Arruza Looks To Turn Around Yellow Jacket Program
Preview Courtesy of the Randolph-Macon Sports Information Department  

The 2004 football season will be exciting for Randolph-Macon College, as the Yellow Jackets will be under a new head coach, Pedro Arruza.  Two assistants return, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Ron Maier and running backs coach Mac McConnell.  New staff members include recruiting coordinator and offensive line coach Brian Hickson, special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach Russ Mollet, and defensive line coach Ryan Turnage.  A strong nucleus of returning players will be joined by some talented newcomers, all looking to finish the campaign with a winning record.

At quarterback, senior Heath Brownlee and sophomore Daniel Bowles will battle for a starting spot.  Last season Brownlee appeared in six games, completing 11-of-34 passes for 75 total yards and one touchdown.  Bowles saw limited action in 2003.

Two top returning receivers for the Yellow Jackets will be junior Daryl Kimball and senior Casey Maher.  Last year Kimball led Randolph-Macon in receptions, with 40, and receiving yards, with 360.  He was named second-team all-Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC).  Maher caught 26 passes for 292 yards and one touchdown.

Seth Rapoza led the Yellow Jackets in receiving touchdowns as a sophomore in 2003 with three as a tight end.  Sophomore tailback Jason Taylor carried the ball 53 times for 68 net yards and one touchdown last season.

Junior Phillip Smith, a first-team all-ODAC selection last season after being named second-team all-conference as a freshman, returns to lead the offensive line.

Several players return on the defensive line.  Senior tackle Caleb Strepka totaled 36 tackles last year, including nine for a total loss of 30 yards and six sacks for 21 yards.  Senior end Casey Allen had 30 total tackles last season before being moved to fullback.  Junior end Pete Scherer had 23 tackles in 2003, including five for a loss of 20 yards and three sacks for 18 yards.  Junior noseguard Thomas Rhone also returns, along with senior end Chris Washington, who was injured for part of last season.

Junior linebacker Leonard Abbott totaled 32 tackles last year, and also had one interception and one fumble recovery.  Senior Ryan Pustilnik will also look to start at a linebacker spot.

Senior defensive back Michael Bryant will lead the Yellow Jacket secondary.  He had 22 total tackles in 2003, and was tied for first in the ODAC in interceptions, with six, totaling 64 yards on returns.  Bryant was named both second-team all-conference and Honorable Mention all-state by the Virginia Sports Information Directors.  He also returned 12 punts for 193 total yards and one touchdown, and will look to help in that area again this year. 

Among those joining Bryant in the secondary will be junior Jonathon Farmer, who had 47 total tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovery last season.  Sophomore Khalil Shareef had 23 total tackles in his rookie campaign.

Senior David Ping and sophomore Reggie Moore each converted on three field goal attempts last year.  Ping also made 13-of-15 PAT attempts, while Moore handled kick-off duties.