Its was fun to watch the younger guys get a chance to show off their talents 
last Sunday in a scrimmage against Alvernia. Someone told me we didn’t win the game. But, I really doubt that it mattered much to the guys playing.
The important thing is that being able to compete brings out the best in everyone. So, I think there were some definite strides made by these young Hounds.
I always find it interesting to watch the demeanor and the concentration of players who enter games early in their playing careers. There is definitely a separation by certain athletes as they begin to transfer all of the things they learn in practice to the actual field of play.
Learning to trust your training and maintaining the discipline to work within the framework of your team brings out the best in players. It was obvious in many places that there are some really bright young players in the “pipeline.”
Aside from the game itself these guys are really fun to work with on the day 
basis. As we age it is important to learn what our individual “roles” are. Anytime you work in a team 
setting it is so key to see how the pieces fit together.
As we all learn – not everyone can be the leader, some aren’t destined to be the captain or the star. We all learn when it comes to team play that we all have to put the ultimate goal ahead of our individual desires.
Hard to learn at times – but essential when operating in a team setting
It will certainly be fun to watch them mature over the next several years.
A Look at the Ursinus Bears
Ursinus opened the season with two wins and then surprisingly dropped a home game to Juniata 44-38 last Saturday. The Bears return 12 starters with eight on the defensive side of the ball.
Four year starter Thomas Garlic (16) returns for his senior season. He is currently 45-87 (51.7%) for 645 yards and 7 TD’s. He has thrown for over 7000 yards in his career.
Running Back Samuel Ragland (21) is one of the most productive rushers in the Centennial Conference and he has scored 2 TD’s and run for an average of 90.7 yards per game. He sas Rookie of the year in the CC two years ago and was first team CC last season while rushing for 954 yards and 18 TD’s.
Defensively the Bears return 8 players from a strong defensive team. The entire secondary returns along with three year starter Jacob McCain (54) at LB. Ursinus also gets back a key player in Noah Thomas (1) in the front wall,
Thomas missed most of last season with an injury after an impressive Sophomore year where he made HM all Centennial Conference.
As always when Ursinus is your opponent you can expect a tough physical game.
URSINUS COLLEGE
2019 RECORD: 2-1
Ursinus College 22 – Bethany 10
1. Riding a nine-sack performance the host Ursinus College defeated Bethany 22-10 in both team’s opener. Marcus Weathers (4) led the way with 3 sacks and Darren Sipf (90) racked up two others and had four tackles for losses.
2. Jacob McCain (54) also had a big day for the Bear defense (who held Bethany to just 260 yards in total offense) with an interception and nine tackles.
3. After a sloppy first half where QB Thomas Garlick (16) threw three interceptions the Ursinus offense finally got untracked in the third quarter. Garlick (16) tossed a pair of TD passes – 22 yards to Stacey Gardner (3) and 12 yards to Matt Gallagher (42).
4. Samuel Ragland (21) ran for 156 yards on 21 attempts for a 7.4 average.
Ursinus College 48 – Gettysburg 10
1. Ursinus pushed their record to 2-0 as the Bears won on the road at Gettysburg 48-10.
2. With the defense again leading the way (with three TD’s and seven sacks) the Bears opened their Centennial Conference team successfully.
3. The stiff Ursinus defense held Gettysburg to 239 yards allowing just one conversion in 14 tries on third down. Marcus Weathers (4) recorded one and a half sacks.
4. Noah Thomas returned an interception for a score and both Brett Capobianco (26) and Jeff Lockwood (20) picked up fumbles and ran them back for TD’s.
5. Thomas Garlick (16) had a stronger game than he did in the opening day win. He passed for 126 yards on 11 of 24 with two TD’s and an interception.
Juniata College 44 – Ursinus College 38
1. Juniata (1-2) and Ursinus (2-1) fought a back and forth battle before a late interception of Thomas Garlick (16) allowed the Eagles to run out the clock.
2. Samuel Ragland (21) had a good offensive game for the losing side as he rushed for 51 yards and a score while adding 136 yards on eight catches and two other scores.
3. Entering the game with 17 sacks the Bears could only get to Juniata QB Austin Montgomery once. Jacob McCain (54) was key to the defense with 12 tackles and a forced fumble.
4. The game was close all the way to the end…but ultimately it was the Bear turnovers that allowed the visitors from Juniata to notch their first victory of the year.
5. Thomas Garlick (16) had a big day in throwing for 336 yards, but ultimately it was his final interception that allowed the Eagles to put the game away.
2018 RECORD: 8-3
COACH: Peter Gallagher (West Virginia Wesleyan ’93), 19thseason (101-93).
RETURNING STARTERS:
OFFENSE: (4)
Quarterbacks:
1. Thomas Garlick (16). Sr. 6-4, 195 lbs. Hon. Mention CC. Starter since Freshman year. 2772 yards passing (School Record) in 2018
Receivers: none
Runners:
1. Samuel Ragland (21). Jr. 5-9, 175 lbs. All CC First Team. 177 ATT for 954 YDS 18 TD’s. 2 Year starter. CC Rookie of YR 2017.
Linemen:
1. OG Brandon Derby (64). So. 6-4, 277 lbs. Started 8 games in 2018.
2. OT William Boyle (55). Sr. 6-0, 225 lbs. Second year as starter. Former TE.
DEFENSE: (8)
Secondary:
1. Mitchell Bradford (8). Sr. 5-9, 170 lbs. Second Team CC. 5 INT last season.
2. Jack Spingler (17). Sr. 6-2, 195 lbs. Second Team CC. Also punter Starter since Freshman year.
3. Danny Freeman (47). Jr. 5-10, 175 lbs Third year as starter.
4. Mike Reilly (48). So. 6-1, 175 lbs Second year as starter.
Linebackers:
1. Brett Capobianco (26). Sr. 6-0, 180 lbs. Second year as starter.
2. Jacob McCain (54). Sr. 5-11, 207 lbs. Honorable Mention CC, 3rd year as starter.
Defensive Line:
1. Noah Thomas (1). Sr. 6-2, 215 lbs. Starter as soph. Injured most of last season. Very productive player. Hon Mention CC as Soph.
2. Marcus Weathers (4). Sr. 6-1, 185 lbs. Second year as starter.
SPECIALISTS:
Punter:
1. Jack Spingler (15). Sr. 6-2, 195 lbs. 31 Punts 37.0 AVG
2. Mike Reilly (48) Soph. 6-1, 175 lbs 25 Punts 36.6 AVG