When the season opened, there were just three starters coming back from the 2007 Mount Union offense.

You have probably heard of two of them -- they're guys by the name of Kmic and Micheli. But the other one is important as well, even if he doesn't have the flashy numbers of a running back or quarterback.

The story of tight end Chad Reynolds, in a Road to Salem feature by Matt Florjancic.

Mount Union faces the Wheaton Thunder, who even going back to their Crusaders days, have always found a roadblock on their road to the Stagg Bowl.

It's the same as everyone else's in the North Region, that team in Alliance, Ohio, you know, Mount Union. In fact, Wheaton has never lost a Division III football playoff game to anyone other than Mount Union.

Isn't that motivation enough, heading into their national semifinal matchup on Saturday? Perhaps not. More in a Road to Salem feature by Clyde Hughes. Plus, we also sat down with Thunder lineman Jesse Scott. Listen to the interview in a special ATN podcast.

Playoff toolbox: Bracket | Pick 'em | See Salem in style! D3football.com All-Region teams | Playoff photos | ATN podcast

Although there are only four teams left alive, there are still a lot of things going on in Division III football this week. As a reminder, we announced the fourth annual D3football.com All-Region teams earlier in the week. The finalists for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year honors were named yesterday -- check out the What We're Reading links for more.