The Shepherd Rams Football team won all of its regular season games for the past two years. With the 2006 undefeated season and playoff loss to Bloomsburg in the books, the focus is now on the upcoming year. Though it may seem early to be talking football, every season really begins with spring training. The Observer had a chance to see the team during its spring scrimmage and talked with players and Coach Monte Cater about what’s in store for 2007.

There is a football adage that the obstacle to any winning college season is experience. The 2007 Rams team has lost 17 seniors, included starting kicker and cornerback, both key positions. Still, a core group of players on this year’s team has logged a lot of playing time. If the Rams hope to make it back to the playoffs they will need these experienced players to step up and play their best. And, according to Coach Cater, the secondary and the kicking have to improve.

Cater’s concern for the secondary is shared by starting cornerback Ayo Ejiel, the only starter from the secondary returning to the Rams this season. Ejiel, the senior member of an otherwise young defensive backfield, hopes he can help by being a mentor to some of the younger players. Ejiel was sidelined for the spring game with an injured thumb, but his intensity and passion were on display as he walked the sideline calling out missed assignments and cheering on his defense. After spring surgery on his thumb, he expects to be ready when summer training camp begins.

Defensive tackle Franklin Herrera heads up a defensive line that lost two starters from last year. With both playoff losses still in mind, Herrera is focused on helping his team get back to the playoffs and contend for a national title. “There were too many big holes left open on defense,” he said. “The team needed to be aggressive up front and contain the draw plays that were killing us.” Herrera also was sidelined for the spring game but said he would be ready to go when the regular season begins.

Outside linebacker Jerome Quinato feels the team needs to have more heart when it comes down to crunch time in the playoffs and that last year the team got down and did not fight back. Asked whether the defense will have that toughness while in a rebuilding mode, he didn’t hesitate. “The front seven are a bunch of animals,” he said. Citing the fact that only two losses of the past two seasons came at home in playoff games: “ I know this team is better than that.”

Running back Devan Wallace is projected to be the break-out player this season, a belief shared by teammates and fans. When asked about this expected role, Wallace said, “Hopefully the work I put in during the off season will pay off.” With the help of an offensive line that has been together since 2004, Wallace thinks 2,000 yards could be in his sights. For him, the key to another undefeated regular season is to stay healthy. He also thinks the team needs more of a balanced attack in all three phases of the game because the bench is not as deep as it was last year.

Any success the Rams will have this year starts with the quarterback position. After becoming a starter last season when the team’s regular quarterback was injured, Tyler Levin enters this season as the team’s starting quarterback. He says he is comfortable in the role, ready to voice his opinion and ready to be a leader. He thinks his experience in last year’s playoff game will help him in this year’s run at the championship.

Asked about his impressions of the spring game, Coach Cater responded, “The biggest thing about the spring game is to get through the spring healthy and get a chance to see how some of our young guys look out there.” Although new recruits do not begin practicing with the team until summer, Coach Cater is optimistic about the new class of players. “The class of the recruits is a big one and a talented one,” he said, adding “We have a great class of wide outs, corners, and kickers.”

When asked how he felt about the regular season opener against Millersville, Cater said he expects them to be much improved from last year. The Rams also will have to watch out for Shippensburg, their main rival. One thing is for sure, after two undefeated seasons, the Rams will be eyeing a run at a national championship from the opening game.