Wednesday, August 27, 2014

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Central Washington, which has won seven GNAC football titles since 2002, opens the Ian Shoemaker Era next Saturday (Sept. 6) at the University of Montana. 

Shoemaker takes the program reigns from last year’s interim coach John Picha, who returns to the coaching staff as Shoemaker’s assistant head coach after guiding the Wildcats to a 7-4 record.

Shoemaker inherited some outstanding talent from Picha, including starting quarterback Jake Nelson, running back Jordan Todd and wide receiver Jesse Zalk.

Nelson (6-2, 210, So., Lake Stevens, WA)  completed 124 of 199 passes for 1,282 yards and 13 touchdowns in his freshman season, while Todd (5-6, 180, Jr., Bellevue, WA – Interlake) rushed for 1,213 yards and nine touchdowns to rank second in the GNAC in back of Azusa Pacific’s Terrell Watson.

Zalk (5-8, 160, So., Battle Ground, WA) was the team’s leading receiver catching 47 passes for 429 yards and two touchdowns. He also averaged 31.0 yards on 13 kick returns, ranking second in the conference.

The trio will be operating under Shoemaker’s high octane, up-tempo, single back, multiple set offense.

In addition to passing for 1,282 yards, Nelson was the team’s second leading rusher netting 261 yards.

Todd and Zalk earned all-conference honors.  Todd was a first team selection, while Zalk was a second team pick at both wide receiver and as a kick returner.

In addition to Zalk, CWU also returns Greg Logan (5-10, 181, Sr., Graham, WA – Graham-Kapowsin) to its receiver corps.  Logan caught 25 passes for 356 yards and two touchdowns.

Other returning starters on offense for the Wildcats include tight end Colter Clinch (6-5, 235, So., Bothell, WA – Woodinville) and offensive linemen Marshall Green (6-6 ½, 315, Sr., Tumwater, WA – Black Hills) and Andrews Ulrich (6-8, 304, So., Chehalis, WA – West). 

On defense, CWU returns five starters, including four who earned all-conference honors last year.

CWU, which was picked to finish second in the GNAC Coaches’ pre-season poll, may have Division II’s best cornerback tandem in Isaiah Davis (5-10, 186, Jr., Bremerton, WA – South Kitsap), who led the GNAC in interceptions (6) and Cedrique Chaney (6-0, 197, Jr., Kelso, WA).  D2football.com rated Davis as the country’s third best cornerback and Chaney fifth.

Last year Davis earned first team GNAC honors as a defensive back and second team honors as a punt returner.  In addition to intercepting six passes, he also had 50 tackles and broke up eight passes.  He ranked second in the GNAC in punt returns averaging 13 yards (24-313).  Cheney, who intercepted four passes in his freshman season, had 35 tackles.

Also back on defense are linebacker JB Torsy (5-11, 208, Sr., Dana Point, CA), defensive lineman Tovar Sanchez (6-4, 230, Jr., Shoreline, WA – Ingraham) and defensive back Cole Graves (5-11, 205, Jr., Kirkland, WA – Juanita).

Torsy had 64 tackles, the most for any CWU returning player, in earning first team GNAC honors.  He is one of two captains for the Wildcats along with offensive lineman Marshall Green.

Sanchez was a second team GNAC selections. He had 31 tackles, including seven for losses of 36 yards.  He’ll wear #44 this season which is worn annually by a CWU defensive player who exemplifies the high standards of the CWU defense – "dedication, toughness, discipline and tenacity."

Graves had 12 tackles and an interception.

Returning to handle kicking duties this year is Sean McDonald (6-0 ½. 158, So., Sammamish, WA – Skyline),  who ranked third in kick scoring in the GNAC last year converting on 31 of 32 extra point attempts and 8 of 13 field goal attempts.

CENTRAL WASHINGTON Wildcats (Projected GNAC Finish: #2)

Head Coach: Ian Shoemaker, Grinnell, Iowa, ’96 (First year)
Assistants:  John Picha, asst. head coach & running backs; Payam Saadat, defensive coordinator & defensive line; Jacob Claborn, offensive line; Jay Dumas, wide receivers; Mike Dunlevy, linebackers & safeties; Ryan Harvey, tight ends & video coordinator; Nick Whitworth, cornerbacks & special teams.
2013 Record: 7-4.  Conference: 7-3, 2nd.
Returning Letter Winners: Off – 27 Def – 17 Specialty – 1 Lost – 32
Returning Starters: Off – 6 Def – 5 Kickers  - 1
Basic Offense: Multiple 1-back
Basic Defense: Double Eagle Flex
Stadium (Capacity): Tomlinson (4,000)

TOP RETURNEES: Rushing – Jordan Todd (RB, 5-6, 180, Jr., 249-1213, 9 TDs); Jake Nelson (QB, 6-2, 210, So., 79-261, 1 TD). Passing – Jake Nelson (124-199-6, 1282, 13 TDs); Justin Lane (6-3, 220, So., 21-50-3, 175). Receiving – Jesse Zalk (WR, 5-8, 60, So., 47-429, 2 TDs); Greg Logan (WR, 5-10, 181, Sr., 25-356, 2 TDs); Jordan Todd (RB, 12-53). Kick Scoring – Sean McDonald (K, 6-0 1/2, 158, So., 8-13 FG, 31-32). Defense – JB Torsy (LB, 5-11, 208, Sr., 32-32-64); Isaiah Davis (DB, 5-10, 186, Jr., 36-14-50, Interc. 6-26); Cedrique Chaney (DB, 6-0, 197, Jr., 28-7-335); JoJo Brooks (LB, 5-10, 202, Jr., 20-11-31, TFL 6-31); Tovar Sanchez (DL, 6-4, 230, Jr., 11-20-31, TFL 7-36). All-Stars – Jordan Todd (RB, 1st team GNAC); JB Torsy (LB, 1st team GNAC); Isaiah Davis (DB, 1st team GNAC DB & 2nd team PR); Jesse Zalk (WR, 2nd team GNAC WR & KR); Tovar Sanchez (DL, 2nd team GNAC); Cedrique Chaney (DB, 2nd team GNAC).

KEY LOSSES:  Mike Nelson (OL, 1st team AFCA All-American, GNAC Offensive Lineman of the Year); Neil Fuhrmann (OL, 1st team GNAC); Austin Schnizler (DL, 1st team GNAC, 38 tackles, TFL 14-91); Stan Langlow (DB, 1st team GNAC, 66 tackles); Brooks Abel (OL, 2nd team GNAC); Ridge Nielsen (LB, 2nd team GNAC, 66 tackles, TFL 13-65).

KEY TRANSFERS/FRESHMEN: Arthur Burns (RB, 5-11, 211, Jr., Corona, Calif./Washington State); Brady Lisoski (OL, 6-5, 265 Sr. Redmond, WA/Butte College/Idaho); Elisha Pa’aga (DT, 5-10, 252, Fr., Tukwila, WA – Eastside Catholic); Elijah Suka (LB, 6-0, 229, Fr., Maple Valley, ES - Tahoma); Quincy Carter (RB, 6-1, 200, Fr.,  Kent, WA – Kent Meridian).