2000 Record 8-2 .800 Overall 3-0 1.000 Conference Location: Dover, DE Head Coach: Mike Drass (Mansfield '82) Stadium (cap.): Wesley (2500) Conference: ACFC Region: South 2001 Schedule

Wesley has a long and proud tradition that dates back to the early 1950s. But it is what the Wolverines have done in the last decade that has put Wesley in the Division III football spotlight. The Wolverines have posted 11 consecutive winning seasons with a record of 81-30-1 (.730 winning percentage) including last season’s Atlantic Central Football Conference championship and a trip to the NCAA playoffs. Since 1990, the Wolverines have played six postseason games and have won four championships.

Coach Mike Drass and the Wolverines welcome back 12 starters. The explosive Wesley offense ranked 11th in Division III, averaging 41.2 points a game and picked up over 200 yards rushing a game and over 200 yards passing a game. Wesley also finished in the Top 20 in total defense for the seventh time in the last eight years. The stingy Wolverine pass defense finished sixth in the nation in pass efficiency at 75.1.

The offense is led by All-American quarterback candidate Jason Visconti (Sr. 6-2/212 Cinnaminson, N.J.). Visconti led the ACFC in every passing category and is the conference record-holder in virtually all passing marks. Visconti has passed for 4,400 yards and 40 TDs over the last three seasons. In the backfield Fred Edwards (Jr. 5-10/217 Lake Helen, Fla.) and Fullback Ken Wilson (Sr. 5-10/220 Woodbury, N.J.) are set to start the season. Edwards has rushed for 320 yards and two TDs as while averaging 5.6 yards a carry. Wilson an excellent athlete scored on special teams and through the air last season.

The receiving corps may be the strongest in Wolverine history. All-ACFC Joe Able (Jr. 6-3/191 Baltimore, Md.) leads the way. Able has 43 catches for 783 yards and 7 TDs in his career. He will be joined by senior Keenan Wright (6-1/182) who has 46 passes caught for 525 yards and four TDs. Marcus Cosby (Jr. 5-7/155 Westville, N.J.) has proved himself elusive last season averaging 19 yards a catch and two TDs, Cosby is also the Wesley record-holder for most punt return in a career (47) and most yardage in a season (237). The group is rounded out by the big play talent of James Lowe (Jr. 6-3/180 Baltimore, Md.) who had caught 23 passes or 408 yards and five TDs last year.

The offensive line is led by All-American candidate Pat Schneider (Sr. 6-5/275 Drexel Hill, Pa.), a four-year starter and All-Conference performer each season. Returning starter Matt Leigh (So. 6-4/330) will hold down a guard spot in 2001. Butch Spurry (Fr. 6-2/287 Cordova, Md.) and Joe Augustine (Jr. 5-11/254) will compete for open positions. Freshman Erik Perrone (6-1/230 National Park, N.J.) has the inside track at tight end.

The linebacking unit will be the strength of the Wesley defense. Two-time All-ACFC linebacker and team captain Jeremy Jordan (6-2/240 Waldorf, Md.) has more than 200 career tackles and 18 tackles for a loss in his tree seasons. Fellow captain Matt Fox (SR 6-4/208 Middletown, Del.) had 78 tackles and forced five fumbles last season. Junior Paul Ritzenthaler (5-11/205 Williamsburg, Va.) and sophomore Freddie Couch (5-11/215 Beltsville, Md.) will occupy open positions. Ritzenthaler received honors for his 15 tackle, fumble and interception game versus Salisbury last year. Couch, one of the hardest hitters on the team, tallied 35 tackles as a freshman. Sophomores Jason Potter (5-11/195 Wilmington, Del.) and Kamonee Williams (6-0/212 Silver Spring, Md.) saw most of their action on special teams and will push for playing time in 2001.

The defensive line will be led by senior Lee Shipe (6-1/246 Laytonsville, Md.). Shipe had 54 tackles and six tackles for a loss last season; he will be joined by Aaron Anderson (JR 6-2/282 Coatesville, Pa.) and Brian Culver (JR 5-10/250). Anderson and Culver have starting experience last season. Culver was in on 18 stops and Anderson had three sacks and 24 tackles. Former LB Anwar Cole (JR 5-11/220 Montgomery Village, Md.) will move to the defensive line for the 2001 season. Cole totaled 40 tackles in 2000.

Graduate student and returning All-ACFC strong safety Mike Simpson (5-11/202 Felton, Del.) will quarterback the secondary as he works on his MBA. Simpson led the team with 14 tackles for a loss and had 72 tackles and two interceptions last year. Jimmy Kostack (SO 6-0/180 Broomall, Pa.) and Travis Woodland (SO 5-8/165 La Plata, Md.) should hold down the corner spots. Kostack broke up four passes and picked off another versus Trinity in the NCAA playoffs.

Senior Jason Guzik (6-1/220 Philadelphia, Pa.) will handle the kicking chores. Guzik averaged 36 yards a punt last season, was 9-for-9 on PATs and handled all of the Wolverines' kickoffs.