Philadelphia, Pa. – (9/14/2018) – Head Coach Mike Pearson and the Chestnut Hill College sprint football team embarks on their fourth season in 2018, equipped with a two-time All-Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL) quarterback and a senior class that includes nine former All-CSFL performers. "Our goal is to compete in every game for the entire season and to achieve a winning record," said Coach Pearson. "For the first time, the league will host a championship weekend for the top four teams at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It would be great to add Canton, Ohio to our list of historical sites that we already enjoy, like the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis (Maryland), the University of Pennsylvania's Franklin Field in South Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), and Cornell University's Shoellkopf Field in Ithaca (New York)."   
 
With 10 all-league performers returning to the roster in 2018, expectations are high for the Scarlet and Gold, who offered the league's fourth-ranked offense and a defense that provided the second highest sack total in the league (22) a year ago. Junior quarterback Michael Marino (Blue Bell, Pa.) headlined Chestnut Hill College's 2017 All-CSFL Second Team selections as the 2016 CSFL Freshman of the Year threw for 1,051 yards and 14 touchdowns – he also rushed for 28 yards and two touchdowns. While completing 65-of-120 attempts (54.2%), Marino only threw one interception and averaged 150.1 yards-per-game. Behind him, the Griffin backfield will feature three-time All-CSFL senior running back Raevon Floyd-Bennett (Union City, N.J.), junior running back Sef Penson (Brooklyn, N.Y.), and senior fullback Alex Nicolas (Langhorne, Pa.). Floyd-Bennett totaled 577 all-purpose yards in 2017, recording 305 yards on 49 carries (6.2 yards/carry), 54 yards on eight receptions, and 218 yards (7 punts - 52 yards, 8 kickoffs – 166 yards) on returns. Penson is the program's all-time leading rusher with 482 yards from scrimmage. Additional members of the Scarlet and Gold backfield include junior quarterback David Navas (Woodhaven, N.J.), freshman quarterback Justin Markle (Dillsburg, Pa.), sophomore running back Rysean Grant (Burtonsville, Md.), and freshmen running backs Xavier Thompson (Yardville, N.J.) and Sean Plunkett (Philadelphia, Pa.), as well as, cameo appearances from sophomore transfer Biagio Bisicchia (Laurel Springs, N.J.). Markle is a multitalented asset, while Bisicchia is a very physical, smart, and dedicated transfer from CSFL rival Caldwell University, who will see time at fullback and tight end. He rushed for 33 yards on five carries in addition to recording eight tackles and a sack for the Cougars last year.
 
In the passing game, Marino's wide receiving corps include senior Reggie Robinson Jr. (Washington, DC), juniors Domoree Hill (Bethlehem, Pa.), Joe Lee (Horsham, Pa.), and Jake Hural (Philadelphia, Pa.), sophomores Shawn Raynes (Somerset, N.J.), Matthew Williams (Somers Point, N.J.), and Akeem Browne (Elkins Park, Pa,), as well as, freshmen Colby Goldsmith (Phoenixville, Pa.), Elias Emanuel (Franklin Township, N.J.), Luke Friend (York, Pa.). Robinson (HM) and Hill (1^st Team) both enjoyed their second All-CSFL performances in 2017; Robinson made 16 catches for 307 yards (19.2 yards/reception) and four touchdowns, while Hill was the Griffins' leading receiver with 24 receptions for 508 yards and eight touchdowns. Browne is an outstanding talent with great size, Goldsmith is a versatile, physical, and highly-competitive individual, while Friend is a high-energy, intense athlete; all will make their presence felt in 2018. At tight end, Chestnut Hill College features senior Theophilus McBurnette (Ketchikan, Alaska) and sophomore P.J. Crane (Maple Glen, Pa.).
 
"Our offensive line is a strength for sure," remarked Coach Pearson. "These guys have a maturity about them and have worked hard in the weight room all offseason." Providing protection for Marino and his various weapons is an experienced and well-decorated line that is led by two-time All-CSFL seniors Kevin Clancy (Havertown, Pa.) and Kevin Meredith (Germantown, Md.), as well as, 2017 All-CSFL First Teamer, junior Nick Parsell (Christiansburg, Va.) and 2016 All-CSFL Honorable Mention, sophomore Steven Venango (Philadelphia, Pa.). Additional offensive line cohorts include a wealth of sophomores in Harry Davis II (Huntington Valley, Pa.), Uzziah Slaney (Millville, N.J.), Teddy Tabasco IV (Ridgefield Park, N.J.), and Matt Weir (Drexel Hill, Pa.), and freshman Nate Kessler (Telford, Pa.).
 
Defensively, the Scarlet and Gold have a bounty of strength and leadership in the front eight. The star-studded line includes three senior All-CSFL performers in Brian Layden (Springfield, Pa.), Kyle Johnson-Hackett (Philadelphia, Pa.), and Josean Perez (Bethlehem, Pa.). Layden recorded 11 solo tackles and was in on two others for a total 13 stops, while Johnson-Hackett recorded five of his 37 tackles for a loss (28 yards); 3.5 of those tackles were sacks (18 yards). Perez finished his junior campaign with 31 tackles (22 solo, 9 assisted) and 2.5 sacks. Also seeing time in the trenches will be Nicolas, senior Kevin Martinez (Voorhees, N.J.), juniors Marcel Mitchell (Mays Landing, N.J.) and Anthony Pavone (Deptford, N.J.), as well as, sophomore Louis Capace (South Ozone Park, N.Y.), Marcus Hems (New Hope, Pa.), and Williams. At linebacker the Griffins return three more former All-CSFL players in senior Jonathan Baldwin (Hudson, N.H.), junior Mike McIlhenney (Philadelphia, Pa.), and sophomore Tony Wilson (Kennett Square, Pa.). Baldwin (5 solo, 3 assisted) and McIlhenney (7 solo) totaled 15 tackles between the two of them last season. The linebacking corps also includes junior Tyler Smith (East Greenville, Pa.) and a pair of freshmen; John Mychael Castro (Telford, Pa.) and Nate Miller (East Stroudsburg, Pa.). Castro and Miller have displayed great speed and physicality and will be valuable additions to the defensive backfield.
 
Coach Pearson's secondary is headlined by senior Ricky Robinson III (Binghamton, N.Y.), junior RahSaan Hayes (Woodbury, N.J.), as well as, sophomores Terrell Bush (Valley Steam, N.Y.) and Nate Moser (Bethlehem, Pa.). Behind them the depth chart includes sophomores Zhiair Bland (Woodbine, N.J.), Rahsul Brown (Swedesboro, N.J.), and Dan Gavin (Havertown, Pa.), freshmen Ryan Jakeman (Philadelphia, Pa.), Ezekiel Martin (Philadelphia, Pa.), Anthony Rodriguez (?), and Jimmy Rodweller (Galloway, N.J.).
 
Last but not least, Chestnut Hill College also possesses on of the league's top special teamers in junior kicker/punter Dante Fuchs (Sinking Springs, Pa.). Fuchs was a three-time CSFL Special Teams Players of the Week in 2017 (10/31, 10/24, 10/12), averaging 52.0 yards on kickoffs (5 kicks, 262 yards) and 28.7 yards on punts (3 punts, 86 yards), while landing one of his three punts inside the Franklin Pierce University 20-yard line during a 28-3 Scarlet and Gold victory on November 3.
 
In 2018, Chestnut Hill College's experienced roster will be tested from the very beginning as the Griffins open the season on Friday, September 14, with a 7:00 p.m. home games versus Army (West Point).