#2 Story of the 2012-2013 Year
Recent William Penn Statesmen Football action at the Lacey Complex Stadium (file photo)
Oskaloosa–It seems like eons ago, but the #2 story of the 2012-2013 year seemed to be the only thing people could talk about during the fall as the football team finally ended its 37-year playoff drought.
William Penn was left heartbroken the previous two seasons, but 2012 proved to be the year that that pesky slipper finally fit. The navy and gold flew out to a 7-0 record to get as high as #5 in the NAIA. Despite losses to a pair of top-20 teams late in the year, the Statesmen were still ranked high enough for a shot at an at-large bid.
It all came down to a huge season finale versus top-ten rival Grand View. William Penn owned the first half, pulling out to a 17-0 lead entering the final quarter. A late push by the Vikings was fortunately not enough and the Statesmen secured a share of their second Midwest League crown in three years.
Their reward? A first-round road matchup with defending national champion Saint Xavier. The playoff-tested Cougars were just too much for William Penn in a 31-0 loss. The setback, though difficult to swallow at the time, still left proof that the program had moved another step closer to its eventual goal of a national title.
Many of the key cogs will be back in place for the Statesmen machine as they look to return to the postseason in 2013.
