By Joe Tuscano, Staff writer

jtuscano@observer-reporter.com

LATROBE - The consensus of the football coaches, sports writers and sports information directors at Tuesday afternoon's PAC media day was that Washington & Jefferson College should win the conference title.

That might not be good news for Presidents' head coach Mike Sirianni.

The last four teams picked to win the PAC at media day failed to do so. So the Presidents will have to break with tradition, something that hasn't happened since 2002.

"We are going to work hard starting in a few weeks and we hope everyone voting here is correct at the end of the season," Sirianni said.

W&J, which went 10-2 and lasted two rounds into the NCAA Division III playoffs last season, received 22 of the 29 first-place votes for 196 points. Waynesburg, which rallied from an 0-3 start to finish 6-4 in 2006, was second with four first-place votes and 148 points. Thiel was third with three first-place votes and 147 points.

To help break that 0-for-4 slump in media day predictions, the Presidents return a number of quality players, including quarterback Bobby Swallow, flanker Kevin Mathews and wide receiver Tom McCafferty.

"I expect a lot from myself this year," said McCafferty. "And the team expects a lot. The goal is always the same: win the conference, get in the playoffs and make a run at the national championship."

Washington & Jefferson led in the voting breakdown among coaches, SIDs and the media. Geneva and St. Vincent, teams that will be included in the conference on a provisional basis, were not eligible for voting. Another new wrinkle for the season: The PAC will have an automatic bid into the Division III playoff.

Waynesburg will try to build upon its strong finish and can do so with a good recruiting class that includes Ringgold's Robert Heller, a former Observer-Reporter Boys Athlete of the Year and Trinity's Troy Garove. The two running backs are expected to step in for the departed Ryan Abels and Eric Daniels.

The Yellow Jackets also have a commitment from two Fort Cherry football players - Jordan Clemons and Scott Wharton - but the two won't be able to enroll until next fall because of academic difficulties. Clemons was the O-R's 2006 Player of the Year.

"We are still very much interested in them," said Waynesburg head coach Rick Shepas. "As long as they do the things they need to do away from football, they will be all right. They are taking classes at CCAC and if they are successful, we will welcome them with open arms."

Grove City will make football history this year when the Wolverines play Waynesburg Sept. 22 in their first night home game. Former South Fayette quarterback Andrew DiDonato will lead the Wolverines and has a chance to set most of the school's passing records.

Thomas More has a new coach in Jim Hilvert, plucked from Mount St. Joseph, and will have a new stadium for the 2008 season, complete with artificial turf and all-weather track.

St. Vincent will begin its first season of football since the program was discontinued in 1962. Bridgewater assistant coach Bob Colbert, the brother of Steelers' director of football operations Kevin Colbert, will lead the Bearcats after the 45-year hiatus.

Thiel managed to get a jump on the rest of the conference by playing a game in Toronto this past spring. The Tomcats needed it because head coach Jack Leipheimer lost his offensive and defensive coordinators to other jobs after a 5-5 season in 2006.

PAC media poll

Team (First place) Pts. 06 rec.

Wash & Jeff (22) 196 10-2

Waynesburg (4) 148 6-4

Thiel (3) 147 5-5

Thomas More 115 6-4

Grove City 73 3-7

Bethany 68 4-6

Westminster 67 2-8

(St. Vincent, Geneva not including in voting)

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