Nine Fighting Scot Gridders Honored by Conference

Geoff Cooper

Dan Sommers

» Complete All-NCAC Team

The College of Wooster, which closed the 2007 season on a high note with four wins over its last six games, placed nine of its players on the All-North Coast Athletic Conference Football Team, announced the league office on Wednesday.

Senior offensive lineman Geoff Cooper (Reisterstown, Md. / Danville – Ohio), senior defensive back Jeff Geffert (Mentor, Ohio / Mentor), senior placekicker Andy Milligan (Orrville, Ohio / Orrville), senior tight end Ben Schrock (Wadsworth, Ohio / Wadsworth), junior running back Dustin Sheppard (Johnstown, Ohio / Johnstown-Monroe), and senior center Dan Sommers (Slippery Rock, Pa. / Slippery Rock), were voted second-team all-NCAC, while honorable mention recipients included sophomore outside linebacker Matt DeGrand (Stow, Ohio / St. Vincent-St. Mary), junior punter Kevin Friedman (Pepper Pike, Ohio / St. Peter Chanel), and senior inside linebacker Greg Schermbeck (Holly Springs, N.C. / Whitmer – Ohio).

Cooper, the starter at right tackle, was the Fighting Scots’ top offensive lineman this year, grading out at 75 percent as well as recording 51 knockdown blocks, according to the coaching staff. He anchored an inexperienced unit that improved steadily throughout the season and ended up helping Wooster finish among the top-half of the NCAC in scoring offense (24.1 ppg). Also of note, the Scots established a new season-high for total offense in four of their final six weeks, including 584 and 568 yards the last two.

Geffert, now a two-time all-NCAC honoree (first-team as a junior), came into the year as a preseason All-American at cornerback, but made a successful shift to free safety. He ended up fourth on the squad in tackles with 63 (33 solos, 30 assists) and was involved in three turnovers – two fumble recoveries and an interception. One of the fumbles was returned 33 yards for his first career touchdown. Geffert started three years, capping his career with 162 tackles (102 solos, 60 assists) and eight interceptions.

Milligan was nearly perfect in the kicking game this fall, booting through 29-of-29 point after attempts and 8-of-11 field goals. In fact, the 29 extra points marked the most without a miss during a season in school history, and he ranks sixth in the NCAC in scoring (5.9 ppg). Milligan served as Wooster’s primary kicker each of the last three years, combining to go 92-of-94 on extra points and 24-of-36 on field goals. His extra point percentage of .979 marked a Scot record for a career and 24 field goals made were the second-most in team history.

Schrock was the quarterbacks’ favorite target as he led the team in receptions with 33, which turned into 363 yards and four touchdowns, all career-highs. In addition to his blocking duties, Schorck caught a pass in every game, including nine at rival Wittenberg University and four for a career-high 84 yards during the season finale against Kenyon College. Over 40 games played, Schrock totaled 63 receptions, 640 yards, and six touchdowns.

Sheppard, who has been recognized on the All-NCAC Team previously as an honorable mention pick last fall and as the Newcomer of the Year in 2005, took awhile to get going, running behind three new starters on the offensive line, but finished strong with six-straight 100-yard rushing games. Overall, he toted the ball 196 times for 896 yards – the second-most in the conference – and seven touchdowns. Sheppard, who had a season-high 152-yard game in the finale against Kenyon, also saw an increased role in the passing game, catching 24 balls out of the backfield for 226 yards.

Sommers, the second-team all-conference center last year as well, battled through injuries throughout the season, but managed to start eight games while serving as a team captain. Statistically, he graded at 72 percent and had 38 knockdown blocks, according to the coaches, and helped Wooster improve upon its averages of 14.4 points and 241.6 yards of total offense through its first five games to 33.8 points and 432.4 yards during the second-half of the season.

DeGrand had a breakout campaign, ranking as the team leader in tackles with 95 (40 solos, 55 assists), including 12.5 for losses, also a squad best. A force all over the field, the first-year starter contributed 3.0 sacks, three quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one interception. He had five games with double-digit tackle totals, including four of the last five and season-highs of 14 at Allegheny College and against Kenyon in the finale.

Friedman led the league in punting with an average of 40.8 yards, which was the fourth-best season in school history and also currently ranks 12th in the NCAA Div. III national statistics. He played a significant role in the Scots continually winning the field position battle, as 16 of his 44 attempts landed inside the 20 and only five were touchbacks. Friedman booted a long of 63 against Ohio Wesleyan University, which marked the first 60-yard punt for Wooster since 1999, and added a 61-yarder at Allegheny College.

Schermbeck, a two-time all-conference honoree (second-team as a junior), made the transition from outside to middle linebacker and was credited with 87 total tackles (31 solos, 56 assists), the second-most on the team. Also statistically, he had 5.5 tackles for loss, including 2.0 sacks, and one pass breakup. Schermbeck’s top games were at John Carroll University and against Waynesburg University, as he tallied 12 tackles in each. For his career, Schermbeck made 223 tackles (96 solos, 127 assists).

The Scots, who faced the 43rd-toughest schedule in Div. III, according to the NCAA’s formula (as calculated by D3football.com), bounced back after a tough start and went 4-6. All four victories were of the conference variety, as Wooster tied for fourth-place in the NCAC (4-3).