By Pat Cummings
D3sports.com
Let's take a look at the playoff games involving players from this area.
Washington and Jefferson at Christopher Newport
These two will square up for the third time in six seasons with the Presidents defeating the Captains in the previous two matchups, both of which have been postseason meetings. CNU fell 24-10 in the first round at W&J in 2002 and fell short in the second round of 2004, 24-14. This time CNU will get the home field, a pleasant treat for the Captains, perhaps for their knocking off of Mary Hardin-Baylor earlier in the season.
CNU has found their offensive stride in the second half of the season scoring an average of 39.8 points per game in their last five games; that's compared to just over 18 points per game from the first half of the year.
After losing their season opener to Salisbury, Washington & Jefferson has reeled off nine consecutive wins and a strong Pool B contingent this season sends the Presidents packing. A four-point win at 5-5 Thiel is the toughest game the Presidents have had since their opening loss and CNU's schedule which included Rowan and Mary Hardin-Baylor should have the Captains somewhat better prepared than the Presidents.
Dickinson at Wesley
The Wolverines have outscored their opponents by an average final of 37-11. Quarterback Chris Warrick has 20 touchdown passes to just five interceptions and he and his teammates have one thing that should be most coveted: playoff experience. Wesley advanced to the national semifinals and managed two home playoff wins in 2005. The 2006 season represented their first undefeated mark since 1976 and they represent the toughest possible draw for the Red Devils.
Most Centennial teams in recent postseason history have said "thanks for the chance" and enjoyed their experience. Johns Hopkins was dismantled by Thiel last year and Muhlenberg sent home early after a 31-3 loss against St. John Fisher in 2004. The Red Devils had been unstoppable in the Centennial until last week's 31-24 overtime defeat at Ursinus.
These two teams do have some history. Dickinson went to Wesley in 1998 and knocked the Wolverines off in an ECAC regional postseason contest. Much has changed in Dover since then and the Red Devils will be up against the best team they have faced since the old days of the vaunted Green Flag defense of Western Maryland.
Washington and Lee at Wilkes
Wilkes has been the top team in the region for the majority of the season and allows just eight points per game. W&L has averaged just 243 yards per game and have been led by freshman quarterback R.J. Varner for the second half of the season.
Varner will have his hands full as Wilkes loves to pressure the quarterback and infiltrate their opponents' backfields. The Colonels have sacked quarterbacks 41 times with Anthony Serafin owning 8.5 of them, Keith Cavallotti garnering eight and Jason Acquaye six.
Both of these teams are used to seeing a ton of yellow hankies on the gridiron. The Generals were penalized 82 times for an average of 74 penalty yards per game. Wilkes, meanwhile, has been flagged on 70 occasions for over 60 yards per game.
The Generals' three losses have been none too pretty. W&L was outscored by a combined score of 75-24 to teams with a combined record of 16-12. Backing into the playoffs with a disappointing effort against Case Western Reserve should serve Wilkes well and we find the Colonels will be a strong, solid favorite.