1999 Record 6-4 .600 Overall 0-0 .000 Conference Location: Ferrum, VA Head Coach: Dave Davis (Elon '71) Stadium (cap.): W.B. Adams (5500) Conference: USAC Region: South 2000 Schedule

Dave Davis' 2000 team opens the season riding a five-game win streak. Ferrum won its last five games last season to post a 6-4 overall record. Ferrum went 4-2 in the Atlantic Central Football Conference, sharing the league’s runner-up spot with Wesley.

Ferrum’s 2000 football squad will feature 17 seniors, the largest group of seniors in recent years. Among those seniors are seven ACFC All-Conference selections. A breakdown of Ferrum’s offensive, defensive, and special teams units follows.

Ferrum’s offensive unit closed out the 1999 season with a No. 6 ranking in rushing offense, averaging 277.7 yards per game on the ground. This year’s offensive line will be loaded with talent and experience. Senior all-conference guards Dan Baker (6-3, 274) and Steve Mings (6-0, 270) return to lead a strong contingent of linemen. Baker was a first team All-Conference selection last year, while Mings was a second team selection the past two seasons. Senior Tim Boothe (6-0, 254) will start at center after splitting time there last season. Travis Miles (5-10, 284, Sr) and Clint Melton (6-1, 275, Sr) add depth to the line.

Ferrum’s entire backfield returns, including quarterback Phil Hairston (5-11, 183, So), who was named ACFC Rookie of the Year in 1999. Hairston led Ferrum in rushing (828 yds, 4 TD) and total offense (1351 yds). Backing Hairston up will be Kevin Embick (5-10, 204, So).

Fullback Randy Anderson (5-8, 213, Sr), and tailbacks Kodi Smith (5-7, 175, Sr) and Tony Childress (6-0, 175, Sr) all return to the backfield. Anderson rushed for 778 yards last year and a pair of scores, and was an ACFC All-Conference first team selection. He earned second team All-Conference in 1998. Smith’s speed and quickness make him a scoring threat whenever he is on the field. He led the league in punt returns (9.9 yd/ret) and totaled 760 all-purpose yards last year. Childress is one of Ferrum’s all-time best blocking backs. He earned an honorable mention spot on the All-Conference team the past two seasons.

Receivers to watch include wideouts Andre Walker (6-4, 172, Jr.) and Joey Gause (5’7, 158, Sr.). Walker led the team in receiving yards last year with 242 on 12 receptions. Gause earned ACFC second-team honors in 1998. Tailbacks Smith and Childress both caught 13 passes out of the backfield as well for 143 and 114 yards, respectively.

Ferrum closed the season with a No. 3 ranking in pass efficiency defense with a 72.1 rating, allowing just 103 yards per game through the air. The Panthers were also sixth in scoring defense, allowing just 10.3 points per game, and 12th in total defense, allowing 237.8 yards per game. Ferrum led the ACFC in nine defensive categories last year.

A large part of the success was Ferrum’s quarterback pressure. This year’s defensive line will be led by four solid seniors: defensive linemen Al Staley (6-4, 274, Sr) and Jamie Dunn (5-10, 254, Sr), and defensive ends Tone’ Dancy (6-1, 257, Sr) and Derrick Johnson (5-10, 239, Sr). Dancy was a first team All-Conference selection last year, while Staley was an honorable mention. Dancy tied the school record for sacks with 11 last year. Adding depth to the line will be Javon Baker (6-3, 250, Jr), who saw plenty of playing time including a few starts.

The linebacker corps will be led by Kelvin Fuller (5-11, 242, So), who was a first team All-Conference selection and led the team in total tackles with 61. Greg Middleton (5-11, 200, Jr) returns as well after a great season a year ago. He had 37 tackles and three interceptions on his way to a spot on the ACFC All-Conference second team. Fifth-year senior Brian Zyglocke (6-0, 216, Sr) was fourth in total tackles with 41 last year and has a wealth of experience with the defensive unit. Mark Renske (5-10, 200, Sr) and Chris Pannell (6-0, 197, So) are returning starters that will bolster the defense.

The defensive backfield returns a pair of returning All-Conference performers in Timmy Carter (6-0, 158, Jr) and Dennis Freeman (6-0, 173, Jr). Carter led the ACFC in interceptions per game (0.78) and had six pass breakups. He was named to the All-Conference first team. Freeman was a second team All-Conference selection, making 43 tackles and 11 pass breakups. Rod Thomas (6-0, 168, So) started in six games last year and will be back to help the secondary, as will Derek Wall (5-11, 194, Jr) and Nat Hodges (5-11, 164, So).

After struggling through the first five games of the season, in which Ferrum missed 9 of 10 field goals, Ferrum’s kicking game did a 180 when Joe Cavaleri (6-0, 176, So) stepped into the starting role. Cavaleri was 8-for-9 on field goals and 11-for-12 in PATs to lead Ferrum's scoring with 35 points last season. He connected on an ACFC record 43-yarder against Salisbury State. Cavaleri drilled game-winning FGs last year: against Guilford, Frostburg State, and Wesley.

Kodi Smith is once again slated to handle punt returns and kickoff returns. He returned 17 punts for 169 yards (9.9 yd/ret) and 11 kickoffs for 190 yards (17.3 yd/ret). He was a first team All-Conference specialist in 1998.