That's good to hear Warren. Kyle Enoch, also, was a three-point machine at Hempfield. He led the L-L Section One in treys last year (47). Averaged 15 ppg and was a 77% free-throw shooter.

I hope to make it to the game on Sunday. Can't wait to see some D-III ball again.

Coach C:

No doubt the Commonwealth is in play somewhat. You're talking about a conference that is now depleted of its top players - nine of ten all-conference players graduated (Deeter's the only one back). That, to me, makes it more exciting. Who's going to step up? Who's the next big name? It's neat to see a conference turn over all at once like this. It should be a fun season.

I think the top spot is Albright's to lose. They, to me, seem to have lost the least (not that Gallagher's graduation won't hurt), and I have a feeling that's what it comes down to this year. Their bench production put them over the top in the title game last year, and the depth should still be there. Albright's still loaded - and they've only got two seniors. Scary.

Of the other three 04-05 playoff teams, LVC loses nearly a half of its offensive production in just two starters (Byers and Buzinski accounted for 33.9 points per game last year) and a key reserve in Orr. Thankfully, the freshman class is chock full of guards and they get Kasyan back. It could be worse.

E-town loses four of five starters and eight seniors overall. God knows what they can pull out, but if anybody can do it, Schlosser can. Messiah loses two guys that were 10+ points per game, but I consistantly got the feeling last year that they were overachieving.

Widener was right there, and it seems like it was just Clarkson's injury that really impaired their post play down the stretch and caused them to miss out. They'll be a playoff team.

Moravian, Susquehanna, Juniata? Well, try and enjoy your last remaining seasons in the MAC, fellas.

So my order? I agree with the coaches' poll. Albright runs away with it, followed by Widener, LVC, and Messiah. In a shocker, and only after Warren performs an ancient Pa. Dutch ritual involving a goat, a buggy, and a bologna, the Dutchmen beat Widener in Chester for the first time since the Carter administration, in quintuple overtime. Albright, fresh off their 115-56 semifinal win against Messiah in the Bollman "Our PA System Goes to 11" Center, repeats as champs after a tired and deafened LVC squad can't hear each other after the starting line-ups.

Last time LVC joined a New England conference in a sport, I don't recall it ending so well... 

Simba, are you implying that LVC fans are front-runners   I think Warren might be the only one to remember their last MAC title...

I'm a little surprised about Susquehanna and the LL. Not that Susquehanna wants out - there've been rumors flying around for years that SU and one or two others (Juniata always seems to pop up, occasionally Moravian too) were ready to jump ship. I don't really see the gain SU gets in going to Liberty, though - at least on the surface in terms of travel. In terms of being with "peer schools" from an academic standpoint, I'd think it'd be break-even or a marginal gain at best. But then, the argument has always been that the MAC could stand to lose a team or two in football for scheduling purposes - but a loss in the other sports would throw the entire Commonwealth/Freedom alignment out of whack.

The Pretzel Bowl used to, back in the day, involve Albright and Lebanon Valley. LVC has some of the trophies - they're brass bowls with metal pretzel handles. One of the more unique trophies I've seen.

At the risk of opening a large can of worms - the Cowboys aren't America's team. Their team jersey sales were sixth in the NFL last year - behind Philly, New England, Pittsburgh, Oakland, and Green Bay. They lack the iconic players of the 90's like Aikman and Irvin and Smith. And most importantly, with Houston and Detroit's new cribs, they're no longer the only team in the league with a hole in the roof so God can watch too 

Gordon:

And let's not forget the OT finish to last year's LVC-King's game.

Got a barnburner in Gettysburg - LVC 20, Gettysburg 20 at the half. Ryan Brennan already has 120 yards on the ground on 11 carries, Dan Kelly has 72 yards rushing and 74 passing. 294 yards of total offense for the Dutchmen - a great sign.

"We have the technology. We can rebuild him..."

Man, that Shirk Stadium looks NICE.  Seatbacks and all... I might even be tempted to check that out now.

Also a more lengthy LVC preview in the good ol' Leb Daily. http://www.ldnews.com/sports/ci_2996057

formerwu:

Yeah, the camel hump was flattened out last year and now the field is, more or less, flatter.

splik:

No, the locker rooms are now all on the northside in the fieldhouse. It's been that way for a few years now. It used to be that the visiting team's lockers were over in Lynch Hall, where the gym was, and they would have to walk through the quad and over the railroad track bridge. I remember it was sort of bizarre seeing an entire football team walking over in a big line as we'd be walking to lunch around noon before the game. I suppose at any other school, that would be considered intimidating for visiting teams. But since more LVC students probably attend Penn State games than LVC games on a given weekend, I guess it was more like a leisurely stroll. 

Susquehanna gets my vote. Awesome surface (I think it's FieldTurf) and the fieldhouse is a nice backdrop.

I'm biased to LVC, of course. I've been told the field surface plays perfectly since they regraded it and put new sod in last summer. With the openness and beauty of the northside athletic facilities, and the hills and silos in the distance, it's a nice way to spend an afternoon.

I'm very interested to see how Albright and Widener turn out. But still, considering the neighborhood, I don't know how I'd feel about going to night games in Chester.  And Reading, well...

How's Del Val's field looking after the shredding during the Juniata game last year? Did they have to resod it?

I don't know if Trevor Deeter still qualifies as an "up and comer" (I don't think so) but he is probably my favorite guy left to watch in the conference. Matt Kieselowsky also comes to mind from Albright as someone I always enjoyed seeing play. Widener's Essien Ford is also a fun guy to watch.

From LVC, I think Jimmy Curran is an outstanding guard who can make some great shots from the outside, and Billy Orr will be someone to watch out for in the post, just because his on-court work ethic seems to be so above and beyond everyone else on the court when he's out there.

It's great to see another LVC guy playing with the Nationals. I had the chance to see Pugh and the Nats play in Hershey back in February, and had a great time. Having never seen the Globetrotters in person before, I was surprised how much quality play really goes on.

In other LVC alum news, Andy Panko will play this coming season with Lagun Aro Bilbao of the Spanish La Liga, the top-flight basketball league there. He also spent last season in Spain playing with Caja San Fernando.

I don't know... I'll kind of miss the E-town fansOne-Star Bandit.