Lwt. Football tries to repeat '96 run

One down, two to go. The Penn lightweight football team may be on its way to another championship. After defeating Cornell last week, 9-7, the Quakers believe they are ready to take on Navy tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. on Franklin Field in their final home game of the season. Despite a tough loss to Army two weeks ago, the Quakers are prepared to face another service academy team. After last year's championship season, the Red and Blue are hoping to defeat Navy this weekend and go on to take the Eastern Lightweight Football League title. Penn has only beaten Navy four times in the school's history. Penn tied Navy in 1988, and eventually defeated them in 1989. Last year, the Quakers' only loss was to Navy, 54-14, in Annapolis, Md. The Midshipmen (5-0, 2-0 ELFL) are out to maintain its undefeated status as they take on the Quakers this weekend. Penn's goal is to break Navy's winning streak and concentrate on their own road to the ELFL championship. "The tables are set as they were last year," said Penn defensive coordinator John Amendt, referring Penn's comeback from an opening loss last year. "We have to remain in the same mode and be ready to play a very physical game." For this week's game, Penn feels it needs to post 14 points in order to have a chance to win the game. "We have to play hard in the first 10 minutes of the game and keep the Navy offense at bay," Quakers assistant coach Nate Scott said. "Our defense has to come on strong in the first half in order to take the game." Earlier in the season against Navy, Cornell was able to score 24 points only to lose 28-24 in the fourth quarter. Last Friday, the Quakers held the Big Red to only seven points on in order to win the game. If Penn (2-2, 1-1) can defeat Navy and go on to win against Princeton in two weeks, the Quakers have a good chance for a repeat of last season's title run. Two years ago at home, the Quakers rallied against the Midshipmen only to lose in the fourth quarter. This year, the Quakers hope to come out with a win. "This week's game has to do with the guys wanting to win the championship and having the heart going into it," said last year's ELFL MVP, Clint Schmidt. Schmidt returns this season as a volunteer coach. Three weeks ago, Navy defeated the Cadets at West Point, N.Y., in a close game ending, 28-24. After the Quakers' 38-0 loss to Army on October 17, the team has its work cut out for them tomorrow. The team is within reach of having another winning season. The Quakers will have to stay focused in their last home game of the season. The home field advantage will definitely help the Red and Blue in their efforts.