Offense slam Generals

With most of their starters returning on both sides of the ball and with the addition of some much-needed depth to many positions on the field, the F&M football team was expecting that they would be able to start their 2010 campaign on a high note.

Little did they know they would be able to start their season like this.

Following a 2009 showdown that saw the Dips nearly blow an early lead to the Washington & Lee Generals in Lexington, Virginia, F&M made sure there would be no doubt about who deserved to win the 2010 edition of the series, trouncing the visitors 35-7 in a game where the score made it seem closer than it really was. F&M dominated every aspect of the game, including time of possession, total yards, first downs, and turnovers.

The dominating performance is just the first step in a season where the Dips are hoping to fully achieve their potential and propel themselves past the level they reached last season with an ECAC bowl victory.

“I think our kids realize how special they can be,” head coach John Troxell said. “You never know what’s going to happen in the first one until you get out there. It’s a good start for us.”

The Diplomats got off and running almost immediately, as quarterback John Harrison ’12 found All-American tight end Michael Deutch ’11 down the middle for a 53-yard gain, setting up a five-yard dive off of the right tackle into the endzone by running back John Kaschak ’12, giving the Dips a 7-0 lead just five minutes into the game.

F&M never slowed down from that point, as on W&L’s next possession, Generals quarterback Charlie Westfal fumbled the ball on a sack by linebacker Donald Wiezik ’12. Shane Gray ’11 scooped up the fumble and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Dips a 14-0 lead. 

The onslaught continued as F&M extended its lead to 29-0 by the end of the first half, a run highlighted by two more touchdown passes from Harrison: one to Deutch and another to wideout Jay Ridinger ’11.

Ridinger’s touchdown reception near the end of the first half pushed him in to a tie for sixth in F&M history for career touchdown receptions. Ridinger, who has been around F&M football his entire life, has been an important cog in the Diplomats' offense over the past several seasons, and his role in the system will only grow in his senior year following the departure of star wide receiver George Eager ’10.

“That’s what you expect from a four-year starter,” Troxell said when asked about Ridinger’s spectacular 18-yard touchdown catch. “A kid who has done it over and over and over. They always talk about the teams that win, win with experience, and although we were young last year, we have guys who have played.”

Following halftime, F&M only extended its lead when Harrison connected with wideout Tim Muller ’14 for a 38-yard touchdown strike, pushing the Diplomat lead to 35-0 and ending the day for most of F&M’s starters. While the second string offense came in and was unable to extend the F&M lead any further, the game had already been decided, as W&L never really was able to gain much traction against F&M’s stingy defense, turning the ball over three times in the second half.

By the end of the game, F&M had picked off two W&L passes and recovered two fumbles. 

Even though each and every turnover was important to F&M’s dominant performance, none was more impressive or momentum-turning than Gray’s fumble recovery for a touchdown in thefirst quarter. The play epitomized what coach Troxell has been saying ever since camp began: The 2010 version of F&M’s defense is stronger and faster than it has been in a long time.

“I think you’ll see our defense is pretty fast,” Troxell said. “I mean, they can run, they can strike. We’ve come a long way in four years. We’re still young and we still have a long ways to go, but we’re getting there.”

A major reason for F&M’s dominance on both sides of the ball was the way the Diplomats were able to assert themselves in the trenches throughout the game.

“The offensive and defensive lines are pretty good,” Troxell said. “Our defensive line has tremendous speed and size. Offensively, four of those guys have played college football [prior to this year] … if they produce, we’ll be able to win games.”

By manhandling W&L’s linemen throughout the game, the F&M offensive line was able to create holes for Kaschak to run through, and, as a result, the prolific running back is approaching some pretty impressive company as he inches closer to cracking F&M’s top-ten list for career rushing yards. According to Troxell, F&M will rely heavily on Kaschak as the season progresses, hoping that an efficient rushing attack will open up additional passing lanes for Harrison and his battery of explosive receivers.

“[Kaschak] does so many things for us,” Troxell said. “Last year we were more of a throwing team, but with him, he’s versatile in terms of pass catching and running. Again, he’s 215 pounds, and I’m hoping that we get him to a point where … you can see guys are going to have trouble bringing him down and the piles keep moving forward.”

While F&M’s manhandling of their opening weekend opponent is certainly a welcome sight to Troxell and his coaching staff, he will be quick to remind his team that, as the team enters Centennial Conference play next week, the quality of the competition will only increase. With the addition of Susquehanna to the Centennial Conference slate, F&M has four playoff teams in its ranks, which doesn’t include Dickinson, a team that would likely have been selected for an ECAC bowl berth had it been an ECAC member.

“[The season] gets a lot harder from here,” Troxell said. “The team we play next week is, in my mind, one of the favorites to win this conference. It’s going to really show us where we’re at.”

Following their convincing opening round victory, F&M will prepare for their Centennial Conference opener against the Ursinus Bears, who beat Albright 21-13 in their season opener. Gametime is set for 1 p.m. at Williamson-Sponaugle field.