Oct 30, 2024 4 min read

By John Sacco

For the Observer-Reporter

newsroom@observer-reporter.com

A fan of the Washington & Jefferson College football team recognized Marty Dietz walking through the stands at Cameron Stadium and said, “Mr. Dietz, if your son keeps playing like he is, then he’s going to be an All-American.”

Dietz looked at the man and thanked him but his return look was skeptical.

“I was taken by surprise,” the elder Dietz said. “That was a big statement. It was unbelievable.”

That was early in the 2022 season and, honestly, Marty’s son, Dawson Dietz, didn’t keep playing like he was for the W&J Presidents — he played even better.

That continued as the Presidents (7-1) scored a season-saving 27-19 win over Grove City on Oct. 19 and face another huge test Saturday in Cleveland against Case Western Reserve (6-1), which is in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship and NCAA Division III postseason mix.

Dawson Dietz was named his sophomore year as an NCAA Division III All-American as a defensive tackle. He earned that distinction again in 2023 and is bidding to become W&J’s first three-time d3football.com All-American.

As a sophomore, Dawson Dietz established himself as a superior football player, a force and a difference-maker.

He is the leader of the W&J defense – the man in the middle of the line that all opposing players keep their eyes on.

Dietz’s strength, desire, leverage and relentless pursuit of the one who has the football sets him apart, but he never separates himself from his team or teammates.

Dietz (6-0, 260), a Hampton High School graduate, is another in a line of stellar defensive lineman at W&J.

He was the PAC’s Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in W&J’s, 48-7 win over Bethany last Saturday. It’s the second time this season Dietz has been so honored. Dietz recorded a career-high three sacks while matching his season-best in tackles for loss with 4 1/2. He finished with nine tackles, while adding three quarterback hurries and being largely responsible for shutting down four Bethany drives with a sack or quarterback hurry while playing only three quarters.

On Senior Day last Saturday, Dawson came full circle.

“My wife and I talk about that comment two years ago still today,” said Marty Dietz, who was an All-PAC center at Grove City. “We felt pride then and we feel it now.”

Dietz currently leads all NCAA divisions in tackles for loss with 18 1/2. He also is tied for fourth in Division III in sacks with nine.

“It’s cool to be compared to those great players,” Dawson Dietz said. “But this season’s success depends on team achievement. Once we lost to Carnegie Mellon, we knew we had to be perfect to have a championship season.

“I came to W&J for the education and to win a championship. We’re good enough to come out on top.”

W&J has a host of defensive linemen who were All-America or PAC Player of the Year selections with whom Dietz is compared. Those significant players include Matt Sczcpinski, 1994; Dan Primrose, 1996; Jacob Blumhuff 2009; Mark Kern 1998; Mike Williams 2019; Stephan Swentkowsky 1990; Mike Brooder 1994; D.J. Valente 1997 and Orlando Williams 1985.

Others include: Kevin Rozsa 1984; John Savage 1985-86; Jim Sevcik 1987-1989; Frank Mysza 1989; John Englemohr 1990-91; Ray Cross 1992; Eric Tarpley 1992; Tom Behr 1994; Rahmaire Brooks 1997; Chuck Benedict 2000-2001and Alex Keith 2020-2023.

“For Dawson to be considered with those names and players. . . I knew all about Kern and Swentkowsky,” Marty Dietz said.

Dietz is closing in on milestones. He has 53 career tackles for loss (currently tied for fifth in W&J history) while Swentkowsky is fourth with 56-1/2. Dietz has 26-1/2 sacks and needs 4-1/2 more to tie Brooder for fifth place.

W&J’s coaches relish having Dietz lead the Presidents’ defense.

“We knew we were getting a good player when we recruited him,” W&J coach Mike Sirianni said. “He was an outstanding wrestler and he had a lot of ability.

“It’s his quickness. … His first step and his power are overwhelming.”

Dietz’ presence has meant a lot to Phil Bobich, first-year defensive coordinator.

“Dawson’s technique is the best I’ve seen,” Bobich said. He’s built into his frame. Dawson’s speed and footwork are good. We have a tradition here of great linemen and he only enhances it. His teammates know how great he is.”