Thompson adds punch to W&J run game
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He might be the second option to Jared West but E.J. Thompson does some first rate running for Washington & Jefferson College’s football team.
Thompson could be a starter for any other team in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference, but he is quite happy to be helping a W&J team that is one win away froma berth in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. That victory could come today, when the Presidents travel to John F. Wiley Stadium to play rival Waynesburg in the regular-season finale.
W&J takes an 8-1 record, 7-1 in the conference, into the game against the Yellow Jackets (4-4, 4-5).
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Honoring the past
Uneven rivalry
This is the 46th meeting between the two teams in the “PAC Backyard Brawl.” The Presidents have dominated the series, 41-4. The Yellow Jackets last won in 2014, beating a then 9-0 W&J, 31-28.
Waynesburg was shut out last season, 42-0, the first time that happened in the series since 1992.
Rising Wolf
W&J sophomore wide receiver Andrew Wolf leads Division III in three wide receiving categories: yards (1,210), yards per game (134.4) and touchdowns (19). He is just the fourth W&J receiver to pass 1,200 yards in a season. Jesse Zubik did it in 2016 and ’17. Wolf’s 19 touchdowns put him second on the Presidents’ and PAC single-season list behind Ryan Silvis, who had 20 in 2000. Wolf’s 72 receptions are 12 shy of entering making the W&J top five and PAC top 10 for a single season.
Sirianni record amazes
As Presidents’ head coach, Sirianni has a 147-32 (.821) record in 16 seasons. He is the winningest head coach in program history. Sirianni is sixth among all active NCAA coaches in winning percentage with a minimum of 10 seasons. The Presidents have made 13 postseason appearances under Sirianni, highlighted by NCAA quarterfinal finishes in 2004 and 2008.