Quote from: Nescacman on November 11, 2021, 02:42:18 PM
Surprised none of the Eph Mafia have discussed that at least part (major part?) of their 2021 success on offense is due to the hiring of Dan Hunt as RB/TE Coach after a very successful run as HCOF at Colgate...we believe he deserves a ton of credit for the Purple Cows stellar offensive results in 2021...the Ephs were fortunate to bring him on-board after he left Colgate in the Spring to "address personal issues, following the discovery of violation of university policy not involving students." We've heard rumors but won't go there...in any event, credit where credit is due...here is some of his bio for those not familiar with Coach Hunt's pretty impressive resume (at a high academic University, albeit nowhere as good as TTUN, of course):

"Dan Hunt joins the staff after a successful run leading the Colgate Red Raiders. Hunt already is mentioned in the company of Colgate coaching legends. He held the endowed coaching position of the Fred '50 and Marilyn Dunlap Head Football Coach and he just won his third Patriot League Coach of the Year Award, an award recently named for one of his mentors, Coach Dick Biddle.

Colgate wrapped up its 10th PatriotLeague title in 2018 with a 41-0 whitewash at Fordham and its sixth perfect record in conference with a 48-6
triumph at Lehigh. The Raiders outscored their 2018 Patriot League competition 223-26, or by an average of 37-4, and they carry an 11-game conference winning streak into 2019. Hunt was 24-6 against the Patriot League. The Raiders in 2018 placed a program-record six players on All-America teams, led by T.J. Holl, James Holland Jr., and Nick Wheeler earning placement on
the 2018 AFCA All-America First Team. Colgate earned three first-team selections in the same year for the first time since 1916, and Colgate in 2018 was the only program in the nation with three on the first team.

The 2018 campaign was one for the history books: Colgate went 10-2, earning the fourth 10-win season in program history; won the Patriot League at 6-0 for its 10th conference title; led the nation in scoring defense, total defense and pass efficiency defense; tied an FCS record with five shutouts; earned the Patriot League's first top-eight seed in the NCAA playoffs; hosted a playoff game for the first time since 2003; advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for the second time in four years."

You wonder if he would be the kind of guy UBates would reach out to for their upcoming HCOF opening? Seems like the perfect fit to us...he's definitely not ready to retire like HCOF Cos or Coach Siedlicki...

Yes, N-man, you ask the boys and they will tell you Coach Hunt has made a very positive difference on the Eph's O. Coach Blu stepping into the OC role was the real difference maker though.

Nescac1, It will be interesting to get the full tally of Nescac athletes deferring. Williams put out a stat this week that 7% of the total student body elected to defer the fall semester. I'm sure a number of them are athletes. My son agonized over the decision but ultimately decided to defer. He wants a shot at a more normal senior year in 2021 if possible...including football.

Quote from: nescac1 on October 29, 2019, 09:44:08 AM
Glad to see the love for Apuzzi (#25).  He's a senior converted safety (hence the speed) who has been overshadowed by two other all-league Eph LBs, but he's been massive all year and in my view should be all-league himself this season. 

Seniors Apuzzi, Anthony, Subjinski, Unobsky, Horihan, MacArthur and Pruss deserve a ton of credit for sticking with the program and helping turn it around from the disaster it was when they were recruited.  They are a really tough and often unheralded (none have been all league yet, although that will surely change) group of players who are all about winning.  Each of them have been 3-4 year contributors who do whatever is asked of them.  Pruss has been a TB, HB, and OT; Horihan has lined up all over the field on all three units; and the other four guys have each started  at multiple positions over the course of their careers.  Team-first unselfish leaders.  They will be missed next year.

Here here Nescac1!  Ive had the pleasure of interacting with this group of Eph seniors since my son stepped on campus three years ago and they deserve their day in the spotlight. As noted they are the last class of the pre-'Coach Ray' days so they saw the dark days of the program but have stayed with it and are going out on a high note.  Raymond has always called out his seniors for their leadership and this group is living up to expectations with how they have carried themselves. Thats what team football is about.

I agree with your Trinity about comment nescac1. Coach McDonough drew up a great plan for the Williams D. They worked their tails off to shut down Chipouras (which is damn hard) and dared Trinity to throw the ball. They did 44 times but accuracy was a problem. Many balls sailed high.

There's nothing to worry about with the Eph's passing game.  The 1st team skill position players have not played a full game together yet.  Part of it is due to injury - Stola and Burke have missed time but are expected to be back against Midd.  The other factor is competitiveness of the games.  The 1st team O has been pulled during the 3Q against all of their opponents this year except Trinity.  WRT the running game, Dozier is hitting his stride, so to speak, as the primary back.  With Begel on the field now, it will only serve to improve the run game effectiveness.  He is going to be a good one.

Assuming they stay reasonably healthy going forward, the passing offense is poised to come around..and will be needed given the upcoming schedule.

I know the subject of future schedule order change has been talked about on this board but I had not yet seen the attached doc with the '19 and '20 schedules.  Does anyone know if these are, indeed, approved or still TBD?

My son loves playing NESCAC football, loves the comraderie with his teammates, the hard work of practice and the NESCAC game day experience but is very content with a competitive 9 game schedule without playoffs. NESCAC players have far more on their minds than football. That's one of the top reasons  they chose to play in this conference.

monjmafb - I will second NESCAC1's welcome to Williams.  My son is a FY this year on the team and I look forward to extending the same open-armed welcome we received last fall to the new class of Williams football recruits when we see you and the other new recruits and parents in August.  Your son is joining a great group of young men and I hope you will get to meet the equally good group of parents that make the journey each Saturday in the fall to cheer them on.

ColbyFootball, my son and I were talking about the NESCAC season while he was home over Thanksgiving.  We had a lot to hash out after his first season.
When the topic turned to Colby football, he commented that while playing against them this season he wondered why they weren't any good, they had good athletes....

...So there's that.

mariner75 - with all due respect to Trinity and Midd, Tufts was the toughest and most well prepared team Williams has played thusfar.  Congrats to the Jumbos.  Good things will happen for them the rest of the way if they keep up that intensity.

I doubt the Eph players or coaches are losing sleep over the prospect of a clunker game the rest of the way.  The mantra is 'get better' each week and, let's face it, they have met/exceeded public expectations already for this season so there is no pressure aside from the pressure they put on themselves to 'get better'.

nescac1, I will share your optimism re:  the Ephs.  Starting the season, I thought 2 wins would be a successful beginning to what is hopefully a multi-year climb back to respectability.  Weeks 1&2 went better than expected.  I thought they executed well on offense, particularly for such a young team.  Watching them run the no-huddle reasonably well week 1 was more than I would have expected after 3wks of practice with several 1st years in the mix.  HOWEVER, my expectations were still stuck at 2 wins.  Then the Trinity game happened.  In my mind it opened up the possibility for more this year.  I don't see a winning record but 3 wins looks probable.  4 wins?  Maybe.  I am wondering how they will perform against a pass-oriented offense.  The Eph offense isn't where it needs to be yet to keep up with a higher scoring, faster opponent.

Thick skin or at least a healthy sense of humor and ability to not take yourself seriously is required on this site.  There is the risk of high emotion however. This is a group of proud alumni and proud parents after all. Thats the recipe for a touchy group. My wife started lurking this board not long ago now that our 1st year son is playing nescac football and my first warning was be prepared for some snark against his school, his team and (gulp) maybe even him.  You know what though, if he deserves it, she and i will be the first to dole it out.

Exactly JoeBag.  If the perception is a coach favors seniors regardless of performance that is just as much of a cancer to those coming into the program and trying to earn a spot.

If we're talking about coaches and teams whose goal is to win games then nothing should get handed to any player on any team in any sport.  You earn a spot because you put in the work and are better than the other options.  Doesn't matter if your a senior or a 1st year.  Now, if you're running your team like a 1st grade gym class, then by all means load up on players that just want to participate.