By Keith McMillan
D3sports.com

There are no ESPN highlights, DirecTV feeds or ABC games of the week in Division III. So how’s a fan supposed to keep up with the non-regulars, those out-of-conference squads the home team might meet in this year’s playoffs?

Your trusty friends at D3football.com wouldn’t leave you hanging. We see you champing at the bit, waiting for the first small-school foot to meet pigskin. Before the first whistle blows, you need to know who’s going to contend in the Mid-Atlantic? Don’t sweat it. We’ve got you.

Here’s a preseason look at playoff contenders, potential surprises and spoilers from the Atlantic Central, Centennial, Old Dominion and Middle Atlantic conferences:

Playoff Contenders
The consensus in the MAC is that until somebody knocks off Lycoming, the Warriors are still the team to beat. But if anyone is going to top the 1997 national runners-up, this is the year to do it.

Head coach Frank Girardi enters his 29th season without many of his best players from 1999. The Warriors graduated 13 starters, including quarterback Ryan Swailes, all-time receiving leader Tim Dumas and All-American defensive lineman Cameron Coleman.

Offensively, the Warriors will introduce new starters at quarterback, running back, three wideout slots and four offensive line positions.

But to beat a team, you have to score.

Lycoming returns nine starters from a defense that posted three shutouts, held seven teams under ten points and never gave up more than 15. All-conference defensive backs John Scanlan, Sean Graf and Jeff Tinney, all back for their senior seasons, should give the Warriors an air defense the Pentagon may take note of. Defensive lineman Mark Seagreaves will help by pressuring the quarterback.

Lycoming hasn’t lost in the past five regular seasons. As if the Warriors needed help in keeping that streak alive, their three toughest opponents, Juniata, Wilkes and Susquehanna, visit Williamsport this season.

The bar is set so high for the Warriors that simply getting to the postseason for the sixth straight year will not be considered success.

Like Lycoming, Western Maryland is a perennial playoff team missing some its biggest stars from last season. Gone are defensive All-Americans Marvin Deal and Tom Selecky. Three starters graduated from both the secondary and offensive lines.

But the big question in Westminster is who will replace Quarterback Ron Sermarini, a three-time Centennial Conference player-of-the-year.

Boo Harris is the leading candidate, but don’t be surprised if he gets a push from Keith Gornish, a transfer from I-AA UMass.

Regardless of who is throwing the ball, the Green Terror’s talented receiver corps will stretch defenses. Teron Powell, who caught 48 passes for 768 yards and 11 touchdowns a year ago, is the go-to guy.

Despite all the Green Terror is missing, 14 of 22 starters are back. The Centennial isn’t quite ready to count them out yet.

"We need to beat them to be the best," says one conference SID.

The Green Terror is hoping to build on a 30-game regular season winning streak, a 21-game conference string and its first playoff victory, but there are few walk-throughs on their schedule.

But if they can get past back-to-back September games versus Ursinus and Muhlenberg unscathed, they can probably chalk up a fourth consecutive conference title and the automatic playoff bid that goes with it.

If you’d lost your most recent game 55-0, would you be optimistic?

That’s the case at Ursinus, where the experience gained from a NCAA playoff win at Bridgewater State (Mass.) and the aforementioned loss at Rowan could contribute to a banner year for the Bears.

Fourth-year head coach Paul Guenther guided an inexperienced group to the playoffs last year while the coaching staff introduced a new offense. This year, with nine starters back, including junior Quarterback Frank Vecchio, the Bears think they might be the squad to break the Green Terrors’ string of conference wins.

Vecchio, who passed for 2,709 yards and 23 touchdowns last season, should only get better as he masters the playbook. Time to throw shouldn’t be a problem with Dave Bossio and Mike Kochler back along the offensive line.

Running back Shearrod Duncan was all-Centennial as a sophomore last year. Stephen Sharkey and Rashard Williams caught 37 and 40 passes last year and return to form a formidable duo of top receivers.

The high-powered Bears scored 33 points per game last season. If a defense led by (DL) Kevin Wilson and DB David Morris can match a similar offensive effort, the Bears’ optimism could prove psychic.

Catholic ran the table in its first season in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, but duplicating that feat won’t be easy without the services of running back Andrew Notarfrancesco, receiver Mike Hunter, defensive lineman Richard Change and linebacker Brian Hee. But the most significant offseason loss for the Cardinals might not have been a player at all.

Offensive coordinator Marty Favret bolted for the head job at Hampden-Sydney, leaving highly successful head coach Tom Clark to call the plays on his own. Clark can rest at ease, knowing junior signal-caller Derek McGee leads a group of eight returning offensive starters. Dan Boyle, who gained more than 600 yards last season, is poised to step in at running back. James Parker, a coverage specialist and punt return threat, is back on defense.

Though Catholic is hands-down the top team in the ODAC, a highly coveted playoff win would make up for their lack of one after going 29-1 over the past three regular seasons.

To get to the postseason, they’ll have to be road warriors, with only four home games and conference matchups at Randolph-Macon and Emory & Henry.

The Cardinals would make some noise nationally by winning their season opener in Cleveland against Ohio Athletic Conference foe John Carroll, a 26-21 winner against CUA in ’99.

A lot of MAC observers thought 1999 could have been Wilkes’ year. They came within a goal-line stand of beating Lycoming and were nearly unbeatable at Ralston Field..

With nearly all of its starters back, the squad should push Lycoming for the MAC Freedom League title. You can bet there are 80-plus Colonel calendars with Oct. 14 circled.

Sophomore quarterback Jeff Marshman will have to spread things around to help compensate for the loss of all-time rushing leader Mike Hankins. A deep offensive line should help.

Junior defensive lineman Demetri Tzovolos and tackle-happy defensive back Justin Holmes lead a strong defense.

The schedule-makers cut Wilkes ever so slight a break: Ithaca, which won seven of its first eight last season, replaces Ursinus.

If the Colonels survive the meat of their schedule – they host Juniata and travel to Susquehanna, Lycoming and Ithaca in a five-week period – their first NCAA playoff appearance since 1993 and first-ever win is not out of the question.

Frostburg State was an overtime field goal from going undefeated in the ACFC last season. They still took home the title, but in a seven-team conference without an automatic qualifier, a team really has to impress to make the 28-team playoff field.

The conference coaches didn’t pick the Bobcats to defend their title either. Though his team led the ACFC in scoring offense and turnover margin and finished second in scoring defense, a challenge lies ahead for first-year head coach Rubin Stevenson.

The defensive-minded Stevenson needs a starter at quarterback, where seniors Corey Gee and Billy Jackson will battle for the job. Gee played quarterback at Division II West Chester before playing the entire season at safety last season for the Bobcats. Jackson split time under center.

If Frostburg makes the playoffs though, it should be on the strength of a defense that returns nine starters. Success on early road trips to I-AA Central Connecticut State and Allegheny and later at Ferrum and Greensboro are key to making the field.

Ferrum surrendered only 12 touchdowns in 10 games last season, and with an unusually deep group of defenders back, it may be tough to score on the Panthers again this go-round.

Four seniors head the defensive line, while three starters are back at linebacker and two all-conference performers return in the secondary.

However, the Panthers’ top-notch defense is almost necessary to keep pace with a low-scoring offense. Save a 37-point outing against Salisbury State, the Panthers never scored more than 22 points and scored less than 20 seven times.

Junior quarterback Phil Hairston, last season’s ACFC rookie-of-the-year, led an offense that fumbled 41 times, losing 25. Hairston rushed for 828 yards and Randy Anderson added 778. Three seniors return to a talented backfield that needs to hold on to the ball and score more often.

Despite their shortcomings, the Panthers won their final five games, including wins over the ACFC’s three above-.500 teams in Chowan, Frostburg and Wesley. They hope to ride that wave into 2000, comforted by the fact that their losses came by two, five, six and seven points, one in overtime.

The Panthers will move to the Dixie Conference next season and would surely like to leave the ACFC with a bang. Their schedule, with six home dates, is favorable. With first-year programs Averett and Shenandoah on the slate, the Panthers will probably need to beat Emory & Henry, Frostburg and Wesley to earn a postseason bid.

Wesley is a playoff contender in the ACFC, but to make it to the show without an automatic qualifier, the Wolverines might have to hold their own in an opener against Rowan and run the table from there.

Their schedule and returning talent make such a scenario not so far-fetched.

Junior quarterback Jason Visconti was the ACFC’s best a season ago and running back Forrley Gunby, a 700-yard rusher last year, should break out this season. The duo is surrounded by an athletic and well-coached group that will put points on the board.

Junior linebacker Jeremy Jordan was the ACFC’s leading tackler in ’99 and senior defensive back Andre Summers was the conference’s player-of-the-year.

If Wesley passes back-to-back midseason road tests at Greensboro and Frostburg (a 42-17 winner in ’99), don’t be surprised if the November 11 Ferrum game has the ACFC title and a Pool B bid on the line.

Surprises
Last season told the tale of two Susquehanna teams. The Crusaders beat good teams like Dickinson, Juniata and Widener handily. They were also shelled by Lycoming and Wilkes, struggled to beat Kings and Moravian and were stunned by Lebanon Valley.

Despite their lack of consistency, the young Crusaders garnered a second consecutive MAC Commonwealth League title and finished 7-3.

Supporters hope the team has grown up over the summer so it can christen the brand-new Nicholas A. Lopardo Stadium with an automatic playoff bid.

No player’s performance is more key to that goal than that of quarterback Mike Bowman, who started the final six games last year, going 4-2.

Bowman should be thrilled with the arrival of Bucknell transfer Mark Bartosic, his favorite receiver back at nearby Shikellamy high school. But the excitement was tempered as camp began when the team learned top running back Rashonn Drayton wouldn’t be back this season.

Sophomore Antonio Nash and junior Tom Kay are ballhawking cornerbacks, joined by safety Mario Cromartie and defensive lineman Frank Hanlon on a solid defense.

If Susquehanna plays its brand of football week in and week out, it could earn an extra week or two this postseason.

No one sleeps on Juniata anymore, not since three seasons of steady improvement put MAC opponents on alert. Not only could the Eagles challenge Susquehanna for the Commonwealth League title, they could find themselves in the playoffs with a few big wins.

Three of their first five are on the road at Lycoming, Wilkes and Susquehanna. Solid showings early should prepare them for a five-week stretch run without a real test.

The key for the Eagles is to find someone to get the ball to all-American wide receiver Matt Eisenberg, a senior. If junior Jamie Campbell performs at quarterback, Eisenberg could be in the range of 75 catches, 1500 yards and 20 touchdowns again.

Defensive lineman Jeremy Patterson will lead the defense.

The Eagles have a prime opportunity to issue a wake-up call to the MAC and the nation in their Sept. 9 opener against a weakened Lycoming squad. A win would set the tone for a breakout year.

The fastest rising star in the Centennial is hoping to avoid a step backward in 2000.

Muhlenberg’s Mules notched their first winning season in a decade last year on the strength of an offense that got to the end zone grass (or turf, at home) more often than any groundskeeper.

Senior quarterback Michael McCabe (2,560 yards and 26 TDs last season) will throw to everyone but the hot dog vendor, but last year’s 408 yards per game was offset by a defense that allowed 404.

The Mules know the old coaches’ saying "special teams is a quarter of the game" by heart. A sharp group blocked seven kicks and scored five touchdowns last season, and placed punter James Barski and return man Joshua Carter on one preseason all-American team.

But the Mules better get past cramped bus rides and musty visitors’ locker rooms if they plan to visit the postseason. Their road contests include Centennial foes Western Maryland, Ursinus and Dickinson prior to Halloween.

After years as the conference doormat, Bridgewater appears ready to get over the hump and post their first winning season since 1980. The solid, unspectacular Eagles provide arguably the stiffest challenge to Catholic in the ODAC.

In 1999, Bridgewater sported a hard-hitting, risk-taking defense that scored five touchdowns and played well in big games. Gone is all-ODAC strong safety Spencer Nice, but Henry Eggleston (75 tackles) should lead an experienced defense that returns nine starters.

If junior quarterback Jason Lutz and classmate Davon Cruz, a tailback, stay healthy, the Nov. 11 showdown at Catholic could decide the conference title.

Emory & Henry was the class of the conference throughout the ’90s, but slid last season with 4,000-yard career rusher Oliver Jordan on the roster. Unless the run-first Wasps can adequately replace Jordan, they could find themselves in the middle of a crowded ODAC pack again.

Still, it’s hard to bet against the Wasps. Only two new starters step in on a solid defense, and quarterback Matt Olexy and kicker/punter Chris Epperly provide stability at key positions.

The scheduling gods smiled on the Wasps this year as well. Powerhouse Washington & Jefferson is gone, replaced by first-year Averett. Emory & Henry also welcomes Catholic, Randolph-Macon and Bridgewater to Fullerton Field, one of Division III’s toughest places to play. The Wasps won 37 straight before last season’s opener and have won 41 of their last 42 at home. If they continue the trend, the Wasps could earn themselves a playoff game.

Randolph-Macon is poised to light up the scoreboard yet again under Scott Boone and his spread offense. Though school and ODAC record holders Brian Partlow and Sean Eaton (an All-American in ’99) are gone, Boone still has the talent to make a run at the ODAC title.

Sophomore quarterback Hunter Price steps into the starting lineup, bringing a mobility Partlow lacked. The Yellow Jackets also return Clint Sullivan, their top rusher over the past two seasons, and receiver Michael Becker, just nine catches and 440 yards short of all-time ODAC records.

But with a brutal schedule that includes three 1999 playoff teams (Western Maryland, Washington & Jefferson and Catholic) on consecutive September weeks, the Jackets will know if they’re ready for prime time before the leaves change colors.

The bottom line: Despite a strong offense and kicking game, unless R-MC can shore up a defense that finished sixth in the seven-team ODAC in scoring and total defense, the Jackets will do well to better last year’s 5-5 record.

Spoilers
Marty Favret knows he doesn’t have the horses to make a run at the ODAC title, but don’t be shocked if Hampden-Sydney pulls off a big upset. The former Catholic offensive coordinator pledges to install a similar offense on a team that went 1-9 and without a conference victory in 1999. The Tigers are a year or two away from contending, but they return a solid nucleus, including receivers Jeff Woody and Neal Herndon. Hampden-Sydney is a lock to improve over last season.

With Western Maryland, Ursinus and Muhlenberg on the schedule, Dickinson won’t win the Centennial, but the always-solid Devils could stun a contender.

There are plenty on the slate, which begins with a visit from R.J. Bowers and Grove City. Susquehanna and the three conference foes are spread throughout the schedule. Junior running back Mike Smith will have to carry a heavy load.

A stunner over Ferrum showed Greensboro, heading into its fourth season, was for real last year. Now the Pride could contend for the ACFC title. At the least, none of the big three in the conference are looking past them.

The Pride’s October games, all winnable, are sandwiched by home dates with Wesley and Frostburg. If Greensboro knocks one off, 1,000-yard rusher Daryl Gholson will likely have something to do with it.

King's dedication to the run is well-known in the MAC, but some foes might spot the improving Monarchs running away with a surprise victory this season.

Susquehanna needed overtime to beat Kings last year, but the Monarchs weren’t competitive in their other big games. MAC foes think if the Monarchs find a replacement for star runner James DeMaise, they could spell trouble for a big-name program or two.

Widener can’t be ignored, but the MAC Commonwealth Pioneers lost eight of 10 all-conference performers from last season. Only senior quarterback Mike Granato and junior wideout Jim Jones (1,047 yards last year) are back.

But with three two-game homestands including visits from Western Maryland, Lycoming and Susquehanna, the Pioneers are primed to upset.