2007 Outlook: Defensive Line

The defensive line has a number of players with plenty of ability and talent. How that will play out remains to be seen.

While both starting defensive ends from last year in senior Josh Emberg and red-shirt junior Jason Groller return, the two defensive tackle positions could be filled by any one of five players.

After appearing in eight games as a sophomore in 2005, Emberg made 10 starts last season, finishing third among defensive linemen with 29 total tackles and seven for loss. He also had 4.5 sacks which was second on the team.

Groller started all 11 games at defensive end last season en route to earning All-PSAC Western Division Second Team honors after his 41 total tackles, 14 for loss and 4.5 sacks were tops among all defensive linemen. A standout wrestler for Shippensburg as well, Groller took second as a heavyweight at the 2007 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships.

As for the five players vying for time on the interior, the front runners look to be sophomores Michael Apgar and Rick Stavig, and red-shirt sophomore Antoine Parks.

Apgar was the most accomplished of the three last season, finishing with 18 tackles, two for loss and one sack in eight games. Stavig added eight tackles, two for loss and one sack in five games while Parks saw the most action, appearing in 10 games and making five tackles.

Others expected to battle up front are red-shirt sophomore Franco Pettine, junior John Lachman and red-shirt junior Joe Brockmeyer.

Since coming to Shippensburg in 2003, Pettine played in just three games, all in the 2004 season. Lachman is the most experienced of the three, having played in 10 games in 2005, totaling 19 tackles, including two for loss.

Brockmeyer comes to Shippensburg by way of McDaniel and Virginia Tech. After trying to walk-on with the Hokies, the native of Pasadena, Maryland went to Division III McDaniel prior to the 2005 season. A player with good size and strength, he is looking to get some playing time at defensive end.

"Both defensive ends return in Emberg and Groller, but the defensive tackles could be a revolving door," commented Rees. "Lachman has quality game experience and Parks and Apgar have both shown promise."

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