By Mike Kuhns
Record Sports Editor
September 3, 2010

Matt Marshall, Ed Kiser, Matt Freed and David Castillo.

These four seniors are the backbone to East Stroudsburg University's 2010 football season. If one goes down with injury, the Warriors may have a hard time improving on their 8-4 record of a year ago.

But who's the most valuable? The politically correct answer is they all are. Quarterback Marshall, wide receiver Kiser and Freed at linebacker are each three-year starters, while Castillo got the nod at corner midway through his freshman year.

Freed is arguably the best linebacker in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference as he has been named All-American the last two seasons, leading the team in tackles both years.

His athleticism at outside linebacker is unmistakable. He's able to cover receivers in the slot or backs out of the backfield due to his speed, while Freed is plenty powerful enough to stop the run between the tackles.

Freed's biggest value may be in his pass rush. Head coach Denny Douds loves to stunt Freed off the corner and he'll most likely end up with 8-11 sacks and 125-135 tackles before season's end.

Castillo's value has been felt the last three-plus seasons. His ability as a cover man has been impressive, but the corner only has six interceptions. It will be interesting to watch if that number spikes in 2010.

At 5-foot-7, Castillo is clearly undersized, but he more than makes up for that flaw with strength, speed and vertical jump. Castillo, an East Stroudsburg South graduate, has a tremendous nose for the ball and he rarely makes mental mistakes.

If there is a possession receiver on the team, Kiser may be it. If Marshall puts a ball in Kiser's area, the senior will come down with it. Not only big at 6-feet-tall, Kiser has excellent instincts that frustrate defenses.

He's fantastic around the sideline and dangerous over the middle on the run. If Kiser gets a crack, he'll take it to the end zone. He's a team player in every way; he loves to block downfield and always seems to make a big play every game.

Of the four seniors, it's Marshall who is the most valuable, though. His biggest strength is his knowledge of the offense. This will be his third year under center and that experience is invaluable.

Coaches have a hard time simulating game speed on the practice field — Marshall has lived it the last two seasons. The senior has seen every defense, understands how they mask coverages and can single out the weakest link in the secondary.

In the huddle he's a leader which the team respects and that goes a long way.

His physical talents are equally impressive. Marshall's touch is usually on the mark and what makes him even more dangerous is his trust in his receivers. Kiser, Jeff Giglio and Jordan Hallman should rack up a ton of catches each.

Having three targets to choose from will keep opposing defenses honest. Marshall's physical tools are impressive, but his knowledge of the offense makes him the team's MVP.