Seton Hill set to open football season against Wheeling
NCAA Division II
Nonconference
Wheeling vs. Seton Hill
7 p.m. Thursday at Offutt Field, Greensburg
The skinny: This is the first meeting between the schools. This is Wheeling’s fourth season fielding a team. The Cardinals played four games in the spring. The Griffins and the PSAC did not play last year because of covid-19 precautions.
About Wheeling
The Cardinals play in the Mountain East Conference. The program was started in 2017 and the first season was in 2019. The 2018 season was played against junior varsity teams. The team was picked to finish seventh in the MEC.
Head coach: Zac Bruney
Offense: The Cardinals return a veteran line led by Cade Raudebaugh, Jack Fitzgerald, Aaron Ness and Zach Ekey that will attempt to open holes for running back Sy Alli. Tight end Tristan Ballard also returns.
Defense: All 11 starters return on defense for the Cardinals, including cornerback Rich White III and linebacker Dalton Hoover. Both earned All-MEC second-team honors.
Special teams: Matt Greenwood will handle the kicking duties. He averaged 45.8 yards per punt. Chris Canaday is the return specialist.
About Seton Hill
The Griffins play in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West. The program started playing football in 2005. The team was picked to finish sixth in the PSAC West.
Head coach: Daniel Day
Offense: The Griffins return experience at wide receiver and running back. Michael Elardo had 41 catches for 436 yards and a touchdown, and Taro Gaither had 25 catches for 300 yards in 2019. John Makell caught three touchdown passes. Running back Logan Wiland rushed for 380 yards and two scores. Chris Jones is the only experienced quarterback. Seven linemen return.
Defense: Linebackers Jayden Emberton-Gaines and Narrio Walks return. They combined for 184 tackles and two sacks in 2019. Jayden McDuffie had four sacks and Jaden Mark had 31 tackles. D’Lacy Bass had 37 tackles and safety Alex Wade had 40 solo tackles and two interceptions.
Special teams: Hunter Miller made 10 of 15 field goals and averaged 37 per punt and had 13 kicks inside the 20. JaiQuawn McGriff and Darnell Carey are the return specialists.
Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.
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