WASHINGTON, Pa. (Nov. 14) – The Waynesburg University football team wrapped up the 2015 season on Saturday with a trip to Washington & Jefferson for the annual Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Backyard Brawl. The Yellow Jackets fell to the Presidents by the final score of 45-23.
 
Though Waynesburg (3-7, 2-6) ended the fall with a loss, its players gave fans and supporters a taste of what could be a bright future, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. With his running back pool depleted by injury, including senior starter and leading rusher Jerry Lawman, head coach Rick Shepas turned to freshman quarterback Jake Dougherty to shoulder the offensive load against a nationally recognized opponent. The rookie didn't shy away from the challenge and completed a game-high 27 attempts for 252 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions against the Presidents (8-2, 6-2).
 
The home team opened the scoring with a touchdown on its first possession, but the Yellow Jackets responded to the early challenge with a big defensive play on W&J's next drive. Waynesburg managed to come up with a sack deep in President territory that popped the ball loose. The home team elected to kick the ball through the end zone resulting in a safety.
 
After the ensuing free kick gave possession back to Waynesburg, Dougherty completed all three of his passes during a five-play, 54-yard drive that resulted in a go-ahead touchdown. The freshman signal caller hooked up with junior wide receiver Kevin Barnes, Jr., on a 16-yard scoring toss with 7:00 left to play in the first quarter. Senior kicker Scott Lewis converted his first of three successful PAT tries to put the Jackets ahead 9-7.
 
Unfortunately, W&J proceeded to score the next 31 points and take 38-9 lead early in the third quarter. Waynesburg finally ended the long President run when Dougherty hooked up with Barnes for his second touchdown catch of the day, this one coming from 29 yards out. Another Lewis extra point made the score 38-16 with 8:22 left to play in the third quarter.
 
The home team posted its final touchdown of the regular season just 1:47 into the fourth quarter to go up 45-16. Dougherty found another one of his team's young offensive weapons to close out the day's scoring. Freshman receiver Ean Lee snared a 44-yard catch-and-run to cap a short two-play, 56-yard possession with 8:55 remaining in the contest.
 
Barnes capped a breakout junior campaign by hauling in seven catches for 128 yards and two scores. Senior Willie Leavell added eight receptions for 32 yards, while junior Tim Cooper contributed six grabs for 31 yards.
 
The Waynesburg defense was led by senior linebacker Aaron Palmer, who notched a team-high tackles, including 2.0 for loss. Freshman defensive back John-Glen Davis added six stops, a sack and a pass breakup.