Aug. 21, 2007

EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette football program held its annual media day on Tuesday afternoon. Head coach Frank Tavani, the entire senior class and select underclassmen were in attendance to answer questions about the upcoming season, which opens on Sept. 1 against Marist.

Tavani took time to reflect on the past three championship seasons before addressing the upcoming campaign.

"They say time flies when you're having fun and I think we're just starting to have a little fun and we want to continue to have more fun as we go on," he said. "It seems like just the other day we were ending the season and now we're starting again."

The quarterback question, which remains a key issue heading into the season, was also addressed by Tavani.

"I'd say it's a three-man situation in terms of the competition for that position," he said. "We'll zero in a little bit more after tomorrow night's scrimmage and have a little bit of a better idea of where we're going, but I'm real comfortable with all three of the guys. Our three freshmen are doing very well at this point, as well."

The foundation remains in place, Tavani said, to reach the team's ultimate goal of winning its fourth-straight Patriot League title.

"We have a great group of young men led by a strong group of seniors and captained by Kyle Sprenkle and Marcel Quarterman," he said. "I've always felt every team is only as good as its seniors and the leadership they provide and this group is doing a great job in leading this team and focusing on our annual goal of winning the Patriot League Championship."

Winning the Patriot League title isn't the team's only goal this season, however. The Leopards want to be the sole owners of that championship title and experience playoff success.

"People have asked me, `Can you do it (win the Patriot League title) four years in a row?' and I say we're certainly planning on it," he said. "It's made the last several years enjoyable for me and we hope to continue that but we don't want to share that title anymore. We're going after this thing, no sharing. We want to host a playoff game and win a playoff game."

Tavani closed his address to the media by relaying his thoughts on Lafayette being chosen first in the Patriot League's preseason poll.

"I think the voters picked us to finish first in the league because they thought we wouldn't win it, but we've got a little surprise for them."

Lafayette will hold a team scrimmage on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Fisher Stadium with a full officiating crew. The scrimmage, like all practices, is open to the public.