to add size and depth up front.

That line also will be responsible for the protection of quarterback Tony Tokarz, who starred for Wachusett. Tokarz transferred to Worcester State from Mount Ida this year.

Cullen is hoping his defense can improve from last year and feels he has the pieces to make that happen.

Senior defensive end Steve Melville, a captain and 2008 D3football.com All-Northeast selection, recorded eight sacks last year.

Chances are if Melville can't hurry, sack or knock down the quarterback, one of his linebackers will. The Lancers have the makings of a great linebacking corps, highlighted by junior Tyler Russell, a Wachusett grad who led the team last year with 91 tackles. He'll be joined by David Bugan and senior Matt McLean.

Bugan, who was a virtually unstoppable running back at Shepherd Hill, played the last few seasons for the semipro Worcester Wildcats before enrolling at Worcester State as a freshman.

"Dave is an impressive kid," Cullen said of the 230-pounder, who seeks contact on every play. "I know he could play running back for us, but we just told him we needed a linebacker and he was great about it. He went right to work with the other linebackers and he looks like he might have a big year for us."

The Lancers open the season at 7 p.m. Friday when they host Assumption.

"That's all any of us are thinking about right now," Earley said of the first-ever meeting between the city schools as varsity programs. "It definitely gives us motivation as a team, knowing we're going in as the D3 underdog. All summer long, we've been thinking about that first game and getting our season started off the right way."

• Coach:

Brien Cullen (27th year, 135-99).

• League:

New England Football Conference (Bogan Division).

• 2008 record:

2-8, 2-5 league.

• Top returnees:

Sr. RB, Will Earley (197 carries, 912 yards, 9 TDs), Sr. WR, Dave Salvi (28 catches, 524 yards, 5 TDs), Sr. WR, Joe Dicalogero (19 catches, 221 yards, 1 TD), Sr. OL Sean Doolin, Jr. OL Doug Gallant, Sr. DE Steve Melville (48 tackles, 18 for loss, 7-1/2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles), Jr. LB Tyler Russell (91 Tackles, 55 solo, 8 for loss, 3 sacks), Jr. DB Andrew Tokarz (42 tackles, 4 pass breakups, int.), Sr. DB Tom Szalno (41 tackles, 4 pass breakups, int.), Jr. DB Paul Lewis (31 tackles, 6 pass breakups), Sr. PK Pat Skelton (3 of 6 FG, 26 of 26 PATs, 33.2 yards per punt).

• Key losses:

QB Pat Good (5,197 yards, 41 TDs in career; third-most yards/TDs at WSC), LB Nick Gallant (45 tackles, 2.5 for loss), DB Matt Leeds (32.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks in career), DL Chris Grautski (13 tackles for loss, 6-1/2 sacks in career).

• Notable newcomers:

So. QB Tony Tokarz (1,297 yards, 14 TDs, 16 ints.; 113 rushes, 447 yards, 5 TDs at Mount Ida), Sr. WR Jake MacLeay, Fr. LB David Bougan.

• Schedule:

Sept. 4...Assumption, 7

Sept. 11...Framingham St., 7

Sept. 18...at Nichols, 7

Sept. 26...at Mass Maritime, noon

Oct. 3...Framingham St., 1:30

Oct. 10...at Maine Maritime, 1

Oct. 17...Fitchburg St., noon

Oct. 24...Coast Guard, 1

Oct. 31...at Bridgewater St., 1

Nov. 7...Westfield State, noon