On Saturday the Eastern football team will begin one of the most anticipated season in their history. With Eastern going 8-4 last season, and making their first trip to the playoffs since 1996 the expectations have never been higher.

The Panthers are entering the season as the no.10 team in the nation at the Division I-AA level, and are returning nine starters to a team that finished 6-1 in the Ohio Valley Conference.

“I don’t look into that kind of stuff too much,” Eastern head coach Bob Spoo said. “All of that stuff doesn’t mean that much in the pre-season. We just have to go out and play the game we can play and the rest will take care of itself.”

Two of the returning starters are pre-season All-American candidates in quarterback Tony Romo and cornerback Kourtney Young.

Romo, who was a finalist for the Walter Payton award last season which is the I-AA equivalent to the Heisman, threw for 2,583 yards last season and tied a school record with 27 touchdowns passes. But despite all of the gaudy numbers that the Panther signal caller put up last season, coach Spoo says that he has worked very hard in the off-season.

“Tony had a great season last year. Can he throw 27 touchdowns again? Maybe,” Spoo said. “But he has worked very hard in the off-season. He hasn’t arrived as a quarterback by any means. In that same regard he has worked very hard to try improve himself.”

The defense’s All-American candidate, Young, was second in the OVC in interceptions with seven, picking off a pass in four consecutive games in one stretch last season. The cornerback was also voted Third Team All-American after his junior year last season.

“Kourtney has reminded very much of Dionte Brown, who I coached at Central State of Ohio and is know playing with the Denver Broncos,” defensive secondary coach Edmund Jones said. “He has a tremendous understanding of what we are trying to do, and is a great athlete as well.”

While Eastern did lose a lot of leadership off of last year’s team, Spoo knows that this is a new team that can’t rest on its accomplishments from last season.

“We lost a lot from last year’s team due to graduation, injury or defections,” Spoo says. “If we had all of our players back that didn’t graduate from last season we would be a stronger team, but we don’t and we have to adjust to that.

“If we go out and practice hard and prepare well, and play like we know we can we will have a very successful season.”

With only two days left until the start of the season, coach Spoo’s depth chart will look like this.

OFFENSE:

Quarterback: Tony Romo will lead the Panthers on the offensive side of the ball after a great season last year. While Kyle Kissack will be Romo’s back-up in 2001.

Coach Spoo says: “I definitely expect Tony to be better this season than he was last season, and I think he can do that.”

Runningbacks: This year’s starting tailback will be J.R. Taylor, and his main blocker in the back field will be starting fullback Andre Jones. Back-ups at the runningback spots will be Andre Raymond and Justin Morris at the tailback spot. While the back-up for Jones is yet to be determined.

Coach Spoo says: “J.R. has had a great pre-season. He ran and lifted religiously in the summer. While Raymond will see a lot of times at the tailback spot.”

Wide Receivers: The receiving corp will be led by senior Frank Cutolo and junior Will Bumphus, who will both be looked at to catch a lot of passes with the injuries to Kenny Alsop and Devon O’Neal. Back-ups will be Dewanzelle Hopson, Andre Raymond and Brandon Robinson.

Coach Spoo says: “We don’t have the same crew we thought we would have this season with all of the injuries, but we still have a great group of receivers.”

Tight Ends: Eastern will start senior Scott Gilkey at the tight end spot, but will use many two tight end formations. The back-up to Gilkey will be Gil Davis.

Coach Spoo says: “Scott is a guy who can catch the ball just as Gil is, and they both run pretty well for their size.”

Offensive Linemen: The Panthers have been pretty beat up on the line so far this season but are now starting to find some consistency up front. Starters will be Frank Castagnoli, Kevin Hill, Scott Sholl, Chris Rosenlund and Mike Bujnak. Reserves will include Jared Kimbro, Farley Schalk and Zach Hooper.

Coach Spoo says: “We have been pretty banged up so far this season on the line, but I know coach (Steve) Farmer will get those guys ready for action.”

Defense:

Secondary: The secondary will be a strong point for the Eastern defense this season, as they are led by Young. Other starters will include Corey Lewis, Antwan Oliver and Roosevelt Williams. Reserves in the secondary will be John Williams, Obinno Coley and Daryl Neal.

Coach Spoo says: “The secondary will definitely be one of the keys to our success this season.”

Linebackers: Eastern will have second team All-OVC linebacker Nick Ricks returning to the linebacking corp in the middle. While Fred Miller and Antoine Livingston will be on either side of him. Back-ups will be John Williams, Corey Lewis, David Bentley, Anthony Cromer and Jacob Maurer.

Coach Spoo says: “Our linebackers are a very athletic group and have all played before, which is a huge advantage for us.”

Defensive Linemen: This is the area where the Panthers have been hit the hardest by the injury bug. Starters will include Gonzalo Segovia, Brad Metzger, Damien McContrell and one starter yet to be determined. Reserves on the line will Clinton Alexander, Lee Fiochi, Lance Thompson and Ricky Johnson.

Coach Spoo says: “Although we have been unable to get everyone together at practice at the same time until recently, we will form some consistency and be okay up front.”

Kicker/Punter: Bill Besenhofer will again handle both duties for the Panthers this season after being OVC honorable mention last season. Besenhofer was 9-for-12 on field goals last season and his punts went an average of 39.6 yards, with a long of 61 yards.

Coach Spoo says: “Bill has gotten more accurate every year he has been here and I expect him to continue that this season.”