WESTFIELD, Mass. -- Westfield State University football will open the 2018 campaign looking to build off their end-of-season momentum, as the Owls won three straight home games to close the season.
While the Owls may have taken some lumps over the past few seasons, the 2018 version features an experienced roster that includes 17 seniors, and five players who have been on the team for five years. That group has played a number of snaps and experience playing together.
"All those reps they have seen are irreplaceable," said Kowalski about his veteran group.
The Owls also feature some standout individual talents, as they return All-Conference running back Travon Holder, All-Conference center Saul Cabrera, and All-Conference linebacker Zach Howard, plus junior wideout/kick returner Evan Garvey, who led the nation in kick return average in 2018.
"We've been working to meld the returners together with the new recruits and transfers, and it feels like it's been easier this year with a large group of seniors," said Kowalski. "Our captains have been with me for a couple of years now, and they do some things that go unnoticed to make things run smoother and faster."
"I'm excited about our recruits," said Kowalski. "We've seen glimpses of what we think they can be. Their heads are still spinning, and its college football, but they will have a chance to contribute at a high level and we're excited about that, and we have some transfers that can be pretty good."
The Owls will have five captains for the 2018 season; senior defensive tackle Nick Borsari, graduate student linebacker Andrew Carpenter, senior tight end Devan Lekan along with Howard and Holder.
Kowalski already likes what he has seen and heard from that group.
"With a 10-game schedule, one game can make or break your season. There's a sense of urgency and focus from our captains. The experience of fighting through some adversity last year, and finishing on a high note, that serves as a launching point to build on," said Kowalski.
"You can't be excellent part of the time," he added. "Our expectations are great work in the classroom, and that's going to transfer to an attitude that's going to do a great job on the football field."
"We gave some games away last year," he added. "We made critical mistakes at critical junctures that at times were catastrophic in terms of the outcomes of the games. A 10 or 15 yard penalty in the middle of a drive, a turnover that leads to a score. Those things happen, and you need to learn to play through them."
"Just because we're older doesn't mean we're better. We have to prove it like everybody else. It's not just going to happen because we just show up. Other teams are getting better also. We need be sure we are closing the gap and overtaking them. We made huge steps last year, but now it's time to put it all together."
"We need to do the things that take no talent," said Kowalski. "Be enthusiastic; to finish plays; to demonstrate effort; to focus. If we can do those four things - that take not talent at all - we're heading in the right direction."
Offense
The Owls return 10 players that drew starts a year ago on offense.
"We also benefit from having Bob Grammer back for a second year at offensive coordinator, which gives us more continuity that we have had," said Kowalski. "Evan Graham and David Thompson are two dynamic coaches that have helped solidify our offensive staff and contribute every minute of practice."
Quarterback
The Owls return juniors Jake Cassidy and Andrew Peltier at the quarterback spot, and have a group of newcomers that include Jamar Johnson, Yeshewa Audate, Michael Vecchiarelli and Peyton Capizzi.
Peltier briefly saw action at the beginning of the year, completing 55 percent of his throws and tossing a touchdown before missing most of the season with an injury, but Cassidy stepped in and gave the Owls an added dimension with his ability to scramble out of the pocket and make plays with both his feet and his arm. He threw for 418 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for 484 yards and a pair of scores.
"We bring in a lot of players at quarterback, because typically they are outstanding athletes," said Kowalski. "If quarterback doesn't work out, or if they are willing to contribute early At times they can compete at other positions if we need depth and can be very valuable to us. The competition makes everybody better."
Running Back
Holder ran for 1,147 yards as a junior in 2017 and scored 10 touchdowns. He averaged 4.8 yards a carry and gives the Owls a big play threat any time he touches the ball. RJ Darby saw limited duty in 2017 and will spell holder again this season.
Devin Lekan is likely see time at both tight end and fullback. David White, Mike Amoroso, and AIC transfer Shaquille Adjei will all compete for time in the backfield as well.
Offensive Line
The same group that paved the way for Holder's big year in 2017 is back. The offensive line is a veteran unit that has grown up on the field while playing together. Seniors Cabrera, Andrew Horstmann, and Connor Gregoire, junior Kevin Joyce, and Chris Saba, sophomore Sean Green, all earned starts last season, with seniors Noah Cirisoli and Justin Landry adding depth.
"We're a little bit thin in our numbers on the offensive line, but we have six or seven players with a lot of experience, and we will look to fill in with the younger guys," said Kowalski.
"We put a lot of responsibilities on our center's plate," said Kowalski about Cabrera. "Saul has able to make the correct calls and play at a high caliber. People don't realize how important a center is, if he doesn't make the right call, if he doesn't get the ball back, whole offensive timing is off."
Tight Ends
The Owls return senior captain Devin Lekan, and Adam Cahill along with sophomore Ethan Hallett
"We've got some experience among our group at tight ends and fullbacks, and I think we will be able to be versatile and be able to have multiple options with the players we have there."
Wide receivers
At wide receiver, Garvey led the team with 24 catches in 2017.
"Evan Garvey was a standout in our program, and is a hard worker, and did double duty in the offseason preparing," said Kowalski.
Sophomores Collin DeBarber, Teddy Lovell and and Nick Ieng are among several in the mix at receiver, along with freshmen Tahg Coakley and Isaiah Lopez.
Defense
"We were playing our best defensively at the end of the year last year," said Kowalski, who has taken over the defensive coordinator responsibilities for the 2018 season. Kowalski was the Owls defensive coordinator for 19 seasons before taking over as head coach in 2014, and orchestrated some of the nation's top units, including the 2001 team that had an unbeaten regular season.
Linebackers
The Owls return fifth-year seniors at the linebacker spot with Zach Howard, Andrew Carpenter, and Tyler Robbins leading the returnees.
"We have new system from last year," said Kowalski. "While they will play in the same areas of the field, their responsibilities will be different. Their play-recognition ability has really been outstanding, and they have the uncanny ability to understand where they fit in, and what their responsibilities and how to execute that responsibility for the duration of the play.
Howard led the Owls with 104 tackles last season. Robbins made 48 tackles, picked off four passes and recovered three fumbles, and Carpenter made 43 tackles and broke up a pair of passes.
The Owls have depth at the position as well with juniors Leo Clinton (50 tackles), junior George Cole, and senior Derek Tetrault.
Defensive Line
"Most of our line is back, and it's a solid group that's been working hard, said Kowalski.
Senior captain Borsari clogs the middle, while Zack Kane (26 tackles, 8 TFL's, and 3 sacks) provided a pass rushing threat from the outside. Seniors Darryl Denson (15 tackles), Ommel Bonilla (14 tackles), and Evan Lucey and junior Jake Mullins will also be key components of the Owls front.
Defensive Backs
The Owls lost Will Tejeda to graduation, but return Buckley, English and Brandon Rivera.
"While we graduated an all-conference player, this is probably the most depth we have had, with three starters back, two more returners and 3-4 freshmen who are going to push for playing time," said Kowalski.
English had a pair of interceptions last season, and scored a defensive extra-point on blocked kick return while finishing with 36 tackles. Rivera is the secondary's top hitter, with 48 tackles and three passes broken up. Buckley is a third-year starter as a junior who made 22 tackles last season. Alijah Ellis and DaiJonn Cummings were also contributors in the secondary last season.
Special Teams
Garvey led the nation in kickoff return average, getting better than 31 yards per return and scoring on a 90 yard return.
Cody Cleveland back at punter, while Corey Pooler and Avery Nunn will battle for kicking roles. Pooler walked on during the season last year to help solidify the kicking game, and Nunn will look to push him in the kicking game.
"Cleveland is a diligent young man, puts extra work in, and he's a nursing major at the same time," said Kowalski.
Schedule
The schedule will include familiar faces in Nichols College in the opener and local rival Western New England University for the President's Cup trophy in the Owls two non-conference games.
The Owls roll into Friday night's season opener ready to go after scrimmaging at Springfield College last week.
"The scrimmage woke us up," said Kowalski. "It's important against another quality opponent to be able to get on the field and demonstrate the organization that needs to be in a quality football team, and demonstrate that things happen on the field that we need to overcome as a team. The first game is always difficult. Now it's for real. We're familiar with them, their familiar with us – we'll have nuances that make ourselves better, they will have too."