Four local teams are in Division II, Division III playoffs
West Chester, Widener, Rowan and Delaware Valley are playing this weekend.
FOUR LOCAL teams will be in the NCAA playoffs at two levels tomorrow, including almost 10 percent of the 32-deep Division III field.
In D-II, West Chester (10-1) hosts Slippery Rock (9-2), which just beat previously unbeaten Bloomsburg at home in the PSAC title game, 28-26. The Rams, who last year reached the national semifinals, lost at Bloomsburg on Oct. 25, 41-10.
After being the third seed in their region for the previous 3 weeks, the Rams somehow were moved to fourth by the selection committee, despite winning at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 28-17.
"I'm not surprised at all," said coach Bill Zwaan, who got his 100th win at the school with that win. "I'm so used to [things like this happening]. It's not right. It affects the kids on my team. One of them asked, 'What did we do wrong?' I didn't have an answer."
It'll be the teams' first meeting since 2011, when the Rams won at home, 20-17. Slippery Rock also lost here in 2006. It hasn't won here since 1996.
The winner goes next week to unbeaten Concord (West Virginia), which has an opening bye.
In D-III, Widener (10-0) is at home against Muhlenberg (10-1); Delaware Valley (9-1 after losing at Widener last week) hosts Christopher Newport (7-3); and Rowan (7-3) visits Johns Hopkins (10-0).
"We're humbled to be in," said Widener's first-year coach, Mike Kelly. "We're going to give it our best shot and see what happens. At this point, all the teams left are pretty good. You go out and play."
Widener went to the quarterfinals 2 years ago. Del Val is in for the first time since 2011, when it advanced to the second round for the third consecutive year. If both win, they'd have a rematch. Del Val also has a new coach in former Aggies quarterback Duke Greco.
Rowan in in the playoffs for the third straight season. Last year, the Profs lost in the second round. They're 12-3 in openers, 4-2 on the road. They've lost their last three away tournament games, 0-2 the last two seasons.
"Anytime you've been through it, you kind of get a feel for what you're supposed to do," coach Jay Accorsi said. "I told the seniors they're spoiled. Most kids would die to be in one time.
"It's freezing at practice, but you see the excitement in their faces, running around like maniacs. You can't explain that feeling."