The Sporting News College Football has released its 2013 Division III College Football Preseason Poll and two of our local football squads have found their way on it.
Washington & Jefferson landed the number 19 spot on the list. Last season the President’s finished 8-3 and took home a share of the PAC title. They earned an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament but fell early in the first round. W&J is returning some big players, including wideout Alex Baroffio. Baroffio had 78 catches for 679 yards and five touchdowns last season. On defense, B.J. Monacelli returns. He led the team in tackles and interceptions last season. Also the team’s leading sack getter last season, Jon Lowery, returns in 2013.
With a chip on their shoulder, W&J is looking to rise up the boards and make their preseason ranking count. They’ll open up with three straight road games before coming home on to take on Thiel on homecoming weekend.
Waynesburg, the other co-owner of the PAC title, is ranked 22nd in the poll. The Jackets went 10-1 last season. They’ll return twelve starters total from last season’s team, with eight of those on defense. Waynesburg will open up their season at home against Muskingum.
Both of these teams had early outings in the NCAA playoffs but will look for their early rankings to propel them through a solid season and a deeper run into the playoffs.
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