Leatherneck Football Alumnus,
It’s a new era for Leatherneck Football as I begin my first fall as head coach. Our 2013 team looks to take a major step forward and challenge in the highly competitive Missouri Valley Football Conference. Practice begins August 1st and it will be an exciting, competitive fall camp as we prepare for the first home game on August 29th vs Hampton University.
Team strengths will include a defensive unit that returns eight starters from 2012. The defense will be led by several returning all-conference players including junior CB Martinez Davis (2nd team in 2012), junior SS Jonathon Rollins (Honorable Mention in 2012), senior DT Ryan Demming (Honorable Mention in 2012) and sophomore LB JJ Raffleson (Honorable Mention All-Conference and finalist for the National Freshmen of the Year Award in 2012). Areas of concern will be depth at the defensive line and linebacker positions. Although we feel good about our front line personnel, we need to avoid injuries and stop the cycle of having to play first-year freshmen before they are ready.
A brief overview by position group is as follows:
Defensive Line:
Seniors Demming and Jacoby Sessions will lead an experienced group of inside players. Both played significant roles last season and have the tools to be defensive leaders. Sophomores Gavin Ricketts and Jean-Marc Charles will also play key roles inside. Both saw extensive action in 2012 with Charles playing mostly at the end position.
At the defensive end position, the healthy return of senior Ethan Bachinski and sophomore Eddy Holtschlag will be a huge plus, Holtschlag missed the majority of 2012 due to a knee injury and Bachinski was bothered by an ankle injury that limited him all season. These two have the potential to be high level players in the conference. Eddy’s twin brother, Chip, will give depth to the end position. Five talented freshmen were added to the defensive line position group through recruiting and will challenge our returners.
Linebacker
This group is led by Raffleson who comes off an outstanding freshman season and he has the ability to be one of the league’s premier defensive players. Senior Devon Butler had a strong spring at the middle linebacker position, allowing Raffelson to move to the Will linebacker for 2013. Kevin Kintzel, Luke Venegoni, and Jeremy Curry bring more talent, size and experience to this position group. If this group stays healthy it could be as good as any in the league.
Secondary
Lead by Davis and Rollins there is certainly experience here, the top cornerbacks looked good in the spring with senior Antoine Ford partnering with Davis. Junior David McDaniel also had a good spring at the free safety position paired with Rollins. Sophomore Dave Nicholson adds depth at the safety position and new three new junior college transfers: Safety Dallas Nichols, CB Marquette Privot, and CB/FS Richard Chungong will add more depth to this defensive position group.
Coach Nielson’s defensive keys for 2013 will be:
- The ability to get pressure on opposing QBs using a four man rush.
- Generating turnovers and field position for the offense.
- Limiting big plays and forcing teams to drive the football
Offensively, the staff worked hard this spring to implement our new system and concepts. The offense will be built around a strong running game complimented by the ability to throw the ball downfield with play action and drop-back pass. We improved this spring fundamentally and are excited to get back to work in fall camp. Personnel wise we will adapting our offensive philosophy slightly to fit what our current players can do well and will keep adding to our system as we progress.
Offensive Line
This group made significant progress over the spring and is led by senior Jimmy Holtschlag. Jimmy will man the right tackle position and if he stays away from the injury should have an all-conference type year. The other tackle looks to be filled by senior Jeff Lindsey, although undersized, he is a quick and aggressive player that can hold his own against bigger opponents. Other tackles in the mix include junior Jamal Keaton, who had a good spring, junior Sam Kachanik, who missed most of 2012 due to injury, and red-shirt freshman Toby Williams, who may be the most athletic of the three. The guard position includes sophomores Brandon De La Cruz and Mike Love, both started games and played a lot in 2012. The two of them have improved physically in the off-season becoming stronger and dropping weight to become more mobile. The center position was won in the spring by sophomore Ryan Ricketts and all three of the interior positions will be pushed by sophomores Sean Sullivan, who played O-line and D-line in 2012, and T.J. Palme who saw the field in a number of games last year at guard.
Running Back
Nikko Watson headlines this group as he rushed for 660 yards in 2012. His physical running style fits our offensive system and he is poised to have a strong year. He will be backed up by red-shirt freshmen Devon Moore, who missed most of spring practice due to a foot issue and Trent Snyder, who was converted from wide out this spring and showed improvement. A couple of transfers should provide immediate help here including junior college transfer J.C. Baker.
Wide Receivers
Two seniors Kyle Robiskie and Fredson Salomon should be the leaders in this group. Robiskie is a quality possession type receiver and Salomon has the speed to make the big play. Other returners in this group that will be factors are sophomore Malik Johnson and junior Quenton Keating. Newcomers Kareem Adewole, who had to red-shirt last season due to transfer rules, and junior college transfer Hi-C Scott will also figure into the mix. Chicago area true freshmen, Lance Lenoir and Joey Borcellino, may also be ready to contribute in this group.
Tight End
Senior Mason Howington returns after having played a significant amount in 2012. He will be pushed by sophomore Taylor Hill and red-shirt freshman Scott Simpson. Our offense will also feature a F-Back position that will play like a second tight end. You will see this position in multiple alignments and formations and it requires a player to be a solid blocker and receiver. This position group includes senior Nate Bowman along with junior Larry Harris and red-shirt freshman Chris Lisenby. All three showed the skills needed to be successful this spring.
Quarterback
The big question mark going into the season rests at this position. Only two returners are on the roster and neither has significant experience. Sophomore Hayden Northern, who played in a handful of games last season, brings the most experience while red-shirt freshman J’Vaughn Williams will challenge. Northern’s strength is in the passing game while Williams is the more effective runner. University of Cinninnati transfer Trenton Norvell, who joined the program this summer, should make a strong push for playing time as well.
Offensive Keys
- Develop a consistent ground game
- The immergence of a quarterback
- Minimizing turnovers and being effective in the red zone
Special Teams
This will be another area of emphasis in the fall as only two specialists return. Mike Famiglietti returns as a long snapper. Famiglietti missed part of 2012 with an injury and it proved costly. Nathan Knuffman returns as the only kicking specialist. Knuffman, who does both punting and kicking, showed good progress in the spring. Both a punting and kicking specialist were recruited and will be joining the team as freshmen in the fall.
Football alumni are welcome anytime at practice this fall and I encourage you to stop by the football office if you are through Macomb. All the best for the rest of the summer and look for another update as fall camp begins in early August.
Leathernecks Win,
Bob Nielson
Head Football Coach

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