Georgetown Hoyas
2016 record: 3-8 overall, 0-6 in Patriot League
Head Coach: Rob Sgarlata 4th Season (10-23 overall, 3-15 in PL)
Last Patriot League Title: Never
Last FCS Playoff Appearance: Never
Key Players Returning
Offense: QB Tim Barnes (5th Sr.), RB Alex Valles (Sr.), RB Isaac Ellsworth (Sr.), WR Justin Harrell (Sr.), OT Nick James (Sr.)
Defense: DL Khristian Tate (So.), LB J’Von Butler (Jr.), LB Dan Yankovich (Sr.), Safety David Akere (Sr.), Safety Jethro Francois (Jr.), CB Jelani Williamson (Sr.)
2016 Review
The 2016 season was not one to remember for Georgetown. The scholarshipless Hoyas posted their first winless league record since 2009. Things got off to promising start for the Blue & Gray who won their first 3 games of the season for the first time since 1999. Unfortunately, September would prove to be the high water mark for Georgetown as they would proceed to lose their final 8 games of the year. The Hoyas did battle until the end of the year despite the mounting losses. They came within a whisker of beating league heavy weight Fordham in the Bronx and fell one point short against Holy Cross in early November.
As presently constructed there’s no doubt the Hoyas are undermanned in a Patriot League that’s now 5 years (Fordham 8 years) into the scholarship era. The inability to land offensive playmakers that are needed in a point happy league has been the biggest issue. The running game averaged less than 75 ypg and no running back went over the century mark during the course of the season. That type of production on the ground is unacceptable when you add in an aerial attack that wasn’t much better. Although, the poor pass statistics can be largely contributed to QB Tim Barne’s season ending injury during the 4th game.
Defensively, Georgetown arguably had the best unit in the league when you factor in how much was asked of them. In terms of PPG (23.3) they were the best. Senior defensive linemen Hunter Kiselick and Phil Novacki along with stud LB J’Von Butler formed a formidable front 7. A youthful secondary did a solid job defending the pass (226 ypg). If the Georgetown offense wasn’t so anemic in 2016, thus forcing the “D” to be on the field far too often, the stats would have been even better.
2017 Offense
Player to Watch: WR Justin Harrell
Freshman to Watch: RB Jackson Saffold
There’s no doubt the biggest thing the Georgetown offense has going for it is the return of QB Tim Barnes who was granted a 5th year of eligibility. When Barnes suffered a season ending injury against Harvard the offense and season went down the drain. Before getting hurt Barnes was putting together a solid season (162 ypg, 7 TD 2 INT) during Georgetown’s 3-0 start. While experience is on his side he will have to adapt to life without big play WR Justin Hill who graduated. Expect another Justin, Justin Harrell (41 rec 296 yards, 2 TDs), to step in as the number one WR. He’ll be joined to by two other experienced pass catchers, Brand Williams and Jim McLaughlin. With the return of Barnes and 3 of the 4 leading WR’s there’s reason to believe the Hoya passing attack will see a significant increase in production in 2017.
The key for Georgetown’s offense will be getting the ground game going. The Hoyas return their top 3 rushing leaders from 2016. Leading the way will be senior RB Alex Valles. Valles paced the team in rushing last year with a modest 462 yards and 3 TDs in 11 games. Fellow senior Isaac Ellsworth (5’6 160 lbs) provides a quick, slashing element to the backfield. Ellsworth was second one the team in all-purpose yards thanks to his contributions in the return game.
Paving the way for Valles and Ellsworth will be a veteran offensive line. Georgetown returns 6 linemen who have seen significant playing time. The best of the group is arguably 6’6 290 pound senior Nick James. James who has seen significant time at both right and left tackle. He has 23 career starts heading into the 2017 season. If the Hoya offense wants to improve their league worst 15.1 ppg average the offensive line has to win more battles in thr trenches in order to get the running game going. The size and experience is there for the unit to get it done.
If the ground game improves, Barnes’s ability to keep defenses honest with his arm should force defenses to think twice about loading the box like they were able to do against the Hoyas in 2016.
Defense
Player to Watch: Marquis Parris
Freshman to Watch: DL Owen Kessler
If there’s been one consistent the last two seasons it’s been the defense. Its exceptional game (17 points allowed) against Fordham nearly gave the Hoyas a stunning upset. The Hoya defense will look for more performances like that under new defensive coordinator Kevin Doherty. Doherty moves into the DC position after being the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator for the last 5 seasons.
Doherty’s first order of business will be retooling the defensive line. The loss of Hunter Kiselick (2nd team All-PL Defense) will be significant. In addition to being a great pass rushing defensive end, Kiselick also starred on special teams (1st team All-PL). Georgetown’s other impactful DE, Phil Novacki (37 TT 6.5 sacks), was also lost to graduation. Look for fellow sophomores Marquis Parris (30 TT, 3 TFL) and Khristian Tate (22 TT, 5 TFL) to step up and be the next stars along the defensive line. Bryan Jefferson, Kendall Catching and Brennan Sawicki will also be called upon to be major contributors.
One of the best defensive players in in the Patriot League anchors the linebacker corps. J’Von Butler is coming off a breakout sophomore season (87 TT, 5.5 TFL, 2 FF, 1 INT; 2nd Team All-PL) for the Hoyas that earned him 2nd team All-PL honors. Even more might be asked of Butler in 2017 to help compensate for the loss of fellow 2nd team All-PL LB Leo Loughery. The Hoyas are banking on seniors Matt Apuzzi (57 TT) and Daniel Yankovich (48 TT, 3.5 TFL, 2 Sacks) to lighten Butler’s load in the middle of the defense.
The secondary might be the strength of the defense. Sure tackling safety David Akere (2nd on team 77 TT) holds down the back end of the defense while ball hawking CB Jelani Williamson (tied for PL lead with 4 INTs) will be called upon to shut down the oppositions top WR. Both have excellent partners in crime to make their lives easier. Jethro Francois and Blaise Brown are proven commodities at safety while junior Ramone Lyons is an emerging lockdown CB opposite of Williamson.
Special Teams
Now defensive coordinator Kevin Doherty directed one of the best special teams in FCS last year. The unit will look to continue their elite play under new special teams coach Maurice Banks. Banks first task will replacing the top 3 kickers from 2016 and the Hoya long snapper Robert Longwell. Senior Henry Woodrow, sophomore Brad Hurst and transfer Jonathan Coppens will battle in it out in fall camp for kicking duties. The return game should be in good hands with shifty playmaker Isaac Ellsworth handling most of the workload. 1st Team All-PL Special Teams Player Khristian Tate will once again be a menace blocking/altering punts and field goals.
2017 Outlook
Georgetown will be significantly improved on offense in 2017. To be fair, they were among the very worst units in all of FCS in 2016 so the bar has been set pretty low. With a returning 5th year QB, capable WRs and an experienced OL there’s three key pieces in place. The final piece to the improvement puzzle will be getting the running game going. If Valles and Ellsworth can take some of the pressure off of Barnes there’s no reason Georgetown can’t creep towards the middle of the pack on offense.
The two biggest issues in Hoyaland remain a lack of depth and true difference makers (especially at the skill positions) relative to their scholarship competition in the Patriot League. Until the administration steps up and offers scholarships or formulates a plan to improve the program in other areas to offset not offering full rides things aren’t going to get significantly better for Georgetown football any time soon.
While a Patriot League title is a rather far-fetched dream, there is some reason for optimism heading into the 2017 season. With such an experienced team returning another winless league record would be a major disappointment. If the offense improves significantly and the defense remains stout a winning record is not beyond the realm of possibility. Don’t be surprised of the Hoya’s start the year 3-0 for a second straight year.
2017 Schedule
9/9 @ Campbell 6 PM
9/16 Marist 1 PM
9/23 @ Columbia 1 PM
9/30 Harvard (Game at RFK Stadium)
10/7 @ Princeton 1 PM
10/14 @ Lehigh 12:30 PM
10/21 Fordham 2 PM
10/28 @ Holy Cross 1 PM
11/4 Lafayette 2 PM
11/11 @ Bucknell 12 PM
11/18 Colgate 1 PM
Projected Record: 4-7 overall, 1-5 in league play