Millikin Football Ready to Open Season

        After making major strides in turning around the Millikin football program last season, second year Head Football Coach Dan Gritti believes the 2017 team is ready to take the next step. In Gritti's first year, the Big Blue went 4-6 posting three conference wins. This gave Millikin its most wins in a season since 2012 and the most College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) wins since 2009.
          Coach Gritti says the 2017 team has a noticeable improvement in depth and athleticism. He adds that being in year two of the new system gives the players the advantage of understanding what it takes to be successful and the ability to execute what they need to do to make that happen. Despite playing in one of Division III's premier football conferences, Gritti believes the program is ready to next step in the process to building a winning football program.
          "Anything less than a winning season will be a failure," states Gritti.
          Millikin is loaded with talent on the offensive side of the football. Record setting junior quarterback Nicco Stepina returns to run the Millikin offense. Last season, Stepina set a new Millikin record for passing yards with 2,467 yards. He threw for 22 touchdowns and rushed for 268 yards. Gritti believes Stepina has made the transition from an athlete playing quarterback to becoming a top college quarterback. The coaching staff believes they have better depth backing up Stepina in 2017. Transfer junior Christopher Guillen and freshmen Marcus Hayes and Cal Pohrte have been impressive in the preseason and are battling for the backup quarterback spot.
          Gritti believes the position group with the largest improvement in talent and depth is running back. Sophomore George Jimerson, Jr. returns after rushing for 399 yards last year. Transfers, Deonte Robinson and Antione Scott, along with freshmen Jazontae Howard and Rashid Maclin are battling for carries and give the Big Blue potent weapons out of the backfield.
          CCIW All-Conference First Team performer junior Gerald Perry returns at wide receiver after catching 60 passes last year for 828 yards and six touchdowns. Perry's speed makes him a major threat down the field. Perry is joined by sophomore Jordan Smith who had 20 catches for 438 yards and a team high seven touchdowns in 2016. Gritti believes the Big Blue have at least seven solid players at receiver with junior Tyvon Johnson and freshmen Marquis Yarbrough, Patrick Cooper, Bryce Farris and Tyrice Hines all expected to see playing time this season. Junior Blake Patchett and freshman Colton Kelsey and Sean D. Flickinger provide Millikin with talent at tight end.
          Millikin returns four veterans on the offensive line including senior Nick Perry, juniors Eric Ivery and Connor Brewer and sophomore Rodney Baker. Baker, who was a force as a freshman, returns after missing last season. Freshman Sauvignon Hayes and Tony Little are fighting for the final starting position on the line.
          The Big Blue return eight starters on defense including CCIW All-Conference Second Team defensive end junior Quintaz Wright. Wright had 9.5 tackles for a loss last season and he will be joined by junior Gabe Xayathone at other defensive end position.
          Veterans Isaiah Blumenshine, Davion Jefferson, Alexzander Clark and Graham Failor should also see plenty of action on the defensive front.
          Junior Nikia Averitte and Matt Brown lead a talented group of linebackers. Averitte led the Big Blue with 80 tackles including 10 tackles for a loss in 2016. Brown was the Big Blue's Defensive Rookie of the Year last season with 47 total tackles including 8.5 tackles for a loss with four sacks, one interception and two pass breakups. Improved depth has provided a strong competition for the final starting spot giving the Big Blue coaching staff a number of options at linebacker.
          Senior Demetreeus Loper and sophomores Lashon Johnson and Daniel Jackson all return in the defensive backfield. Loper has started at cornerback the last two seasons and had 48 tackles with one interception and nine pass breakups in 2016. Johnson had seven pass breakups last season and Jackson recorded 44 tackles, one interception and four pass breakups. The final spot in the defensive backfield is up for grabs between a talented group of transfers and freshmen.
          Millikin opens at home in a special Thursday night game on August 31 against Greenville College. The Big Blue will then travel to Rose-Hulman, a 2016 playoff team.
Millikin opens CCIW play at home on Sept. 23 against North Central. The Big Blue will face two nationally ranked team in its first three conference games in North Central and Wheaton College on October 7.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#5 Nikia Averitte: LB; 5' 11"; Junior

#97 Isaiah Blumenshine: DL; 6' 0"; Senior

#75 Connor Brewer: OL; 6' 2"; Junior

#35 Matt Brown: LB; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#94 Alexzander Clark: DL; 5' 11"; Junior

#51 Graham Failor: DL; 6' 1"; Junior

#74 Eric Ivery: OL; 6' 3"; Junior

#11 Daniel Jackson: DB; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#99 Davion Jefferson: DL; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#3 George Jimerson, Jr.: RB; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#10 Lashon Johnson: DB; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#1 Demetreeus Loper: DB; 5' 8"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#5 Nikia Averitte
: 5' 11"; Junior
: LB

#97 Isaiah Blumenshine
: 6' 0"; Senior
: DL

#75 Connor Brewer
: 6' 2"; Junior
: OL

#35 Matt Brown
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: LB

#94 Alexzander Clark
: 5' 11"; Junior
: DL

#51 Graham Failor
: 6' 1"; Junior
: DL

#74 Eric Ivery
: 6' 3"; Junior
: OL

#11 Daniel Jackson
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: DB

#99 Davion Jefferson
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: DL

#3 George Jimerson, Jr.
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: RB

#10 Lashon Johnson
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: DB

#1 Demetreeus Loper
: 5' 8"; Senior
: DB