See Danny run. And run and run and run some more.
“They’re a really good football team without Danny Woodhead. With Danny, it takes them to a new level.”
That was the statement from Colorado Mines coach Bob Stitt about defending Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football champion Chadron (Neb.) State.
That comment would probably be a consistent theme from all RMAC coaches.
Woodhead is a 5-foot-9, 200-pound senior tailback from North Platte, Neb., who is closing in on the all-time, all-division NCAA rushing record and already has the Harlon Hill Trophy, which he won last season as Division II’s best player.
He is the biggest reason Chadron State is trying to become the first RMAC team to repeat as outright league champion in 15 years and why the Eagles were ranked fifth in the American Football Coaches Association preseason poll.
Woodhead is off to a great start, rushing for 290 yards and four touchdowns on 32 carries last weekend in the Eagles’ 34-24 victory over Washburn in Topeka, Kan. He needs 699 yards to break the NCAA career record of 7,353 yards, set by R.J. Bowers of Division III Grove City (Pa.) College from 1997-2000.
“It’s fun to watch,” Stitt said of Woodhead. “He had a really solid day (Saturday). He’s got sprinter speed, and if he gets outside, he’s going to have a big day. He’s special.”
Woodhead has rushed for at least 200 yards 18 times in his career and has 84 touchdowns on the ground.
Stitt thinks he will become a productive professional.
“He’s a Dave Meggett-type guy, but I’m not sure he can’t be a Barry Sanders-type guy and play every down,” Stitt said.
The Eagles return 17 starters from a team that went 12-1 last season (8-0 in the RMAC) and made it to the quarterfinals of the Division II playoffs.
“Everybody expects us to go out and beat everybody,” Chadron State coach Bill O’Boyle said. “But I’m telling our guys, last season is over. We got a lot of new faces. We’re going to have to compete every week. There are no gimmes in this league.”
Chadron State, which plays at Division I-AA Northern Colorado on Sept. 8, was the unanimous preseason pick to win the RMAC. Nebraska-Kearney was picked second, followed by Fort Lewis, Adams State, Western New Mexico and Mesa State.
“I don’t take a lot of stock on the preseason polls,” O’Boyle said. “Yeah, we have a lot of guys back. But watch out for Kearney, Mesa, Fort Lewis, Adams State. If they can stay healthy, they can have the same kind of year we had last year.”
Stitt expects the road to the RMAC title to run through Nebraska – Chadron or Kearney.
“If you beat Chadron and Kearney, you’re probably going to win the league,” he said.
Stitt’s Orediggers were picked to finish seventh, ahead of No. 8 New Mexico Highlands and No. 9 Western State.
“We have a great chance to be a better team,” said Stitt, whose team went 4-7 (2-6 RMAC) last season. “We’re just young. We’ll be basically the same team for the next three years.”
Staff writer Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
RMAC team capsules and 2007 outlook
ADAMS STATE
Coach: Wayne McGinn, 33-43 seven seasons (39-48, eight seasons overall)
2006: 6-5 (4-4 RMAC, fourth)
Players to watch: RB Oscar Murray, So.; TE Chris Ross, Sr.; OL Cory Karpilo, Sr.; OL Matt Minniear, Sr.; DB Cody Rohlwing, Sr.
Bottom line: The Grizzlies return 35 lettermen and 16 starters, including five who made the preseason all-conference first team. Adams State, which hasn’t won a RMAC title since 1986, plays four of its first six games at home.
CHADRON (NEB.) STATE
Coach: Bill O’Boyle (16-7, two seasons)
2006: 12-1 (8-0 RMAC, first)
Players to watch: RB Danny Woodhead, Sr.; QB Joe McLain, Jr.; OL John Strand, Sr; DT Josh Knouse, So.; LB Austin Bailey, Jr.; DB Paul Schweger, Sr.; DB Beau Wendling, Sr.
Bottom line: The Eagles lost just seven starters from a terrific team that is trying to become the first squad to win outright back-to-back conference crowns since 1992-93 (Western State). Woodhead, the reigning Harlon Hill Trophy winner as Division II player of the year, amassed a conference-high 2,756 yards last season and is the preseason RMAC player of the year.
COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
Coach: Bob Stitt (44-34, seven seasons)
2006: 4-7 (2-6 RMAC, eighth)
Players to watch: WR Derek Dykstra, Sr.; OL Stephen Immel, Sr.; DT Marin Richardson, Sr.; LB Hunter Wardlow, So.; K Aaron Abel, Sr.
Bottom line: The Orediggers have had difficult seasons since their surprise two-game appearance in the 2004 national playoffs. They will have 16 starters back. Mines hopes to build its defense around Wardlaw, whose 94 tackles as a freshman were tied for second-most in the conference.
FORT LEWIS COLLEGE
Coach: Ed Rifilato (17-14, three years, 24-18 overall)
2006: 7-4 (6-2 RMAC, second)
Players to watch: WR Brandon Cummings, Sr.; OL Aaron Cooper, Jr.; DL Laramy Miller, Sr.
Bottom line: Could be a rebuilding year for the Skyhawks, who return just nine starters and lost their top quarterback, best rusher, premier receiver and top two defenders. Still, Fort Lewis is coming off its best season, making its first postseason appearance in a 24-14 victory Dec. 2 over Dixie State.
MESA STATE
Coach: Joe Ramunno (48-43, nine seasons)
2006 record: 4-7 (3-5 RMAC, tied for fifth)
Players to watch: RB Bobby Coy, So.; WR Drew Bohannon, Sr.; DE Kurt Kissner, Sr.; DB Brandon Waymire, Jr.; KR Justin Murray, So.
Bottom line: Coy, Bohannon, Kissner and Murray were unanimous preseason all-conference selections. Bohannon caught 56 passes for 745 yards and a conference-high eight touchdowns. The Mavericks return 16 starters.
NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS
Coach: Carl Ferrill (first season, 24-9 overall)
2006 record: 6-5 (3-5, tied for fifth)
Players to watch: QB Alex Aispuro, Sr.; LB Diego Urbina, Sr.; DB Rashon Brooks, Sr.; RB Kendrick Harris, Jr.; WR Ahmin Smith, Sr.
Bottom line: Ferrill is beginning his second stint with the Cowboys. The cancer survivor was 24-9 at NMH in 1996-98. He owns the second-best winning percentage in school history (72.7) and says he would like to schedule nonconference road games against New Mexico State and Air Force.
NEBRASKA-KEARNEY
Coach: Darrell Morris (49-25, seven seasons)
2006: 6-4 (5-3 RMAC, third)
Players to watch: DL Zach Cerise, Sr.; WR Tyler McNitt, Sr.; WR Cory Sleeth, Sr.; OL Jack Hiett, So.; DE Nate Reicks, Jr.; LB Nick Oberle, Sr.
Bottom line: The Antelopes, who won the conference title in 2005, return 15 starters and are picked to finish second in the RMAC. Oberle, a unanimous all-conference preseason pick, anchors what figures to be a fine defense.
WESTERN NEW MEXICO
Coach: Bernie Busken (first season)
2006: 5-5 (3-5 RMAC, tied for fifth)
Players to watch: LB Christian Serena, Sr.; OL Jon Such, Sr.; OL Miguel Sandoval, Sr.; WR Andrew Rodriguez, So.; TE Mike Cook, Sr.; FB Mike Torres, Sr.
Bottom line: Serena is the preseason pick as defensive player of the year. He led the conference with 103 tackles last season (60 solo). Busken was promoted to head coach after serving three years as an assistant. The Mustangs are beginning their second season in the RMAC.
WESTERN STATE
Coach: Pat Stewart (3-8, one season)
2006: 3-8 (2-6 RMAC, eighth)
Players to watch: LB David Cummings, Sr.; WR J.R. Finley, Jr.; QB Cameron Merrill, Sr.; RB Jordon Hickel, Sr.; LB Zach Scruggs, Sr.; WR Casey Adragna, Sr.; WR Dusten Copeland, Jr.
Bottom line: Merrill, a first-year senior, beat out 2006 starter Tyler Robertson, a junior. Merrill is the nephew of former Western State star QB Jayson Merrill and has three terrific receivers: Finley, Adragna and Copeland.
