ALBION FOOTBALL

ALBION FOOTBALL 2021 SEASON PREVIEW

After being unanimously voted the MIAA Preseason No. 1, the Albion College football team is ready to defend its title this season. With many players returning for their extra year of eligibility, the Brits are loaded with weapons on all sides of the ball.

Head coach Dustin Beurer enters his third season at the helm of the program. After leading the Britons to an 8-2 season in 2019, he guided Albion to the MIAA Championship in the condensed spring 2021 season. An Albion alumnus, Beurer has a pair of alums as coordinators as well, keeping the tradition alive as the Brits look to secure their second straight conference title.

One of the best quarterbacks in Albion history, Steve Wasil, is back for his third year as the offensive coordinator and ninth on staff. Wasil has been instrumental in the offense -- most notably the pass game -- of Albion in recent years. Mentoring two MIAA Offensive MVPs at the quarterback position during his tenure, Wasil gives the Britons an experienced coach at the coordinator position.

Defensive coordinator Mark Sheridan is back for his fourth season. A large part of the 2013 MIAA Championship team, the 2014 alum has mentored a long list of All-Conference selections. Most recently, he guided linebacker and 2021 graduate Donovan Slates to an outstanding career in purple and gold.

THE OFFENSE

Under center, senior Jack Bush returns for the Britons. In just 12 career games, Bush has thrown for 2,225 yards and 16 touchdowns. With three games played in the abbreviated spring season, Bush threw for over 1,000 yards in those contests. An arsenal of receivers return, as well as most of the offensive line, giving Bush plenty of options and protection.

Known around the region, wide receiver Justin Thomas is poised for a stellar campaign this season. Already a three-time All-MIAA selection, Thomas sits just five career receptions away from 100. Thomas has hauled in 28 touchdown passes in just 21 games, making him a prime target for Bush.

Following a breakout spring as a sophomore, Phillip Jones-Price returns as the prime back for the Brits. In the three games this spring, Jones-Price ran for 163 yards and five touchdowns. He saw a three TD game in the lone home affair, where the Brits prevailed over Adrian, 49-34.

A guy that can do it all, Kolby Canfield is back for his final season. Despite only having seven career touchdowns, Canfield is an exceptionally talented receiver that defenses are forced to pay attention to. He has hauled in nearly 1,300 receiving yards during his career while appearing in 28 games.

Jack-of-all-trades Andy Durand enjoyed an All-MIAA season as a sophomore in the spring. As a receiver, he hauled in 19 catches for 246 yards in the three games. Durand also served as a return man for the Britons, averaging 15.5 yards per punt return.

It's no secret that a successful offense begins up front. Albion brings back All-MIAA lineman Jarret Nighswander . A veteran on the line, Nighswander plays a key part in protecting Bush and giving him plenty of options offensively.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Hunter Williams has excelled in his punting role since stepping foot on campus. 17 of his 39 career punts have landed inside the 20 yard line, forcing opponents to start drives from deep within their own territory.

Converting nearly all extra point attempts a season ago, Jackson Cooney returns as the kicker. As a sophomore, Cooney was 13 of 14 on PATs.

THE DEFENSE

One of the many players using their extra year of eligibility, David Aukema will be a key to the defensive line. Registering eight TFL in his career, Aukema brings plenty of experience to the Albion defense, which allowed just 19 points per game in the spring.

Another defensive asset returning for a fifth year is Mitch Arendsen. Already recording 118 total tackles, including 34.5 for loss, look for Arendsen to continue to make noise up front and cause problems for opposing offenses. Arendsen has been a three-time First Team All-MIAA pick.

A playmaker in the secondary, John Wester Jr. looks to have another good year for the Brits. In just 13 games, he has hauled in three interceptions -- and returned them for 113 yards. Wester Jr. also has 12 pass breakups to his name, covering some of the best receivers around the league.

Another key to the Albion secondary will be Drew Shafer. Shafer brings 169 total tackles to the 2021 season, while picking off seven passes in his career. Shafer also has broken up 19 passes, playing all but one game throughout his career.

Another big presence at the linebacker position is senior Levi Ladd. In 28 games, Ladd has recorded 140 total tackles, including 10 for loss. Those 10 TFL have cost opponents 79 yards. The fifth year senior will be one of the most valuable veterans defensively for the Brits.

There will be plenty of guys on the roster ready to have a big year after showing great strides in the spring season. Defensively, Jeremiah Major, Conner Smith, Casmer Johnson, Deondric Sanders, Noah Anderson and Kalil Brown are all expected to step up in a big way for the Brits.

On offense, Kyle Thomas returns after a stellar year in 2019. After missing the spring due to injury, senior Jacob Clark will give the Britons depth at the running back position, while Brendan Teal is poised for a breakout season. Up front, Skylyr Zink and Jacob Tietsema are back, adding seasoned veterans to the offensive line.

THE SCHEDULE

On Sept. 4, the Brits open the season on the road at Mt. St. Joseph. Turning in a 5-1 record in an abbreviated spring, the Lions will be a tough test in Albion's first game of the season. Two weeks later, the Brits return to their home turf for a matchup against another HCAC opponent, Hanover.

On Oct. 9, the Britons will begin the quest to defend their MIAA title with a night game at Adrian. Albion's first home conference game will be the Homecoming game on Oct. 23, when the Britons play host to Olivet. The season wraps up on Nov. 13 at home against Alma.

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