Rindge, N.H. -- The Edinboro football team begins the 2022 season with a non-conference road game at Franklin Pierce Saturday afternoon with a 1 p.m. kickoff at Sodexo Field.

Returning Starters
Edinboro returns it's top rusher (Anfreenee Williams), passer (Isaac Bernard) and two leading receivers (Mike Watkins and Armani Bailey) from the 2021 season. Nick Cunningham was third on the team in tackles with 54 in the 2021 campaign. The Fighting Scots bring back safety Malcolm Johnson who started the first four game of the seasons before being injured. He had 20 tackles and one interception in 2021. They also return lineback Clay Cunningham who had 22 tackles in 10 games with five starts. 

Franklin Pierce is in there third season as a DII football member. The Ravens finished the 2021 season 0-10 and return the NE-10 Offensive Player of the Year in running back EJ Burgess.

Building on Momentum
The Fighting Scots will look to build off their finish to the 2021 season. Edinboro closed the season with three straight wins including a pair of road victories at IUP and Millersville. 

Special Teams are Special
Edinboro led all-teams in all divisions of football with 12 blocked kicks in the 2021 season. The Scots blocked four punts and then eight placekicks. Three different players blocked two kicks including returning defensive lineman Jahone Duggan. Edinboro also returns second-team All-PSAC punter Reed Martin. He ranked fourth in the PSAC at 38.8 yards per punt.

Close Calls
Edinboro went 2-4 in one possession games in 2021. The Scots dropped these four games by a combined 22 points. 

2021 All-PSAC
Edinboro had six All-PSAC West selections in 2021 and will have to replace all, but one. Second-Team All-PSAC West punter Reed Martin in the lone returner.

Red Zone
The Fighting Scots were 22-of-27 inside the red zone scoring 16 touchdowns and kicking six field goals in their red zone visits. Defensively the Scots allowed 25 scores, 18 touchdowns and seven field goals, in 36 trips.

Spreading the Wealth
Edinboro spread the ball around offensively last season with no singular player going over 100 yards rushing or recieving in 2021.  Mike Watkins just missed 100 receiving yards picking up 95 against Mercyhurst and Anfreenee Williams turned in the top rushing performance with 80 yards against Slippery Rock. Six different Scots had at least 18 rushing attempts and five receivers caught at least 19 passes last season.

Scouting the Ravens
Franklin Pierce comes into 2022 after finishing 0-10 overall in 2021. EJ Burgess was the driver for the Raven offense rushing for 1,204 yards while catching 26 passes for an even 400 yards. 

A Rare NE-10 Opponent
The Ravens will be the first opponent from the North East 10 for Edinboro since the Scots took on LIU Post on Sept. 29, 2012. Edinboro came out of Brookville, N.Y. with a 31-24 victory.