 "Photo: Ron Harper--Special to The South End")
 "Photo: Ron Harper-- Special to The South End")
At the midseason mark, I gave grades to each position group and the coaching staff, but I failed to give an overall grade of the team. Looking back on it, it might not have been much different than the B+ I am giving them today. A's are few-and-far-between, reserved for the elite teams, to which Wayne State is not — yet.
But anyone who doesn’t consider the 2008 campaign a success needs to seek immediate medical attention. Eight wins for only the third time in 91 years. A new school record for conference wins in a season. A top 10 defense most of the season. All this after a disappointing 3-8 record in 2007.
Though I don’t claim to have a long line of football-viewing experience, I’m sure there aren’t many seasons that come down to one or two plays like this one. One or two plays — which I will refrain from mentioning — because it would be unfair to pin it on one or two guys. But it just goes to show how close this team is — not only to reaching the postseason — but to being a force to be reckoned with year-in and year-out in the GLIAC.
There will be a lot of overturn this offseason, but coach Paul Winters, who has had a string of highly-touted recruiting classes, should have this team playing at or near the same level next season.
But we’ll save the 2009 preview for another column. Without further ado, the 2008 final grades for Wayne State football:
Coaching: A-
Paul Winters had his team concentrated and prepared throughout the season and there were not many play calls that seem regrettable. In fact, when Kevin Smith took over the quarterback role, he rarely seemed to look confused — something to attribute to the staff and Winters’ play-calling.
Defensively, John Hauser and staff kept up the pace from the beginning of the season and kept the Warriors in all but one game. As the story of the season, when the "Green Swarm" held opponents to 21 or fewer points, Wayne State won all eight times.
Offense: B
Quarterbacks: B-
Smith looks to be the real deal, making big-time throws and showing a canny ability to vacate the pocket when necessary. His completion percentage may not have been the highest, but that’s a lot to ask of a true freshman now, isn’t it?
After losing his starting job early in the year, Mickey Berce did anything but pout and continued to be a leader in the locker room.
Running backs: A-
The rushing attack returned to its vaunted self in the latter half of the season, with Joique Bell collecting at least 128 yards per game in six of the last seven contests. Senior Daryl Graham used his speed and elusiveness when Bell came out, or in some instances, when taking the handoff from Bell.
Receivers: B-
The receiving corps definitely upped its play, but nobody stepped up as a go-to guy, something the Warriors hope to find for next season. The reduction of drops by the quint-fecta of Aaron Higginbottom, Travis Campbell, Ed Sanders, David Mosely and Don Brown made things easier on Smith.
Offensive line: A-
No matter who was under center or running the ball, the offensive line was rarely heard from this season — the true testament to a good group of blockers. With the exception of the last quarter against Grand Valley State, the phrase ‘Smith sacked’ was not often uttered.
Defense A-
Defensive Line: B+
This team accounted for 11 sacks and helped the rest of the defense hold opponents to a very respectable 4.0 yards per carry. There isn’t a whole lot to say about this group, except for the fact it was solid when called upon.
Linebackers: A-
A majority of the pressure on the opposing quarterback was brought by this trio, as Matt Shango (7), Adam Nuckols (5) and Tristan Black (4) led the way in the sacks department. Black also led the team with 101 tackles. Raleigh Ross, who filled in for Nuckols against Ferris State, looks to be on par with the starters and will be looked to early and often next season.
Secondary: A-
The secondary was a turnover-forcing machine, with Stan Thornton (5), Cornelius Dillard (4) and Dante Dunn (3) leading the team in interceptions. When this group wasn’t breaking up passes, it was solid on the tackling front, preventing the always devastating yards after contact.
Special Teams: A-
David Chudzinski was money in the second half of the year, including his four field goals that helped defeat nationally-ranked Ferris State, 19-0. Though Dunn hardly touched the ball on returns, his presence was still felt by teams kicking away from him, or just pooching it altogether. Josh Renel continued to hold onto the football and even broke off a few big returns — a good sign looking ahead to next season. Shane Morris solidified the punting spot.
