Finding QB No. 1 priority
Rowse most likely replacement at W&J
Since 2013, Washington & Jefferson hasn’t finished worse than third in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference standings. Much of that success can be attributed to quarterback Pete Coughlin.
During his junior and senior seasons, he led the conference in passing yards, completions and touchdown passes. In his four-year career, he amassed 9,993 total passing yards, 95 touchdown passes and 797 completions in42 games.
The Presidents’ new quarterback will have large shoes to fill, even though Coughlin was slightly undersized for the position at 5 feet 10. Coach Mike Sirianni is tasked with selecting the seventh starting quarterback since he was hired as offensive coordinator in 1999.
Senior Alex Rowse, the primary backup quarterback the past three seasons, is the favorite.
“Losing Pete, we lost the ability to create something out of nothing, which half the plays we called we told him to run around back there anyway,” Sirianni said. “Our intermediate passing game will give us a chance to play against the real good defenses because we will be able to throw the ball into windows. Alex will get the first chance.”
The Presidents went 9-2 overall last season and won six of eight conference games.
No surprise for favorite
Following another undefeated conference season, it’s no surprise that Thomas More College is the preseason favorite.
With 23 first-place votes and 345 total points, Thomas More, in Crestview Hills, Ky., topped the 2017 PAC Football Media Day Preseason Poll. In 2016, the Saints went 9-2 overall and 8-0 in conference play to clinch at least a share of the conference title for the eighth time in the past nine seasons.
With two-year starter Brenan Kuntz returning at quarterback, Thomas More coach Regis Scafe is optimistic that the team won’t miss a beat. Kuntz threw for 2467 yards and 26 touchdowns last season.
“He’s really developed himself into a great athlete,” Scafe said.
“He can throw, he’s a student of the game, he’s a leader for us.”
Right behind the Saints was Washington & Jefferson with six first-place votes and 308 points.
Westminster (one firstplace vote, 271 points) and Carnegie Mellon (255 points) round out the top five.
The record books
Carnegie Mellon senior wide receiver John Prather set a goal to make a name for himself when he arrived on campus three years ago. Now, he has a chance to do just that.
Prather is 17 catches and 111 yards away from being the all-time leader in both categories.
Last season, he averaged six receptions and 102.3 yards per game, so it’s likely he’ll set both records before September is over.
“The fact that we have a fine quarterback, we have a fine set of receivers, none better than John here,” coach Rich Lackner said.
“Runs great routes, understands the game, has great adjustments to his routes. Again, a very unselfish young man. It’s all about winning and he’s critical to our success offensively.”