Wednesday, October 22, 2003

By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

This might be business as usual for Washington and Jefferson, but it's heady stuff for Waynesburg.

When W&J plays at Waynesburg at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, more than bragging rights for Greene County will be at stake. More important, the champion of the Presidents' Athletic Conference could be determined.

This is the final conference game for W&J (6-0, 4-0), which could clinch the title with a victory. Waynesburg (6-1, 3-0) still must play at home Nov. 15 against Westminster.

"It's definitely a great opportunity for us to be in this position," said second-year Waynesburg coach Jeff Hand, whose Yellow Jackets have won four in a row and are 6-1 for the first time since 1976. "We want to get to the point where we're competing for the championship every year."

Waynebsurg's highest finish in the PAC since joining in 1990 was a three-way tie for the championship with Grove City and W&J in '98.

"We're looking to take the next step," Hand said. "I knew this would be a good year for us. I knew they were going to be a very football team -- again."

W&J, ranked No. 9 in NCAA Division III under first-year coach Mike Sirianni, has won or shared the PAC championship in 17 of the past 18 seasons. The Presidents reached the playoffs the past four seasons under John Bansazak, who was fired last spring.

"You can see their tradition -- the way their kids move confidently and carry themselves on the field," said Hand, whose Yellow Jackets are coming off a 45-10 victory against Grove City. "The rivalry between Waynesburg and W&J is very present, a rivalry that is very much alive. But it's not to the point where it's unhealthy."

Although their campuses are 20 miles apart off I-79 South, the football programs at W&J and Waynesburg have been worlds apart throughout the years.

"W&J has always been the team to beat in our league," Hand said. "I think the league is more balanced from top to bottom. W&J does a great job in recruiting. A win would certainly help us in our recruiting."

Waynesburg leads the PAC in scoring offense (40.4 ppg), total offense (422.6 ypg), scoring defense (12.6 ppg) and total defense (240.3 ypg).

Quarterback Jeff Dumm, a 6-foot-4 junior from Charleroi, is the PAC offensive player of the week for the third time this season after completing 17 of 25 passes for 220 yards and four touchdowns against Grove City. Dumm has completed 66.1 percent of his passes for 1,356 yards and 18 touchdowns this season.

Dumm's favorite targets are Ivan Hawkins (34 catches, 428 yards, 3 TDs), Paul D'Imperio (33 catches, 515 yards, 6 TDs) and Dominick Hunter (30 catches, 287 yards, 4 TDs).

"He brings respect of a passing game," Hand said of Dumm. "But we're not relying on him as much. I like the fact we're getting better at the running game. We're excited about that."

The Yellow Jackets average 228.1 yards rushing per game, led by Eric Daniels (550 yards, 8 TDs), Dennis Gearhart (411 yards) and Ryan Abels (404 yards, 8 TDs). Gearhart didn't play against Grove City and is questionable for W&J because of an injured left knee.

"Chemistry is a catchword for all coaches, but this is a team that has come together," said Hand, whose Yellow Jackets are a missed extra point away from possibly being undefeated. Ben Popson missed the extra-point kick in the final minutes of a 31-30 loss to Gettysburg that ended his school record 19 consecutive successful extra points.

"I would hope our guys understand what's at stake in this game," Hand said. "I don't think I have to tell them what we're playing for."

The rankings

Duquesne (5-2), winner of four in a row, moved up a spot to No. 2 in the Sports Network NCAA I-AA, mid-major poll. Robert Morris (5-2) slipped a spot to No. 9 after a 24-20 loss to Wagner. ... IUP (6-1) climbed two notches to No. 9 in the American Football Coaches Association NCAA Division II poll. ... W&J (6-0) moved up two spots to No. 9 in the AFCA Division III poll.

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