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Like any former understudy, Mark Hatty knows about waiting in the wings. For three seasons, the 2007 graduate of Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School, 1736 S. 10th St., served as the backup quarterback for the Delaware Valley College Aggies. This year, he has inherited the starting role for the Doylestown-based team, which Division III coaches, sports information directors and media members have ranked No. 13 in their latest poll.
A member of the Middle Atlantic Conference [MAC], Delaware Valley enrolls about 1,600 students, with Hatty likely being the most excited.
“I feel energized about having the chance to start,” the resident of the 1900 block of South Second Street said between classes Tuesday. “Being a starter allows me to play all the time. It’s just like playing in high school.”
With Hatty at the helm, the Aggies have won two of their first three games. Following their second clash, a 27-0 dismantling of non-conference foe Washington & Jefferson College Sept. 11, they rose to No. 8 in the rankings. That victory came a week after a season-opening 27-7 triumph over Muhlenburg College. In the first contest, the 6-foot-4 signal caller connected on 15 of 26 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. His efforts in the second game earned him MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors, as he hit on 22 of 30 tosses for 235 yards and two touchdowns. He also motored into the end zone on a 30-yard run.
“We should be undefeated, though,” the criminal justice major said, referring to Saturday’s 21-17 loss to third-ranked Wesley College.
In that nailbiter, which the opposition sealed with a late touchdown, Hatty completed 17 of 39 passes, amassing 177 yards. The senior started and won one game last season, so Saturday’s setback was his first collegiate defeat as a first-stringer.
“It was a tough game, but now we have to focus on conference play,” he said.
After this week’s open date, the Aggies — whom many MAC coaches have tabbed as the team to beat in the eight-team conference — will look to grab their third straight conference crown. Doing so will guarantee them a spot in the 32-team Division III playoffs. Last season, they won 10 of 12 games, including all seven conference clashes.
“Last year was great. We had two home playoff games, so that was a big boost,” Hatty said of a 66-7 spanking of Susquehanna University and a 27-3 loss to conference rival Albright College.
“Had we beaten Albright, we would have played Mount Union [College] in the Elite Eight,” he added, seeming disappointed at not having faced the 10-time champions who sit at No. 2 in this week’s rankings.
Hatty enjoys pitting his skills against those of the best teams and players. He credits his time as a backup with helping him to be so calm under center.
“Playing backup, I got a great chance to get the playbook down pat. I felt really prepared coming into this season,” Hatty said.
Having a great relationship with his offensive line also ups his belief in being able to lead scoring drives.
“Many of the guys are seniors, too, so we have grown together. We’re really hoping for big things this year,” the passer said.
Hatty noted that his coaches typically divide the season into thirds, with the trio of non-conference games comprising the first set, the conference slate making up the middle frame and the postseason counting as the ultimate segment.
Lebanon Valley College, a 28-7 victim last year, will travel to James Work Memorial Stadium for an Oct. 2 battle — the first of four conference home games.
“Especially after having a week off following a loss, we are going to be ready,” he said.
As a team leader, Hatty said he feels no added pressure to perform or to interact with his teammates.
“Many of the guys also went to Catholic League schools, so we interact well,” Hatty said.
He would like to continue playing beyond this year and realizes that doing so will depend solely on him.
“I can’t be sitting around waiting for opportunities. I have to go make them,” he said.
The same goes for his life once his May graduation comes. He knows the constant patience that finding a job will involve. He also is revelling in his spring 2010 placement on the dean’s list, his first such recognition.
“When I don’t have to think about football as much, I tend to do better in school,” he said.
To complete his course work on time, Hatty is taking six classes this semester followed by five next year. Before his final semester begins, he would not mind snaring the Division III Championship. To reach the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in Salem, Va., the Aggies likely will have to meet Wesley again, Mount Union or another heavyweight. Their quarterback is armed for any opponent.
As for campus life, Hatty finds the campus has something for him to do each day.
“It’s an agricultural school, so it’s interesting to see farmland when I’m accustomed to South Philly’s streets,” he said.
He makes frequent trips to his Pennsport home and will probably spend time there on his weekend off. Nine days from now, however, he will be looking to lead his team to pay dirt.
“I am psyched for Lebanon Valley. Conference games always excite me,” Hatty said. SPR
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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