Quote from: MikeJones50 on August 13, 2024, 06:38:53 PM

Quote from: EphsML on August 13, 2024, 10:55:11 AMWEEK 1 Selections:

Amherst over Bates (14-7)

Trinity over Colby (42-7)

Williams over Hamilton (28-17)

Bowdoin over Tufts (21-14)

Middlebury over Wesleyan (28-10)

First post on the Boards. I agree with mostly everything here. I think Wes plays Midd closer than that but agree that they don't win. Not sure about Bowdoin, though, seems unlikely that they win. As for Williams, I see them winning against Hamilton and am curious to see how their punting game looks like season. They lost their senior punter from last season who was great at drawing penalties because of his slow-appearing motion then quick leg swing to create fast exit velocity. The nuances of his game were honestly special for those who cared for that aspect of the game. Regardless, I see them taking care of Hamilton. Trinity and Amherst are basically locks.

What a yapathon, but yes I heard the kid was a big presence in the locker room too, should be interesting to see how the ephs adjust on special teams.

Quote from: MikeJones50 on August 13, 2024, 06:38:53 PM

Quote from: EphsML on August 13, 2024, 10:55:11 AMWEEK 1 Selections:

Amherst over Bates (14-7)

Trinity over Colby (42-7)

Williams over Hamilton (28-17)

Bowdoin over Tufts (21-14)

Middlebury over Wesleyan (28-10)

First post on the Boards. I agree with mostly everything here. I think Wes plays Midd closer than that but agree that they don't win. Not sure about Bowdoin, though, seems unlikely that they win. As for Williams, I see them winning against Hamilton and am curious to see how their punting game looks like season. They lost their senior punter from last season who was great at drawing penalties because of his slow-appearing motion then quick leg swing to create fast exit velocity. The nuances of his game were honestly special for those who cared for that aspect of the game. Regardless, I see them taking care of Hamilton. Trinity and Amherst are basically locks.

Williams lost their senior punter who was 7th in the league with a 35.4 average. Not one of the better punters in the league- Am I missing something....his unusual cadence and release were different, I get that.
I appreciate the "nuances" of special teams play as much as anyone but I'll take a kid who can pound the football and drop balls inside the twenty.
I agree with the rest of your post.

Are things so bad at Williams that we only have their graduated punter to talk about? He never even made the all league team! Hopefully they have some skill players for the first time since Coach Raymond lucked into the Maimaron/Stola era.

Quote from: MikeJones50 on August 13, 2024, 06:38:53 PM

Quote from: EphsML on August 13, 2024, 10:55:11 AMWEEK 1 Selections:

Amherst over Bates (14-7)

Trinity over Colby (42-7)

Williams over Hamilton (28-17)

Bowdoin over Tufts (21-14)

Middlebury over Wesleyan (28-10)

First post on the Boards. I agree with mostly everything here. I think Wes plays Midd closer than that but agree that they don't win. Not sure about Bowdoin, though, seems unlikely that they win. As for Williams, I see them winning against Hamilton and am curious to see how their punting game looks like season. They lost their senior punter from last season who was great at drawing penalties because of his slow-appearing motion then quick leg swing to create fast exit velocity. The nuances of his game were honestly special for those who cared for that aspect of the game. Regardless, I see them taking care of Hamilton. Trinity and Amherst are basically locks.

Queue the voice of AI....

Punting...?   We all talkin'  'bout punting.... Not a game....not a game....we talkin'  'bout punting...we talkin'  'bout punting man....I mean come on...we talkin' 'bout punting...we talkin' 'bout punting man?!?!?  Not a game....??

https://www.d3football.com/awards/all-americans/2024-preseason
Six NESCAC players on list.  Could be a NESCAC record...

Given that Tighe Hoey is the only all-NESCAC punter on the list, shouldn't there be more buzz about Hamilton contending for the league title? 

Additional NESCAC players who may make the post-season AA Team (the only one that counts)
Berlutti, Reece, Clapp 

Quote from: EphsML on August 13, 2024, 10:55:11 AMWEEK 1 Selections:

Amherst over Bates (14-7)

Trinity over Colby (42-7)

Williams over Hamilton (28-17)

Bowdoin over Tufts (21-14)

Middlebury over Wesleyan (28-10)

I would take Bates with the points. Amherst had only four wins last year and their average margin of victory was just 6 points. Granted the Bobcats went winless in '23 and allowed nearly 40 points per game. But they do return their top rusher, receiver and a capable QB. The Mammoth offense has been abysmal the past three seasons (averaging 14.8 points per game) If Bates hold them to two TDs or less then they could even win the game outright.

A fun pair to watch in that game will be the two receivers from Menlo School in California: Sergio Beltran from Bates and Carter Jung from Amherst both led their teams with four receiving touchdowns last season.

If he can stay healthy Sergio Beltran will be an all conference WR this year.

Has any one NESCAC team, like Midd does this year, ever had three players on either pre OR post-season all-America teams?  We are overdue for an OL to be named NESCAC OPOY (I don't THINK it's ever happened, correct me if I'm wrong), but if Perry has a dominating year and ends up as a first-team all-American, he certainly warrants consideration.  Especially if Berlutti, the natural favorite, doesn't have a massive year.  Dinapoli, Reece, Fischetti, Candido are other names to watch, but none of those guys are likely to dominate in such a way that they would be a no-brainer pick.  If the best offensive player in the conference is by a wide margin an offensive lineman, maybe this is the year the OL finally get their due ...

I think Clapp is a good bet for a possible all-America nod if he puts up huge numbers this year, NESCAC WRs have certainly been killing it of late with four of 'em playing D1 ball next year.  It's, I believe, extremely rare for any NESCAC QB or TB to be named to an all-American team, Berlutti would probably have to lead Tufts to a league title to have a shot.  As for Reece, if any NESCAC TB has a shot, I think it would be Fischetti, if he can finally stay healthy for his senior year, as he is the most talented back in the league.  Reece is also behing DiNapoli, or at least was last year.  But more likely than not, we won't be seeing a NESCAC TB on the all-American team as the league doesn't really seem to be full of high-level talent at the TB position and frankly hasn't had nationally elite talent at that spot (in stark contrast to WR) for some time. 

Quote from: NescacNewbie on August 13, 2024, 05:36:38 PM

Quote from: westcoastnescac on August 13, 2024, 05:18:54 PMTrinity may beat colby by 100 points week 1

It will be 10-7 Colby at halftime.

Where is this sense of confidence coming from? They literally have no weapons on offense, a sieve of an offensive line, no quarterback, two new coordinators .. pretty much the only thing they have going for them in Julian Young

It's possible that Colby could start a FY at QB this year.

He would be the first FY starter since Justin Ciero and Nick Kmetz. Two great QBs with enigmatic histories on Mayflower Hill. Ciero disappeared after his Sophomore year with no explanation that we've ever seen. As for Kmetz he was a great QB but I won't elaborate beyond that.

Quote from: lumbercat on August 14, 2024, 06:46:05 PMIt's possible that Colby could start a FY at QB this year.

He would be the first FY starter since Justin Ciero and Nick Kmetz. Two great QBs with enigmatic histories on Mayflower Hill. Ciero disappeared after his Sophomore year with no explanation that we've ever seen. As for Kmetz he was a great QB but I won't elaborate beyond that.

How many years ago did Ciero and Kmetz play?

I gotta say I don't love the odds of a QB playing his first college game against a Trinity D smelling blood keeping it close.  That's a pretty tough ask even though Colby returns some solid skill guys. 

Quote from: westcoastnescac on August 14, 2024, 04:28:21 PM

Quote from: NescacNewbie on August 13, 2024, 05:36:38 PM

Quote from: westcoastnescac on August 13, 2024, 05:18:54 PMTrinity may beat colby by 100 points week 1

It will be 10-7 Colby at halftime.

Just a feeling I guess. Not being scout able adds a lot in Colby's favor. They do have skill players on each side of the ball. O-line could be the challenge, I agree there.

Where is this sense of confidence coming from? They literally have no weapons on offense, a sieve of an offensive line, no quarterback, two new coordinators .. pretty much the only thing they have going for them in Julian Young