West Chester will open the playoffs with a home game

WEST GOSHEN For the first time in five years, West Chester University is one of the 24 teams nationwide to earn an invite into the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs.

The co PSAC East champs, West Chester (10 1) finished the regular season ranked third in Super Region One and will host No. 6 American International (Mass.) in the first round on Saturday at Farrell Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon.

We (were) hoping for a home game, but it doesn t really matter, said Golden Rams head coach Bill Zwaan. I am just happy to be in. It s a whole new season and anything can happen.

A day after blasting Clarion 41 14 to wrap up just the third 10 win regular season in the program s 93 year history, West Chester jumped one place in the final regional rankings. American International topped Stonehill, 27 17, Saturday to capture the Northeast 10 Conference title. The Yellow Jackets are 9 2 overall.

We just want to keep playing, Zwaan Authentic Justin Gilbert Jersey said. Whoever (the opponent), we have a shot for one more win and keep our season alive.

The Rams are 10 2 overall in a dozen all time meetings with AIC. A triumph next weekend would equal the single season school record for football wins.

The WCU AIC winner will travel to second seeded Bloomsburg on Nov. 30 in second round action. The Huskies (10 1) handed the Rams their only setback of the season, 31 28, on Nov. 9, and then staged a dramatic 42 38 comeback victory over Slippery Rock in Saturday s PSAC championship game.

No player on WCU s roster has ever played in a college postseason game but Zwaan, and a large number of assistants on his staff, have. Zwaan guided the Rams to five consecutive postseason appearances from 2004 08 and sports a 5 5 record in the NCAA Division II Playoffs.

Being in the playoffs previously with most of the members of our coaching staff will help us, said Zwann. We know what the approach should be. Our players will find out this week how big it is, how emotional it can be, and what it is going to mean to Bene Benwikere Jersey them.

When I first came here and we got into the playoffs for the first time (in 2004), I talked to the kids about what the playoffs are all about, how important it is, and how they have to approach it. I will do that again with this group.