jtuscano@observer-reporter.com
When the NCAA expanded the number of teams in its Division III playoffs from 16 to 32 a few years ago, most thought it would be much easier to qualify.
They were wrong.
Only six teams have made the playoffs in each of the last four years: Mount Union, Mary Hardin-Baylor, Curry, Hobart, Mount St. Joseph, and the team that will play North Carolina Wesleyan noon, Saturday at Cameron Stadium - Washington & Jefferson.
The Presidents, champions of the Presidents' Athletic Conference and owners of a 10-0 reord, will be making their 19th appearance in the playoffs and possess a 19-18 record in 37 games.
North Carolina Wesleyan, champions of the six-year-old USA South Conference and owners of an 8-2 record, is making its first trip.
If you believe playoff experience can be a deciding factor in who wins this game, then you won't be aligned with the coaching staff or players from W&J.
"Not really," said W&J quarterback Bobby Swallow. "Last year is last year."
Swallow played one of his best games of the season in a 30-27 loss to Mary Hardin-Baylor in the second round of the 2006 playoffs, nearly rallying W&J to an upset of the talented Crusaders.
"The only thing I took away from that game was the atmosphere," Swallow said. "Playing in an atmosphere like that - a playoff game in Texas and a big crowd, they were a top 5 team - that's what I took away from that game."
Swallow's performance in that game drew raves from the coaching staff. He has had an outstanding 2007 season, completing 70 percent of his passes for 2,841 yards. But the eye-popping stat is his touchdown-to-interception ratio in 292 attempts this season: 42-3.
Swallow's emergence in the passing game has been critical to the success of W&J this season. Injuries slowed the running game and the defense showed some flaws in a 77-39 victory last week over Bethany, allowing the Bison more than 600 total yards.
W&J lost two cornerbacks - Ryan Mullen and Chris Kessler - with injuries but Bethany was without its top receiver and best offensive lineman. Mullen and Kessler are expected to play against Wesleyan.
"I don't think we came to play in that game," linebacker John Fahey said. "That's not like us. We have a good tradition here. Now it's Week 11 and it's a whole different season."
A repeat performance by W&J's defense could mean an early exit from the playoffs. Still, having Swallow slinging pinpoint passes to a stable of receivers can cover a bad game here or there.
"He just doesn't miss," said North Carolina Wesleyan head coach Jack Ginn. "They have tried to taylor the things they do on offense to what they do best. He has a good arm and their receivers can catch the ball."
Another positive is the return to health of tailback Kevin Mathews, whose lower leg injury sustained against Westminster a few weeks is only a memory now. He was unstoppable against Bethany, totaling 260 yards and scoring four touchdowns.
Mathews needs 112 yards to reach 1,000 for the season and Curt Jones has been just as effective, rushing for 729 yards and averaging 7.1 yards per carry to Mathews' 7.7.
"Kevin played his best game of the season (against Bethany)," Swallow said. "That's got to give him confidence and we need that because he's such a weapon."
W&J must stop North Carolina Wesleyan quarterback Cedrick Townsend if it hopes to win this game. Townsend has accounted for nearly 2,500 yards and 33 touchdowns for the Battling Bishops.
"He's the leader on the field but he's not a real vocal guy," said Ginn.
Townsend nearly engineered upsets of two future playoff teams but Wesley and Widener escaped with victories in Week 1 and 2, respectively.
"He's a tall, big kid," said W&J linebacker David Gitlitz. "You have to defend everything against him."
If W&J does hold one advantage, it's that they are experienced to the difference between a regular season game and a pressure-packed playoff encounter.
"Win and you advance. Lose and it's over," said Sirianni. "There is a bigger sense of urgency and it's a different feeling. It's a playoff football game and anyone can tell you that the emotions run higher."