HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. — Mark Poydence knows only one way to play the game of football and that's at full speed.

In his final season of collegiate play, the Seneca Valley High product's effort helped Hampden-Sydney (Va.) College add to the program's list of achievements.

A senior defensive end for the Division III school located in central Virginia, Poydence totaled 38 tackles, including eight behind the line of scrimmage.

He added 1.5 sacks and an interception which he returned 48 yards for a touchdown as the Tigers claimed the Old Dominion Athletic Conference title for the second time in three seasons.

Poydence was rewarded with All-Old Dominion Second Team accolades.

Hampden-Sydney claimed the conference championship with a 42-35 home victory over rival Washington & Lee University Nov. 5.

“It was the first time our program had ever won the conference title on its home field,” said Poydence. “Everybody was so excited.

“Last season, we lost at Washington & Lee and they won the title,” he added. “This pre-season, they were ranked No. 1 in the conference and we were No. 2. We all thought it would come down to our game against them again and it did.”

Tigers' coach Marty Favret was pleased with Poydence's effort in the title-deciding game, saying, “He had his best game when it mattered most.”

“It was a game that had a lot of passion, a lot of fight,” said Poydence, who made seven tackles, with one going for a 5-yard loss. “Washington & Lee runs the triple option and for much of the game, my job was to take up two guys on the line of scrimmage so the linebackers could make their plays. It felt great to do my job and help the team win.”

The victory earned for the Tigers a berth into the NCAA Division III playoffs. Their season came to an end with a loss to Centre College (Ky.) Nov. 19. Hampden-Sydney finished the season 8-3.

Poydence started at linebacker his junior and senior seasons at Seneca Valley.

During his freshman and sophomore campaigns in college, he contributed on the Tigers' special teams units.

As a junior, he started at middle linebacker and made 36 tackles before being moved to the line this season.

“I played linebacker in high school and was really enjoying playing there again,” Poydence said. “At linebacker, I was five yards off the ball. It's more difficult making your reads playing on the line.”

Poydence, an economics and commerce major, also made an impact off the field.

Favret describes him as the strongest player on the team, evidenced by his ability to bench press 380 pounds.

He also holds Hampden-Sydney weight room records for squat (590 pounds) and power cleans (340).

For Poydence, it all helped him stay on the field and play the game he loves.

“There's a family atmosphere here,” he said. “You play for yourself and for each other.

“It's like being on the field with all of your best friends. I'm definitely gonna miss it.”

Favret knows he now has some big shoes to fill on the defensive side of the ball.

“He matured and got quicker and stronger since he came in as a freshman,” he said of Poydence. “It was neat having a Pennsylvania kid come down and play so well for us.”