Sophomore Ben Martin runs 69 yards for a touchdown

Sophomore Ben Martin runs 69 yards for a touchdown

By Evan Le’Mon (Whetstone Staff Writer)

Wesley’s football team is on a roll, finishing its regular season with ten wins and only one loss and beginning its playoff run with two victories.

“We have a lot of seniority on the team,” said head coach Mike Drass. “They’ve invited some really good leadership, and the younger guys have been able to really learn from them. I think that’s a real key.”

This is a sentiment that sophomore offensive guard Kevin Johnson confirms.

“The team’s success has been what it is because of the leadership of the team, from our coaches down to our captains,” Johnson said. “As younger players, we look up to these guys.”

With the season the Wolverines have had, it’s easy for fans to get their hopes up about that elusive NCAA championship trophy.

“I think it’d be great to see them go all the way,” said sophomore Kaylynn Hall. “Especially since they haven’t yet. I’d be so proud.”

In addition to eleven conference championships, this is the Wolverines’ tenth straight, and eleventh overall, playoff appearance. Ranked fourth nationally in Division III football, the team is also coming off a successful 2013 season. The team made it to the playoffs with two losses before losing to Mount Union University in the quarterfinals.

Fans want to see the team capture the championship.

“I absolutely believe they can do it,” said Wesley Sports Information Director Stephen Kramer. “I’ve been here for three years, and this is definitely the best team that I’ve seen overall.”

This isn’t as easy a conclusion for everyone to draw.

“It’s hard to compare teams, because as a head coach each team is special to you for different reasons,” Drass said. “But these guys have done a super job, and we’re really proud of them.”

The fans’ excitement and hope may be outweighed by the team’s own enthusiasm.

“Of course I’m going to say we’re going all the way,” Johnson said. “I feel like with talent, not just from the starters but from the whole team, we have the most depth in Division III football. I genuinely believe we can do it.”

Aside from a reluctance to make team comparisons, Drass also isn’t one to make predictions.

“The key focus for us is just one word, and that’s advance,” Drass said. “Everything we do is focused on trying to win the next game and advance to the next round. All our guys are pretty steadfast on that commitment.”

Advance what the Wolverines did two weeks ago when they beat the Hampden-Sydney College Tigers, 52-7. It’s what they did Nov. 29 when they handed the then-unbeaten MIT Engineers a 59-0 defeat.

And it’s what they plan to do this coming Saturday against the seventh ranked Hobart College Statesmen.