Sunday, August 24, 2008
New digs, schemes for Washington and Lee
While six-win seasons are becoming the norm in Lexington, the Generals also boast a sparkling new stadium and a new option offense.
2008 College Football Preview
Photo by Jared Soares | The Roanoke Times
Workers finish up construction at Washington and Lee's new football stadium. New stands, artificial turf, lights and a new press box are some of the new amenities.
Courtesy of Washington and Lee
Generals quarterback R.J. Varner threw for 1,565 yards last season.
Virginia Tech
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- Macho Harris may double dip this season
- Aaron McFarling: In football, is it chicken or the egg?
- Virginia Tech's schedule
Virginia
- Virginia to endure survivor series as players go missing
- Winning 2007 season seems like ancient history for Virginia football
- Virginia's schedule
Teams in the area
- Ferrum: Dual quarterbacks on horizon for Ferrum | Ferrum at a glance
- VMI: Fresh start for VMI, coaching vet Woods | VMI at a glance
- Southern Virginia: Schedule could be tougher for Knights | SVU at a glance
The ACC
LEXINGTON — There is a new stadium and a new offense at Washington and Lee.
The Generals are hoping for the same old results, though.
W&L has reeled off four straight years with at least six victories, the first time that has happened at the school since the 1912-15 seasons. W&L has never had five straight seasons with at least six wins.
“This would be truly a nice feat for the guys,” said coach Frank Miriello, whose team was 6-3 last fall.
The team will seek that goal in spiffier surroundings. W&L will play in a new, $15.5 million stadium, which was built on the same site as its rusty predecessor.
The new version of Wilson Field has FieldTurf; lights; a new press box and scoreboard; and new restroom facilities. There are 4,000 seats, down from 7,000 in the old stadium, but there is also room for fans to sit on the grass embankment on the visitors’ side.
“It’s such an attractive place,” Miriello said.
Fans will see an option-flavored offense, courtesy of new offensive coordinator Scott Abell, who won two state titles with an option offense at Amherst County High School.
“We have the kids that really fit the scheme,” Abell said. “I don’t think we’re completely fit for the type of option scheme that I’ve envisioned, but I think we’ll be able to employ certain parts.”
Junior quarterback R.J. Varner, one of seven starters back on offense, will take snaps under center much more than he did in W&L’s old shotgun, spread scheme. W&L will still use the shotgun at times.
Varner completed 118 of 225 passes (52.4 percent) for 1,565 yards and 13 TDs with 12 interceptions last fall.
He ran for just 52 yards last year, but Abell said the option does fit Varner’s ability.
“Now that he will have the capability to really use his feet as well, we feel it’ll make him a more well-balanced quarterback,” Abell said.
W&L will primarily be in a one-back set, with Stuart Sitterson as the running back.
He made the All-ODAC team as an all-purpose back last year, when he ran for 572 yards, caught 30 passes and returned kickoffs and punts. Tom Pacicco, who ran for 749 yards last year, becomes the slotback.
The offense will miss receiver Jack Martin, who broke the school’s career marks for catches (164). Three starting offensive linemen also must be replaced.
Five defensive starters are back, including All-ODAC defensive tackle Tommy Matteo.
The secondary is the big question mark of the defense, said Miriello. He must replace ODAC defensive player of the year Kyle Luby, All-ODAC pick Mark Snoddy and Jimmy Gift.
W&L also must replace three of the four starting linebackers — All-ODAC first-team pick Bryant Fulk, All-ODAC second-team pick Kyle Harvey and Ryan MacPhee.
The Generals took third in the ODAC last fall with a 4-2 mark. They have been picked fourth in the ODAC preseason poll this year.
“We’re not expected to do as well, but we’re going to use that kind of like a fuel to motivate us,” Varner said.
The Generals open at Franklin & Marshall. W&L has lost 19 straight season openers on the road since kicking off the 1969 season with a win at Towson State.
Miriello doesn’t usually pick up area recruits, but there are three in this freshman class — former Salem running backs Jonathan Clemo and Harrison Hudson, and ex-Martinsville center John Fitzgibbons. Clemo and Fitzgibbons were All-Timesland picks.
