By Keena Canevit
Sports Information Graduate Assistant

In Webster's Dictionary, one of the definitions of the word ascendancy is domination. In this case, William Penn's offensive line has taken that term to heart with five seniors commanding the way this season.

It all started several falls ago (for four of them in 2007) when five freshman stepped foot onto the Oskaloosa campus. The young men included one player from just a few miles up the road, Steven Dawley (New Sharon, North Mahaska HS), and four out-of-state student-athletes, Wade Fischer (Farmington, Minn., Farmington HS), Matt Smith (Houston, Texas, Eisenhower HS), Germarcus Smith (Houston, Texas, Eisenhower HS), and Brett Stewart (Webb City, Mo., Webb City HS).

The fivesome immediately made an impact on the program as they bought into the system and refused to fail.

Offensive Line Coach Aaron Hafner has witnessed the growth of these young men from Day One and is excited for their final campaign. Fischer agrees that enthusiasm is at a new high for 2010.

"We are to the point where we just look at each other and we know what to do," Fischer said. "This is our season and we want it."

All five players have a different personality and bring something extraordinary to the field, witnessed by the fact that they helped the Statesmen to school single-season records for rushing yards (3,124) and overall yards (4,367).

Dawley, a 2008 AFCA-NAIA All-American and three-time all-conference player, headlines the group.

"Steven fits the mold of our offensive line," Hafner said. "He is also the strongest player I have ever coached."

Fischer, a fifth-year senior, was an honorable-mention all-conference pick last season.

"Wade is a person who never has a bad day," Hafner said. "He is a hard worker who is always on board."

Matt Smith battled through a knee injury last season and still matched Fischer with honorable-mention all-Midwest League laurels in 2009.

"When Matt sets his mind to it, he goes for it," Hafner said. "He is an all-around player who could play anywhere for us."

Germarcus Smith, who by the way is in no way related to Matt, is the quiet leader of the squad.

"When Germarcus steps on the field, he has the biggest intensity of the entire group," Hafner said.

According to Hafner, Stewart has the biggest upside this year as he has improved the most from last season.

"Brett's hard work in the offseason is really paying off," Hafner said. "He is a kid that truly cares about improving himself for the betterment of the team."

"These guys are all-around first-class athletes and leaders," Hafner said. "They look to set the tone for this football season. They came in together and are bound to go out together with a bang."

"This season is going to be electrifying," Dawley said. "Playing together for so long has unified us into one force on the field."

"The Ascendancy" has one goal: to make the playoffs and win a championship. Through that, they will look to epitomize that word with "total domination".