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BLOOMSBURG—Bloomsburg, winners of 20 of its last 21 Eastern Division contests, has been chosen as favorites by the league's coaches to capture the 2003 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division crown.

The Huskies are followed in order by West Chester, East Stroudsburg, Kutztown, Mansfield, Millersville and Cheyney.

After sharing the title with East Stroudsburg last year, the Huskies head into the 2003 campaign with an opportunity to win a fourth straight Eastern Division crown. Bloomsburg is the only squad to accomplish that feat (1994-97) since the league discontinued the "State Game" in 1987.

Working for the Huskies is the return of 37 letterwinners, yet working against them is the return of only seven starters. The offense will feature just two returnees, senior linemen John Centak (Wilkes-Barre/Hanover) and Chris Mullin (Plymouth Meeting/Wissahickon). Running back Mike Ceroli (Medford, NJ/Lenape) is the top returning rusher having gained 668 yards last year while scoring four touchdowns. At quarterback, Bloomsburg will feature new starter for the fourth consecutive season. Red-shirt sophomores Al West (Berwick/Berwick) and Jack Lydic (Selinsgrove/Selinsgrove) will battle for the starting job in camp which begins on Thursday.

The defense should have a solid secondary with Joe Scritchfield (Damascus, MD/Damascus) and BeJey Thomas (Bloomsburg/Bloomsburg) back for 2003. The team also welcomes the return of Bryant Stone (Norwich, CT/Norwich Free Academy), who missed all but one game last year due to injury. Linebackers Eric Steffen (Catawissa/Southern Columbia) (91 TT, 17 TFL, 5 Sks) and Shawn Butler (Newton/Council Rock) (95 TT, 15 TFL, 4.5 Sacks) will pair with DL Aaron Zeamer (Columbia/Hempfield) (9 TFL) and Tony Milone (Newton/Council Rock) (28 TT, 3 TFL) in securing a strong front.

The Huskies open the 2003 season Saturday, August 30th at home against New Haven at 1 p.m.