Lehigh football getting a lot of preseason recognition

FROM KEITH GROLLER

With the start of practice now just a few weeks away, the Lehigh football program continues to get lots of preseason recognition for the coming 2011 season.

I am sure coach Andy Coen and the players would say that this is still more of a reflection of what happened in 2010 than anything accomplished in 2011, but it's still a nice change for the program to have so much preseason pub.

Lehigh's season opens on Sept. 3 at Monmouth.

Here's the release from Lehigh with the latest preseason notoriety.

- The Lehigh football team continues to garner preseason recognition, this time from Phil Steele Magazine, one of the top publications that covers college football. The Mountain Hawks were predicted to win the Patriot League, while standing 16th in its preseason national rankings. In addition, 11 Lehigh student-athletes were named preseason All-Patriot League honorees while two others earned preseason All-America recognition.



The magazine picks Lehigh to repeat as Patriot League Champions, which would be the first time since going back-to-back in 2000 and ‘01. The Mountain Hawks are also ranked 16th nationally as one of two Patriot League teams in Phil Steele’s FCS Top 40, along with Colgate (27).



Out of Lehigh’s 11 All-Patriot League honorees, a league-high eight cracked the magazine’s First Team. Making the First Team offense were senior quarterback Chris Lum, junior wide receiver Ryan Spadola, senior wide receiver Jake Drwal and senior offensive lineman James Liebler. Three seniors cracked the defense - defensive lineman Andrew Knapp and linebackers Mike Groome and Tanner Rivas - while senior Alex Smith was named the First Team punter.


Three other seniors were named to the Second Team: offensive lineman Keith Schauder, defensive lineman Phil Winnett and linebacker Colin Newton.



In addition, Groome was named a preseason Second Team All-American while Spadola was on the Fourth Team offense.



The Mountain Hawks have been recognized by numerous publications during the preseason, including Lindy’s, The Sports Network, Consensus Draft Services and more. The honors come just a day after four Mountain Hawks were named to the 2011 Division I FCS Watch List by College Football Performance Awards.



Lehigh opens the 2011 season at Monmouth on Sept. 3. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Their home opener is the following Saturday against New Hampshire at Goodman Stadium. To purchase tickets, please call 610-7LU-GAME or click here.



Phil Steele Preseason Accolades



Team

#1 in the Patriot League

#16 in the nation



First Team All-Patriot League

Offense

QB Chris Lum SR Lehigh

WR Ryan Spadola JR Lehigh

WR Jake Drwal SR Lehigh

OL James Liebler SR Lehigh



Defense

DL Andrew Knapp SR Lehigh

LB Mike Groome SR Lehigh

LB Tanner Rivas SR Lehigh



Specialists

P Alex Smith SR Lehigh



Second Team All-Patriot League

Offense

OL Keith Schauder SR Lehigh



Defense

DL Phil Winnett SR Lehigh

LB Colin Newton SR Lehigh


All-America Teams

LB Mike Groome SR Lehigh - Second Team

WR Ryan Spadola JR Lehigh - Fourth Team

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/