This leaves them with 6 returning starters, 3 on each side of the ball. Good news for special teams is that punter Willie Brumbaugh and kicker Steve Flores are coming back. Head Coach Joe Kersting will not be losing any sleep and is confident that they are strong and talented. On defense he expects a strong front seven led by DE Josh Gallowasy, MLB Morris Wooten, OLB Robert Joyce, and DT Matt Hassenflug.
On offense the right side of their line is back and led by pre-season All-American RG Michael Griffin and RT Collin Boulay. The Gauchos have several tailbacks that may split time and a new quarterback Brenden Gaskins a transfer from Nevada. The top returning receiver is John Means.
All Americans: The Gauchos have 11 players receiving pre-season honors: On the offensive side of the ball, lineman Michael Griffin (6-3, 305) was selected First Team All-American. Named Honorable Mention All-Americans were Brenden Gaskins (QB, 6-4, 220), Fletcher Sergent (RB, 6-0, 220), John Means (WR, 6-2, 190), Collin Boulay (OL, 6-1, 275), and Steve Flores (PK, 5-11, 175).
Defensively, Glendale placed five players on the All-American Honorable Mention Team
Josh Galloway (DE, 6-2, 250), Matt Hassenflag (DT, 6-2, 260), Sam Hardy (DB, 6-1, 190), Morris Wooten (LB, 6-1, 235), and Willie Brumbaugh (P, 6-4, 220).
Glendale has a tough schedule this year with four of it's first six games on the road plus hosting power teams Snow and Mesa at home.
Change has also struck the coaching staff. New members are J.D. Sollars (NAU) on the offensive line, Chad Francis on the defensive line. Charles Miller (SE Missouri State) takes over the tight ends, Mark Gronewold is moving from his spot as CB coach to coach the safeties. Taking over on the CB's will be Pillippi Sparks. Gone is Rich Wellbrock, J.C. Collins and Dan Barton. These new staff additions will be a plus for an already talented group of coaches. Mickey Bell is still on staff as well.
Go here to see all the JC's 2006 schedule .
