1. Anthony Sparks
Media Writing (494 words)
Professor M.E. Gamble
September 15, 2011
Bison and President Showdown
Bethany College football team will return to the field with a stiff test Saturday when
Washington & Jefferson invades Bison Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff in the conference opener for both
squads.
The extra preparation couldn’t have come at a better time for Bethany than leading up to W&J.
The longest running series in the PAC has been controlled by the Presidents lately, as they hold a 68-20
advantage all-time against the Bison and have claimed 28 straight decisions. Unfortunately for the Bison,
have many of the contests have been decided early, as W&J has scored an average of 40 points in the
first half in the last three games.
That story was true in last year’s game, as the Presidents bolted out to a 45-0 halftime lead and
went on to a 59-21 triumph at home. Quarterback Matt Grimard (Lowell, Mass./Dracut) rushed for 129
yards and one TD and threw for 140 yards and another score, but also threw two interceptions and W&J
gained 497 yards of total offense in the victory.
The 2011 W&J team brings a 1-1 record into Saturday’s affair. After opening the year with a 40-0
victory at Juniata, the Presidents suffered a 20-19 defeat to #25 Delaware Valley Saturday. Making his
second career start, junior QB Matt Bliss threw for 260 yards and a pair of touchdowns, with his top
target being Adam Dominick, who hauled in seven aerials for 105 yards. However, the W&J offense was
hurt by three turnovers, six sacks and a 0-for-12 conversion rate on third downs. The team also suffered
a missed extra point and a pair of missed field goals from 31 and 21 yards
The Presidents’ defense has been strong the first two weeks. They held Juniata to a paltry 68
yards of total offense in week one and although Delaware Valley totaled 375 yards last Saturday, W&J
did have six sacks and forced a trio of turnovers. Through the first two weeks, the Presidents have
allowed teams to convert just 17 percent (5-29) of third down chances.
Linebacker Neil Sorice is a key man for the Bison to contend with Saturday. He was named PAC
Defensive Player of the Week after amassing 17 tackles, the most by a President since 2003, one sack
and one forced fumble. His 25 stops for the year are the most in the league and far ahead of W&J
cornerback Nathan Melhorn (15) and safety Matthew Gal (13) for the team lead. Weaver says moving
the ball against a good fundamental unit like the Presidents will be a challenge.

2. If the Bison are going to start out 2-0 and win an opening game in PAC play for the first time
since 2001, Weaver says the game obviously can’t follow a similar script as previous W&J match-ups and
the team must execute both offensively and defensively on the most important down.