Andy Romans
Lafayette sophomore middle linebacker Andy Romans probably doesn’t remember much of last year’s 12-7 victory at Georgetown. Romans suffered a concussion during a collision on special teams and missed the Leopards’ next three games as a result, putting a damper on a promising freshman campaign.
So far, Romans’s 2006 season has been hard to forget, as the hard-hitter has tallied 30 more tackles than any other Lafayette defender.
Despite being the youngest of a stellar group of linebackers that includes junior Mark Plumby and senior Justin Stovall, Romans has emerged as the most feared member of the trio, with seven of his 84 tackles going for a loss. Nimble No. 17 stands 5-foot-11, weighs in at 215 pounds, and has picked off a pass and forced a fumble during the Leopard’s run at a third-straight share of the Patriot League crown.
It has been a breakout season for the Allendale, N.J., native who saw only limited action in his first year in Easton. The buzz-cut, bull-necked Romans still holds the St. Joseph Regional High School career tackles record and, should he continue to knock heads at his current clip, he may well shatter the all-time mark at Lafayette. If Romans can manage to stay conscious for a full game this year, it may be a long day for Charlie Houghton and the rest of the Georgetown running backs.
Shaun Adair
Figuring Lafayette wide receiver Shaun Adair placed second in the long jump at the Patriot League outdoor track and field championships last year, it is no surprise that the athletic sophomore has leapt into the role of explosive playmaker for the Leopards’ football team.
Although he ranks third on the team in receiving yards, Adair is tied for the lead in touchdowns among a solid group of pass catchers with two. The slithery Adair is the most dangerous in the open field and has become one of the Patriot League’s most feared punt and kick returners.
The track star has “Bullet” Bob Hayes-like speed and can break a game open with just a jab step and a jaunt to the end zone. Adair is averaging 15 yards per punt return and fields fair catches about as often as Georgetown fields winning football teams.
Senior quarterback Brad Maurer has counted on Adair’s fleet feet and hardy hands all season long, and the two hooked up four times for 112 yards in a 31-0 blowout of Bucknell on Sept. 9. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Adair wasted no time in establishing himself as a big-play threat upon arriving in Easton from orristown, N.J, having seven plays of 20 or more yards as a freshman. He was also named Patriot League rookie of the week after hauling in a 65 yard touchdown pass against Fordham in 2005. On Saturday, Adair will look to run laps around the Hoyas both on offense and special teams.
