It’s been a struggle on the gridiron for quite some time for Division II Cheyney University. But as the 2012 season approaches, hopes are high that the Wolves may be ready to finally breakthrough.

“Things are going great in camp,” Cheyney head coach Ken Lockard tells KYW Newsradio. “We have the most number of guys that we’ve had at camp since I’ve been here, this is my fifth camp (two as head coach, three as assistsant). It’s great having the competition and having so many bodies out there to keep fresh legs on a regular basis. I think we’re coming along very well.”

The Wolves went just 1-10 in 2011, but they gave Millersville (10-7 loss) and East Stroudsburg (10-6 loss) all they could handle while making West Chester (23-7 loss) and LIU-Post (42-27) sweat.

Cheyney’s brightest star is junior running back Marcus Jones who has rushed for more than 1,500 yards in his first two seasons.

“He’s a staple in our backfield,” Lockard says. “He’s done a great job in just becoming a leader in everything in the backfield, on the offense and on the whole team.

“He’s just an extremely hard runner and he’s very tough to take down in the box. Just exciting to watch. Any given play, Marcus can pop through the line and just be gone. He’s done a lot of work on his speed and gotten faster and his vision just keeps getting better and better, seeing the seems.”

A running back needs the guys in front of him to open up holes, and Lockard says his offensive line is a bit of a work in progress.

“They were all underclassmen (last season), they’re all underclassmen again. So that’s always a concern when you’re coming in with an offensive line that’s all underclassmen. read more…