SEASON PREVIEW: Lwt. Football tries to earn one for the ages

After winning a share of the ELFL title in 1996, the Quakers hope to earn their first outright championship in 55 years. and Zac Costello The 1997 Penn lightweight football team opens its season Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Cornell. Coming off last year's championship season, the Quakers are primed for another run at a title. Last year marked the first time in Penn coach Bill Wagner's 28-year history to win a share of the Eastern Lightweight Football League title. This year, the Quakers are looking to win their first outright title in 55 years. Although the team lost a combined 13 players to graduation, injuries and personal conflicts, they have been blessed with a skilled freshman class. Penn's biggest losses were Clint Schmidt, last year's league MVP who is currently on Bill Wagner's coaching staff as volunteer assistant, and senior co-captain Michael Steib, who suffered from a herniated disk. Nevertheless, the team has been working since the end of August to produce another winning season. Wagner feels the offense will benefit from its newfound depth. Sophomore Zachary Shinar will start at quarterback Friday, but freshman John Kernan should get playing time. The backfield has a plethora of talent, led by tailback Tim Ortman. Ortman's backups are freshman recruit Chris Wright from La Jolla, Calif., and junior Scott Emrich. The Quakers' backfield is also looking as strong as ever with Jose Vidal, one of last year's starting fullbacks, returning for 1997. Vidal, coupled with sophomore Todd Hall and freshman Evan Kipperman, completes the fullback lineup. Sophomore David Chu, who started for the Quakers last year as a freshman, will remain at split end, with freshman Scott Moore filling the tight end position. The offensive line is anchored by co-captain and center Mark Menkowitz, left tackle Neil Batiancila and Jordan Woods, who moved over from the defense to play left guard. Menkowitz earned second team All-ELFL last season. Wagner's defense features a variety of experienced players. Senior captains Mario Malcolm at safety and Jordan Matusow at defensive tackle lead the pack. All-ELFL defensive end Carter Byrnes, junior Chris Graham, David Klein and Kwesi Edwards head the front seven. Graham, Klein and Edwards were named honorable mention All-ELFL last year. Other starters include freshman linebacker Michael Viney and sophomore nose guard Steven Schickram. The cornerback position is filled by senior Justin Reger and junior Joshua Bogadir. Malcolm and junior free safety Keith Lotman round out the defensive backs. "Our goal is to win our first game and every game," Wagner said. "Our immediate goal is to win at Cornell on Friday." The Red and Blue are keeping their focus on the immediate future. The team has aspirations of beating both Army and Navy for the first time in Wagner's career. "These players are all on the field because they love the game," Wagner said. "They are here for academics first, yet they play because they want to." The 1997 Penn team is eager to kick off its season this weekend. With last year's season gone but not forgotten, the team certainly has its work cut out for them.