Wesley College’s football team faces a serious obstacle in opening round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.
The Wolverines face unbeaten Johns Hopkins in their first round contest Saturday in Baltimore.
The Blue Jays are 10-0 after completing a second straight undefeated regular season with a 52-21 victory at McDaniel last week. They have won 35 of their last 38 games dating back to 2010.
Hopkins is led by an offense that features nine senior starters, including all five offensive lineman. Wesley Coach Mike Drass says that experience has helped Hopkins average 42 points per game.
“[They have a] great offensive line, as good as any we’ve seen. [Three] tailbacks. More of a smaller scatback kid who’s their leading rusher. Then they have another guy who’s a real good running back and a big guy at tailback. So, they don’t mind bloodying you a little bit in the run game," said Drass. "But they’re really balance. They run and throw the ball pretty equally.”
The numbers show that balance with Johns Hopkins posting 268 yards on the ground and 244 thru the air each contest.
Wesley junior defensive lineman Payton Rose says it doesn’t get much better than that.
“They definitely seem like one of the better offenses we’ve played all season and it’s going to be a big challenge," said Rose. "They’re offensive line is big and tough, really physical and they’re averaging a lot of yards rushing. So, it’s going to be a big challenge.”
Wesley can also score points, putting up 31 per game during the regular season.
Hopkins is ranked 10th in the nation heading into Saturday's noon kick-off.
Wesley is ranked 15th after its 8-2 regular season.