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With only four spots per region, qualifying for the NCAA playoffs is quite an accomplishment for a coach and his team. Most teams that qualify for two or more consecutive trips to the playoffs usually do it with the same nucleus of players, including one of the most Important positions, quarterback. But for the last two years Bloomsburg head football coach has guided his team to the NCAA playoffs with vastly different teams, most notably with a different quarterback. As the Huskies prepare for the 2002 season, the team will look to make it three consecutive trips to the NCAA playoffs with three different signal callers.

“Once again we start the season with the challenge of having a new quarterback,” said the Huskies head coach. “There is definitely an adjustment period for the receivers and the center as they get a rhythm going with each other. That rhythm only comes from playing with each other and will get better as time goes on.”

OFFENSE

The last several years the Huskies have been able to “mix it up” offensively using both the running and passing games to their fullest. But, with a new quarterback under center the team may look more to the running game in the early going.

“We are a bit behind where we were the last few years,” said Hale. “The offense will get better as the season progresses. Until everyone is comfortable, we will need the offensive line to step up and provide us with some strong leadership.”

TAILBACK

With the loss due to graduation of Marques Glaze and Arrastene Henry, two of the best backs ever to carry the ball for Bloomsburg, red-shirt sophomore Mike Ceroli will see a lot of the action. Ceroli, who played well in limited action last year, will be backed up by both Sid Harrison and Shawn Gaul who made the move from fullback to tailback in the spring.

QUARTERBACK

Coming out of spring ball senior Andrew Herrmann won the starting job for the 2002 season. However, Herrmann has only completed two passes in his first three seasons and will be pushed in pre-season camp by several young quarterbacks. Left-hander Al West, a red-shirt freshman who played at nationally-known Berwick High School, is number two on the depth chart. West is very athletic and can also run well, while sophomore Jared Hostetler and red-shirt freshman Jack Lydic will also battle for time.

WIDE RECEIVER

This could be one of the deepest positions for the Huskies on offense. Leading the way is senior Tierrel Johnson, one of the best deep threats in the Northeast Region. He is joined on the outside by senior co-captain Rocco Forgione, a sure-handed receiver who played very well last year in his first season as a starter. Junior Darryl Williams is the Huskies third receiver. Williams, who was outstanding in the 2000 NCAA playoffs, is another deep threat for Bloomsburg. Also, look for sophomore Nick Kurtz to see some playing time this season after moving over from tailback.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Another of the more experienced parts of the offense for Bloomsburg is the line. It is a veteran group led by two-year starters Brian Bingaman, a co-captain this season; Chris Mullin, Charlie Fay and Jason Fluck. Also look for Jahri Evans, a red-shirt freshman, to make an immediate impact for Huskies. Others who will battle for playing time are John Centak, Matt Newhard, Ivan Rodriquez and Jim Screven.

TIGHT END

The Huskies will have a new starter at this position with the loss of Allen Lechthaler due to graduation. Chris Smith, a junior, has come on strong and will start at the position this season. He will be backed up by Matt Vincent.

SPECIAL TEAMS

For the first time in a few years the Huskies are settled going into the year at both punter and placekicker. Senior Joe Deitrich begins his third season as the team's punter and has improved each year. Sophomore Tim Oliver begins his first full season as the team's placekicker after taking over midway through last year.

Kick returns will once again be handled by Bryant Stone, one of the premier return threats in the country. Stone, who has returned one kickoff for a touchdown in each of his first two years, will also assume the punt return duties.

DEFENSE

The Bloomsburg defense was solid throughout the 2001 season and coach Hale and his staff are looking for more of the same this season.

“We were very pleased with the effort put forth by the defense in spring practice, “ Hale said. “We will be bigger and stronger up front and will have plenty of depth.”

DEFENSIVE LINE

Look for the Huskies to rotate players in and out of the lineup up front keeping everyone fresh. Leading the way will be senior Zach Miers along with Aaron Zeamer, Jeremy Matrician, Michigan transfer Dave Armstrong, Josh Rogerson and Dorian Thompson. All have plenty of experience and should make Bloomsburg tough to run against this season.

One of the consistently strong positions for the Huskies through the years and 2002 will be no different. Matt Keys, one of the team's captains, will lead the group this season. Keys is coming off an outstanding season and will be joined by Mike Gross, Shawn Butler, Eric Steffen, Derek Williams and Paul Linn. Like the defensive line, look for a lot of rotation among the linebacker corps.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Led by the trio of Rudy Garcia, Bryant Stone and Jason Noble the Huskies will have a quick, hard-hitting unit on the field. The group will be joined by Charlie Lanier, Joe Scritchfield, a transfer from West Virginia, BeeJay Thomas and Chris Kelly.

“Our number one goal is to win the PSAC East for a third consecutive year,” said coach Danny Hale. “There is a lot of parity in the division and we will need to be ready to play each and every game.”

“The key to our success will be playing good, smart, sound football and avoid turning the ball over,” Hale commented. “If we can do that, then we should be good.”