It’s award time in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) as the conference announced its All-PAC football team and award winners.

Waynesburg finished the 2021 season 2-8 overall, including a 2-7 mark in conference play. The Yellow Jackets were represented on the PAC Second Team list by sophomore kicker Keegan Raabe.

Raabe made six of seven attempted field goals this season and also knocked home 16 of 17 extra-point attempts. 

“It means a lot to me,” Raabe said. “Since I don’t have one of the strongest legs in the PAC, I put an emphasis on working really hard in the off-season on my consistency for short range place kicking, and it showed.” 

A season-long 35-yard field goal in a 52-14 win over Thiel helped excel Raabe’s season to become one of the PAC’s best, but he credits his teammates for this season’s success.

 “I wouldn’t have been able to do it though without my offense getting me in the situations they did,” Raabe said.

Senior offensive lineman Eric McDowell, freshman wide receiver Dakota Romantino, junior running back Justin Flack on offense, as well as freshman defensive back James Davis all earned Honorable Mentions.

McDowell has been a consistent force on the offensive line every season that he’s played at Waynesburg. Romantino led the Yellow Jackets with 46 catches for 821 yards and two touchdowns, and Flack rushed for a team-high 693 yards and four touchdowns on 159 carries. 

Davis recorded 79 total tackles, 20 more than the next closest defender, combined with one sack and 2.5 tackles for loss. 

Senior running back Nick Hall was also named the Waynesburg representative to the PAC Sportsmanship team. 

Grove City’s Cody Gustafson earned Offensive Most Valuable Player, along with Westminster’s Brayden Thimons and Kevin Wright Defensive Most Valuable Player and Newcomer of the Year, respectively. 

Carnegie Mellon’s Rich Lachner was named PAC Coach of the Year in his 36th season after a 4th-place finish and 6-3 conference record.

Raabe is happy for his teammates’ accomplishments and fellow recognition.

“They are all extremely hard working individuals and more than deserve those awards,” Raabe said. “They always represent our program well on and off the field.”