On Friday night under the lights of Franklin Field, the Penn sprint football team will face its biggest challenge of the season against the current leaders of the Collegiate Sprint Football League -- Navy.
Since it is the last home game for the seniors and the CSFL title is at stake, this game between two of the league's top teams has all the makings of a classic.
After last season's disappointing 48-0 defeat, the Quakers regrouped and returned to Annapolis, Md., in September much improved and left having come up just short of a win, falling to the Midshipmen, 10-6.
Now, more than a month later, the Quakers are ready to take on Navy and finally seal the deal.
"The first game against Navy was tough," sophomore Chase Bender said. "But I think we're well prepared and set to give them a good show."
Beating the veteran Navy (5-0, 2-0 CSFL) team will be not be easy, though.
"We'll need a big game from the defense," Penn coach Bill Wagner said. "And the offense will definitely have to put points up on the board."
During September's game against Navy, Penn's offense had difficulties scoring on account of poor field position. The Quakers (2-2, 1-1) suffered from penalties, as well as shaky special teams play.
"Special teams will need to be strong," Wagner said, "and we're gonna focus on eliminating turnovers and penalties -- we'll have to play our perfect game."
The youth and inexperience of the offensive line also played a large factor in last month's loss. After weeks of hard work and a handful of personnel adjustments, it seems as though the front line is finally solid.
"They're beginning to gel together," Wagner said.
"As an offense we've improved," senior quarterback James Donapel said. "And we're clicking on all cylinders now."
For Donapel and the 13 other seniors on this team, this will be their final game at Franklin Field.
"It's gonna be an emotional night," senior linebacker Chris Malachowski said. "We've been a really tight-knit group since freshman year."
After coming so close in September, the Quakers are especially primed and anxious for the rematch.
"We're hoping to step it up and leave it all out on the field," Donapel said. "This is it -- the last home game, championship implications -- I can't wait 'til game day."
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