Fighting Scots To Begin Spring Football Drills on April 1
March 29, 2006

EDINBORO, PA – A new staff, several new players, and the same goal – win the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division Championship. That is the task facing first-year coach Scott Browning as the opening of spring practice begins for the Edinboro University football team on Saturday, April 1. Browning will put his Fighting Scots through 15 practices between April 1 and the end of spring drills on Saturday, April 29.

Of course, Browning is no stranger to the Edinboro program. While named as Lou Tepper’s replacement in January, he previously served twenty seasons as an assistant coach for the Fighting Scots. During that period he has been a part of five PSAC championship teams and seven teams which have been selected for the NCAA Playoffs.

Browning and defensive coordinator Wayne Bradford remain as full-time staff members from last year’s squad which finished 8-2 and won its third straight PSAC West title. Browning recently added Kim Niedbala as the secondary coach and Keith Braxton as the defensive backs coach to his staff.

“It will be an adjustment with out new staff and working with the players,” Browning admitted. “We’re not really going to try and put a lot in. We’re going to use the Vince Lombardi theory and start from scratch. We are going to stress the fundamentals, blocking and tackling.”

The Fighting Scots have several key positions to fill, including at quarterback where record-setting signalcaller Justin Bouch has moved on, and on defense replacing the likes of All-PSAC performers Seth Fragale and Greg MacAnn. But 42 letterwinners return, including seven starters on defense and six starters on offense.

The Edinboro defense was the top-ranked unit in the country in the three categories that matter the most: scoring defense (9.3 ppg.), total defense (211.2 ypg.), and rushing defense (53.7 ypg.). The unit returns four players who earned All-PSAC honors, including junior Chris Amico, the 2005 PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year. The 6’0”, 250 lb. noseguard finished with 49 tackles, with 14.5 for losses and 8.5 sacks. Ben Stroup, a senior linebacker, led the Scots with 76 tackles and 15.5 tackles for losses. He was also a first team All-PSAC West choice.

The offense must find a new leader with Bouch, but Browning has great confidence in junior Josh Hinkle, last year’s backup to Bouch, and redshirt freshman Trevor Harris. Whichever player starts will rely greatly on Ryan Valasek, a senior wide receiver who earned second team All-PSAC West honors after catching 28 passes for 509 yards with 5 TDs.

As always, Edinboro will rely on a strong ground game. Ulysee Davis, who started most of the season, returns after finishing with 739 yards and 8 TDs. Several impressive incoming freshman could also make an impact, although that won’t be known until the fall.

The offensive line must try to replace two stalwarts in All-American Greg Bzorek and LaMont Singleton. Both players were selected for the Cactus Bowl. The line still possesses plenty of talent, beginning with Chris Kaczor, a 6’2”, 300 lb. senior who is a three-time All-PSAC West honoree. Kaczor has played center the last two years, and earned first team all-conference honors both seasons, but will likely move to guard this season.

The Browning Era will officially begin on Saturday, September 2 when the Fighting Scots travel to West Chester. That will begin what may be the most ambitious schedule in school history. Not only does it include the likes of PSAC West powerhouses California(Pa.), Indiana(Pa.) and Shippensburg, but the Scots face the top three teams from the PSAC East in Bloomsburg, West Chester and East Stroudsburg. The trio combined for a 30-7 record last year, and all three made the NCAA Playoffs.

2006 EDINBORO SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE SCHEDULE

NOTE: Weekday practices to run from approximately 3:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday practices will end by 11:40 a.m. Due to weather, etc., this schedule is subject to change.