A lot on the line this time
For the first time in four years, more than bragging rights are at stake when Waynesburg University plays Presidents’ Athletic Conference rival Washington & Jefferson at Wiley Stadium Saturday afternoon in a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.
A PAC title and playoff berth are on the line.
Thomas More won the past four conference titles but sits in third place at 6-2 in the conference and 6-3 overall, a game behind W&J (6-1, 7-2) and Waynesburg (7-0, 9-0).
“I don’t know how you can not be excited about this game,” said W&J junior wide receiver Alex Baroffio.
Both teams are playing under special circumstances.
W&J is hoping to win the PAC title to honor starting tailback Tim McNerney, who was found dead in Washington Oct. 4, two days before the Week 5 game against Thomas More.
“The kids want to accomplish something for Tim,” said W&J head coach Mike Sirianni. “There’s nothing wrong with that. We’re trying to win games for him, but after the season, we still want to honor him.”
Waynesburg, ranked 13th in the AFCA Top 25 Poll and coming off a bye week, is hoping to resurrect memories by becoming the first Yellow Jackets’ team to complete an undefeated regular season since 1966.
“We’re not even giving that a thought,” said Waynesburg head coach Rick Shepas.
Waynesburg also will have to overcome the loss of a player as junior safety Bryan Gary was lost for the season with a knee injury two weeks ago.
“He had surgery and is out,” Shepas said. “He’s one of the best players on our team, if not the best.”
This game matches a potent offensive attack by W&J against a Waynesburg defense that leads the conference at 16 points per game. The Presidents are averaging 366 yards per game, 80 more a game than Waynesburg is allowing.
“They have good receivers, a good quarterback and a good running game,” said Matt Krause, a defensive lineman and four-year starter for the Yellow Jackets. “It’s going to come down to who can execute in all phases of the game.”
Junior Matt Bliss has had a mediocre season for W&J, completing 59 percent of his passes for 1,706 yards, nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions. All four totals are below his marks from last season.
“Matt has struggled at times this year,” said Sirianni. “He’s shown a lot of resolve. He’s a tough kid. He’s playing through an injury (to his throwing arm).”
Baroffio is coming off a season in which he caught 70 passes for 1,102 yards and 10 TDs. This year, his numbers are 63, 511 and two.
“My numbers are not the same as last year, but we are spreading the ball around more,” said Baroffio, who missed a game because of injury and played quarterback in part of another when Bliss went down. “We have so many good receivers that you can’t just defend one guy. We can throw the ball, but we have to establish the run.”
Dion Wiegand, who took over for McNerney, has 547 yards rushing, averages 4.1 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns.
“Traditionally, (W&J) has been the best team in the league,” said Shepas. “They have great talent. No one knows more than us that they will play with emotion and with a heavy heart.”
Waynesburg’s defense is keyed by junior end Brandon Fedorka – who has seven sacks – Krause and senior linebacker Jordan Helmick.
On offense, Carter Hill stepped in when Tyler Fatigante injured his shoulder and has played well. He has completed 57 percent of his passes for 662 yards, but his most impressive numbers are eight touchdowns in six games and just three interceptions. Having one of the best tight ends to play in the PAC in senior Adam Moses (33, 317, 6) helps.
“A lot of it has to do with his comfort level,” Shepas said of Hill’s improvement. “He’s more comfortable than he was at the beginning of the year. He’s had a lot to learn, picking up all the checks. He’s come full circle.”
Waynebsurg’s running game has been outstanding, the heart of the offense. Junior Bertrand Ngampa and junior Dominic Moore have combined for nearly 1,400 yards and 12 touchdowns.
“Ngampa has been huge for us,” said Shepas. “We’ve got a nice 1-2 punch there. Dominic Moore runs hard in the physical part of the game.”