Mike Czerwien enters the season as the only football player in the Presidents' Athletic Conference who has made three appearances on the all-conference first team.

Czerwien, a 2004 graduate of North Hills High School, is a senior defensive end at Waynesburg College.

"Mike is a fantastic kid who has a great personality," said Waynesburg coach Rick Shepas. "On the field, he's absolutely incredible. He's clearly the leader of our defense."

Czerwien broke into Waynesburg's starting lineup as a freshman in 2004 and was named the team's newcomer of the year and defensive MVP. He recorded 33 solo tackles and assisted on 19 others, and led the Presidents' Athletic Conference with 17 tackles for loss, including 11 sacks.

If Czerwien becomes a four-time first-team All-PAC selection, he will be only the third player to achieve that feat in the past 10 years. Grove City's R.J. Bowers, who rushed for 7,353 yards from 1997-2000, and Waynesburg's Ryan Abels, who rushed for 3,985 yards from 2003-2006, are the other two.

"I was really impressed with my first visit to the campus," said Czerwien, when asked what brought him from North Hills to Waynesburg. "I liked my teammates, the facility, the education, the professors and the coaching staff."

As a sophomore, Czerwien was named third team all-region by Don Hansen's Football Gazette. He registered 34 solo tackles, assisted on 29 others, and had 17 tackles for a loss, including 10 sacks. That season also brought about a coaching change, as Shepas took over when Jeff Hand left to take the head job at Westminster.

"I appreciate coach [Jeff] Hand bringing me to Waynesburg," said Czerwien. "I've also enjoyed the opportunity of playing for coach Shepas."

Czerwien received even more accolades last season, as he was named honorable mention All-American, and first team all-region, by Hansen's Football Gazette. He recorded a career best 68 tackles, including 43 solo stops. He also led the PAC with 18.5 tackles for a loss, and tied for the conference lead in sacks with 11.

"I'm really looking forward to the upcoming season," said Czerwien. "This is my last year of football and I'm going to try and have a lot of fun with it."

Despite his numerous postseason honors, Czerwien realizes his football career is nearing an end.

"If the Steelers want a 5-8, 225-pound defensive end, then I'm their man," said Czerwien. "I don't think they are looking for any linemen my size."

Waynesburg posted a 6-4 record last season, which includes a 5-1 record in the PAC. It also included an 0-3 start.

"Coach Shepas brought us in for a meeting before our game against Grove City [in Week 4] and told us we were a lot better than we had been playing. He called out the team leaders and challenged us to become the team we were capable of being."

The Yellow Jackets responded with wins in six of their last seven games.

Czerwien is one of nine starters returning on Waynesburg's defense. He is joined on the front line by end D.J. DeWitt and nose guard LaDrekus Burford. Czerwien ranked second on the team in tackles, behind linebacker Brendon Steele, who also returns.

"We have a lot of experience coming back on defense," said Czerwien. "We need it in a conference as strong as the PAC."

Czerwien is majoring in business management.

"I'm not sure what I'll be doing when I graduate," said Czerwien. "I'm just trying to get through my last season and last year of school. I'll worry about that real-life stuff after the season is over."