LYCOMING FOOTBALL RANKED IN TWO PRESEASON POLLS

WILLIAMSPORT, PA – With the college football season still more than two months away, the preseason prognosticators have begun to forecast the 2004 campaign. A pair of national publications has high expectations for the Lycoming College football squad with Lindy’s ranking the Warriors sixth in the nation and Street & Smith’s dubbing Lycoming 15^th.

“It’s always nice to be recognized among the elite programs in the nation,” said Warrior head coach Frank Girardi. “But the games are still played on the field and last time I checked we don’t get any points for being ranked. We’re just looking forward to getting into camp and preparing for the upcoming season.”

Lycoming returns 13 starters and 35 letter-winners from last season’s 9-2 squad that advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA playoffs. Seniors Phil Mann (Mill Hall, Pa.; Central Mountain) and Brian Kaspick (Clearfield, Pa.; Clearfield) along with junior Luke Sterling (Lehighton, Pa.; Lehighton) will captain the team.

Mann was a second-team All-MAC selection after leading the Warriors’ offense with 2,473 yards passing and 279 yards rushing. Mann played a part in 25 of Lycoming’s 41 touchdowns last season. Kaspick was a first-team All-MAC selection at free safety in 2003. He was fifth on the squad with 51 tackles while breaking up nine pass attempts, including four interceptions. Sterling was also a first-team all-conference performer and earned honorable mention All-America honors from the Division III Sports Information Directors. Sterling was second on the team with 74 tackles, including 11 sacks. He also broke up eight passes – intercepting one, forced two fumbles, and recovered five fumbles.

The Warriors open the season on Saturday, September 11, at King’s College. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.

The complete top-25 preseason rankings from Lindy’s and Street & Smith’s magazines: