By Pat Zazzarino

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – It has been a difficult year for the Kutztown football team this season. When any team acquires a new head coach, there are many changes brought along with them that it takes time for the team to adjust, These changes will create a winning formula, and that is what Head Coach Drew Folmar and the rest of the Golden Bears have tried to create this past season.

At the end of this season, the Golden Bears placed fifth in the PSAC East with a division record of 3-4 and an overall record of 4-7, according to the PSAC website. Statistically, this has been the team’s worst season in four years. However, t This does not mean that the season itself was a bust.

When Coach Folmar was named head coach on January 23, 2013, he was familiar with how to create a successful offense. According to the KU Bear’s website, Folmar had acquired one Capital One CoSIDA Academic All-American, two Academic All-District selections and 15 PSAC Scholar-Athletes awards.

As a result, Folmar is very dedicated to creating a dynamic offense and has the proper apparatus to make that happen. Freshmen quarterback, Alec Werner had a successful year under Folmar’s tutelage, completing176 of 300 completions for 1804 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Werner was surrounded by quality receivers to tally up points each game. Veteran players Kodi Reed and Brett Fox were invaluable, and contributed to many of Werner’s plays in the end zone.

The rushing game was also a success. Curtis Wortham in particular had a great year. According to the KU Bear’s website, Wortham finished his KU career 8th all-time rushing with 2,146 yards and 4th all-time with 24 rushing touchdowns.

The team accumulateed 240 total first downs, which is 27 more than the teams that they faced, proving that moving the ball is not the problem. One of the difficulties that the team did face on offense however was quarterback protection.

While the offensive line was successful in creating holes for the rushing game near season’s end, it struggled against the opposing team’s pass rush. The Golden Bears suffered 47 sacks, for a loss of 294 total yards.

One of the other problems the team faced was run defense. The Golden Bears allowed 1482 yards rushing, which is 389 more yards than the Golden Bears had. Folmar and the rest of the team are aware of what the team needs to work on, and plan on dedicating time to sharpen their skills on both sides of the football this offseason.

“There are three things we need to work on,” said Head Coach Folmar. “Rushing the ball, protecting the quarterback, and protecting the ball. These all contribute to each other and we can win or lose games because of them.”

One of the biggest factors that can make a difference is the emergence of team leaders to inspire their teammates. Junior Defensive End Zach Greenwald for example, has recently been nominated for the Cliff Harris Award, which is given to the top defensive player in small college football. “He’s an outstanding young man and leader,” said Coach Folmar. “He is very fun to coach because he enjoys playing the game. He’s a good leader on this team because he leads by example.”

With the emergence of powerful players, and an awareness of what to fix for the future, the Golden Bears could soon be back on track for a winning season.