Sept. 1, 2001

Armed with 66 returning letter winners and 15 returning starters, the Johns Hopkins football team enters the 2001 season with hopes of contending for the Centennial Conference Championship.

An offense featuring returning First Team All-Centennial performers Scott Martorana (RB) and Zach Baylin (WR) and a defense anchored by senior All-Centennial performers Erich Hellmold (DL), Marc Della Pia (LB), and Craig Reinert (LB) will be the cornerstones of any success the Blue Jays achieve this season.

In addition, Johns Hopkins football coach Jim Margraff enters the 2001 season needing just one win to become the all-time winningest coach in school history. And while the abundance of returning players should push him to the top of the list this season, he refuses to allow the record to be a focus entering the season.

Margraff would rather talk about his senior skill position players, who left their mark on the JHU record book last season. Shift to the other side of the ball, and he sings the praises of a deep and talented defense that could be as balanced a unit as he has had in his 12-year tenure at Hopkins.

Indeed, the Blue Jays do return a talented group of players who are anxious to return to the form of several years ago, when Johns Hopkins posted three consecutive 7-3 records from 1996-98. In 1997 and 1998, the Blue Jays entered the final game of the regular season with a chance to win the Centennial Conference championship.

No Shortage of Offensive Firepower Expected

In 1991, the Johns Hopkins football team featured quarterback John Guglielmo, who passed for a school-record 2,476 yards and running back Paul Ferreri, who rushed for a then school-record 931 yards and 11 touchdowns. Don't forget wide receiver Joe Richards, who caught 53 passes for 1,023 yards (four yards shy of the school record).

Fast-forward 10 years to 2001, and the Blue Jays may feature a trio of players who could challenge this explosive trio. Senior quarterback Rob Heleniak, senior running back Scott Martorana, and senior wide receiver Zach Baylin all have the potential to approach the numbers posted by their predecessors. Add in an experienced, albeit young, offensive line, and all the makings for an offensive show during the 2001 season are in place.

Heleniak, Merrell Provide

Experience, Leadership at Quarterback

Heleniak and sophomore George Merrell combine to give Johns Hopkins one of the top quarterback tandems in the nation. Either is capable of leading the Blue Jays, although Heleniak enters the season as the starter after enjoying a breakthrough campaign last season.

"We feel very good about where we stand at quarterback," Margraff noted. "Rob obviously had an outstanding season last year and George was able to get some experience at the end of the season that should only help us this year."

Despite missing nearly three and a half games with an injury at the end of last season, Heleniak still threw for 17 touchdowns (one shy of the school single-season record) and 1,597 yards (ninth-highest single-season total). An Honorable Mention All-Centennial selection, Heleniak threw just five interceptions on the year and had several outstanding performances.

Against Kings Point, he completed 19-of-21 (.905) for 247 yards and three touchdowns, while he added a career-high 320 yards passing and three more touchdowns in a 33-20 victory over Muhlenberg. His consistency, strong arm, and solid decision-making ability make him one of the top returning quarterbacks in the Centennial Conference.

Merrell was pressed into service after Heleniak went down with a season-ending injury in the second half of the seventh game last season. In four games, including two starts, Merrell was 32-of-65 for 356 yards and three touchdowns against three interceptions.

Also one of the top young players on the Johns Hopkins baseball team, Merrell adds the threat of the run from the quarterback spot. Seeing the first significant action of his career against Dickinson, Merrell rushed for 68 yards, two touchdowns, and a two-point conversion.

Margraff used a rotating quarterback system in 1997 and 1998 and the Blue Jays responded by going a combined 14-6. Although Heleniak will take the role of starter into the season, Merrell is likely to see time throughout the year.

Martorana, Johnson Headline

Talented Group of Running Backs

Martorana, a First Team All-Centennial and First Team District II Academic All-America selection, returns for his final season after posting some staggering statistics last season. In just six games, he rushed for 678 yards and eight touchdowns. His 113.0 yards per game ranks as the third-highest single-season total in school history, while he averaged a staggering 195.7 all-purpose yards per game.

Making his numbers even more impressive is the fact that he only carried the ball once (for no gain) in the season-opener. In other words, in the five games he started, he averaged 135.6 yards per game. Against Centennial Conference opponents, he averaged 156 yards per game rushing and an eye-popping 235.2 all-purpose yards.

A dual rushing-receiving threat out of the backfield, Martorana was one of Heleniak's favorite targets as he caught 26 passes for 391 yards and three touchdowns on the year. His 1,174 all-purpose yards were over 150 more than anyone else on the team, despite missing four full games. A healthy Martorana gives Hopkins one of the more versatile running backs in the nation.

Not to be outdone, junior Kevin Johnson will push Martorana for the starting spot. One of the hardest working players on the team during the off-season, Johnson rushed for 394 yards and one touchdown last season and has over 800 yards rushing in two years.

Junior Harrell Lightfoot and sophomores Ben Stopper and Joe Nuni provide the Blue Jays with quality experienced depth.

Lightfoot averaged 5.7 yards per carry last season and scored one touchdown, while also ranking fourth on the team with 11 receptions for 146 yards. Stopper is one of the more versatile players on the team as he averaged over 16 yards per punt return, added 12 kickoff returns for 142 yards and had the third-longest reception on the team last year (56 yards against Bridgewater). Nuni saw limited action last season, but has worked very hard during the off-season and should have an impact this year.

"Like the quarterback position, we feel like we have more than one player who is capable of starting ," Margraff stated when asked to evaluate his stable of running backs. "Scott and Kevin have gotten a lot of the headlines, but Harrell, Ben, and Joe are all very good young players who will push for time."

Stache's Return Keys Fullback Position

Junior Steve Stache will look to bounce back from a season-ending knee injury he suffered in the eighth game of the 2000 season. Stache has started 16 games at fullback in the last two years and has averaged nearly five yards per carry during that time. However, his true value has been as a blocker, both in the running and passing games.

Sophomore Kyle Miller, who stepped in when Stache went down for the season last year, should push for increased playing time and will benefit from the experience he gained at the end of the year.

Baylin Leads Trio of Talented Receivers

Baylin enjoyed one of the finest seasons in school history by a wide receiver last season as he led the team with 68 receptions for 683 yards and a school-record 12 touchdowns. For the second consecutive season, he led the Centennial Conference in receptions, while he earned First Team All-Centennial and First Team All-ECAC honors. For good measure, he also earned Verizon District II Academic All-America honors as well.

Baylin, who has great hands and is fearless going over the middle, ranks third on the all-time receptions list at Hopkins (133), is tied for fifth in career TD receptions (14), and sixth in career receiving yards (1,393).

"Zach gives us a receiver that we can go to in just about any situation," Margraff noted. "He has great hands, can catch the ball in traffic, and will go over the middle. He elevates our receiving corps to another level."

Senior John Baker and sophomore Jason Lehman provide the perfect complement to Baylin. Baker surprised everyone last season with his 28 receptions for 359 yards and one touchdown. The crafty senior specializes in the difficult catch and has a knack for getting open.

Lehman is the heir apparent at wide receiver and Margraff would love for him to establish himself this season while Baylin is still active. As a freshman last year, Lehman caught three passes for 25 yards. With excellent size (6-4/210) and good hands, Lehman could be a force inside the 20.

Juniors to Battle for Starting Spot at Tight End

Juniors Mike Spears and Mark Gengaro figure to battle for the starting spot at tight end after both saw action in a reserve role last season. Neither Spears nor Gengaro registered any statistics last season, but both have the talent and work ethic to make an impact this season.

Young Offensive Line Fueled by

Kostibos, Kail, and Williams

If there is an area on the team where the future is very bright, it could be the offensive line, where the Blue Jays have three returning starters and no seniors among the returning letter winners. Wayne Bugel, who played the last three years as a defensive lineman, is the only senior listed on the preseason roster.

"The offensive line has the potential to be a pretty good unit," Margraff stated. "It's nice to have three starters returning and, if we can get a couple players back from injuries, this will still be a relatively young group."

Junior Kevin Kostibos returns to anchor the unit from his center position. Kostibos earned Second Team All-Centennial honors last season and has started 18 games in the last two years.

Sophomore Zach Kail stepped in last season and started all 10 games at left tackle. The strongest player on the team, Kail quickly asserted himself as a powerful run-blocker and a solid pass-blocker and should only improve with experience.

Often overlooked, junior Brian Williams started nine games last season at guard and helped the Blue Jays average over 25 points and nearly 350 yards of total offense per game. Williams has worked hard in the weight room in the off-season and teams with Kostibos to give the Blue Jays a solid interior.

Junior Leif Glynn, at 6-7, 270 pounds the largest player on the team, is slated to step in at right tackle, while the left guard spot should come down to juniors John Tiberi and Ben Kail.

Bugel played in nine games last season and saw action in 19 games in the last two years. Although he hasn't played offensive line in college, his game experience could prove valuable to a young group.

Change in Systems to Play Key Role Defensively

Long a team which featured a 4-3 alignment on defense, the Blue Jays will make the switch to a 4-4 unit this season to better utilize the talent on hand. Hopkins returns All-Centennial-caliber players along the line, at linebacker, and in the secondary and should be especially deep in the front eight.

"Right now, the talent in our program on the defensive side of the ball lends itself to us shifting to a 4-4 alignment," defensive coordinator Keith Emery noted. "This will allow us to put our best players on the field at all times."

The Blue Jays feature returning Second Team All-Centennial selections in senior defensive end Erich Hellmold and senior outside linebacker Craig Reinert. Junior Nick Loiacono, who transferred to Hopkins, earned Second Team All-Conference honors at Swarthmore last season, while senior Joe Angelosante returns for his fourth season as a starter in the secondary and will hold down one of the starting spots at cornerback.

Hellmold Leads Deep Defensive Line

Hellmold, who has played nearly every meaningful down in the last two years and has earned Second Team All-Centennial honors in each of the last two years, headlines a unit which goes eight deep with returning players alone.

"The effectiveness of our defense will depend largely on the defensive line," Emery stated. "Obviously, Erich has done a great job for us, but we have three solid ends, not just one, and several players who can play inside."

Hellmold was one of just two defensive players to start all 10 games last season and posted a career-high 43 tackles, including 12 for losses and six sacks from his defensive end position. The latter two figures led the team. Strong against both the run and the pass, Hellmold's continued performance at a high level will be a key to the success of the Blue Jays this season.

Senior Adam Seidman and Loiacono will battle for the starting end spot opposite Hellmold, although all three are likely to see time on a rotating basis.

Seidman finished fifth on the team in tackles last season with 36 from his linebacker spot and has the advantage of having played in the Hopkins system for three years. Loiacono went through the off-season weight-training program with the Blue Jays and appears capable of making an impact.

On the inside, junior Pat Doyle and sophomore Paul Smith figure to lead the charge for the starting spots. Doyle played in nine games last season with four starts and posted 26 tackles, including four for losses and one sack. Doyle has played in the shadow of several players who have graduated and appears ready to take the next step.

Smith led all JHU freshmen last season with 22 tackles, 5.5 tackles for losses, and three sacks. Although a bit undersized, Smith is one of the most tenacious players on the team and always seems to be in the middle of the action.

Sophomores Colby Umbrell, Hayes Griffin, and Rob Bates combined for 21 tackles in reserve roles last season and should work their way into the rotation with Doyle and Smith. Umbrell (6-0/245) and Griffin (6-1/240) are a little bigger than Bates (5-11/215), but it was Bates who demonstrated his athleticism with a 32-yard fumble return for a touchdown in a 54-13 win over Gettysburg last season from his linebacker spot.

Trio of Returning Starters Bolster

Linebacking Corps

With the switch to the 4-4, the Blue Jays will play to their strength at linebacker, where they return three players who combined to start 25 games last season and another player who may be the most athletic player at the position.

"We felt good enough about this group to move Adam (Seidman) to defensive end," Margraff noted. "We have two players who have earned All-Centennial honors during their career and two more (Little and Slemenda) who have made a lot of big plays for us. This group has great potential."

Reinert and fellow senior Marc Della Pia are joined by junior Mike Little as returning starters, while sophomore Colin Slemenda made an immediate splash in a reserve role last season and should step into a starting spot this year.

Della Pia and Little ranked first and second on the team in tackles last season and combine to give Hopkins one of the top inside linebacking tandems in the Centennial Conference.

For the second consecutive season, Della Pia led the Blue Jays in tackles with 68, including 5.5 for losses and one sack. An Honorable Mention All-Centennial selection as a sophomore, Della Pia has a knack for making plays and should flourish in the new system.

Little made the most of the most significant playing time of his young career last season as he finished just behind Della Pia with 65 tackles. In addition, he finished second on the team with nine and a half tackles for losses and added one interception as well.

Sophomores Peter Botsolas and Mike Gonnelli are likely to see time in a reserve roll on the inside. The pair saw extensive action on special teams last season and combined for 15 tackles.

A Second Team All-Centennial selection last season as an outside linebacker, Reinert prospered in the first injury-free season of his career. In nine games, he posted a career-high 34 tackles, including five for losses and one sack, while adding one interception and one pass breakup.

Slemenda is a rangy athlete who posted 17 tackles and blocked a pair of punts last season. He is expected to hold down the outside spot opposite Reinert.

Senior Nick Quercetti, who made five tackles while playing in all 10 games last season, and sophomore Paul Longo, who made seven tackles in eight games last year, will provide depth at the outside spots.

In addition to graduation loses at linebackers, the Blue Jays will have to fill the shoes of junior Keith Olkowski, who was lost for the season due to an off-season injury.

Secondary Features Three Returning Starters

While the Blue Jays may not feature any returning All-Centennial players in the secondary, what they do have is six players who started at least one game last season and four players who started at least four. With the switch to a three-man system in the secondary, this is a very experienced unit.

"We have a lot of versatility with our secondary," Emery commented. "Joe Angelosante has excelled at cornerback and safety and we have four other corners who have starting experience. This group could surprise a lot of people."

Angelosante is the headliner in a group of five cornerbacks loaded with experience. Prior to missing the last five games of the 2000 season, Angelosante was well on his way to earning All-Centennial honors as he posted 31 tackles, five pass breakups, and one interception in the first half of the season at his safety position. Angelosante has good size and is a strong player against the run. He posted 53 tackles as a cornerback two years ago and should provide security on his half of the field.

Pushing for time at cornerback are senior Mike Halas, juniors Matt Moritz and Noah Meier, and sophomore Mark Robinson. Halas, who may also see spot duty at wide receiver, and Meier were both limited by injuries last season but are expected to make a full recovery.

Halas posted 16 tackles in eight games, while Meier played in eight games with six starts and had 28 tackles and a team-high nine pass breakups to his credit before missing the final two games of the season.

Moritz, one of just two defensive players to start all 10 games last season, had a career-high 32 tackles, a team-high three interceptions, and five pass breakups in by far the most extensive action of his career.

Robinson, who is the least experienced of the group, could be the X factor in the secondary. A rangy player with good size, Robinson lacks only in playing experience at the corner, but gives JHU a taller player at the position, which would be a benefit inside the 20-yard line. In four games last season, Robinson had nine tackles, four pass breakups, and one interception to his credit. His interception with just over two minutes remaining in the game sealed a 21-20 victory over Franklin & Marshall.

At safety, sophomore Jonas Nelson returns after playing in nine games with four starts as a freshman. He ended the season with 19 tackles despite not moving over from wide receiver until well after the season had started.

Junior Rob Fernand, who is making the move from quarterback, will backup Nelson.

Return of Both Kickers Adds to Optimism

If, as it is often stated, special teams are just as important to a team as offense and defense, then the Blue Jays should have a leg up on the opposition this season. Senior Matt Andrade returns for his third season as Hopkins' place-kicker, while sophomore Chris Smolyn is back for his second season to handle the punting chores.

Andrade was 24-of-28 on extra points last season, while also nailing 3-of-5 field goals. In two years as Hopkins' starting place kicker, Andrade is 48-of-54 (.889) on extra points and 11-of-19 on field goals. He already ranks third all-time in career field goals and fourth all-time in career kick scoring (81). He could move as high as second on both lists this season.

Smolyn took over as the starting punter in the fourth game last season and averaged 34.6 yards on his 46 punts. In addition, 10 of his punts were downed inside the opposition's 20-yard line.

Schedule/Analysis

The Blue Jays will embark on one of the most ambitious schedules in school history when they host Washington & Lee on September 8. Hopkins will face four teams that participated in post-season play last season in Bridgewater, Ursinus, Muhlenberg, and Western Maryland. Add in contests against traditional Centennial rivals Gettysburg, Dickinson, and Franklin & Marshall, as well as an early-season date at Rochester, and the formidable schedule is complete.

The key to the season could be the first five weeks, when Hopkins will play three games at home. Starting with the October 13th date at Muhlenberg, the Blue Jays will play at home just once in the last month. A quick start to build confidence would help the Blue Jays on their way to where they want to be: playing for the conference championship in early November.