BABSON PARK, Fla. (August 24, 2018) – The Webber International University football team is headed into the 2018 season with high hopes, boasting a top-five ranked defense from a year ago along with a new offense led by new Offensive Coordinator Ed Stults.

Head Coach Kelly Scott has reported that camp went well and as expected; the defensive lineman and linebackers have looked strong and the secondary has stepped up as well.

Key returners for the Warriors on the defensive side of the ball are junior defensive back Brandon Bell, sophomore defensive back Travonte Haynie, First-Team All-Mid-South Conference Sun Division defensive lineman Dequan Harvin, and Second-Team All-Mid-South Conference Sun Division senior linebacker Tyson Burch, who also led NAIA in forced fumbles in 2017.

A few names that stood out to Coach Scott throughout camp offensively featured a good mix of young guys and veteran returners. Specifically, senior wide receiver Jeremiah Harris, junior wide receiver Timothy Miller, sophomore wide receiver Jeremiah Lucas, and freshman running backs Davonte Williams and Gerard Williams.

There has been a battle for the quarterback position all camp long between senior Antwan Washington and freshmen Brady Ooten and Cody Braden.

"It will be interesting to see who takes control of the starting spot at the quarterback position." said Coach Scott.

The offensive line is still trying to figure out its identity, but they do have an advantage because "If they can effectively block our defensive line, then they can block anybody," said Offensive Line Coach Chuck Kelly.

Key losses for the Warriors from 2017 were defensive lineman Drakkar Wilson and offensive lineman Javan Christian.

Christian, however, will remain on the Warrior sidelines as one of the new additions to the Warrior coaching staff as a graduate assistant coach.

When asked about his coaching staff, Coach Scott talked about how proud he was of the stability and experience on his staff. Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach Eric Potochney and Safeties Coach Steve Speakman have both been at Webber for over nine years while Coach Kelly, Defensive Line Coach Vincent Davis, Defensive Backs Coach Rodney Brown, Wide Receivers Coach Colin Doran and Running Backs Coach Macander Dieudonne all return for yet another exciting season.

One of the biggest additions for Webber this season was offensive coordinator Ed Stults. Coach Scott has known Stults for over 20 years, and he raves about Stults' ability to dissect a defense.

"Coaching is the ability to put kids in a position to be most successful, and that's what Coach Stults excels at," said Scott.

Looking forward to the 2018 season to start, Coach Scott added "In my opinion, we have the best defense in the conference and maybe even the best defense in the nation. The offense is looking strong and will put up enough points for us to win a lot of ballgames."

The Warriors will begin their 2018 season in Grayson, Kentucky, on Saturday, August 25, at 1:30 p.m. against Kentucky Christian University, a team the Warriors defeated 49-16 in 2017.

Webber will host its first home game of the season the following week on Saturday, September 1, at 1:30 p.m. against No. 19-ranked Campbellsville University.  In fact, each of the first four of Webber's five home contests this season will come against nationally-recognized opponents.

To follow the action tomorrow and all season long, please visit Webber's Stretch Internet and Live Events pages above for all of the video and live stats details.