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Sept. 7, 2007

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy sprint football team will kickoff its 2007 campaign this Sunday when it travels to Bobcat Stadium to take on Frostburg State JV at 6 p.m.

The Midshipmen own a 5-0 advantage in the all-time series over the Bobcats entering Sunday night's contest. The two teams last met during the 2002 season, as Navy went up to Frostburg, Md., and handed the hosts a 55-7 defeat.

The Midshipmen sport an impressive 58-2-1, a .959 winning percentage, all-time record in season-opening contests. Navy has won 31-consecutive season openers, with its last opening day loss coming in 1975.

Navy also boasts an all-time record of 21-1, a .955 winning percentage, against teams non-CSFL teams, including its current 10-game winning streak. The Midshipmen have won 13-consecutive non-league games since a loss in the 2001 Anthracite Bowl.

Last Saturday, the Midshipmen geared up for the regular season with a 14-7 victory over Washington & Lee in a scrimmage at Rip Miller Field in Annapolis. Navy's defense limited the Generals to 123 yards of total offense and tallied nine sacks on the day. Offensively, quarterback D.J. Green (Jr./Indianapolis, Ind.) fired touchdown strikes to wide receivers Tommy Tellson (Jr./Bedford, Texas) and Todd Barriger (Sr./Prescott, Mich.).

Following Sunday's game, Navy will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 22, when it heads to the Allegiance Bowl in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., for the first of two games against Army this year.

2007 SEASON PREVIEW

With a program as entrenched in success as the Navy sprint football program, the objectives for the 2007 squad are no different than any other team to don the Navy blue and gold - win the CSFL title and beat Army.

This season, the Midshipmen will be under the guidance of first-year head coach Maj. Jake Jenkins, USMC, an individual accustomed to winning during his sprint football playing career with Navy a decade ago. Helping Jenkins reach the annual goals set forth is a group of 31 letterwinners from last season, 11 of which served as starters.

For the fourth-consecutive season, Navy will turn to a new starting quarterback to take the snaps from center. However, the Mids will not be inexperienced in this regard, as D.J. Green saw action in four games last season. The junior from Indianapolis completed 10 of his 20 pass attempts for 117 with a touchdown for the 2006 squad. Also competing for time as the signal caller are Matthew Mitchelson and Jon DeWitt. Mitchelson spent some time at wide receiver one year ago, hauling in a 23-yard touchdown pass against Princeton.

RUNNING BACKS

Perhaps the highlight of the returning Midshipmen this season is the rushing attack, as Richard Engel and Enrique Harris they teamed up for 993 yards on the ground with 12 touchdowns. Engel, a first-team all-league running back in 2006, churned out 659 yards on 115 carries with nine scores. The Navy senior posted three 100-yard efforts on the year, two of which came against arch rival Army. Harris, a second-team all-league running back, tallied 334 yards with three touchdowns on 52 rushing attempts and also had a 100-yard performance against Penn. Nate Stewart, Steve Benson and Alfonso Meidus all saw playing time in 2006 and will be expected to serve again in 2007. The trio of running backs totaled 206 yards and a touchdown on 45 carries.

RECIEVERS

The aerial game will have several capable targets to haul in passes and make defenders miss. Leading the cast of receivers is Tommy Tellson, who earned second-team all-league honors after making 18 receptions for 273 yards and two touchdowns last year. Offensive team captain Todd Barriger will also provide the Mids with a deep threat, as he averaged 26.8 yards per catch in 2006. Nash Bagby and Brad Cash both saw time at wide out during the 2006 campaign and are expected to contribute again this year.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Midshipmen return three starters on an offensive line that paved the way for 358.0 yards of total offense and 27.5 points per game. Michael Bosworth earned first-team all-league honors in 2006, as he started all six games at the right guard position. Jeff Schuele started at left guard in every game last season and earned second-team all-league recognition, while Drew Cecil protected the quarterback's blind side at left tackle in a starting role during the 2006 campaign.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Plenty of experience returns on the front four of the defense in 2007, as two returning starters and the defensive team captain highlight the cast. Justin Nabozna, a first-team all-league defensive lineman in 2006, led the team with eight tackles for a loss of 31 yards and finished fourth on the squad with 25 tackles. On the other side of the line, Galen Landis produced 18 tackles and a sack in six starts during his sophomore campaign. Defensive team captain Taylor Brashear will be expected to provide leadership and a force in the middle of the defensive line.

LINEBACKERS

Despite the graduation of Ryan Engle and Danny Davis from last year's team, Navy's linebackers in 2007 are reloaded for success. Brian Smith led the team in tackles with 39 one year ago, and was such an electric force that he earned second-team all-league distinction and the team's Special Forces Award. Tyler Hawkins stepped up during his freshman campaign to make an immediate impact last year, as he made 21 tackles, 14 of which came in a start at Cornell. Chris Combellick also saw action in four games in his first season with the sprint football team in 2006 and will be counted on for additional help this year.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Navy's secondary heading into the season returns plenty of athleticism and covering ability this year, despite losing two starters from a year ago due to graduation. James Campbell earned all-league recognition in 2006, as he led the team with three interceptions and four pass breakups, while also accumulating nine tackles and forcing a fumble. Andrew Wright joined Campbell in the starting cast, as he totaled 22 tackles and swatted away three passes en route to all-league honors. Hunter Armour could also be counted on to immediately produce for the Mids, as he spent his first two seasons in Annapolis playing for the junior varsity team.

KICKERS

The kicking area will be a strong area for the Midshipmen, as they return their kicking specialists from last year. David Reifenberg made all 15 extra-point attempts and connected on three of four field goal attempts in earning first-team all-league kudos. Reifenberg and Stephen Phillips combined on kickoff duty in 2006, as the two kickers combined for two touchbacks and held the opposition to a 28-yardline average for starting field position. In addition to wide receiver duties, Bagby was named an all-league punter after averaging 34.2 yards per punt and dropping in three of his 13 punts inside the 20.