Despite the success of the prior two seasons (GLIAC Champs in 2011, Co-North Champs in 2012), coach Keith Otterbein and Hillsdale College may have been disappointed that neither of those campaigns were able to get them back into the playoff field. If the Chargers want to make the bracket in 2013, they’ll have to find a way to do it without all-time leading rusher Joe Glendening and multi-year starting quarterback Anthony Mifsud. Aiding in the transition from those top performers will be four returning starters on the offensive line, as well as senior receiver Andrew Mott, who has led the club in receptions each of the past two seasons.
The strength of the Chargers this year may prove to be their defense, though, as nine of eleven starters return from last year’s group that was second in the league in total defense. Included in that mix is arguably the best linebacking corps in the league: the trio of Steven Embry, Devin Moynihan, and Brett Pasche enters its third year starting together. They were the team’s top three tacklers last year.
There just aren’t any weeks for Hillsdale to relax in the 2013 slate, as it may have the most difficult schedule in the league. Many figured out in 2012 that a North Division schedule is as tough as that faced by any team in the country, and on top of that, the Chargers will have non-league tilts against perennial PSAC power California University of Pennsylvania and reigning GLVC Champion University of Indianapolis. They’ll also play a week two game on the road against Ohio Dominican University, which enters the season on a five-game winning streak.