With time to prep, Schetelich set to start for Villanova
RADNOR » Jack Schetelich did not see Zach Bednarczyk go down on Villanova’s first possession in last Saturday’s 24-9 victory over Towson at Johnny Unitas Stadium.
Like most of his teammates on the sideline, Schetelich, a redshirt freshman, was watching the pass, not the aftermath of the throw that led to Bednarczyk injuring his left knee. The Wildcats had a fourthand-3 at the Towson 35, and Bednarczyk found Taurus Phillips for eight yards to keep the drive alive.
The next thing Schetelich knew, his name was being called. He looked over and saw Bednarczyk sprawled on the turf.
“I’m like, ‘All right. in,’” Schetelich said.
Bednarczyk faced a similar situation three years earlier. He was thrust into the starting lineup when All-American John Robertson went down in the fourth game against Delaware with what became a career-ending injury. Bednarczyk engineered two scoring drives to rally the Wildcats to a 28-21 victory over the Blue Hens.
Schetelich finished the drive that Bednarczyk started with the first touchdown pass of his collegiate career and ran for two scores late in the game to power the 12th-ranked Wildcats (3-2, 1-1 CAA) to a 24-9 victory over Towson.
With Bednarczyk sidelined for Saturday’s 1 p.m. showdown with Maine (1-2, 0-2), the offense is in Schetelich’s hands.
“It’s going well,” Schetelich said “We’re wrapping the game I’m going plan around me and what I can do, so it’s good. I’m getting a lot of reps this week. I’m getting comfortable with the defense in the film room a lot and all the guys are helping me. Like yesterday, I watched film with our center (Garnet Valley All-Delco Matt Donoghue), so he’s walking me through what he’s thinking so we’re all on the same page this week.”
Schetelich struggled in his first significant action as a collegian. He was 5-for-15 for 59 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Schetelich also ran nine times for 40 yards and two scores but did not complete a pass in the second half.
“What we tell these guys all the time is that you don’t have to go in there and make the huge play,” Villanova coach Mark Ferrante said. “You have to manage the game. You have to run the system.”
His preparations have been geared toward that end. He’s watched film with Donoghue and Phillips and sought out advice from Bednarczyk.
“Zach’s great,” Schetelich said. “During the Towson game, when I would make a mistake and come off the field, he would be there and we were talking even before (offensive coordinator Sam) Venuto got a chance to talk to me. So he’s always there. He’s been in this situation. He knows exactly what I’m thinking so he’s very helpful in getting me through, the reads I have to make, settling my nerves and making the right choices.”
Schetelich is no stranger to success. He threw for 2,020 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for 1,122 yards and 22 scores to lead Cranford to a 12-0 record and the New Jersey North 2, Group senior.
He understands he is under a microscope, but he is up to the challenge.
“This is what I came here for so I just have to step up,” Schetelich said. “I know I can do it so I just have to go out and do it now. I’ve been dreaming about this. Not like this. I don’t want Zach to be hurt in any way, but now that I’m up I have to perform to the capability that I can.”
Bednarczyk underwent an MRI Monday and will be reevaluated Saturday. It was also announced that tight end Ryan Bell and running back Matt Gudzak are out for the season with knee injuries. Both are scheduled for surgery Friday.
In other WIDENER AT WILKES » The Pride (3-2, 3-1 MAC) look to make it two wins in a row when they visit Schmidt Stadium at 1 p.m. Saturday. Don’t let Wilkes’ (05, 0-5) winless record fool you. The Colonels were 2-5 when 3 championship action this as a weekend: they stunned then unbeaten Stevenson last year, 38-35, and shocked perennial power Delaware Valley, 12-7, in the conference opener in 2015.
Graham Jespersen will get the start again at quarterback for Widener. He threw for a career-high 317 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 28-20 win over Lebanon Valley. Six receivers had multiple receptions and doubledigit receiving yards. On defense, Vince Char is having a monster season for the Pride. The junior defensive lineman leads the MAC in tackles for loss with 11.5 total (five solo, 7 assists, while teammate Casey Kerschner is first in sacks (six). CHEYNEY AT LOCK HAVEN » The Wolves (1-4, 0-2) are looking to break a 51-game PSAC East losing streak when they visit the Bald Eagles (0-5, 0-2) at noon Saturday.
The Wolves had more rushing yards (158-129), passing yards (232-139) and yard of total offense (390-26), and dominated time of possess (37:0822:58) but still fell to East Stroudsburg, 33-13. The difference was turnovers and special teams.
Cheyney turned the ball over five times. ESU’s first 10 points were set up by a fumble and an interception. The Warriors also ran a kickoff and a punt back for a touchdown. The Wolves have turned the ball over 19 times (nine interceptions, 10 lost fumbles).
Lock Haven is league in scoring ppg.). THADDEUS STEVENS AT WILLIAMSON » The Mechanics (3-1) face their toughest test of the season when they host the Bulldogs (4-1) at 1 p.m. Saturday. Stevens has beaten the JV teams from MAC powers Stevenson and Delaware Valley and lead the series with Williamson, 54-213, and has won the last eight in a row.
Williamson is coming off of a 54-36 victory over George Mason in which freshman running back David Williams ran for 253 yard, one shy of the school record. last in offense the (6.6