WEST CHESTER, PA – There has been a lot of excitement buzzing around the practice fields on South Campus during the month of August. Now, with the calendar flipping to September, the West Chester University community gets its first look at head coach
Bill Zwaan's Purple & Gold gridders when the Golden Rams take on Bentley University Friday night at 6 p.m. under the lights at Farrell Stadium. It marks the 100th season of West Chester football.
Zwaan, in his 20th season on the sideline for the Rams, has constructed what he and long-time defensive coordinator
Mike Furlong feel is one of the best stop units in the region. The cornerstone of that defense is All-America middle linebacker,
Jackson Taylor (Glenside, Pa./Abington). If the defensive front four can fill some holes and keep blockers off of Taylor, the All-American will have a big year – and so will West Chester University.
Helping Taylor will be one of the most talented secondaries in quite some time. Three of the four defensive backs are returning starters, and another is a Penn State transfer who is pushing for playing time as a red-shirt freshman.
Obi Anyatonwu (York, Pa./Central York) is a shut-down corner, who can be left all alone on his assignment and get the job done.
On the offensive side of the ball, Zwaan and his son, Bill Jr., will orchestrate their game plan with R-So., QB
Shane Dooley (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge), returning to the fold. He was a second-team All-PSAC East pick a year ago and is in his third year in Zwaan's Spread Wing-T. Behind him in the backfield are two season-veterans in
Ja'Den McKenzie (Morton, Pa./Springfield) and
Phil Poquie (Philadelphia, Pa./Haverford School). Zwaan can expect 1,000 yards rushing and 12-15 touchdowns from McKenzie, who has been a first-team All-PSAC selection in each of his first two campaigns. Poquie is a different style of runner, who also doubles as the team's punt returner.
The Golden Rams were listed among others receiving votes in the preseason national poll and picked third in the PSAC Eastern Division. The coaching staff is excited about the potential in this group. Home contests against Slippery Rock, Shepherd and Shippensburg highlight the 2022 slate.
