FB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[FalconsFootball]

It's going to take a lot of heart this weekend, play with intesity every play.  If your technique and assignments are sound hopefully the game will be somewhat respectable. 

I have watched LC on film and they do a lot of blitzing and try to confuse offenses, or get to them before they can make anything happen.  However, they run themselves out of plays and can sometimes overpursue. 

I don't think that will be the problem this weekend.  I think WW will pick up the blitzes, forcing LC's secondary to cover for too long, and they will give up some big plays. 

Then there are always screen passes.  I think LC will make a few plays on D but not get much on O.

WW 59-3

[baseman201]

Honestly, I want so bad for an NAC team to win a playoff game.  It doesn't matter who was representing the NAC this year, the outcome would be the same. 

But, as teams in the NAC keep getting better, hopefully we can get some better players to make the league more competitive come playoff time.  It may take a few years, but I have no doubt it can happen.

WW wins 60-10, with LC scoring a TD against the 2nd and 3rd strings.

[old 40]

Good Luck LC

Play hard and make the NAC respectable against Nuber 2.

UWW52-LC 17

[Redbirds77]

Really wish luck to LC.....hopefully they can get this conference some respect

[FalconsFootball]

I think this conference has traditionally had some very good skill players, many of which could play at any number of schools around the country. 

I beleive the biggest disparity comes in the trenches.  WW and Mount U and other top programs have the size as well.  They also have numbers, which means depth.

The NAC right now is a small conference both in size of players and size of teams overall.  I think there are some good talented players in some positions around the conference, but I nobody has all the factors needed to compete nationally at this time.

Hopefully recruiting continues to pick up over all and the NAC can make some waves in the future.

[baseman201]

I see the NAC awards were given out,

What's with the co-offensive player of the year?  How lame is that?

I understand Heinemeyer is a talented WR, but why the CO-offensive players?  It just seems they couldn't let a CUC player be up there on their own, they had to get someone else in their too.  I think Marotta should be at the top on his own with the season that he had.

I mean, Egebrecht from CUC had 1,023 receiving yards, 220 more than Heinemeyer.

It's not just the offensive player, it's CO-freshman and CO-Coaches, I just think it's kind of stupid, but my opinion,.

But, I guess I don't get to make the decisions......

[FalconsFootball]

Marotta definately had a great year statiscally, but I saw him miss a lot of throws.  I am not taking anything away from him because he did do great, but then you come to the argument about stats and who is a "product" of their offense.  

I think last years Heisman race is a perfect example.  Bradford and great stats, but as a the true best player in college football, who was better than Tebow?  

Who do you think a d-cooridinator has more trouble preparing for?  Who scares a defense more?  How many times has Tebow escaped certain doom and made a rediculous play.  This year he has struggled after his concussion.  On 4th and 3 who would you rather have?

Just some thoughts to get the board going.  Congrats to all those who received conference honors.  

I think Copeland should have been at the top for player of the year.  He struggled with injury early, what were his final stats?

Any other ideas? 

[bleedpurple]

Really wish luck to LC.....hopefully they can get this conference some respect

As I UWW fan, I  certainly recognize the different levels that exist in D3 football. But regardless of level or skill or size, I would hope ALL D3 fans respect ALL D3 athletes. It's easy to lose perspective in our enthusiasm for our teams.  If Lakeland indeed has smaller players in the trenches (I'm too lazy to look it up), or skill players who are a step slower, that should in no way cause a lack of respect from WIAC fans or fans from any other conference. It seems like respect for a D3 football player should be for his heart, his love of the game, his hard work, and his good attitude. For the record, I am not one of those softies who think we should not keep score in youth games. Winning is the purpose of the games and teams at EVERY level should make winning an objective IMHO. However, I don't think respect for the athlete should be based on winning or losing.

I expect a lopsided game tomorrow. But either way, I hope that fans from both sides will keep perspective and respect the athletes on both sides. I hope  both teams give it their all, enjoy the experience, and come through the game without injury.

[baseman201]

Falcons -

Yeah, I see all your points, but I was really complaining about the "Co" part of it, I just think there should have been only one in each category.

[Eyeinthesky]

Although I know everyone has probably seen it, 70-7 final.


I would have kept you all updated but I was at the Arkansas vs. Miss. State game instead and you could have watched it online too.

Quite a depressing showing marred by turnovers on the Lakeland side.

[lem4094]

I see the NAC awards were given out,

What's with the co-offensive player of the year?  How lame is that?

I understand Heinemeyer is a talented WR, but why the CO-offensive players?  It just seems they couldn't let a CUC player be up there on their own, they had to get someone else in their too.  I think Marotta should be at the top on his own with the season that he had.

I mean, Egebrecht from CUC had 1,023 receiving yards, 220 more than Heinemeyer.

It's not just the offensive player, it's CO-freshman and CO-Coaches, I just think it's kind of stupid, but my opinion,.

But, I guess I don't get to make the decisions......

One comment I would make in response, as a former coach, is a great importance of the voting is to not only protect and help your players get recognition, but also to have another coach vote for yours when you need it.  Much of the voting results looks as if there was too many solid candidates to have only one.  The other factor, of which I have no knowledge, is who was up on the list last year compared to this year?  There have been times where a 'Player of the Year" as a junior, did not even make 1st team all conference after the first vote the next.

My point is the coaches do not take this vote lightly and, in order for the recognition to be fair in tight years, as this may have been, having Co-Players seemed to be the best way.

As for the Coach of the year, historically (and this is dating back to the IBC days) the award has gone to the conference champion' coach.  I am not saying whether it is right or not, the coaches vote on it how they feel fits.  I feel it is still right that Coach Pries recieved recognition from his peers as to the job he has done and is continuing to do at CUC.

Next year will be interesting to watch how CUC goes through the season with a bullseyes on their chest.  Rest assured, there will be a great many players from other teams with bulletin board material to motivate them for the summer (i.e.- CUW-1sth loss to CUC since '87 and AU 1st loss ever to a CUC in team history, I believe).

Congrats to all conference award winners and best of luck to you all next year.  I hope you all have a safe and injury free spring and summer.

[dizzle52]

It's better to be "Co" winner instead of "Co" loser

[Spartan46]

Wags40

"Can't say I was glad to see AU get shut out after celebrating the championship last year. Mind you players spit and gave inappropiate gestures to the Lakeland fans last year. Glad to know dispite not having the nicest stadium, we're at least humble, well-mannered, classier, and quite frankly the better team this year. Can you see us now Aurora posters. Best of luck getting your program back together."

Do you hear yourself? 2008 is over

As for your argument against Whitewater 70-7,,, scoreboard.

[dizzle52]

I think next year will be very interesting.....

First of all, no one really had a great year....CUC did well but blew it in the end....and them being decent and bringing back some key players, I think teams will start to take them serious....next year will show if they are contenders or pretenders

AU's schedule doesn't look too bad with IWU, LC, BU, CUW, and WLC coming to aurora.....They also have North Park and MacMurray (could be a trap game specially since it's at MC)....They are losing a ton of experience but if AU is going to make a move for the title again, it will be next season

RC and MBBC is terrible and there are no significant signs of a turnaround

LC, BU, CUW, and WLC will have decent years, but no one runs away with the championship and it's decided over the last two weeks of the season

[old 40]

Dizzle

Good points. As long as the CUC QB is coming back they will be right there at the end. I also think WLC will be there. They have a good QBand RB's and return most of their team. As usual LC and CUW will challenge. I think AU loses alot and may be a year away from the mix.

You are right when you say anybody can win it. I really like WLC and CUW. I was not impressed with the LC QB or their running game. Bu will lose over 20 Seniors, so it may be a rebuilding year for them. I think RC will respond with a couple of surprise wins. MBBC will continue to grow and get better.

I hope everyone has a Great and Safe Holiday Season. Looks like MUC and UWW for the big trophy.