With a win against Ivy rival Princeton last season 38-12, the Penn sprint football team was able to close out the season on a high note. And as the Allegiance Bowl against Cornell at Saratoga Springs approaches this weekend, the Quakers are looking to strike out and stake their claim as a serious contender for the Collegiate Sprint Football League championship.
Despite finishing with a 3-3 record, Penn was able to snag the Bill Wagner trophy - awarded to the best Ivy League team - which only includes Penn, Cornell and Princeton.
The Collegiate Sprint Football League, which has included the powerful and dominant Army and Navy teams, will now have a new player in the form of Virginia Military Institute, who has already shown its teeth in several games outside of league play last season.
The team lost several of its key players last season such as running back Scott Pickett and wide receiver Corey Higa, along with its captains Hank Watson, Duncan Pelly, Ben Drane and Kevin Piro. The Quakers are hoping to bounce back with some new faces with their freshmen and some old ones, who will be returning for this season.
"You always miss your seniors. However, every year there is a new crop that steps up," Penn coach Bill Wagner said. "I think we have four good new senior leaders in the four captains and there are some underclassmen who were varsity starters a year ago who will step it up and there are quite a few starters who have returned."
With the new season, leadership duties having been passed on to new captains: quarterback Mike Loguidice, wide receiver David Lopez, running back J.T. Hutchinson and offensive lineman Nick Dinges.
After suffering a season ending injury last season, Dinges will be making a welcome return this season as the team needs him more than ever to strengthen the offensive line.
"We have a young [offensive] line, but they have shown a lot of progress since the beginning of the season," Hutchinson said. "And I am excited to see what they can do against Cornell."
Penn's defense returns many key players such as sophomores Christian Corrigan, Andrew Feigenbaum and Mike D'Angelo who were dominant last season. However, much of the promise comes from the team's newcomers.
"I think the key will be our freshmen and our new people to our program," Wagner said. "If they could step it up along with the people in new positions I think that will be key for us to being successful."
Freshmen have shown potential in the Alumni game held Saturday, as Jordan Marin scored a touchdown and caught two passes.
As for the schedule for this season, Penn will be playing at home against Army, Princeton and VMI, as well as going away to face Navy, Army and Cornell.
In the end, Hutchinson echoed the sentiments of many of his teammates on their ultimate goal this season.
"Hopefully, we can pull it together this year, beat Army, beat Navy and bring home a championship," he said.
