NJAC Release

PITMAN, N.J. – The NJAC released its preseason poll for the 2021 football season on Tuesday. TCNJ was selected to finish fifth based off a vote from the league's head coaches and earned one first-place vote.

The Lions return to action after a one-year hiatus with a large, 32-man senior class leading the way.

Among the returning seniors on offense is Dave Jachera. Jachera, the 2018 NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Year, has spent time at quarterback and wide receiver in the last two seasons. A multi-purpose threat, Jachera has thrown for 928 yards and six touchdowns during his career. He has rushed for 481 yards and three touchdowns, while also catching 11 passes for 116 yards.

Jachera's fellow senior and backfield mate Mark Pacini returns as well, entering the year with 981 rushing yards and four touchdowns throughout the course of his career.

TCNJ's defense is poised to feature experience, with Nick Celli and Jared Lyles anchoring the front four. Celli led TCNJ with 12 tackles for loss in 2019. He added four quarterback hurries which also led the squad and three sacks. Lyles recorded five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks two years ago.

Gavin Liepe, Luke Young, and Michael Siwak will look to lead TCNJ's back seven. Liepe has ranked second on the team in tackles in the last two years with 52 in 2019 and 43 in 2018. He was an All-NJAC honoree in his sophomore season.

Young and Siwak made big impacts in the secondary as sophomores. Young tallied 11 pass breakups which tied for first among all players in the conference during the 2019 campaign, while his 46 tackles ranked fourth on the Lion defense. Siwak made 36 tackles and added an interception in 2019.

TCNJ's 2021 opener is at Muhlenberg on Sept. 4, with kickoff set for 1:00 p.m. One week later is the Lions' home opener against SUNY Cortland at noon.