Small college teams in the Mid-Atlantic will be key threats as the small-college playoffs loom.
Two teams to keep an eye on ae Catholic University and Susquehanna.
Susquehanna Gets By Loyola
Having lost only to Shippensburg during the regular season Susquehanna went into their game against Loyola feeling confident and won 33-15.
The game was tight throughout the first half and while the River Hawks did get a try from center CJ Bass and two penalty goals from Sean McPherson, Loyola scored a converted try and a penalty to make it 11-10 at the break.
In the second half, Susquehanna wing Clint Rowe scored in the corner and Loyola answered. In the closing quarter, however, Tyler MacDonald carried tacklers with him over the line, and right after McPherson scampered in after the Susquehanna pack had stolen a scrum put-in. McPherson would later score again to ice the game.
"Tough battle," said Coach Jon Niles, noting that both MacDonald and McPherson were back from injury and were hugely influential. McPherson normally plays flyhalf for the River Hawks but slotted in superbly at scrumhalf.
"We are still missing a few guys with injuries but hopefully we can roll into Virginia strong."
