FIGHTING SCOTS PICKED SECOND IN PSAC WEST PRESEASON POLL

Shippensburg Chosen as the Favorite in Western Division

EDINBORO, PA - The Edinboro University football will enter the 2004 campaign with much greater expectations than a year ago, at least according to the rest of the coaches in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division. The Fighting Scots re second in the PSAC West preseason poll, announced today during the PSAC West Media Day at Slippery Rock, PA.

A year ago the Fighting Scots were chosen fifth in the preseason poll, only to go on and finish as co-champions in the PSAC West. While winning its first PSAC West title since 1995, Edinboro also made the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the first time since that same year. Edinboro, ranked 18th in the final AFCA Division II poll, ended the year with a 9-3 record and was 5-1 in the PSAC West.

While Edinboro and Indiana(Pa.) tied for first place a year ago, it is Shippensburg that carries the tag as favorite in 2004. The Red Raiders, 8-3 overall a year ago and 4-2 in the Western Division, return 17 starters, including all 11 starters on offense. The Fighting Scots were selected second, with IUP (10-1, 5-1 PSAC West) third. All three squads have appeared in the top 25 of several national publications. Edinboro head coach Lou Tepper knows the Fighting Scots face a spirited battle in defending their PSAC West title.

"I'm not surprised by the rankings," Tepper commented. "I think that Shippensburg, IUP and ourselves, based on last year and returning players, are probably considered the favorites to contend for the title. This league is really balanced. We all know that anybody can compete each Saturday."

An improving California(Pa.) squad is tied for fourth in the West with Slippery Rock, followed by Clarion and Lock Haven.

The Fighting Scots have seven starters back on offense and five on defense. Four returnees were first team All-PSAC West selections, with six others chosen to the second team. Junior quarterback Justin Bouch (Brackenridge, PA/Highlands) comes off an outstanding season in which he completed a school-record 65.9 percent of his passes for 2,044 yards, the third-highest season total. He threw for 15 TDs and ran for two more.

Junior wide receiver Justin Lipscomb (Roaming Shores, OH/Grand Valley), like Bouch an All-PSAC first team choice, is a multi-talented performer. He led the Scots with 39 receptions for 739 yards with 6 TDs, while averaging 23.4 yards on 19 kickoff returns and 10.7 yards on 15 punt returns. Sophomore wideout Ryan Valasek (Natrona Heights, PA/Highlands) added 17 catches for 197 yards and 2 TDs, with senior tight end C.J. Trivisonno (Kirtland, OH/Kirtland) also hauling in 17 passes for 194 yards and two scores. Trivisonno was a second team All-PSAC West choice.

Matt Phillips (Monaca, PA/Monaca) is a bruising senior who filled a variety of roles. It is hoped that the 250 lb. back can spend most of his time at fullback this year. Phillips finished as the team's second-leading rusher with 644 yards on 161 carries with 13 TDs. None of the team's tailbacks has a career carry at the position.

The offensive line must replace All-PSAC West performers Joe Valvoda and Anthony Peluso, but returns a pair of second team All-PSAC West selections in right tackle Greg Bzorek (Saxonburg, PA/Knoch) and Chris Kaczor (Brook Park, OH/Berea), who moves from left guard to center.

The defense gave up just 16.3 ppg. a year ago, good for second in the PSAC and 12th in Division II. At one point the unit went 20 consecutive quarters without giving up a touchdown. Seth Fragale (Emporium, PA/Cameron County), a junior outside linebacker, is the top returning tackler with 86 hits, including team highs of 12.5 tackles for losses and 4 sacks. Fragale earned second team All-PSAC West honors. Senior defensive tackle Eric Neavins (Erie, PA/Central) was also a second team choice after recording 54 tackles.

Senior Brandon Banas (Buffalo, NY/McKinley) added 69 tackles from his inside linebacker position. The secondary showcases a pair of standouts in sophomore Raji El-Amin (Rochester, NY/Wilson Magnet) and junior Chris Avery (Berea, OH/Berea). El-Amin started the final 11 games at free safety as a true freshman, setting school records for interceptions (9) and yards returned (158), adding 60 tackles. He was selected the PSAC West Rookie of the Year and earned third team AP Little All-America honors, in addition to being named a first team All-PSAC West performer. Avery earned second team All-PSAC West accolades after the cornerback intercepted 7 passes.

Edinboro opens the 2004 season on Saturday, September 4, hosting East Stroudsburg. The Warriors were 8-3 a year ago and finished as Eastern Division co-champions with Bloomsburg for the second straight year. Coach Denny Douds' team is third in the PSAC East preseason poll, behind Bloomsburg and West Chester.

~ Fighting Scots ~

Edinboro Athletic Press Release Index

Created on ... August 2, 2004