Telegram & Gazette’s “Worcester State football preview: Lancers hope to build on fine finish”

WORCESTER, Mass. — The start of every football season brings excitement, but for Worcester State in 2016 there is extra enthusiasm.

The Lancers, as well as the rest of the Worcester State athletic department, moved into the campus's new Athletics Wellness Center earlier this month.

"Day one when we walked through it, especially for the returning players, I would call the reaction electric," senior defensive end Matt Loureiro said. "We were so happy to be here and see each other and have a locker room. It's just a totally different atmosphere when you have a facility like that, especially as nice as the one we have now."

The last two seasons, during construction of the building, the football team used a tent near Coughlin Field for its "locker room." The wait for the new locker, weight and training rooms was worth it.

"(The tent) is not the same environment," Loureiro said. "It's not private. It gets cold in the winter and hot in the summer. It's tough. We persevered. I'm proud of the team and what we were able to do in those circumstances."

The Lancers finished 4-6 in 2015. Their youth, especially in the secondary, was reflected in an 0-5 start and 4-1 finish to the season.

"It took those early games for (the young players) to get used to it," said coach Brien Cullen, who enters his 34th season at Worcester State. "I was very pleased with how they answered and came back in the second half and really pulled together, and we're trying to build on that."

Worcester State had two All-MASCAC selections in 2015, but both were seniors. The Lancers will miss running back Kemani Jones, the school's all-time leading rusher who went over 1,000 yards last season and also led the team in receptions. Also gone is return specialist Terrence Gibson, who led the conference with a 27.7-yard kickoff return average.

Quarterback Trevor Vasey, a transfer from Assumption who played his final season at Worcester State, passed for 2,798 yards and 18 TDs in 2015.

Vasey and Jones signed with teams from the European Football League after graduation.

"Our expectations are high," Cullen said, "but kind of tempered because we are so young at quarterback and running back. We have to see where those positions fall in."

Cullen said the offensive line is improved, and Worcester State returns all of its wide receivers as well as placekicker Noah Hwang and punter Pat Tuohy, who are both sophomores.

During the first couple weeks of training camp, Cullen has been encouraged by what he has seen of his defense.

The Lancers return five of their top six tacklers from last year, including senior defensive back Carrick Driscoll, who had four sacks, and Loureiro, a team captain.

"I feel really good defensively," Cullen said. "We were really young last year. We were a big sophomore/junior team. This year, our secondary is outstanding. Upfront, we're good and deep. Our linebackers will be good, but young.

"We have a really good core nucleus," Cullen said. "The players have been working hard, the attitude is very good. We're looking forward to the season."

Lancers at a glance

Coach: Brien Cullen (34th season, 170-136)

League: MASCAC

2015 record: 4-6 (4-4 MASCAC)

Top returning players: Sr. WR Arron Witkus (45 catches, 557 yards, 3 TDs), Sr. WR Derek Moore (29 catches, 404 yards, 2 TDs), So. K Noah Hwang (5-5 FGs, 21-23 PATs), So. P Pat Tuohy (32.8 average), Sr. DE Matt Loureiro (40 tackles, 2 sacks), Sr. DB Carrick Driscoll (4 sacks), DL Gaston Pastorino (57 tackles), So. DB Mike Holder (41 tackles).

Key losses: RB Kemani Jones (209 carries, 1,101 yards, 13 TDs), QB Trevor Vasey (2,798 yards, 18 TDs), WR/RS Terrence Gibson (10 catches, 396 yards, 4 TDs, 27.7 KOR average).

Notable newcomers: LB Mike Quinn (Northbridge), WR Chandler Brooks (Northbridge), WR Ed Boamah (Worcester), OL Mark Merchant (Fitchburg), OL Mike Hernandez (Worcester).

Schedule:

Sept. 2, Salve Regina, 7

Sept. 9, at WPI, 7

Sept. 17, Bridgewater State, 1

Sept. 24, at Mass. Maritime, noon

Oct. 8, Fitchburg State, 1

Oct. 15, UMass-Dartmouth, 2

Oct. 22, at W. Connecticut State, 5

Oct. 29, Plymouth State, 1

Nov. 5, at Westfield State, noon

Nov. 12, at Framingham State, noon