RFC Summer Semester--Centennial Conference Preview (NCAA Division III)

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2011 Final Standings

Looking back: Johns Hopkins took the Centennial Conference crown, as well as the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs, after dominating the league with unbeaten mark (9-0) in conference play last season.  The Blue Jays were upset by eventual national quarterfinalist St. John Fisher, 23-12, in round one.

Looking ahead: The Blue Jays will not only shoot for their fourth straight winning season, but also fourth straight season of winning at least eight games.  Head Coach Jim Margraff enters his 23rd season as the Johns Hopkins head coach.

2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)

1. Johns Hopkins (10-1):  Margraff enters the 2012 season with an overall career record of 147-79-3 record.  That makes him the winningest head coach in program history.  He's just three wins away from his 150th career victory as the Blue Jays head coach.  Hopefully, that will also provide the motivation the program will need in order to overcome the sting of last year's sudden exit from the D-III playoffs last season.

2. Muhlenberg (7-3):  After splitting their first six games of 2011, the Mules caught fire down the stretch, closing out last season on a four-game winning streak.  That was good enough for them to finish second in the CC last season, at 7-2 in conference play.  It's the type of momentum the Mules hope to carry over in 2012.


3. Ursinus (6-4):  Of the four games they lost last season, the Bears lost three of those by seven points or less.  If they're to be serious contenders for the CC title, they must learn how to win the close contests.


4. Gettysburg (6-4):  The Bullets also had their share of close calls last season, as they finished 4-2 in games decided by seven points or less.  Despite being among the multiple programs that have won at least 500 games all time (540-494-42), the Bullets haven't been to the NCAA Division III playoffs since 1985.  That's something that veteran head coach Barry Streeter hopes to help change in 2012. 


5. Susquehanna (6-4):  The Crusaders will be tested early in 2012, as they play host to defending CC champion Johns Hopkins on September 8.


6. Dickinson (4-6):  The Red Devils look to bounce back following a disappointing 2011 campaign in which they finished 4-5 in conference play.


7. Franklin & Marshall (3-7):  The Diplomats will open the 2012 season playing three straight games against teams that had winning records at the end of the 2011 season.  More specifically, the combined records of those three opponents is 21-9.


8. Moravian (2-8):  In the eight games they lost last season, the Greyhounds had given up at least 20 points in seven of those contests, while surrendering at least 40 or more points in three games.


9. McDaniel (2-8):  The Green Terror look to start fresh under new head coach Mike Hoyt.


10. Juniata (1-9):  The Eagles avoided a winless season by stunning Susquehanna, 17-16, in the season finale on November 12.