Really good interview with EC HBC Ron Planz - https://youtu.be/2sMa1oyG9i0

3 Kids have taken snaps for the Jays through 4 games - tough to a get a rhythm going offensively.

Finding some balance to take some pressure off the developing O-Line and Williams will be key for the Jays' O moving forward. Some really good skill players surrounding that QB position - Claxon, Kaylon Miller, Sanfilippo - the Jays will need to find a way to open up the field and start spreading things out to help loosen the running lanes for Josh and keep the young EC QBs in manageable  and non-predictable down and distance situations. 

For all the talk about the turn-around by the Viking D this past week (and they definitely deserve the love) - i definitely wanted to recognize the strides this EC defense has made under second-year defensive minded HBC Planz. Augie came into the game scoring 42, 49, and 52 points....held to 9 at home by the Jays. And despite 5 turnovers, EC did not allow the Vikes to score off any of those change of possessions.

Through EC's first 4 games in 2015 - the D has surrendered under 20 points in all contests and under 10 in two. Last year, the Jays gave up 39, 27, 29, and 10 through their first 4 - big time improvement to go along with 8 forced turnovers and 11 sacks - remarkable improvements from last year. To this point, the D has tightened in the 2nd half of ballgames, given up a total of only 13 points in the 3rd and 4th quarter combined. Alot of it has to do with the players' comfort with Planz and his scheme a year deeper and i only expect that group to continue to keep games close the rest the way. 

I do believe this team is pointed in the right direction, and i'm excited to see Coach Planz's football philosophy starting to manifest in the roster, the scheme, and throughout the program.

Jays finish the non-con undefeated, roll into Indianola and knock off Simpson 31-12.

All-American Josh Williams goes for 100+ and 2 more tuddies.

Year two of the Planz era is off to an encouraging start!

Josh Williams is a stud.

To my fellow D3 folks...

just finished reading a fabulous book by Jim Moore: Tales from the Small Time: A Celebration of Small College Athletics

Highly recommended!

Elmhurst season preview is up:

http://www.elmhurstbluejays.com/news/2015/8/21/FB_0821153609.aspx?path=football

Despite an up and down season in 2014, the Jays did earn 4 CCIW victories in the first year under Coach Planz. Plenty of offensive firepower returns - the big question is still who will be getting them the ball. As the QB situation settles...the Jays should just hand the ball to #5 - pre-season All-American Josh Williams will make a push to join his older brother as a Gagliardi candidate.

The other side of the ball should improve - tons of speed on defense, and Coach Planz is a defensive-minded HBC - 2nd year for the players and coaches under his scheme should see marked improvement.

The two toughest tests in conference are on the road - but at the back end of the schedule. Non-con looks less than intimidating, but then again, the Jays stumbled early last year in Dubuque and Hyde Park.

looking forward to another fun year!

I'm not a big hoops chat board guy (tend to stay in my football comfort zone) - but damn I love whipping those Cardinals...regardless the sport. Great day to be a Jay!

In CCIW merchandising news...EC unveiled its new athletics logo!

http://www.elmhurstbluejays.com/news/2014/12/15/GEN_1215145528.aspx?path=general

It's a sleeker, edgier, more modern bird - i like it!

FormerD3Db - I can definitely take a run at answering your questions, certainly first hand at EC but also around the league a little bit as well...just PM me more specifics - as this probably best kept in out of the public forum.

Quote from: USee on November 17, 2014, 05:09:43 PM

Quote from: Langhorst_Ghost on November 17, 2014, 02:12:56 PM
Best of luck to the Thunder as they roll into the post-season - make the CCIW family proud! 

Wheaton was certainly the class of the conference this year, and the most athletic and talented group i saw play all year - i believe they definitely have a chance to make some noise.  i am sure saving Pelz Saturday was just a precaution (Usee - any insight?) - with that kid at the trigger the Thunder O can really rumble.

Great early chances for the Crusaders, should overwhelm BU, setting up a possible match-up with a tough, but winnable 2nd rounder.  As i look around the bracket at who some the "top seeded favorites" may have to deal with on Thanksgiving weekend in round two, can't help but think Swider and the gang got a terrific draw all things considered.  A purple team awaits in a possible December regional final, but as we all witnessed last December, a CCIW champ can definitely hang with the Mount!

I think Wheaton got as tough a draw as there is in these playoffs. The first round is as winnable as can be, but after that they face nothing but top 5 teams. In years past you didn't face top 5 teams til the quarters. 2 games where you are favored if you are the #2 seed. I am not sure Wheaton will be the favorite a week from Saturday if they host JCU. Can they win, sure they can. But it will be a better defense than anything we have seen all year and an offense comparable to NCC's. That's tough duty for round 2.

As for saving Peltz last Saturday I didn't see that. He was 19-30 for 252 yds and 3 TD's. He was also the leading rusher with 12 carries for 68 yds. That was a hard fought win. Score was 7-2 at half and 21-2 final. Carthage never really threatened to score on offense. This is a very good defensive team Wheaton has. It is a much different philosophy than most D3 defensive juggernauts but it very solid. They get off the field on 3rd down and they keep people out of the endzone. Two very important features of a playoff team.

Great insight on the Pelz question, Usee - that's why i defer to you on all things Thunder.  Having not watching/listened to the Carthage game and just glanced through the box scores, it just read like a fairly conservative game plan called vs. an over-matched opponent, didn't seem to cut it loose the way he did v. better defensive units (EC and IWU).  But, credit to Carthage i suppose, playing WC tough on senior day.  Either way, he is an explosive dual threat and with his confidence building each week, Wheaton's offense is increasingly difficult to prepare for - the conference defensive coordinators will loose plenty of sleep the next two years preparing to game plan this kid.

On the bracket draw - i am going to stand firm on this one and respectfully disagree with you.  Truth is - when you get to Thanksgiving weekend...everybody is good - it's the best 16 teams in the Nation - but all things considered, it's a cozier draw than many other programs in the field. As i peruse the bracket and identify at some of the possible second-rounders for the top squads, i see a Linfield team potentially waiting for Mary Hardin Baylor, i see a playoff-tested, top flight program Wittenberg possibly awaiting Mt. union, heck - you could have been Wartburg, go undefeated, hang 80 on Loras in week 10 and draw the most dangerous 2-loss team in the field, two seasons removed from their trip to Salem, St. Thomas.

In 2012, CCIW co-champ EC had to go on the road to beat an undefeated Coe squad and then we bussed up to St. Paul, hanging with the National Runners-up to the last drive of the game - that's a tough draw.  Getting the sacrificial lamb of the tournament round one at home, setting up a possible home match-up with a tough, but winnable, match-up with JC is not what i would consider "the toughest draw in the tournament" - they have a bye week by most reasonable measures for goodness sake.  And while John Carroll has been rolling the past two years and can put up some serious points (over 40 in 8 games), this has not been a perennial powerhouse - they really burst onto the national scene just last year.  Prior to 2013, and for years, they were actually just like Elmhurst - a middle of the road team (5-5/6-4) playing in a well-respected conference.

All that said - i am certainly rooting for the team down the westbound Metra Line from Langhorst.  Like i said in a previous post - they are as athletic and as physically impressive a team as i have seen in person in quite some time at this level.  With an explosive offense and a sturdy defense, i can definitely see Swider's gang making a run at this thing.

Best of luck to the Thunder as they roll into the post-season - make the CCIW family proud! 

Wheaton was certainly the class of the conference this year, and the most athletic and talented group i saw play all year - i believe they definitely have a chance to make some noise.  i am sure saving Pelz Saturday was just a precaution (Usee - any insight?) - with that kid at the trigger the Thunder O can really rumble.

Great early chances for the Crusaders, should overwhelm BU, setting up a possible match-up with a tough, but winnable 2nd rounder.  As i look around the bracket at who some the "top seeded favorites" may have to deal with on Thanksgiving weekend in round two, can't help but think Swider and the gang got a terrific draw all things considered.  A purple team awaits in a possible December regional final, but as we all witnessed last December, a CCIW champ can definitely hang with the Mount!

Up and down season comes to a valiant end on senior day at Langhorst.

NCC offense too powerful in the second half for an upstart effort from the Jays.

Jays outperform their predicted finish, land in the top half of the league in Coach Planz's first year.

Last Saturday this fall for EC...now Thorne and the South DuPage birds wait...

Gutsy reverse pass on 3rd and forever connects two plays ahead of NCC moving back in front very late.

Brutal peel back block in the back to spring Sorenson's throw goes uncalled.

One more chance for EC. Jays offense nearing 500 yards.

3 second half possesions, 3 tuddies for NCC.

Killer Jays turnover deep in own territory gave Cards lead.

EC misses chip shot FG late, NCC back in control.

2 minutes into the half the Cards answer.  Thorne certainly lit a fire under them - a supremely efficient scoring drive.

17-10 Jays at the half.

Huge drive to close the half for Warden and the Cards - multiple 4th and 3rd down conversions on their way to split the lead.

Jays have already surpassed the Cards' D average allowance for rush yardage, lead by the league's best back, Josh Williams.

Second half should be fun!