Nov 25, 2013 3 min read

Despite a defeat, it was a career day for Alex Baroffio of Bethel Park.

During Washington & Jefferson’s 34-20 loss to top-ranked Mount Union in the first round of the 2013 NCAA Division III playoffs, the senior wide receiver became the Presidents’ all-time leader in career receiving yards.

Needing 83 yards to obtain the record, Baroffio racked up 131 receiving yards on 12 catches, three of which were touchdown receptions. A 29-yard reception by Baroffio early in the fourth quarter, not only took him over 100 yards receiving in the game, but also propelled him to the all-time receiving yard record.

Baroffio closed out his career with nearly every school receiving record, 269 receptions for 3,204 yards and 30 touchdowns. He finished the season with 1,051 yards on 91 receptions. He scored 14 times this season.

Baroffio also earned this third-straight, first-team all-conference award.

The loss also saw the end of Dion Wiegand’s career at W&J. The senior tailback rushed 25 times for 74 yards and caught four passes for 57 yards against Mount Union.

The Keystone Oaks High School graduate finished the year with 1,339 yards rushing and 20 scores. The all-conference player also had 22 receptions for 263 yards and three scores. He finished with 25 total touchdowns.

Despite the defeat, the future bodes well for the Presidents because of Pete Coughlin. In just his second career start the freshman signal caller completed 20 of 44 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns.

On the year, Coughlin finished with 589 yards passing. He completed 58 of his 100 attempts with no interceptions and for four scores. He also rushed for 130 yards on nine carries.

The Upper St. Clair graduate was an Almanac MVP for football and an Almanac Athlete of the Year finalist.

Coughlin had filled in for Matt Bliss. Though saddled with injuries, the Bethel Park product managed 2,089 yards (176 of 272). He threw only two interceptions and tossed 18 TDs.

Bliss finished his career ranked fifth all-time at W&J in passing yards. He earned second-team all-conference status.

Another Bethel Park product, Jared Pratt completed a successful season. The junior linebacker led the defense in tackles with 98. He finished with 2.5 sacks and five tackles for losses. He was also selected to the all-conference’s first team.

Among the other local products who have helped the Presidents to an 8-3 record and a PAC championship included: Alec Schram and Joe Graziani from Canon-McMillan; Daniel Lis and David Kincaid from Chartiers-Houston; Kevin Mechas and Colin Jones from Bishop Canevin; Tim Blair and Ben Skiff from Seton-La Salle; Dan Graziano from Mt. Lebanon; Michael Dunlap from Bethel Park; John Loper and Gordon Mathews from Upper St. Clair.