Panther Profile- Zack Leonard

#54 Zack Leonard
Position: Defensive End
Height: 6-2
Weight: 250
Class: Senior
Hometown: Roanoke, Va.
High School: Patrick Henry
HONORS
USA South All-Conference honorable mention, 2007
USA South Defensive Rookie of the Week, 10/31/07
USA South All-Conference 2nd team, 2009

Zack is one of the Panthers leading tacklers with 25. Constantly applying pressure, Leonard is always a threat to the opposing quarterback. Look for Zack to be a mainstay in the Panther defense as the season progresses.

Still in the race, but we need a little help.

With a win today, Ferrum will be 2-1 in the conference, and still in the hunt for the championship. They will need some help from other teams however to get in the playoffs. Averett is a team that is strong, but they are not the largest stumbling block for the Panthers. Ferrum's biggest obstacle right now is North Carolina Wesleyan. Yeah I know we already played them, and they are the only conference team that has beaten us. That is why they are they are the biggest obstacle. For Ferrum to have a chance at the playoffs, it is likely that the Panthers have to win their remaining games. But even if they win all of them, North Carolina Wesleyan has to lose two.
If Ferrum wins out, and Averett only loses to Ferrum in the process, then Ferrum would be ahead of the Cougars in the standings because of the head to head win. Given the same scenario, Averett would beat NCW giving them one loss. This would not be enough for the Panthers as The USA South tie breaker format would likely put them out of the running. The tie breaker for the USA South is determined as follows:

   a.  Head-to-head competition.

                              b.   Performance against higher-rated teams in Conference.

                              c.   Common opponent records.

                              d.   In the event of a three-way tie, the NCAA regional ranking following the final games will be used to break the tie between the three teams.  This will determine the Conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

                              e.   Coin toss.

So it will take two losses by North Carolina Wesleyan. Who is left that cam beat them? I would say that the most likely scenario for this is Averett in their last game of the season, and  today's game against Christopher Newport. Remember, Ferrum has to win out for this to matter, and that means beating Christopher Newport, and Averett. It is a tough climb, but every climb begins with it's first step, and today's step is against Greensboro. So while you are pulling for the Panthers to reach 2-1 in the conference, keep your fingers crossed (just this once) for Christopher Newport. 

Go Panthers!

.

Hank Norton Center Groundbreaking 10-2-2010

Recruitment is Underway

Ferrum has offically posted it opening for a head football coach to replace Coach Davis. The following is copied from the Ferrum College Human Resources page at www.ferrum.edu.

Head Football Coach
Posted October 14, 2010
Ferrum College is seeking a Head Football Coach.  The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Coach football team in a manner that is consistent with the educational mission of the College.
•  
• Engage in ethical and values-based coaching in order to develop the character and the skill of the College's student athletes.
•  
• Possess a thorough knowledge of the game, a sophisticated understanding of coaching strategies, and a demonstrated ability to enhance player development.
•  
• Recruiting skills:  ability to identify and successfully recruit student athletes within the framework of the College guidelines and policies.
•  
• Adhere to institutional, USA South and NCAA rules and regulations.
•  
• Work effectively with administrators, the support staff, and other coaches and programs within the Department of Athletics.
•  
• Communicate effectively with various institutional constituencies (e.g. faculty, administration, students, parents, staff, alumni and friends) in order to strengthen programmatic integration with the College.

Minimum qualifications for this position are a Bachelor's degree (Master's degree preferred), collegiate coaching experience, initiative, and the ability to work well with student-athletes in a liberal arts institution.  Successful candidates will have had a proven history of success at previous position.  Demonstrate leadership skills and the ability to manage team dynamics.  Demonstrate organizational ability for practice, game management, and recruiting.
To apply for this position, please submit a letter of interest, resume, and application to Ferrum College, Human Resources, P.O. Box 1000, Ferrum, VA 24088, or e-mail to resumes@ferrum.edu.  Background check required.  Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.
Ferrum College is an equal opportunity employer.

Predictions for week 7

Ferrum @ Greensboro
Maryville @ Averett
Methodist @ Shenandoah
Christopher Newport @ N.C. Wesleyan

Last week, I was 4-0, bringing my season record to 24-8. This week provides some almost toss up games. Ferrum and Shenandoah will have tough games...OT is possible in either. While I expect N.C. Wesleyan to win at home against CNU, I think this may also be an interesting finish. Averett should win easily.

Ferrum @ Greensboro- Another tough but winnable game

In just looking at the common opponents so far, Ferrum and Greensboro have each played N.C. Wesleyan, and Emory and Henry. The final score in all of these games show Ferrum as the stronger competitor. Total point difference for Ferrum vs NCW and E&H was 16 points. For the Pride, the difference was 58 points. Other statistical facts for the season so far are:
                         FC             GC

First Downs       79                67
PPG avg.           24.6             8.4

Rushing Yds        779             307
Pass Yds             662             696
Penalties/yds       22-268      31-215
Yds allowed
rushing                  889            1144

Yds. allowed
passing                   1078          581

It would appear that if Greensboro is to compete in this game, they will do it through the air.  Ferrum is vulnerable against the pass, but has shown a bend but don't break mentality so far. Greensboro has only scored 6 touchdowns this season, but 4 have been through the air. Look for Ferrum to jump to an early lead, and hopefully will not have to look back. Ferrum will have to find a way to stay on the offensive, and not let up on either side of the ball. This is a game that Ferrum should win, and they very much need to go back home at 2-1 in the conference before facing a respectable Shenandoah team.
Look for Ferrum to bring more pressure to the Pride QB. This will help disrupt the rhythm, and keep their QB off balance. A second half interception could keep Ferrum fired up and looking to score as opposed to becoming complacent and protecting their lead.
I think Ferrum will assert their skills, and I expect there will be reason to celebrate in Franklin County.

My Prediction:

Ferrum 42
Greensboro 28

USA South Players of the Week

     Marcus Mayo
The Lexington, Virginia junior punt returner took two back for touchdowns in a 51-45, triple-overtime, win over USA South rival Methodist. Mayo averaged 55 yards per punt return and scored on returns of 85 and 66 yards. In addition to his special teams duties, Mayo accumulated two rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns.





 

Willie Taylor
The Onancock, Virginia senior defensive lineman led Ferrum with ten total tackles in a 51-45, triple-overtime, win over USA South rival Methodist. Taylor accumulated six solo tackles and four assisted take downs. He also sacked the quarterback once for a loss of seven yards.

A little extra Mayo leads Panthers to their first win.

While there are certain parts of the statistics that do not favor the Panthers, No one can dispute that Marcus Mayo's contributions to the game made it possible to bring home the first win of the season. Two passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns, and two punt returns for touchdowns kept Ferrum in the drivers seat, but Methodist was tenacious, and never gave up. Trailing 31-17 at the end of the third quarter, The Monarchs were able to score 14 points in the 4th quarter to tie the game. Ferrum looked to salt away the hard fought win with just :08 seconds left, but the would be winning Scott Puschell field goal was blocked, and we were on our way to overtime.

In the end, Ferrum had a long, but happy bus ride back, and has to prepare this week for another bus ride to North Carolina as they have Greensboro next on the schedule. They need to take some time to savor this win, but not lose sight of the upcoming game...another winnable game for them.

Points to Ponder

Time of Possession was won by Methodist by more than 11 minuets.
Rushing yards won by Ferrum  (+63 yards)
Passing yards won by Methodist  (227 yards more than the Panthers)

Punt return yards: Ferrum 3 returns for 165 yards and 2 touchdowns, Methodist 0 returns for 0 yards.

Each team had two passing touchdowns. Methodist QB had 46 pass attempts, completing 29 of them for an average per completion of 11.4 yards. This is way too much...enough for a first down on every completed pass.
Ferrum fumbled twice, losing both. One led to a Methodist field goal.

Ferrum sacked the Methodist Quarterback  3 times...Mayo was not sacked

Ferrum was 6 of 7 in Red Zone Chances!

After leading 24-3 in the second quarter, Ferrum was unable to hold the lead, This was similar to last years game as Ferrum had a 35-7 lead at the end of the third quarter, and held on to win 49-35. Although it was not as huge of a lead, Ferrum must figure a way to hold the lead they have. They have to get all of the pieces to fit, and work in sync. The win is huge, and keeps Ferrum in the hunt for a conference championship. While all games are must wins from this point on out, Ferrum needs to enjoy this one. It's only one win, but it's the first, and it's not the last!