WESTERN NEW ENGLAND UNIVERSITY

Dylan Chandler has 263 career tackles entering his final season.

Western New England College opened the year with a thrilling 28-27 win over a strong Norwich team that went on to capture the inaugural Eastern Collegiate Football Conference.

WNEC then dropped four straight contests to teams (Westfield State, Maine Maritime, Curry, and Plymouth) that combined for a 32-11 record, before ending the year with solid victories over UMass Dartmouth, MIT, Endicott, Salve Regina, and Nichols.

With record-breaking quarterback Justin Walz (Groton, CT) leading the way, Western New England College averaged 24.0 points an outing and finished fourth among 16 teams in the NEFC in pass offense (217.1 avg.) and sixth in total offense (364.2). The Golden Bears’ defense settled down after a shaky start allowing an average of only 15.0 points and 128.2 yards rushing during the winning streak with seven interceptions.

Veteran defensive unit

“This year the story of our season starts and ends with defense,” said Emery. “We return all 11 starters from a unit that showed significant progress last season. The defense will have to perform well early to buy time for an inexperienced offense to settle.”

Western New England College has a tradition of great linebackers and this team’s team has three of the best in the region in seniors Justin Bailey (Northborough, MA) (team high 91 tackles, 2 interceptions) and Dylan Chandler (Durham, ME) (88 stops), and junior Todd Krolikowski  (Bristol, CT) (78 tackles, 10 for losses). Krolikowski also made the All-Boyd Division Team.

Senior Joe Begnal (Waterbury, CT) (69 tackles, 7.5 for losses) is an experienced linebacker while junior Mark Devlin (Guilford, CT) could wind up starting after a strong spring season.

Up front, the Golden Bears have juniors Scott Wojciehowski (Adams, MA) (22 tackles) and sophomore Matt Danko (Southington, CT) at end positions along with junior nose guard Nate Kuzmeski (Tolland, CT) (20 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries).

The defensive backfield features several top players, among them senior Pat Lesko (Seymour, CT) (40 tackles) and sophomore Corey Brown (Worcester, MA) (35 tackles) at the corners. Lesko and Brown shared the team lead with three interceptions.

Sophomore Phil Tsopanides (Fairfield, CT) (62 tackles, 2 interceptions) returns at safety after a strong rookie season. Senior Ben Ross (Pawling, NY), and sophomores Alex Miller (Seekonk, MA) and Nikko Silvester (Weatogue, CT) also bear watching.

Golden Bears search for new quarterback

On offense, Western New England College will be without Walz for the first time in four years. The star quarterback graduated after setting numerous school records, including career yards in total offense (7,900), passing (6,911), and pass yards per game (203.3 avg.). He threw for 39 touchdowns and ran for 27 more.

Competition will be keen as two returners and four newcomers battle for the starting assignment. Sophomore Josh Lamson (Plantsville, CT) took the lead in spring drills, but will be pressed by juniors DJ Goyette (Oxford, MA) and Bryce Brown (Guilford, CT), a transfer from Sacred Heart.

Western New England College has a top back in sophomore Michael Graham (Norwalk, CT) who made the All-Boyd Division Team after running for 428 yards and four touchdowns in eight games to cap a successful rookie season. Graham also caught eight passes for 221 yards and two TDs, including the winning score (35 yards) against Norwich in his college debut.

Junior JJ Jachym (Milford, CT) (284 yards rushing, 2 TDs) also will figure prominently in the Golden Bears’ plans.

Junior Ben Donatello (Salem, CT) returns from an injury to complement classmate Austin Adaskaveg (Southington, CT) at the fullback position.

The Golden Bears have one of the best tight ends in the league in senior Dan Crane (Waterbury, CT) (16 catches, 147 yards, 2 TDs last year). Senior Brad Medeiros (Little Compton, RI) (moves back to the position after playing center last year because of injuries to other players,

Despite the loss of Rob Chiaccio (Groton, CT) and Chris Vaillant (Holliston, MA) via graduation (they combined for 54 receptions, 603 yards, and two touchdowns last season), Western New England College has another top corps of wide receivers.

Junior Kenny Muhlack (Groton, CT) (21-300-3) was third on the squad in receptions despite not starting a game last year. Senior Matt O’Brien (South Windsor, CT) (13-312-1) is a deep threat after averaging an impressive 24.0 yards a catch a year ago. Sophomore Brendon Thompson (Enfield, CT) is a player to watch.

Up front, All-Division guard Jason Lebeau (Belchertown, MA) and ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American tackle David Doiron (Plainville, CT) graduated, leaving junior right tackle Chris Mullins (Oakville, CT) as the only returning starter.

Senior Tom Tousignant (Naugatuck, CT) moves from guard to center after serving as a top reserve in 2009. Senior Dave McCarten (Little Compton, RI)  jumps over from linebacker to play guard while junior Joe Van Huysen (Killingworth, CT) is the favorite at a tackle spot.

Special teams solid

All major contributors return on special teams led by senior Jake Field (Bedminster, MA) who handled both the placekicking and punting duties. He averaged 37.3 yards for 32 punts and compiled 42 points (4-for-7 field goals, 30-for-32 PATs).

Thompson and Graham give the Golden Bears two threats returning kickoffs. Thomson averaged 26.6 yards for 12 returns and tied an NCAA Division III record with two touchdowns against MIT (89 and 79 yards). Graham had a 24.3 mark for 12 returns, which included an 85-yard score at Maine Maritime. Thompson and sophomore Brown will handle punt returns.

Western New England College opens its 30th varsity campaign at 1:30 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 4) at Norwich in Northfield, Vermont. The Golden Bears make their home debut against Massachusetts Maritime at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday (Sept. 11) in the first meeting between the teams since 1986.