Preseason Preview: 2019 Football

Despite earning its 26th Presidents' Athletic Conference championship and fifth in the past seven years, the Washington & Jefferson College football program enters the 2019 season with a lot to prove. 
 
"We were very excited to win the PAC last season," said 17th year head coach Mike Sirianni. "We lost 40 seniors and nearly a dozen starters (including All-Americans Jesse Zubik & O'Shea Anderson) from an 11-win season in 2017 so it was quite an accomplishment to win our fifth PAC championship in the past seven years." 
 
After suffering a 54-13 loss to Centre College (Ky.) in the first round of the Division III NCAA Playoffs to end the 2018 season, W&J appears motivated to extend its season further this fall.
 
"That being said we were embarrassed by our performance in the playoffs against Centre," he said. "We felt we didn't represent the PAC very well."
 
The Red and Black will look to claim another conference crown and advance to the NCAA Division III Quarterfinals for the first time since 2008. W&J was one win away from advancing to the NCAA's final eight two years ago before they dropped a 46-23 decision to Frostburg State in the quarterfinals at Cameron Stadium. 
 
"Our number one goal is to win the PAC championship," Sirianni said. "We have been fortunate to win a lot of them here at W&J and we will never take those for granted. The goal of the program is to win our first National Championship but we don't talk about that during the season. Our focus is on winning the conference."
 
If the Presidents are going to have another special season this fall, they will need standout performances from an experienced group on the offensive side of the football. 
 
W&J returns several stalwarts who contributed heavily to the team's success a season ago. Among that group is senior quarterback Jacob Adams (Louisville, Ohio/Louisville), senior running back Jordan West (Washington, Pa./Washington), junior wide receiver Andrew Wolf (Ashland, Ohio/Hillsdale) and junior running back EJ Thompson (La Plata, Md./Thomas Stone).
 
As always expectations are extremely high, both internally and externally, for the Presidents. W&J was ranked by both Lindy's and Street & Smith's magazines in their respective Division III football preseason polls for 2019. 
 
Lindy's magazines slotted the Presidents at No. 20 in their preseason Top 25 poll. Meanwhile, Street & Smith's magazine listed W&J at No. 22 in the Top 25 rankings. The only other PAC team to receive a Top 25 ranking in either poll was Case Western Reserve, who was slotted at No. 24 in the Lindy's preseason poll. W&J gained its highest preseason ranking from College Football America, as they listed the Red and Black at No. 19. 

"Wittenberg is an outstanding program and Coach Fincham has done a great job there," according to Sirianni. "We wanted to challenge ourselves in the non-conference. Win or lose, we feel this game, along with our scrimmage against Mount Union, will help us prepare for our conference schedule."
 
W&J will get a chance to prove itself nationally right from the start of the 2019 season, as the Presidents welcome Wittenberg University to Cameron Stadium in the season opener on Saturday, Sept. 7. 
 
According to Lindy's, the contest between the Presidents and the Tigers (9-1 overall in 2018) is one of five featured games listed under "The Big Ones" category. Wittenberg was ranked No. 15 by Lindy's and College Football America while gaining the No. 18 spot from Street & Smith's in its preseason polls. 
 
The Presidents will enter 2019 winners of 34 straight regular season games at Cameron Stadium. The last home loss for W&J during the regular season came against St. John Fisher on Sept. 8, 2012. 
 
OFFENSE
 
We already discussed the star potential for the offense as Adams, West, Thompson and Wolf return at the skill positions for what figures to be a high-scoring unit. The quartet helped W&J average 37.3 points per game and 456.7 yards per contest last fall.
 
QUARTERBACK
Key Departures: None 
 
One thing has remained constant during Sirianni's tenure at W&J: consistently strong offensive play led by quality play from the quarterback position. More of the same will be expected heading into 2019, as the senior signal caller Adams returns to guide the offense.
 
In his first full season as the Presidents' starter, Adams ranked second in the PAC in passing yards (2,788), touchdowns (33), and competition percentage (.620). As a team, W&J ranked 23rd nationally in passing yards per game (283.4). The connection between Adams and Wolf was one of the best in the NCAA regardless of division last season. The duo connected for 21 passing touchdowns in 2018. Adams passed for more than 250 yards in seven of the 11 contests, which included tossing for a career-high 432 yards and five touchdowns in a 50-43 win over Geneva on Oct. 13. 
 
Justin Heacock (New Concord, Ohio/John Glenn) returns after serving as the backup behind Adams a year ago. As a freshman, Heacock appeared in six games, completing 15-of-22 pass attempts for 180 yards. Heacock tossed his first collegiate touchdown in a 62-10 rout of Grove City on Sept. 22. 

"Jake should be better this season," Sirianni acknowledged. "I know he has a bit of a chip on his shoulder about the way he played in our two losses. He is motivated to have a great senior season. With the emergence of Justin as our backup quarterback, we feel that we have two great players at the position." 
 
 
RUNNING BACK
Key Departures: None
 
For a second consecutive year, W&J will enter the preseason will a wealth of depth at running back. The unit averaged 185.8 yards per game last fall and the tandem of West and Thompson combined to rack up nearly 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground in 2018. 
 
West helped W&J stay ahead of the sticks throughout his previous two seasons as the starter in the backfield. The Washington, Pa. native helped W&J rank first in the conference in first downs with 24.5 per contest. West, who has appeared in 23 games during his first three years with the squad, will enter 2019 with 1,946 rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns during his collegiate career. West has also made an impact in the passing game, as he has hauled in 63 catches for 560 yards and six touchdowns. 
 
Thompson, an All-PAC Second Team performer as a sophomore, has been steady as the understudy to West the past two seasons. The La Plata, Md. product recorded 736 yards and seven touchdowns on 126 rushes last year after tallying 551 yards and four touchdowns on 95 carries as a freshman. Thompson finished each of his first two seasons at W&J averaging 5.8 yards per carry. 
 
"We feel that combined we had the best running back in the conference last season and with them both returning that hasn't changed," stated Sirianni. "Their numbers combined were very impressive (2,000 yards). They complement each other very well and there is a strong chance you will see both of them on the field at the same time."
 
Sophomore Joey Koroly (Washington, Pa./Trinity) and junior Jack Ryan (Lower Burrell, Pa./Burrell) will provide quality depth behind West and Thompson, as both performed well in limited opportunities last season. 
 
 
WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END
Key Departures: Braydon Toy, Tim Swoope, Brandon Barnes, Jake Cullen 
 
Wolf returns after a breakout sophomore season that saw him lead Division III in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns as he went on to earn unanimous All-American honors. 
 
Wolf exploded in 2018 for 79 catches and a NCAA Division III-best 1,339 receiving yards and 21 receiving touchdowns. His 21 receiving touchdowns set a new single-season record for both W&J and the PAC. In addition to pacing the country in both receiving yards and touchdowns, Wolf's name was found on many other D-III statistical leaderboards. 
 
The Ashland, Ohio, native completed the year seventh in total points scored (126) and total touchdowns (21), eighth in overall scoring (11.5 ppg), 23rd in receptions per game (7.2) and 28th in all-purpose yards per game (150.5). 
 
Lindy's recognized Wolf as a preseason all-america selection in its season preview. The magazine lauded Wolf as a 2019 All-Division III First Team preseason wide receiver and a candidate for Offensive Player of the Year.
 
"Nobody works harder than Andrew Wolf," said Sirianni. "He is another one with a big chip on his shoulder. He was shut down by a phenomenal cornerback in the playoff game. That along with some other factors has him motivated to be better in 2019."
 
Despite the return of Wolf, Sirianni will be tasked with the responsibility of replacing several valuable players who were lost to graduation. Receivers Tim Swoope and Brandon Barnes, along with tight end Jake Cullen were lost to graduation. That trio accounted for 93 receptions for 972 yards and six touchdowns in 2018. 
 
Sirianni will be relying upon several returners to fill their shoes in the starting lineup. Some options that will be counted upon to fill the void at receiver will be returners juniors Josh Burns (Coraopolis, Pa./Moon), Omar Whiting (Pikesville, Md./Loyola Blakefield) and Payton Skalos (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) along with sophomore Jordan Halford (Gainesville, Va./Battlefield).
 
At tight end, only Nick Hrivnak (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) brings back some experience, as he appeared in four games last year as a sophomore. Alan Snyder (Pittsburgh, Pa./Peters Township) also returns at the position. W&J will be looking to replace a three-time All-PAC performer, Jake Cullen, at the position. 

"I don't know if we will miss a player more than we will miss Jake Cullen in 2019," Sirianni said. "Jake did everything for us last year and to say he may have been our best offensive lineman from the tight end spot may be accurate. We need somebody to step up and take that position."
 
Cameron O'Brien (Irwin, Pa./Norwin) figures to be in the mix for playing time at both receiver and tight end. 
 
 
OFFENSIVE LINE
Key Departures: Andrew Reo, Phillip Bobich, Jarrod Webb
 
One of the Presidents biggest preseason priorities will be reworking their offensive line, which lost three full-time starters from a year ago. The biggest hole on the line is at right guard, where W&J must replace three-time All-PAC performer Andrew Reo. The left tackle spot will also be up for grabs after the loss of Phillip Bobich, who started every game at the position the past three seasons. The graduation of Jarrod Webb also brings a vacancy at left guard. 
 
Keaton Turney (Salem, Ohio/Salem) will be expected to lead the offensive line unit. The senior has started each game the past two seasons at right tackle. Turney was named Honorable Mention All-PAC following his junior season. 
 
Connor Walsh (Katy, Texas/Cinco Ranch) brings back starting experience at the center position. Walsh started all 11 games last year as a sophomore. 
 
"We feel really good about Keaton and Connor returning," Sirianni said. "They both had great seasons in 2018. Both Phillip and Andrew will be hard to replace. However, Phillip will be joining us as an assistant coach this season and his recent time as a player will help out tremendously as a coach."
 
Senior Alexander Albright (Patton, Pa./Cambria Heights), along with juniors Donovan Luersen (Haymarket, Va./Battlefield), Elijah Robinson (Penn Hills, Pa./Penn Hills) and Preston Cron (Monaca, Pa./Central Valley) should all figure to be those in the mix to fill the vacant spots along the offensive line. Each member of that group served as a backup on the line and each appeared in four games last season. 
 
 
DEFENSE
 
W&J returns an experienced group among the front seven on defense. Some important pieces among that group that return are senior linebacker Nick Getz (Tyrone, Pa./Tyrone) and senior defensive lineman Mike Williams (Pittsburgh, Pa./Langley). 
 
The key losses on the defensive side of the ball come in the secondary. W&J loses three of its four starters within a unit that forced the opposition to commit a league-high 19 interceptions.
 
The Presidents will need to find replacements for safeties Zac Quattrone and Zach Royba, along with cornerback Zach Queen. That group accounted for 12 of the 19 interceptions in 2018. 
 
"I was pleased with our defense last year, especially with the amount of starters we lost from 2017," Sirianni said. "That being said - we need and expect to improve on that side of the football. Coach (Vince) Luvara has done a great job as our defensive coordinator. He is a bright innovative coach who will continue to improve. I have 100 percent confidence in him."
 
DEFENSIVE LINE 
 
Key Departures: Sal DeCario, Jeffrey Oxner
 
Williams and junior Keith Knowell (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) lead the group of returners on the defensive line. Both Williams and Knowell earned All-PAC honors last year. Williams, an honorable mention selection, tallied 46 tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss while adding a team-high 7.5 sacks. Knowell, a Second Team pick, registered 30 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss.  
 
Conor Manning (McMurray, Pa./Peters Township), who will serve as a defensive captain, looks to gain a full-time starting role as a senior. Manning finished his junior year with 22 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. 
 
"Mike Williams, Keith Knowell, and Conor Manning were great for us in 2018," Sirianni said. "They continue to improve and can cause a lot of problems for opposing offenses."
 
Among the returners in the mix at the position are juniors Easton Fine (Eighty Four, Pa./Ringgold), Pat Bebie (West Lake, Ohio/St. Edwards) and Skyler Rideout (Wendemere, Fla./Wendemere), along with sophomores Alex Keith (Hartville, Ohio/Lake), Elijah Goosby (Rochester, Pa./Rochester) and Andrew Mullen (Saxonburg, Pa./Knoch). 
 
 
LINEBACKER
 
Key Departures: None
 
Linebacker appears to be one of the deepest positions on the team. The Presidents return three starters who received All-PAC recognition last season. Getz's prowess at the position is well known, as the senior picked up First Team honors last year after recording a career-high 66 tackles.
 
"We feel so good about our two inside linebackers so we are able to move Nick Getz back to the outside," Sirianni said. "Nick had a good year (first team all-conference) out of position last year so we expect him to shine with the move back to his natural position."
 
Junior Sean Doran (New Castle, Pa./New Castle) finished with 62 tackles, which included 5.5 tackles for loss. W&J boasts strong depth at the position as junior Cole Weston (Louisville, Ohio/Louisville) also put together a strong season in a reserve role. Weston racked up 46 tackles while making a few starts for the Presidents.
 
"Sean Doran had a great year and we expect big things from him and Cole Weston was an excellent back-up last year and he is one of our best athletes," Sirianni noted. 
 
Sophomore Mitch DeZort (Tarentum, Pa./Highlands) is expected to be a quality addition to the position. DeZort joins the team after initially playing basketball at W&J." 
 
 
DEFENSIVE BACK
 
Key Departures: Zac Quattrone, Zack Queen, Zach Royba, Cody Milsom
 
The secondary was hit the hardest by graduation, as W&J lost four All-PAC performers in the unit. Quattrone, an All-PAC First Team and D3football.com All-South Region selection, led the conference with six interceptions, including two of which he returned for touchdowns. Quattrone was also the team's leading tackler with 69 total stops. 
 
Cody Milsom finished with 63 tackles while Royba added 52 stops and two interceptions. Queen recorded 40 tackles, six pass breakups and four interceptions. 
 
The lone returning starter in the secondary is junior cornerback Zac Taylor (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park), who made 32 tackles and recorded a team-high nine pass breakups. 
 
Max Garda (Lower Burrell, Pa./Burrell) shifts back to safety after playing linebacker last season. Garda, who enters his junior season, tallied 66 tackles last year to earn All-PAC honorable mention status. 
 
"We will miss the seniors we lost but we feel great about our secondary," Sirianni said.  "Zac was not 100 percent last season. When he is there is not a better corner in the conference. Max had an outstanding season at outside linebacker last year. We are going to move him back to safety and expect him to excel this season."
 
According to Sirianni, sophomores Delonta Nunnally (Waldorf, Md./Thomas Stone), Tyler Sabo (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell) and Koroly, along with seniors Kurt Niklaus (Pittsburgh, Pa./Avonworth) and Joe Franjione (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette) will compete with potential newcomers for playing time. 
 
Nunnally will be counted upon to take a larger role as a sophomore after starting a pair of contests near the end of last season. Koroly will move his primary focus to defense as Sirianni makes an effort to get his best players on the field. 
 
"Joey may be the best athlete on the team," he said. "He needs to play. We are moving him into the secondary and I know he will be outstanding."
 
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
 
Senior Adam Napotnik (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland), junior Mauricio Garibay (Hickory Hills, Ill./Saint Lawrence) and sophomore punter Jacob Sarver (Sarver, Pa./Freeport) all return to aid the kicking game in 2019. 
 
Napotnik made 4-of-5 field goal attempts while converting 34-of-42 point after touchdown attempts. Sarver averaged 36.4 yards per punt (40-1456) with a long of 58 yards as a freshman. Sarver dropped eight punts inside the 20 and recorded three boots of 50+ yards. Napotnik and Garibay shared kickoff duties, as W&J put together one of the coverage units in the PAC. 
 
Koroly and Wolf both return to headline the return units. The duo combined for 27 of the 35 kickoff returns for W&J last season, while they also returned 12 of the 24 punts. Using the duo in the return game gives Coach Sirianni another way to get the ball in the hands of explosive playmakers. 
 
"Jake Sarver had a good freshman year as our punter," Sirianni said. "We need to have more consistency from our kickers – both on kickoffs and in the kicking game. We feel we have good playmakers, like Koroly, that we will look to take advantage of in our return games."
 
 
PAC Players To Watch
QB – Jacob Adams – Senior – Louisville, Ohio/Louisville
RB – Jordan West – Senior – Washington, Pa./Washington
WR – Andrew Wolf – Junior – Ashland, Ohio/Hillsdale
LB – Nick Getz – Senior – Tyrone, Pa./Tyrone
DL – Keith Knowell – Junior – McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport
 
 
2019 PAC Football Media Day – Preseason Poll Results
1. W&J (23) - 298 points
2. Case Western Reserve (6) - 277 points
3. Westminster (2) - 241 points
4. Grove City - 219 points
5. Carnegie Mellon - 194 points
6. Bethany - 138 points
7. Waynesburg - 118 points
8. Geneva - 98 points
9. Saint Vincent - 77 points
10. Thiel - 45 points
 (Indicates First Place Votes)