Football is back, set to play, ready to win

When the Oberlin Yeomen open their latest campaign of football action Saturday at Swarthmore, they do so with a new sense of team and a refreshed optimism. They also take the field for the first time under Head Coach Jeff Ramsey, in what Ramsey calls the first game of a new program.

Hiring Ramsey was just one of many changes that Athletic Director Mike Muska made last year in his first year on the job. And, according to Ramsey, there is a new attitude on the team.

"We've really learned how to play the football they [the players] want to play," he said. "They've really created a strong sense of unity and togetherness."

This new esprit de corps is just one of several reasons why the Crimson Thunder are optimistic despite finishing the 1998 campaign without a win. For one thing, Swarthmore went winless in 1998 as well. But more important than that is the team that Oberlin brings to the table.

Though still small at 32 players, the squad is one filled with both new young talent and experienced players hungry for a new start. Several four-year players make up the team's leadership core-Jabari Spruill, Rick Kocher, and Jason Ross, who was elected captain last week.

Cornerback Spruill, just seven interceptions shy of the school record, figures to be a major veteran presence in the secondary. "We expect good things out of him," Ramsey said.

Kocher makes the switch this year from the defensive line to linebacker, and will head up an experienced core of players there that also includes junior Ryan Catignani.

Ross leads an offensive line that includes several sizable first-years, and will provide the wisdom of experience in bringing those new players along.

First-year players start at many key positions, including quarterback and tailback. The Yeomen's new quarterback, Chris Moffett, hails from Fort Lauderdale and will also handle punting duties. His brother, Robert Moffett, is a new transfer student from West Point and will start at defensive end. The Crimson Thunder's new starting tailback Josh Shapaka is also a transfer student, from Walsh College.

"I'm very pleased with the recruiting class [since I] came in after the application deadline," Ramsey said.

"It's really a whole new start," junior tailback Adisa Chaney said. "[And] we need a new start."

First-year Nick Walker, who will start at left tackle on Saturday, says that the incoming players have been made to feel very welcome. "The upperclassmen on the offensive line take the time out to make sure we know what we're doing. They provide really good leadership, and on top of that we're all really good friends," Walker said.

Walker added that the new coaching staff has had a large hand in fostering the new attitude and approach toward the game. Catignani agreed, stating, "This team has the best unity I've seen since I've been here. We're all treated equally, we've done away with ranks and seniority. The new coaching staff is the type you really want to play for," Catignani said.

Chaney agreed, saying that the changes have gone to the core of how the team thinks. "A team takes on the attitude of the coach, and because of the youthful exuberance he brings, his outlook has really transferred over to the players.

"Every year we're optimistic. The difference is that this year we've gone from optimism to confidence. We have more assurance about ourselves," Chaney said.

Catignani said that he not only feels better about the team generally, but about their prospects for the Swarthmore game specifically. "We're going to Pennsylvania with no other intention than to come home with a win," he said.

The Yeomen's first home game is Saturday, September 11 vs. Thiel.