Preview: Colonial Football Hoping for Big Year.

football experienced a resurgence last year, finishing 6-5 overall, after winning a total of three games combined the previous two years and is hoping for a big 2011.

The Colonials won three-straight games to close their 2010 season. They’re counting on taking that momentum into this year, and enter it as one of the favorites to win the Suburban One American Division. The signs are certainly all there for continued success, since four of the Colonials’ four defeats came by six points or less.

“I thought we could have done better last season, but for our first year, I thought it was a good building step,” said Colonials’ coach Dan Chang, who is beginning his second season. “I think we have a lot of potential. There are still some spots we need to solidify. I think our strength lies in our defense, where we have eight starters returning. I’m comfortable with our defense, and all of our skill guys are returning. We need to sure up some things on our offensive line. We lack some experience there. Overall, we have some of the pieces in the right places.”

Plymouth Whitemarsh has a great foundation back in quarterback Russhon Phillips, receiver Kenny Williams, top tailback Xavier Ellington, receiver Alton Custus and 6-foot-2, 165-pound offensive lineman and defensive tackle Kavon Johnson all back. In addition, Chang instituted a new offense that is “light years ahead” of where it was this time last season.

Upper Dublin and Cheltenham finished tied for first atop the Suburban One American. Chang thinks the Colonials can compete with those teams.

“We lost close games last year and having gone through that, we’ll be much better off in those situations this year,” Chang said. “Look at the Cheltenham game. We hurt ourselves in that game. We lost by two points and statistically outplayed them. There was an on-side kick recovery at them; we had a punt blocked because of a mental mistake; and a field goal attempt snapped over the holder’s head. They’re correctable things, and one or two things change, it’s a different game. We eliminate those things this year, we’re a different team. I don’t think we’re going to surprise anyone this year or jump out of nowhere. We have a lot of guys back and we’re expected to do some things.”

Plymouth Whitemarsh Fact Box

• Coach: Dan Chang (2nd season: 6-5 career record).

• Last year: 6-5.

• Key players: Russhon Phillips (Sr. 6-foot-2, 175, QB/DB), Xavier Ellington (Sr. 5-foot-9, 165, RB/DB), Kenny Williams (Sr. 5-foot-9, 165, WR/DB), Kavon Johnson (Sr. 6-foot-2, 265, OL/DT), Ryan Lunney (Jr. 6-foot-3, 225, OL/DE), Corey Kelly (Jr. 5-foot-10, 185, RB/LB), Alton Custus (Jr. 5-foot-10, 165, WR/DB).

• Games to watch: at Abington 9/9, at West Chester Henderson 9/16, Upper Dublin 10/6, Norristown 11/4

• What to expect: The Colonials are looking to make a name for themselves this year with a veteran team returning. Look for the offense to be led by senior QB Russhon Phillips and senior RB Xavier Ellington.  Defensively, the Colonials look strong with key returners FS Kenny Williams, CB Morgan Jackson, and DE Garnell Sanders.

Plymouth Whitemarsh Schedule

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