Del Val loses to Mount Union in Division III playoffs

Delaware Valley didn't win the game. It wasn't supposed to. Yet the Aggies held their own for a half, against the team that's pretty much defined Division III football since the early 1990s.

Del Val (9-3) lost at Mount Union (12-0), in the second round of the playoffs. No shock there. But the final was 31-7, and it was only 7-3 late in the first half.

"We admire a team that plays tough and hard," said Purple Raiders coach Larry Kechres. "They earned our respect today."

Mount Union, a 10-time national champion and 2009 runner-up, is now 151-5 since 2000.

The Raiders scored on their second play. The Aggies got to the Mount Union 2 late in the second quarter but had to settle for a field goal after a penalty. The Raiders added a touchdown just before intermission. Still, that was their lowest first-half point total since the fourth game of the season.

Del Val senior tailback Matt Cook was limited to 18 yards on seven carriess due to an injury he had reaggravated in a loss to Widener in the regular-season finale.

The Aggies also lost in the second round a year ago. In 2004 and '05, they made it to the quarterfinals.

"It's disappointing [that it's over]," said fifth-year coach Jim Clements. "But we'll be back."