CASTLETON, Vt. – The Castleton University football team is primed for a resurgence in 2021, returning 8 out of 11 starters from the 2019 season on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. The veteran presence has made it easy for young players to step in and get assimilated into the culture, as Castleton returns a total of 78 players from 2019 while adding 30 new faces since the last time they took to the field for competition.

Head Coach Tony Volpone, now in his eighth season with the program, returns the core of his staff as coordinators Anthony Marsella and Casey McDonnell head the defense and offense, respectively, for the third year in a row.

The Spartans' deepest unit would arguably be the front-seven, as reigning ECFC Defensive Player of the Year Chris Rice returns on the defensive line. Rice had a monster season in 2019, racking up seven sacks and 18 tackles for a loss with two forced fumbles and an interception. Rice is joined by fellow First Team All-ECFC defensive tackle Dustin Rock and First Team All-ECFC linebacker Seth Gewanter. Rock accounted for 55 total tackles, including 13 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks, while Gewanter led Castleton with 66 tackles on the year. The Spartans also return All-ECFC Second Team linebacker Spencer Kozlak in the front-seven, as well as 2019 starters Kade Gewanter and Kyle Buckley.

In the defensive backfield, Ethan Palazetti returns following Second Team All-ECFC honors at cornerback in 2019, as does 2019 starter Dawson Pierson. A number of Spartans who saw significant action in 2019 as reserves will look to fill the shoes of those that graduated, as Damiyr Martinez, Caleb Lisai, Kyle Ford, Cole Preavy-Carrier and a host of newcomers will vie for playing time.

On the offensive side of the ball, Castleton's line is anchored by two-time First Team All-ECFC tackle Tucker Gaudette. Gaudette is joined by three other returning starters on the line in Joe Stimpfel, Thomas Donovan and Ben Reid. Gaudette and Co. helped pave the way for Spartan running backs to the tune of 1,042 team rushing yards and allowed less than two sacks per game on the quarterback in 2019.

Wide receiver Anthony Martinez heads into his senior season following All-ECFC Second Team honors in 2019, and is joined on the outside by returning starter Jared Brockway. Martinez and Brockway accounted for nearly 900 yards receiving in 2019, with Martinez leading the program in catches and yards. Jacob McCarthy is back under center for the Spartans following a sophomore season in which he threw for 1,771 yards and 10 touchdowns. McCarthy had two three-touchdown games in 2019, throwing for 310 yards and three touchdowns against Gallaudet and 264 yards and three touchdowns against Anna Maria.

The Spartans open the season at home on September 4 against Plymouth State, marking the 11th season in a row the Spartans and Panthers have squared off in week one. In week two, Castleton hits the road against Fitchburg State before returning home for week three—Homecoming and Family Weekend—to face in-state rival Norwich University for the Maple Sap Bucket Trophy. Castleton travels to St. Lawrence in week four for the first time in program history before entering the ECFC slate with back-to-back road games at Maritime and Dean in weeks five and six. After a week-seven bye, Castleton returns home to Dave Wolk Stadium in weeks eight and nine to play ECFC-newcomer.