2005 Football Preview
Published: April 13, 2021
GREENVILLE, Ill. - The Greenville College football program begins a new era in 2005 under the leadership of first-year head coach Eric Hehman.Offense The new look Greenville offense will return most of its offensive starters. 6-6 senior quarterback Lee Thompson is expected to play a key leadership role. Look for the Greenville offense to expand the quarterback's role this season. In the backfield, Anthony Lash returns at running back along with a group of talented freshmen who will see the field in a variety of roles throughout the season. Honorable mention all-conference wide receiver Bryson Taylor and Jon DeJulio are both big targets for Thompson in the passing game and will play a huge role in the running game's perimeter blocking scheme. The offensive line is anchored by returning starters Trent Dahnke and Derek Robinson.The entire offensive staff is new to Greenville this season. Joel Penner was the passing coordinator at Trinity International University last season and will be the offensive coordinator and running backs coach this year. Hehman (Trinity's offensive coordinator last year and the Mid-States Football Association's assistant coach of the year) will coach the quarterbacks. Travis Tesone will work with the wide receivers, and David Bailey (last season's running backs coach at Western Oregon University) will coach the offensive line."We are excited to see what our highest level can be this season," said Penner. "We have a hard working group of men who are ready to be successful. We are young from the top down, but we are eager."Defense This year's defense will have a new look on the field. The defense will employ a 3-4 attack style defense that will look to force turnovers and put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. With eight returning starters and host of other players with significant playing experience, the defense will look to make significant improvements from the 2004 campaign.The defensive line is expected to be anchored by junior Russell Reece, a two-year starter and honorable mention all-conference selection last season. Reece had an outstanding sophomore season with six sacks and 12 tackles for loss.First team all-conference linebacker J.R. Harriel, also a junior, will once again be a fixture in the linebacker corps. Harriel was the team's leading tackler (second overall in the conference), forced five fumbles, and recovered four. The program expects Harriel to provide consistent veteran leadership and playmaking ability at the outside linebacker position in the new scheme.Alex Jones and Juan Garcia return for their senior season in the defensive backfield."I am excited to have an opportunity to work with this group of guys," said defensive coordinator Ordell Walker. "We will strive to be a defense that plays fast, plays fierce and plays with passion. If we can do those three things, we'll be well on our way to reaching our potential."
