Mike Donnelly and Jim Margraff are long-time coaches at each end of this rivalry. Johns Hopkins athletics photo

For every senior in the Centennial Conference, there has only been one team at the top. Over the past three seasons and counting, Johns Hopkins is 28-1 in conference play and has claimed the past three titles outright.

Over that same time period, there has also been just one program in second place. Muhlenberg has been looking up at the Blue Jays for three straight seasons. The current Mules have never won a championship, but since the turn of the century these two programs have gone back-and-forth and sometimes shared the conference crown.

It is only fitting that both are undefeated entering this season’s matchup, on Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. in Allentown.

Since 2001, either Johns Hopkins or Muhlenberg has claimed at least a share of the Centennial Conference title every season except for 2006. Since 2007, the Mules have represented the Centennial in the NCAA playoffs three times, while the Blue Jays have earned the league’s automatic berth four times (coincidentally, Wesley has ended the Centennial champ’s run five of those seven seasons).

“I think it’s a great rivalry in the conference,” said Mules coach Mike Donnelly. “There’s been two teams banging on each other for the last 10 or so years. People expect a good game when Johns Hopkins and Muhlenberg play.”

In their 14 meetings this century, the programs are an even 7-7. The Mules won four straight from 2001-2004, and the Blue Jays have won the past three meetings. Muhlenberg’s seniors know that this is their last shot at defeating the reigning champs.

“Johns Hopkins has always been a team that we circle on the board because they’re one of our best opponents year in and year out,” said senior linebacker and captain Jeremey Thomas. “I think this is the most ready we’ve been in my years here to face Hopkins.”

The head coaches have each been at their respective school for a long time and have a unique shared history. Although they never coached together, both Donnelly and Jim Margraff made coaching stops at Albany and Columbia before leading their current programs.

“A lot of the time playing those guys is like looking in a mirror,” said Margraff. “I’ve got great respect for Mike and there is a great respect between the schools. We’ve been going back and forth for a number of years.”

Last year’s 45-13 Blue Jays rout left a bad taste in the mouths of the Mules. It was the most lopsided game in the past 14 meetings in the series. Nine of those contests were decided by single digits. Johns Hopkins has won the past three games by 10 or more points.

“They know they have to overcome that fact that they haven’t beaten Johns Hopkins,” said Donnelly of his seniors. “We know that no one is going to slow down so we can catch up.”

The Mules have the pieces in place to catch up this season. In last year’s blowout, Muhlenberg quarterback Nick Palladino was a freshman making his second career start. Now, he is a seasoned sophomore who is currently leading the conference in every passing category. He is complemented by experienced receivers in junior wideout Nick Lamb and senior tight end Michael Long. Freshman Max Cepeda has been a pleasant surprise out of the backfield, providing the Mules with a balanced offensive attack. Muhlenberg has outscored its first three opponents 135-17.

“Our kids know that they’ve worked extremely hard from last November to now. They’ve worked like no other team I’ve ever had,” said Donnelly. “That’s a credit to our 25 seniors and the guys who have followed their lead.”

Meanwhile, the Blue Jays are still trying to find their way after graduating eight starters on offense and losing multiple starters on defense to injury so far this season. Donnelly believed that last year’s Johns Hopkins offensive line was the best he had ever seen in the conference. The Blue Jays are still fitting the pieces together, but have acquitted themselves well, outscoring opponents 102-37.

“Our guys are so focused on themselves right now,” said Margraff. “We had some turnovers our last two games, but we acted like a veteran team. They haven’t lost their cool at all. The team seems a little more mature than I thought they’d be at this point.”

The programs are tied with Dickinson for the most Centennial Conference titles of all time, with nine apiece. Muhlenberg’s win over McDaniel on Saturday moved the program to 498-497-1 all time, the first time the Mules have been over .500 since 1931.  

These teams don’t always meet this early in the season, and both know that this is far from a title match. The Centennial gauntlet awaits, with six more games on the horizon for each team.

“If either of us sleepwalk into the week after, we’ll lose,” said Donnelly.

“If you take a week off in the Centennial, you can be beaten by any team,” added Thomas. “We don’t take it for granted.”

Despite losing just a combined four games to other Centennial teams over the past three seasons, these two programs know that they have their work cut out for them and that this is far from a two-team league. Ursinus also remains unbeaten. Franklin and Marshall has defeated both the Blue Jays and the Mules over the past two seasons.

“It’s fun to have a big game like this with Muhlenberg, but there’s another big game the next week,” said Margraff.

History indicates that one of these teams will earn the Centennial’s automatic playoff berth when all is said and done in November. After Saturday, either the Mules or the Blue Jays will have the inside track.

“The stage is set for a great game Saturday,” said Thomas.

Looking ahead

Ursinus will try to stay tied for first place and remain one of what will be just two undefeated teams in the Centennial. The Bears rallied to defeat Franklin and Marshall, 31-24, in overtime to remain unbeaten. Corey Kelly rushed for two touchdowns, including the overtime game-winner. Ursinus travels to McDaniel this week.

The Diplomats travel to Juniata in a matchup of teams looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season. The Eagles were defeated by Gettysburg, as the Bullets piled up 304 yards on 68 rushes. Six different players toted the ball for Gettysburg, four of whom carried more than ten times each.

In the USA South, Huntingdon travels to Maryville, and Methodist travels to Christopher Newport. The Monarchs defeated Huntingdon in a thriller, winning 41-34 in overtime for their first victory of 2014. The teams combined for four blocked or missed point after tries, including what could have won the game in regulation for Methodist. Noah Shuler caught the game-tying touchdown pass with 42 seconds left, then ran for the game-winning score in overtime. Christopher Newport held off a game N.C. Wesleyan squad on Thursday, as Marcus Morrast and Daquan Davis combined to rush for 208 yards.

The ODAC takes the week off from conference play, and only three teams are in action. Wesley hosts Southern Virginia after another stifling defensive performance. The Wolverines allowed just six first downs and 106 yards of offense in a 37-7 victory over Rowan.

What did I miss?

Do you know about any upcoming milestones, big games or new names in the Mid-Atlantic? Please share them with me. If you have suggestions for next week’s column, please reach out to me on Twitter at @adamturer or via email at adam.turer@d3sports.com.