Preview: Christopher Newport tested by schedule again

By Amber Kuehn

NEWPORT NEWS

Christopher Newport football coach Matt Kelchner doesn’t put stock in preseason polls. And he doesn’t respect teams that play lesser schedules than they’re capable of.

He does, however, have plenty of confidence in his Captains .

CNU plays host to Wesley in its season opener Sept. 6. It is the Captains’ first meeting with the Wolverines, No. 3 in the country in Division III preseason polls. The match-up kicks off a typically difficult nonconference schedu le, a slate that also includes a road game against No. 12 Salisbury.

“I don’t know if you can go anywhere in the country and find someone who plays a more demanding schedule than we do,” said Kelchner, who has led his team to five NCAA playoff appearances and seven straight winning seasons.

Last year, CNU pulled off a surprising 23-17 win against 10th-ranked Rowan but was routed by No. 4 Mary Hardin- Baylor 51-19.

“I disagree with any coach who plays lower teams just to get a win,” he said.

The Captains led the USA South in numerous statistical categories last season but still fell shy of a playoff berth. CNU finished second in the conference behind N.C. Wesleyan, going 7-3 overall, 6-1 in league play.

“Traditionally here, we’re accustomed to winning and 7-3 to us is a disappointment,” junior running back Tunde Ogun said. “It’s not acceptable.”

The 2007 Captains were plagued with inexperience and injuries. If this year’s squad stays healthy, CNU could be as dangerous as ever. A ton of talent returns, much of it from South Hampton Roads. League coaches have taken notice, picking the Captains first in preseason polls .

“My stock is put in the poll at the end of the season,” Kelchner said. “Come the end of November, I’ll tell you who’s best.”

CNU graduated its top quarterback, Todd Faison. Former free safety Matt Long, who played quarterback some at Kellam High School, emerged as the top candidate to fill the job after learning the offense during spring practice.

“He’s catching on real fast,” said senior fullback Mario Barnes, a Bayside grad. “He’s pretty much taken full control of the offense.”

Long’s stats at Kellam weren’t dazzling: 270 rushing yards, 18 completions in 41 passes, three interceptio ns. Kelchner said he’s willing to design the multiple-option offense around his quarterback’s style. With a trio of solid backs, that could mean far more running than pas sing.

“If we have a quarterback who runs, we’ll run it,” Kelchner said. “We’ll put our 11 best men on the field and feature what they do best.”

Long said he has high hopes for the season.

“We have a tough schedule, but I think we’ll be better than ever,” he said.

Amber Kuehn, (757) 446-2522, amber.kuehn@pilotonline.com