I just looked at EC's website and Coach Barth is the only football coach listed right now.

It appears they cleaned house for 2009!

Quote from: WhatDoIKnow on December 11, 2008, 05:08:48 PM


AB,

Take stats for what they are worth as it is all relative.  EC plays in one of the worst conferences in D3.  I would state EC needs a lot of work in a number of areas.  Only time will tell.

Agreed, stats are relative. First I would like to see EC compete in what is considered one of the worst conferences in D3. Then move on from there.

I have been part of a few consistant winning programs over the years and I believe
winning is a habit, but so is losing. 

There were some bright spots this year, and room for vast improvement.

Here are a few things Coach Barth will need to work on. 

Of the 235 D3 teams the Eureka finished 48th in total offense and 23rd in rushing offense. Lagrange and Huntingdon were the only two SLIAC teams to finish ahead of them in these categories. Despite these numbers Eureka was 131st in scoring offense. (still scoring more than any team since '97) And I have to say some of the play calling and personnel decisions during the season were a little odd, inconsistent and even bizarre at times.
Don't run the same formation in every situation. Mix it up. It's not hard for a disciplined defense to stop the current offense.

The Eureka defense finished 227th out of 235. The only SLIAC defense worse than Eureka, 0-10 Principia at #235. The defense needs work.

And find a kicker/punter, you can't give up field position like we did this year and expect to win.


http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2008&div=III&site=org

Quote from: humblepie on December 03, 2008, 12:13:23 PM
  If Eureka can get some good recruits and find a way to keep the good players 

That is the key. 

As an EC fan I hope Coach Barth can make a difference and get the Red Devils on the winning side, but it might take more than coaching.

Eureka had a very good freshman class this year with several making significant contributions to the team. Unfortunately I've been hearing through the grapevine that some of those top recruits won't be back next year.
With around 21 Division 3 programs just in Illinois, and many more in neighboring states, there are a lot of options for good D3 players in the area. IMHO, if Eureka is going to attract and hang on to top players they need to make some major improvements across the board, new equipment, weight room, dorms, etc.  It's time for some upgrades.

Quote from: The Forgotten Man on October 27, 2008, 12:53:28 PM

Quote from: Andras Bacia on October 23, 2008, 01:02:53 AM
Hey Forgotten Man, we'll be at LaGrange on the 1st to cheer on EC. Looking forward to the trip and the game.
We plan on hanging around for a few days and checking out West Point lake.
Any other must see tourist traps we should visit?

The Google map was a great idea.

Right now the weather guessers  are saying it should be a good day for football. http://www.accuweather.com/us/GA/Lagrange/30240/city-weather-forecast.asp

Drive Safely.

Saturday, Nov 1
High: 69 °F RealFeel®: 66 °F
Nice with plenty of sunshine

Sounds like perfect football weather!!

Thanks for all the tips! My wife and have a wide variety of interests so we always enjoy ourselves where ever we go.

I thought Callaway looked interesting, used to watch Victory Garden all the time and I thought the name sounded familiar.  The Cyclorama at Grant Park sounds cool too.

We won't be able to see it all on this trip for sure.

Hey Forgotten Man, we'll be at LaGrange on the 1st to cheer on EC. Looking forward to the trip and the game.
We plan on hanging around for a few days and checking out West Point lake.
Any other must see tourist traps we should visit?

The Google map was a great idea.

Reality check? I have no illusions that Eureka is a top D3 football program. Except for a few years in the 90's they've had very few winning seasons.  I do think they have ton of potential in some of the young players they have now. I hope they find the right head coach to develop the program and the kids.

So should Eureka have had 1000 yards offense at Principia? 1500 yards? 90 points?

Quote from: Pat Coleman on October 19, 2008, 09:01:36 PM

Quote from: Hester23 on October 19, 2008, 05:11:02 PM
Eureka put up 699 yrds of offense in the new head coaches first game.  Congrats Coach keep up the good work.

Against Principia, no offense, that isn't that much of a feat.

A little unusual for a board Admin to jump in here with a put down isn't it?

Eureka is 2nd in the SLIAC team rushing stats behind Hundington, 2nd in total offense behind Hundington, and have played one less game. They have 3 players on the conference top ten rushers list, Ards, Lindsey and Rosenberger. Ards and Rosenberger are freshman.
The SLIAC leading rusher, Brandon Ards, has only played in 5 games. He is also 3rd in all-purpose yards.

Eureka has a number of freshman starters and several more who don't start but see significant playing time.  I hope they all stick with it, they will only get better.

I realize we've got some tough games left on the schedule but I'm not going to discount what they've accomplished so far.

Quote from: old 40 on October 14, 2008, 09:34:53 PM
What's going on at Eureka? I just read on D3 that their head coach resigned. Thats a shock. I heard he had turned the corner with that program. Any details as were he is going? Who will be the permenant Head coach? Will they promote within or go outside. There are some good coaches out there with Head coaching  experience that could really help that program, IMHO.

http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x1385391010/Eureka-coach-resigns-for-personal-reasons

AF4, did you make it over to see the piece of the Berlin wall in the middle of the campus? 
I know it's just a big hunk of reinforced concrete but that means more to me than the museum because of what it represents.

Quote from: humblepie on October 12, 2008, 02:47:53 PM
Huntingdon played a great and respectful game. They actually didnt try to run up the score, it just happened. Eureka looked like they were scared out there playing against the hawks. If Eureka wants to be successful this year some changes have to happen asap

I don't think Eureka was scared, they were just physically out matched. Huntingdon is a very athletic and well coached team.  I'll be surprised if they lose a game this year.

Playing a team like that you have to keep the ball out of their hands as much as possible.  Several times this year Eureka has gone for it on 4th and a few inches. Almost every time they call a pass play and it almost always fails. They have a couple of running backs who would give them a much better chance at getting the first down.  Why not use them?

Just wondering though why Huntingdon brought their band and flag corp? A little unusual for D3 and travelling that far. They apparently have a much bigger budget than Euraka.

It's going to be a tough one for Eureka when Huntingdon comes to town this weekend.
Looking at the SLIAC team stats Huntingdon is at or near the top in nearly every category. Eureka will need a complete effort from everyone who steps on the field, players and coaches.
Can they do it? I think so but they can't afford any mistakes.

Congrats to Westminster's QB Daniel Eidson chosen as the SLIAC offensive and special teams player of the week.

Eureka could move the ball and score on Westminster but couldn't stop their passing game.

http://www.sliac.org/headlines/2008-09/pow_092908.htm

Any Westminster fans here?

I'll be there early Saturday to do a little tailgating and cheer on the Red Devils. I'm hoping for good weather and an even better game to start the conference schedule.