Delaware Valley is carrying a nine-game win streak into Division III football playoffs

On Saturday, Delaware Valley will take a nine-game winning streak into the Division III football playoffs against Union at Robert A. Lipinski Field in Doylestown.

You read that right. nine.

Duke Greco, who now has six consecutive Middle Athletic Conference championship trophies as head coach of the Aggies (9-1), is used to this level of success. But while he’s been the common denominator, he knows the sustained level of success at Delaware Valley is not a one-man job.

This year is all about the players.

“This is a locker room-led team,” Greco said. “I want to make that clear. We’ve had a bunch of good teams in the past. These guys are dedicated and tough. We’ve had ups and downs, but they’ve been resilient.”

In reality, “downs” should be singular, as the Aggies have only one loss on the year. But it was a big one.

In its opening game, Delaware Valley lost in brutal fashion to SUNY Cortland, 42-13. It was a loss that knocked the wind out of the Aggies, and a shaky performance for a run-first team that was outrushed, 279-57.

“Defensively, we knew who we were,” Greco said. “Offensively, we’ve tried to figure some things out. We know we want to start with the run and have it lead into the pass.”

But that loss, to this point, would be their only one. The Aggies proceeded to win their next nine games, seven by double digits.

“Looking back now, I think that [loss] helped us transition into who we are,” Greco said. “When we came back, it just got tighter. The bond actually grew, we got to see the true personality of the team: blue collar, tough, and gritty.”

» READ MORE: With one regular season game remaining, here’s why Villanova’s CAA title hopes feel in sight

Arguably the most impressive win for Greco and the Aggies was their 28-0 shutout against King’s College on Sept. 23. It was a victory that affirmed their rushing attack, as Delaware Valley outgained the Monarchs, 213-16.

The shutout brought DelVal’s win streak to three, brushed off the early adversity, and helped remind the team of the dominance it had sustained in previous seasons.

“For every team we play, we’re their Super Bowl,” Greco said. “After that, it was like, ‘Look, we’re [winning the MAC] again for sure.’”

Now heading into their playoff matchup against Union (9-1), the Aggies look to take the win streak to 10 games.

DelVal’s offense is run through 5-foot-10 sophomore running back Jack Fallon, who has 735 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, leading the team in both categories. He has four games this season with 100 or more rushing yards, including a career-high 145 against FDU-Florham.

Six-foot junior quarterback Louis Barrios IV has a running ability that complements Greco’s focus on a ground-first offense. Barrios has seven passing touchdowns and 1,013 passing yards and has rushed for 488 yards and three touchdowns.

Receiving is a group effort for DelVal but is statistically led by 5-foot-7 junior Luan Avdijaj in both yards (247) and touchdowns (three). Avdijaj has help from 5-foot-11 senior Ryan Loughlin, who has 235 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Union, on the other hand, is a two-dimensional offense, led by 6-foot-4 senior quarterback Donovan Pacatte (1,913 passing yards, 11 touchdowns) and 5-foot-10 senior running back Michael Fiore (1,031 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns).

Greco and his team plan to utilize their overwhelming rushing attack to combat whatever is thrown their way, just like they’ve been doing to dominate opponents all year.

“When Saturday comes, we’ll be ready,” Greco said.

» READ MORE: Penn State nixed the ‘grieving period’ and says it’s retooled and ready for Rutgers