RICHMOND, Ind. — A new era in the history of Earlham College football begins this season as the Quakers move into the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, after competing in the North Coast Athletic Conference since 1990.
“It is a new era, but I participated in the Hoosier-Buckeye Conference and my dad played in the Hoosier Conference,” said Earlham Head Coach Gerry Keesling, who was a running back for the Quakers from 1978-81. “Many of the teams are the same, so I'm excited to go back to my roots.”
Many of the current Quakers have some familiarity with the HCAC as well. Last season, Earlham went 2-1 against schools from its new conference by beating Anderson and Manchester, while falling to Rose-Hulman.
“All of the teams are competitive and very good and we've played Manchester, Anderson and Rose-Hulman for years in our non-conference schedule,” said Keesling, who is entering his seventh season as Earlham's head coach.
The Quakers have 42 lettermen back from last year's 5-5 squad that was 3-4 in the NCAC. There are nine offensive and seven defensive starters returning.
Keesling is expecting several first-years to contribute right away. “It's the most athletic class that we've had since I've been here,” he said. “There are some strong and fast players, who have the ability to challenge for time early in the season.”
Offense
Leading the way on offense are quarterbacks Dorian Jenkins and James Mees. “I anticipate those two guys to battle every day,” Keesling said. “Each guy brings different tools that can be successful and both are quality people. They bring great size and accuracy to the position and they can make all of the throws, while being in tune with the offense.”
Jenkins threw for 1,102 yards and nine touchdowns last season as a sophomore, while running for 230 yards and three more scores.
Mees had 310 yards through the air with three touchdowns as a first-year. All three of the scoring passes by Mees came in the fourth quarter of a 21-17 come-from-behind win at Denison.
Senior Nick Cummings led the Quakers in rushing last season with 530 yards for a 4.3 average per carry. “When we give him the ball, he gains good yardage,” Keesling said.
Also returning is senior Kyle Ripperger, who was Earlham's second-leading receiver a year ago with 23 catches for 351 yards and four touchdowns. “Ripperger is one of the best athletes we have,” Keesling said. “He is very elusive and we look for big things from him.
Another senior is the versatile Bryant Foreman, who was second on the team a year ago in all purpose yards. “He is a go-to-guy and has scored 19 touchdowns in his career,” Keesling said. “We'll lean on him heavily, especially early in the season.”
Foreman had 20 receptions for 213 yards last fall. Junior Jaysn Murphy is also back after catching 15 passes in 2009 for 143 yards.
Keesling is also counting on seniors Mike Liby, Wes Bowling and Andrew Roembke to provide leadership in the trenches. “The more senior oriented you are on the offensive line, the better chance you have of being a good football team,” he said. “I'm expecting a lot from those guys.”
Defense
Despite having seven starters back on defense, the Quakers will have a different look. “We lost four quality players in Cale Gulliford, Adam LaFollette, Alex Painter and Jake Carr.,” Keesling said.
Senior defensive back Ben Randall had 68 tackles, which was third on the squad. “Heading into the season, we feel very good about the secondary, except for the position that Jake played,” Keesling said.
Seniors Dan Kelich, Austin Manahan and Lenden Bowsman, along with sophomore Dakota McKelly are expected to make the secondary successful, but a first-year performer will likely be needed to fill Carr's position.
The linebackers get a boost as senior John Metcalf is back for a fifth year after being injured in 2009 in the third week of the season. “Metcalf coming back for us is great,” Keesling said.
As much as Metcalf's injury may have hurt the Quakers in 2009, it could prove beneficial to the team this year. “Collin Draine stepped up and did a very good job in place of Metcalf last season,” Keesling said. “He gained a lot of experience at linebacker last fall.”
Up front on defense, the anchor is junior nose guard Chad Wertman. Wertman was selected as the NCAC Defensive Player of the Week late in the 2009 season after making 11 tackles in a 21-9 victory over Kenyon.
Junior Josh Lewis and sophomore Eric Partin are expected to play a major role on the defensive line.
Special Teams
Junior Andy Jackson, who is also in the mix at quarterback, is back as the team's punter. Jackson had a 33.7 yard average and put 10 kicks inside the 20-yard line.
All-NCAC First Team performer Max Crumley-Effinger, who established nearly all of Earlham's kicking records, has graduated. “You can not replace a kicker like Max,” Keesling said. “It's up in the air. Bryant Foreman has a little experience and first-year Grant Shreve could contribute.”
Foreman and junior L.V. Plummer are expected to return punts and kicks.
Schedule
With the move to the HCAC, Earlham's 2010 schedule has six different foes. “It is odd after being here for 19 years to see some fresh faces,” said Keesling, who was an assistant for over a decade before taking charge of the program. “Our players are excited and it is a fresh beginning.”
The Quakers open the season at home against The University of the South (Sewanee) on Sept. 4. “We are going to have to do a lot of research because we haven't played them since 1988,” Keesling said.
Earlham is also at former conference foe Denison on Sept. 11. The following week the Quakers visit Manchester for the first HCAC contest on Sept. 18. Earlham beat Manchester 31-21 last season. Next up is Anderson at home on Sept. 25. The Quakers also defeated the Ravens 37-34 in 2009.
Another home contest with Bluffton (Oct. 2) starts a stretch of five new opponents. Earlham is at Hanover (Oct. 9) before retuning home to face Defiance (Oct. 16) and the College of Mount St. Joseph (Oct. 23).
The season ends with road trips to Franklin (Nov. 6) and Rose-Hulman (Nov. 13). “I love the rivalry weekend the Heartland has at the end of the season,” Keesling said.
Rose-Hulman, who the Quakers have opened every season with since 2000, is one of Earlham's oldest rivals dating back to 1897. The two schools have played the Battle of the Borders since 2001.
