Jachera eager to lead TCNJ after standout freshman season
As The College of New Jersey football team readies for spring practice, one player that can’t wait to get started again is Dave Jachera.
The freshman quarterback played in all 10 of the Lions’ games and started the last five and was nothing short of spectacular as he was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018.
“Earning that honor has been the highlight of my career,’’ said Jachera. “I really wasn’t expecting it. Each week I would go out and just try to play my best and do whatever I had to do to get the win. It was a great way to end my freshman year, and I’m very honored and I could not have done it without my teammates.’’
There were moments this past season when the 6-foot signal-caller from Pompton Plains and Pequannock High was a human highlight reel.
One that comes to mind was of Jachera breaking three tackles as he scrambled in the backfield. As he was being brought down, he somehow found Vinny Guckin in the end zone for a 32-yard scoring toss against Rowan.
He finished the season with 67 completions, for 786 yards and eight touchdowns.
“I first realized that I was able to play at the collegiate level when I went in the game in week one against Fairleigh-Dickinson,’’ said Jachera. “I went in late in the fourth quarter and we drove down the field and scored. I realized I was capable of playing with guys older than me and play well.’’
Each time on the field Jachera continued to get better, and so did the Lions as after another rough start (0-6) they finished 3-1.
“I think the turning point for me was the second half of the Rowan game,’’ said Jachera. “But, I also believe that was the turning point for the whole team. It is where I became confident as a quarterback because I felt my team had my back and that they trusted me.’’
Trust is a mutual thing and it’s earned on and off the field, in games and in practice and Jachera’s work ethic and business-like approach to the position brought the Lions back for the strong finish.
The highlight for Jachera was the season finale against Southern Virginia.
“It’s my favorite moment because giving the seniors a win on their final game was very satisfying,’’ said Jachera. “Then the way it ended scoring with just 26 seconds left felt like we won the championship. It was a great experience to be a part of.’’
Jachera, who had 168 yards rushing against William Paterson, threw a 90yard pass in the Southern Virginia game and now as he looks to the fall of 2019 he sees a revamped NJAC.
Gone is Frostburg State to Division II, and Southern Virginia heads to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
The departures have meant the Lions need three out-of-conference games.
TCNJ has filled the spots with Muhlenberg, a NCAA team that reached the quarterfinals last year, Cortland State, one of the teams in the original NJAC expansion, and St. John Fisher.
They open with Muhlenberg, 11-2 last season, on Sept. 7 in Allentown, Pa., and then Cortland (7-3) comes to Lions Stadium on the 14th and then on the 21st the Lions head to Rochester, N.Y., for St. John Fisher (3-6).
The final seven are all NJAC games with Kean (Oct. 19) being homecoming and the season-ending game will be with Rowan.
TCNJ coach Casey Goff announced that Edwyn Edwards will join the Lions as the Defensive Coordinator. Edwards comes to the Lions from Kings College, where he was a defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator.
Coming off a banner freshman season, Jachera is both thankful and ready for the next challenge.
“I am just very grateful for the love and support I’ve gotten from my friends, family, teammates and coaches,’’ said Jachera.