Oct. 5, 2004
By Scott Rex
Assistant Sports Information Director
Simply put, Lafayette senior linebacker Wes Erbe has built a resume that only a few players in the 123-year history of Lafayette Football can compete with.
A three-year starter at outside linebacker, Erbe is in his second season as a co-captain. When his teammates bestowed that honor upon him during spring practice, he entered an elite fraternity of two-year Lafayette captains that includes only three other players.
"It's a special feeling to know that your teammates respect you like that," Erbe said. "I just always try to do whatever I can to help the program. Ever since I've been here it's been all about Lafayette Football. When I'm done here, and I can look back on it, I want to be able to know that I did everything I could for this program."
On the field, Erbe is coming off his finest season as a Leopard. He ranked fourth in the Patriot League in total tackles, registering 104, in 2003, while forcing five fumbles, tied for second-most nationally. He was part of linebacking corps that accounted for 306 tackles a year ago and was expected to anchor an improved Leopard defense in 2004.
Those plans were temporarily put on hold, however, when Erbe suffered an ankle injury during preseason camp. He was forced to sit out the first two games of the season, an idea that did not sit well with the only senior starter on the defensive unit.
"It was extremely frustrating. You work so hard to be ready for the season and then, especially as a senior, it's frustrating to not be able to be out there," Erbe said. "It's something I just have to battle through right now to be ready for the stretch run."
Despite not being on the field, Erbe continued to be an inspirational leader for his teammates.
"Our younger guys have always looked up to him, even when he couldn't play early in the season," said head coach Frank Tavani. "He's been the consummate leader during practice and games, and when he couldn't be out there he was helping guys and still filling that leadership role.
"Wes just plays with a passion and a fire," Tavani said. "He plays the game the way it is supposed to be played, and that rubs off on the other guys."
"I've got to be the guy that the younger guys look up to," Erbe said matter-of-factly. "I know when I was younger I looked up to guys like Chris Partridge and Pat Brown. It comes with the territory of being an upperclassman."
Since returning to the lineup, Erbe has contributed 13 tackles for a defense that ranks 21st nationally and has held three opponents to 16 points or fewer. Even with just a single senior contributor, the defense has proven that the Leopards are a team that should not be overlooked.
"We want to win a league championship. Each game is a goal in itself, but the ultimate is the league championship," Erbe said. "We've been very close to the teams that have been winning the league, but we just haven't come out on top. A lot of people have said, and I know I've said in the past, that we feel like we're to the point of being able to win a championship. But right now, we really, truly feel like we're finally there."
With Erbe providing the guidance and the inspiration, there's no telling what this team can accomplish.
