Key Witt senior Freeman returning for his fifth year

Cornerback will be one of seven starters coming back from nation’s  No. 1-ranked defense.

Wittenberg University's Keenan Freeman celebrates a defensive stop during the Tigers' first game of the season in 2008. He played in only four games that year. Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic

Barbara J. Perenic Wittenberg University's Keenan Freeman celebrates a defensive stop during the Tigers' first game of the season in 2008. He played in only four games that year. Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic

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By David Jablonski, Staff Writer 10:31 PM Tuesday, March 16, 2010

SPRINGFIELD — Wittenberg’s defense can’t get much better in 2010, but no one would complain if it repeats its 2009 performance or comes close.

That will be a little easier with cornerback Keenan Freeman’s decision to return for a fifth season of eligibility. That means seven starters will be back from a defense ranked No. 1 in the nation in NCAA Division III football.

“I’ve always been real pleased with Keenan’s athletic ability,” said Andy Waddle, Wittenberg’s defensive coordinator and, like Freeman, a Greenon High School graduate. “I think he’s had some injuries that maybe kept him from receiving some of the publicity and accolades of some of his teammates. I certainly have always felt he’s as talented as anybody we have had in the secondary in the past five seasons.”

Freeman played in 12 of 13 games in 2009. He recorded 28 tackles, six pass breakups, one fumble recovery, two blocked kicks and a safety. He was named to the All-North Coast Athletic Conference second team.

Freeman didn’t appear in a varsity game as a freshman in 2006. In 2007, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his right knee on the third day of preseason practices. Entering the 2008 season, he was named a starter, but played in only four games because of injuries.

Wittenberg’s other returning defensive starters are tackles Adam Kattoua and Nic Wolfe, end Eddie Vallery, linebackers Brad McKinley and Zach Hurtt and free safety Seth Parker. Also returning are linebacker Ben Maxwell, who started three games, and defensive tackle, Justin Bartlett, who started five.

Wittenberg’s defense allowed 8.8 points per game. The Tigers finished 12-1, advancing to the national quarterfinals.

Freeman was one of the team’s captains.

“It’s nice to have that back,” Waddle said. “Football is such a different sport. You have team leaders, but you have unit and position leaders as well. I know back there in the secondary he does a great job of staying focused and bringing maturity to that group.”

Two other fifth-year seniors also have decided to return: offensive lineman Jake Kerger and running back Billy West.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0351 or djablonski@coxohio.com.

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