Whitworth football breaks into Top 25

After matching its best start since it went 10-0 in 2006, the Whitworth Pirates (6-0, 3-0 Northwest Conference) are ranked No. 25 this week in both the D3football.com Top 25 and the AFCA Division III Coaches Poll.

The Pirates go on the road Saturday to take on conference powerhouse No. 2 Linfield (5-0, 3-0), which has beaten Whitworth the last seven seasons.

Whitworth should be close to full strength. The Pirates are expected to have sophomore wide receiver Chase Takaki back from a shoulder injury. The team should also have the services of junior offensive lineman Michael Cruciotti, who missed last week’s 32-7 win over Pacific Lutheran.

However, the team was awaiting results on X-rays on the wrist of senior defensive end Aaron Powe, who leads the team with four sacks and is second on the team with six tackles for loss. He was injured during the win over PLU.