Quote from: kate on October 01, 2022, 07:09:26 PM
Even though i'm sure the students in the Landmark schools had very little to say back in 2005-06 about the new league's formation, i still hope that once they all come together for their football endeavor next season, that the MAC schools take em all out!!!   I will always miss Lycoming and Wilkes and to a lesser extent, Drew.   Scranton hasn't changed a bit, and the d3 sport's world still centers on them, , but that's kind of cool.   Moravian, Elizabethtown, Susquehanna, just blend in my mind.   Don't know much about Catholic and Goucher, except i will always say that Goucher & Hood are very much alike!   I digress - this is a football site, and i'm darn proud of Del Val for their great effort this afternoon.   It was a tremendous defensive game!   Also very annoyed here tonight that our local channel 69 has completely stopped covering the Aggies.   A question of money i suppose and personnel.   Moravian and Muhlenberg are still prominently featured!

Hi folks, just a check-in from one of your friendly Wilkes posters!

It's quite ironic to read Kate's quote about the students having a say about the start of the Landmark Conference way back when, as the very first story I wrote for the Wilkes Beacon student newspaper (as a junior studying communications) was about the end of the Wilkes-Scranton men's basketball rivalry as a conference contest!

As I've learned with nearly any major move in life, there are pluses and minuses to nearly every such situation. After nearly two decades around the Wilkes program, I have well-developed opinions on all of the programs that will remain in the MAC. Those thoughts are based on a variety of factors, including (but not limited to) campus environment and amenities for visiting fans, overall level of sportsmanship from players and coaches, and (especially) the behavior and conduct of fans in the stands. Of course no program (Wilkes included) is perfect, as you'll always have some eggheads in the bunch, but some programs are better than others at preventing, policing and rejecting such nonsense in their ranks.

With this in mind, there are some remaining MAC programs I'll miss greatly on the Wilkes schedule, matchups that I hope can continue in a non-conference format. Others will be missed far less...I'll leave it your good imaginations to guess what teams fit where in that mix 

As for this season, I've made it to three games for the Colonels (Keystone, LVC, and Albright) and the team continues to improve and grow each week. I think the LVC game was a wakeup call for the team; it seems that the Colonels have fewer fourth and fifth-year players on their roster than other MAC teams, by my informal observations. That leads to not just less experience on the field, but less of that acquired sixth sense of other opponents around the league, tidbits like Arnold Field being a very tough place to play that the Flying Dutchmen defend with tenacity (It's my opinion from many years of Wilkes-LVC games that LVC is the toughest place in the MAC to earn a win on the road). I've been pleased to see the team move forward with the lessons from that loss to post two consecutive wins, with some very tough opponents ahead on the schedule. 

For the rest of the season, I hope to make it to the Mayor's Cup game, but the responsibilities of adulthood will probably prevent me from catching any more games this year. I'll say this to the other MAC fans - both for this season's remining games, and as long as he's playing in the league - Bohannon is a force to be reconned with. This is a big comparison, but I don't think I've seen a QB able to generate offense like that since Knoblauch's time with the Aggies.

Quote from: Pat Coleman on February 09, 2022, 03:03:16 PM
This is coming -- schools leaving the MAC for football for the Landmark, which would have enough for an automatic bid.
https://d3football.com/notables/2022/02/landmark-to-add-two-take-football-automatic-bid

Wow...talk about a seismic shift for Wilkes athletics!!!

I was taken completely by surprise by this move, but overall I think it's a good one for the Colonels, especially in football.

I'm delighted to see Moravian, Juniata, and Susquehanna return to the schedule. All three are familiar opponents that have a history of highly competitive matchups with Wilkes, as well as great campus settings and local amenities...I'm looking forward to the road trips already! The Colonels hosted Catholic for a scrimmage last spring, apparently as a preview of things to come. It will be good to have a conference opponent in a different market, making an overnight trip a feature of the schedule for players and fans.

The biggest drawback (by far) is not having King's as a conference opponent anymore. The Mayor's Cup game serves not just as a highlight of the season for players, but as a rallying point and source of pride for program alumni. I've often thought it as a great display of sportsmanship, with both teams assembling at midfield after the game, the Mayor of Wilkes-Barre presenting the winning team with the trophy, and an MVP from both teams being named. I'd hope that it continues as a non-conference game, preferably as the last game of the regular season (I wonder what Moravian and Muhlenberg will do with their rivalry as well.) Hopefully some of the other MAC teams (I'd particularly like to see Misericordia and Lebanon Valley) find their way onto the Colonels schedule as well.

I hope everyone has been enjoying the season to date; looks like another fun year of MAC football with lots of exciting contests (and some interesting surprises!) in the mix.

Great to see Wilkes bounce back from a loss at Widener with a win over an always-tough Lebanon Valley team. The result has helped the Colonels into the position of receiving votes in the latest D3Football.com poll. That may not seem like a big deal to fans of some teams, but it represents another great step forward for a program that went winless in 2017:

https://gowilkesu.com/news/2021/10/25/wilkes-football-receiving-votes-in-latest-d3football-com-top-25-poll.aspx

I was not in the house for the last Wilkes win (as I normally attend a game at West Point each year, I was at Michie Stadium for the shootout between Army and Wake Forest) but I am hoping to make each of the remaining three games in person. Three unique and incredibly challenging tests remain for the Colonels; each is a great chance to test how the team rises to the occasion.

Quote from: bill on October 09, 2021, 03:48:56 PM
Congrats again to the Devils....4-1...that is easily one of the best 3/4 starts in school history.

I have not watched a single snap live...but have to think next week against Del Val will be an even better benchmark to measure this team against....

Hats off to the Devils Bill; looking forward to them continuing to build the program.

It looks to be another great season of MAC football; I'm thrilled to see the Colonels off to a strong start this year. While I was unable to make it to Albright this Saturday for the come-from-behind win, I was in the house for the homecoming win over Stevenson last week. A special shout-out to senior quarterback Jose Tabora for becoming the program's all-time leader in passing yards, as documented by this nice feature from WBERE/WYOU:

https://www.pahomepage.com/sports/tabora-sets-record-as-wilkes-starts-season-with-four-straight-wins/

Quote from: jmcozenlaw on September 25, 2021, 01:16:47 PM

Quote from: bman on September 21, 2021, 06:36:19 PM
...and I got crap for not posting???😆😆😆😂

An experiment bman. I was wondering who might come out of the shadows with JC (not THAT JC!! ) on the lamb. No LycoSimba, the Wilkes guy (forget his name), the Stevenson kid (forget his name........and 0-3 ain't helping who would make weekly and season predictions) Even Kate has disappeared!! I thought we'd get a few of the Wesley gang, including Wesleydad, but they have pretty much dried up.

I did tell you that expectations were high for both Widener and Lycoming this year, given the number of 5th (and 6th) year returning players and some transfers. It's looking like the insiders in both programs who told me so are spot on.

Time to hide again...................to see who might come out (my guess is on Simba if Lycoming keeps rolling )

You rang for the Wilkes guy, jmcozenlaw? 

Good to see some familiar faces back for another season of MAC football!

I've been in attendance for the first two home games for Wilkes (a family commitment kept me from attending the Misericordia game). Planning to attend many of the remaining games, including some of the road trips.

So far, I've been impressed with the young talent that has stepped forward on both sides of the ball for the Colonels. Still lots of room to grow, and the schedule gets tougher as the season progresses, but I like the direction that Wilkes is headed in as we enter October.

I encourage the other MAC observers to not overlook the Colonels; as I've mentioned on here before, my mind always harkens back to what a veteran player told me during my first training camp with the team in 2004: Every game in the MAC is a good one.

Hi folks, longtime MAC poster and NEPA resident here. This story ran in two of our local newspapers on Thanksgiving morning, detailing how the four D3 football programs in the area (Keystone, as well as MAC members Wilkes, King's, and Misericordia) have adapted to recruiting challenges in light of the COVID-19 pandemic:

https://www.citizensvoice.com/sports/college/local-college-football-coaches-reinvent-recruiting-during-pandemic/article_54977168-9c16-5383-8694-d64693160aef.html

Hi folks, hope you are all in good health and doing well!

I was delighted to see this story running in both the Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice and the Scranton Times-Tribune on Thanksgiving morning. It details how each of the four D3 football programs in NEPA (Wilkes, King's, Misericorida, and Keystone of the ECFC) have adapted to the unique recruiting environment brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.citizensvoice.com/sports/college/local-college-football-coaches-reinvent-recruiting-during-pandemic/article_54977168-9c16-5383-8694-d64693160aef.html

Hi folks, I hope everyone is staying well during this challenging time.

A few links I had been meaning to share in recent weeks:

- First, a very nice interview by the Discover NEPA blog with Wilkes HC Jon Drach and his wife, Janelle. It's a good look at some of the reasons why I think D3 head coaches stick in their jobs longer than you see at bigger schools, with the Drachs sharing thoughts on the quality of life in our region:

https://www.discovernepa.com/articles-and-stories/jon-and-janelle-drach-why-nepa/

- Also, a look at how spring practice at the Wilkes-Barre MAC schools changed with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with coverage and quotes from both programs:

https://www.timesleader.com/sports/780900/kings-wilkes-football-teams-dealing-with-canceled-spring-practices

All the best to our crew on this board; I hope to see some of you in the grandstands this fall, or in the spring, or whenever we can resume games safely.

Quote from: bill on December 22, 2019, 10:55:39 PM
Just read that Frank Sheptock was named HC at Bloomsburg...congrats Frank!!!

Thanks for highlighting this, Bill. I was certainly surprised to hear the news last year, but it is certainly a great fit for Coach Shep. I wish him all the best; the PSAC is as competitive as ever, but if he still has at least some of his best mojo with him from the Wilkes days, I expect the Huskies to be more than competitive.

On another note, it looks like the Wilkes-FDU gridiron matchups will take a brief hiatus as the teams rotate off each other's schedules in the next few seasons. The Devils will be missed by the Colonels faithful; there have been some great games between the teams and in my day, many of the players knew each other from their high school days.

Quote from: The Mole on November 23, 2019, 08:22:40 PM
Great pull, Joe Rock, love it!

Muhlenberg 38 MIT 0: Mules may have backed off in the 4th quarter based upon Joe's comments above. Brockport will be a stiff test this week

Susquehanna 88 Wilkes 24: 55-24 8:08 2Q. Resounding statement. Did they need to go for two to get 90? Hope that was a muffed snap and "FIRE" call.

Hopkins 51 Stevenson 28: Turning point, Mustangs cut it to 24-14 with 1:24 left in the half and allowed Blue Jays to go down and score another TD with just 9 seconds left to make it 30-14 and then a score at 9:14 of 3Q to make it 37-14 was the dagger.

F&M 31 Misericordia 13: Dips were in control the whole time and held the Cougars to 27 yards on the ground.

Another strong year by the CC overall (not as good as last year, but more than respectable) and the Mules are still going. The Centennial continues to soundly handle MAC foes. Congrats to all the seniors in their last hurrah.

Hi folks, first time posting on the CC board for me. Longtime Wilkes fan here, worked for the program as a student in the 2004/05/06/07 season, been following the program ever since.

My thanks for the good vibes shown to Colonels on here since the bowl matchups were announced. For longtime fans, this season felt like a breath of fresh air, especially when you consider how far the team has come since going 0-10 two seasons ago.

I made the drive from Scranton to Selinsgrove on Saturday, was hoping it would be at least a little closer. But the River Hawks have a really talented team, no doubt they were worthy of being in the NCAA tournament.

Even with the lopsided score, I'm proud that the Colonels didn't give up. Susquehanna continued to bring it on defense even after posting 40+ points, and the Wilkes touchdowns were well-earned. It would have been easy to roll over and quit, so I'm glad the team kept plugging against a superior foe.

As for the 2-point attempt on the last SU touchdown, my view of the play was blocked by players on the Wilkes sideline. I certainly hope it wasn't a designed 2-point play, as the River Hawks more than made the statement they were looking for at that point.

Quote from: bill on November 25, 2019, 11:39:33 PM
I still lurk here...

But have to mention I'm surprised FDU fired Surace as HC.  The program is definitely at another crossroads...No one has EVER been able to win consistently there. I blame much of this on the upper administration's indifference towards athletics (the old approach was - as long as the recruits keep coming, all is good). in the last 3 years, almost the ENTIRE athletic department has turned over. Now football... I wonder if the new coach will be given any breaks with admissions, more money to spend, etc...or does the current university president expect something different to happen just by inserting a new coach???

Best wishes to Brian going forward!!! I think he's going to land on his feet somewhere soon!

I was wondering what happened there, Bill. Thanks for providing some info. All the best to Coach Surace; he arrived after my seasons working with the Colonels, but I always heard he was a quality coach and a good person.

In my years at Wilkes and since then, the Devils have often seemed to be on the cusp of being a true contender. I'd like to see them break through consistently one of these seasons; hopefully whomever is running the show moving forward can further develop the program and we'll see FDU as another contender in an MAC that features a Centennial-style depth of competitiveness.

Quote from: kate on November 18, 2019, 08:58:05 AM
Best of Luck to ALL our MAC Teams playing on the 23rd, Wilkes, Stevenson and Misericordia!   Of course, Best of Luck too, to our Aggies playing down in Bridgewater, Virginia at Bridgewater College!   Kind of disappointed that it's not a home game, but hey, as a poster so rightly said, it's just the frosting on the cake - we did take the MAC!   Congratulations to all of the MAC's four great teams - play hard on Saturday - safe trips to ALL!   GO AGGIES!!!

Thanks for the good wishes Kate, and congrats to the Aggies on a fantastic win. It gets harder every round, but no doubt they can continue to make noise in the tournament.

I made the drive to Selinsgrove on Saturday and while the score may not reflect it, the Colonels never quit when going up against a phenomenally-talented Susquehanna team. It's easy to see how the River Hawks posted a 9-1 record this season; I know there are only so many at-large berths, but that squad is tournament-caliber beyond a doubt in my book.

Even with a rough ending, and with two tough defeats against the top MAC finishers, I am immensely proud of the season put together by the Colonels this year. When you take a team that finished 0-10 two seasons ago and rack up eight wins, it marks a major turnaround. Still lots of room for improvement, but I am optimistic about the direction that Coach Drach and Co. are moving forward in.

One last note: Matchups for the Centennial- MAC Bowl Series are now out.

http://www.centennial.org/sports/fball/2019-20/releases/cc_mac_bowl

I'm thrilled to see Wilkes making the trip to Susquehanna, my favorite road venue when the then-Crusaders were in the MAC. Gonna be a tough matchup, but I'm excited to see what the Colonels can do against a very good opponent.

In the short (compared to other D3 rivalries) history of the Mayor's Cup, few endings were as thrilling as yesterday's 24-14 win by the Colonels over King's.

A bit cold, but it was a great day for football as both teams made their share of big plays. Tabora came through and led the team forward (his second TD, just before halftime, reminded me of Matt Pizzaro's clutch TD catch in the same spot back in 2006), sharking off the cobwebs from the Monarch's near-total domination in the 2018 matchup.

The INT return by Cole Jesmer was a clutch play for the ages, a great case of a player stepping up to be a leader with the game on the line. It's a fantastic feeling to see the Cup returning to Ralston Field for the first time since 2015.

All credit to the Monarchs as well; Jordan Downes played a fantastic game, and is one of the underrated players in the league. No doubt King's will be back again as a steady and potent force in the MAC.

Quote from: jmcozenlaw on November 16, 2019, 08:34:40 PM
This board was dead this year. Simba, Bman, FDUJohn, etc., etc., etc. I wanted to see what happened when I backed away and other than twesiman, nadda. It might be time to bid adieu and head over to the hoops action. All the best my friends and God Bless.

I wish I could have contributed more, but I just changed jobs a few weeks ago. A good move, but it was stressful to say the least. I had hoped to make it to 7 or 8 games for the Colonels, but only wound up attending 5. Hoping to see more action on here next season!