LIGHTWEIGHT FOOTBALL SEASON REVIEW: Lightweights show considerable improvement

Yesterday the Eastern Lightweight Football League held its annual coaches' meeting to select the league's most valuable player, as well as the all-ELFL first and second teams. The Quakers were well represented, with seven players named to the first team and four players voted to the second team of the five-team league. Having completed the rigors of a grinding season which saw Penn challenge for a share of the league title at one point, the recognition was much appreciated. "I was really happy that we had seven members of the team selected to the all-league first team." Penn coach Bill Wagner said. "The players worked hard all year long, and it was really nice to see them get rewarded." Throughout the season the strength of the Quakers was their defense, so it was not surprising that five Penn defensive players were selected to the all-league first team. Senior linebacker Steve Miller was a unanimous choice. Others included defensive tackle Paul McCaffrey, nose guard Cameron Riley, defensive end Zack Chan and defensive back Wellington Chang. On offense, the Quakers were represented by running back Rich Miller and wide receiver Clinton Schmidt. "I was really disappointed that [tight end] Todd Whitenack was not included on the first team." Wagner said. "He was one of the toughest and most dependable players in the league." The all-league second team included Whitenack, left tackle Neil Batiancila, defensive back Eric Visokey and placekicker Bill Goebel. The Quakers went into the season with one of the youngest rosters in the league, and, after getting pounded 30-6 at Cornell in the season opener, it appeared Penn was in for a long season. Fortunately for the Quakers, game two was played in the friendly confines of Franklin Field. Sparked by the home field advantage, Penn changed the complexion of its season by routing Princeton, 24-6. Game three saw the Quakers come within a field goal of upsetting a powerful Army team in a game in which they were the huge underdogs. Penn rode the momentum of its new-found confidence into game four, where it got revenge against Cornell in a 13-7 victory that placed the team within striking distance of a share of the ELFL title. Unfortunately, the season came to an abrupt halt in game five. ELFL champion Navy came into Franklin Field and punished Penn, 20-0. The loss was physically and emotionally damaging to the Quakers, who traveled to Princeton for the season finale. They ended the season on a low note, falling to the Tigers 39-13. Finishing the season with a league record of 1-3, and an overall record of 2-4, the youthful Quakers gained valuable experience. Having improved on last year's overall mark of 1-5 the team hopes to be a contender in the near future.