Yellow Jackets Picked to Finish 7th in HCAC

GREENWOOD, Ind. - The Defiance College Yellow Jackets were picked to finish seventh in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference in the preseason coaches' poll. Eight Defiance College players were also named to the preseason players to watch list.

The Yellow Jackets, who totaled 40 points, were a part of a four-team group (4th-7th) that was separated by just five points in the ranking. Mount St. Joseph (45), Rose-Hulman (44), and Bluffton (43) were the other three teams in the group. No. 19 Franklin College was picked to repeat as HCAC Champions for the fourth straight season. The Grizzlies received seven of the nine first place votes, with Hanover receiving the other two.

Five Defiance seniors were named to the preseason watch list, including returning senior defensive lineman Andrew Leverenz, who was a First Team All-HCAC selection this past season. Leverenz was named to the preseason All-Ohio team last week. Fellow preseason All-Ohio player Tony Sierra was also on the HCAC watch list and looks to be a big impact in the secondary for the Yellow Jackets after missing last season with an injury.

Seniors Garrett Teague, Blaine McGowan, and Brian Mircovich also made the list. Teague combined for 1917 yards and 15 touchdowns last season at quarterback, including 1467 yards passing and 12 touchdown passes. Mircovich pulled in three of the touchdown passes and 357 yards. McGowan comes off a 58 tackle season, which included nine tackles for a loss and three sacks.

Three sophomores also made the preseason watch list after solid freshman campaigns. Defensive backs Jorry Matherson and Leroy Cheatham join defensive lineman Rayon Calloway on the list.

Matherson played in all 10 games last season, making 20 tackles with one interception, seven breakups, and eight passes defended. The Second Team All-HCAC selection also had 18 kick returns for 399 yards, averaging 22.2 yards per kick return.

Cheatham also played in all 10 games last year, with 18 total tackles and five breakups. He also had one fumble recovery return for 50 yards. Calloway had 15 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season in nine games played.

The Yellow Jackets will start off the 2013 season on Sept. 7 at Albion. The conference slate will begin Sept. 21 at Rose-Hulman.