St. Francis University: Zero To Hero in 2009?

Originally Posted on SportInformant.com

St. Francis had a tough year in the Northeast Conference, going 0-7 in conference and 0-11 overall. To add to the nightmare, they were barely beaten and given the last spot by Wagner College, who's 1-6 conference record and 3-8 overall record was nothing to boast about either.

So when you're at the bottom, what can you do to bring yourself back from the brink? What changes need to be put in place for wins?

The addition of former NFL offensive lineman Chris Villarrial as offensive coordinator is a start. Villarrial brings not only a host of knowledge about the game, but he also brings with him two all-pro awards for playing center and right guard with the Chicago Bears from 1995-2004.

Head Coach Dave Opfar said to the media in January that, “He is a great addition to our staff and will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program.  He is a great example of the success a student-athlete at this level can achieve.”

Opfar himself will be in his eighth season as head of the St. Francis program, which has seen better days. This year could be some of the same, but the addition of Villarrial to help cultivate players like linebacker Scott Lewis could strengthen the offensive line, and bring home wins this year—but it won't happen without a bit of work.

The Red Flash's first three games will be non-NEC games against the University of New Hampshire, Morehead State, and Northern Iowa. NEC competition will start with a game against Wagner College on Sept. 26 followed by competitions against Albany, Sacred Heart, Robert Morris, and Duquesne through October and finishing their season with a game on the road against Monmouth, a home matchup against Bryant, and a visit to Central Connecticut State on Nov. 21.

St. Francis will have steep competition this year, and much like the past, programs like Albany and Monmouth look to control the NEC again this year. While St. Francis is rebuilding their squad and program from a disappointing 0-11 season, they will have to beat teams like Wagner College and Duquesne to show that they have what it takes to play ball with the rest of the conference.

The first three games this year will decide how well the Red Flash play football. The games against New Hampshire, Morehead, and Northern Iowa will act as warm-up competitions for them. Either win or lose, it will help to set the pace for games inside the NEC, and the games against tougher opponents will strengthen the team for NEC competition.

Not all of last season's games were blowouts: a 17-13 loss to Wagner, 22-30 to Marist, and 21-36 against Morehead State could have all gone the right way for St. Francis. Playing games against UNH, Morehead, and Northern Iowa will help them to get ready to fight against teams like Wagner or Duquesne this year.

If St. Francis can go 3-4 in conference this year, it will not only show what they are capable of, but also that the team is rebuilding from last year.