FREELAND, Mich.-- Trine tied for the third-place spot in the 2015 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Preseason Football Poll, released Wednesday.
The Thunder received votes totaling 17 points in the poll to finish in a tie with Olivet. Selected by the conference's coaches, the league poll projects parity in the MIAA this fall with teams two-through-four separated by just two votes. Trine is coming off a season in which the Thunder finished 6-4 overall and tied for second in the conference with a 4-2 league mark. The team returns 16 starters (nine offensive, seven defensive) off last season's squad, including four 2014 All-MIAA performers. This season will be the team's first under new head coach Troy Abbs, who takes over the helm of the program after serving as defensive coordinator since 2006.
In the video below, Abbs offers a brief preview of the upcoming season.
Preseason interview with Trine head football coach Troy Abbs.
Trine returns nine starters from an offense that led the MIAA in total offense last season. Headlining the returners is quarterback Taylor Masiewicz (Belmont, Mich./Rockford), the 2014 MIAA Offensive MVP. Masiewicz set a new school-record for total offense per game in his junior season, his first as a starter.
Outside of Masiewicz, the Thunder have plenty of offensive weapons in the backfield and at wideout. Gage Corner (Leo, Ind./Leo) enters the season as Trine's all-time leader in receptions per game and gives the team a proven threat at wideout. Frank Vuocolo (Jackson, Mich./Grass Lake) has averaged 4.3 yards per carry in his career at running back, while Frantz Petitpapa (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Archbishop McCarthy) burst onto the scene last season as a threat in both the running and passing game.
One of the biggest keys on the offensive side of the ball could be the return of all five starters on the offensive line. Dalton Raper (Richmond, Ind./Richmond) anchors the line after earning All-MIAA First Team honors last season.
The defense is led by returning All-MIAA Second Team linebacker Taylor James (LaPorte, Ind./LaPorte) and fellow second-team performer Michael Spears (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble). The two players led the Thunder in tackles last season, with Spears adding a pair of interceptions.
Key starters will need to be replaced on the defensive line and at safety. Senior Charles Dreessen (Walkerton, Ind./John Glenn) is the elder statesman on the defensive line after starting the last two seasons, while Me'Leick Miles (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike) showed promise with 3.5 sacks in his freshman campaign. The coaching staff expects multiple players to be in the mix for playing time in the secondary.
Another key loss from last season was All-MIAA kicker Joel Lopshire. Paul Baker (Columbus, Ind./Columbus East) gained experience handling kickoff duties last season and should be a factor in the kicking game. Ben Cornell (Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Ledge) is also back after averaging 36.5 yards per punt last fall.
Trine kicks off the season under the lights of Fred Zollner Athletic Stadium with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff against in-state rival Manchester. CLICK HERE for the complete schedule.
The complete results of the preseason poll are listed below.
2015 MIAA Preseason Football Poll
Place. Team, Points
1. Adrian, 9
2. Albion, 16
3. Trine, 17
3. Olivet, 17
5. Hope, 23
6. Kalamazoo, 31
7. Alma, 34
