Players to watch in Presidents’ Athletic Conference
Tri-State Sports & News Service
Washington & Jefferson football coach Mike Sirianni has high praise for returning offensive linemen Andrew Reo, Phillip Bobich and Keaton Turney.
“Collectively, they are the best three returning offensive linemen I’ve ever had,” said Sirianni, now in his 16th season.
“Andrew started a few games as a freshman and became a full-time starter as a sophomore. Phillip is a twoyear starter. Keaton made his debut last year. And all have playoff experience. It’s great to have that much experience coming back on the line.”
Reo (6-1, 300, Sr.), a guard, has been recognized on the PAC all-conference team twice: First team last season and honorable mention in 2016. Reo has appeared in 29 games.
Bobich (6-1, 270, Sr.), an Aliquippa graduate who has appeared in 23 games over the past two years, was a PAC honorable mention selection last year. Bobich and Turney (6-1, 270, Jr.) are tackles.
“It’s exciting to have a three-headed monster returning on the offensive line, especially with both tackles,” Sirianni said.
The following are some of the top players to watch in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference this season:
Other offensive linemen
• Carnegie Mellon’s Joe Levy (6-3, 270, Jr.) was voted to the PAC second team last year. He also lettered as a freshman.
• Waynesburg’s Alex Paulina (6-4, 335, Jr.) was an honorable mention selection last year. Paulina is a CanonMcMillan graduate who spent two years at Pitt before transferring to Waynesburg.
• Bethany’s Jaymier Scarbrough (6-2, 310, Sr.) has been recognized twice as honorable mention. Scarbrough, a Woodland Hills grad, has been starting since his freshman year.
Quarterbacks
Four of the top five quarterbacks in the PAC graduated. The top returnee is Alex Cline (6-3, 175, Sr.), who set Carnegie Mellon records with 175 completions and 2,336 yards. Cline completed 57.6 of his passes and connected on 24 touchdowns. He was an honorable mention all-conference selection.
• Grove City’s Randall Labrie (5-10, 195, Jr.) took over in week two and completed 131 of 232 passes for 1,586 yards and 11 touchdowns. Labrie, a Montour grad, also rushed for 317 yards and five touchdowns.
• Saint Vincent’s Michael Navarro (6-0, 185, Jr.) completed 120 of 192 passes for 1,339 yards and nine touchdowns in eight games. He completed 62.5 percent of his passes.
• Washington & Jefferson’s Jacob Adams, (6-2, 195, Jr.) is another signal-caller to watch. He started the final three games of the season for the Presidents and completed 87 of 116 passes for 1,081 yards and seven touchdowns. yards and 3 touchdowns last season. Jake Cullen (6-2, 220, Sr., TE) has 64 catches, 666 yards and 7 touchdowns over the past two years. He was voted second-team allconference in 2016, but missed part of last season with injuries.
Defensive linemen
He was voted second-team all-conference in 2016 after recording 43 solo tackles, 17 assists and 5 sacks.
• Waynesburg’s JohnGlen Davis (5-11, 200, Sr.), a Waynesburg High grad, was an honorable mention selection last year after recording 91 tackles, including 44 solo stops, and 9.0 tackles for a loss.
• Bethany’s Will Gatling (5-10, 225, Sr.) was an honorable mention selection last year. He registered 52 solo tackles, 38 assists and 4 fumble recoveries.
Defensive backs