FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[oldguy]

For Witt, I would say that it starts and ends with defense.  I know the Tigers lose some playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, but the young QB has some experience due to Holmes' injury, and we always seem to find a way to replace the those types of guys. 

The defense played better at the end of the year, but it still can use some help.  They need a couple leaders to take control and make sure each guy gives it their all in "every" game.  Even though Witt is going to be pretty young next season, if they can shore up the defense, they will be in good shape.

With that, like just about everyone else on here, I want a conference championship and a trip to the playoffs.  The season will be disappointing without that.

[BashBacker#16]

Oldguy,

Good call on Witt.  The D front 7 has just seemed much less imposing the last couple of years and I think that has shown.  Harmon should be a good start on the LB crew if he remains healthy.

Just tell Coach Fincham and his staff to stay out of Indianapolis - especially the private schools - Perry Meridian, Roncalli, Chatard, Cathedral, etc.!   

Next year...Wabash at Witt!

[Cap99Fan]

Another week of this type of inactivity and the OAC will pass us in posts.

Does a post from a OAC guy help you or hurt you???

[JK]

I am a little late in posting this, but I have been quite busy since last Saturday after I returned from Crawfordsville.  Some of you may have seen my comments on the OAC page, though.  One thing I didn't do in those posts was congratulate Wabash on a great season and wish them luck next year, so here goes:

Great game by two very good teams.  Wabash, congrats on a great season and good luck next year.  You are a class program with a lot of talent.  I think you will be fine next season.  Losing Harbaugh hurts, I'm sure.  But if #3 will be his replacement, I think you will be fine.  That guy throws lasers.  I was watching your QBs warming up during pregame and I was sure he was the starter until I checked the roster.  He was throwing the post route 30-40 yards on a line.

You say Wabash Always Fights and you certainly fought hard to the end last Saturday.  Hopefully we can get MUC for you guys tomorrow.  Appreciate all the support thrown our way.  Most of your fans were very classy and all but one told me "Good game and good luck next week."

[wally_wabash]

I guess it's never too early to talk about next season...

One would have to annoint Wabash and Witt as the clear frontrunners, right?  Perhaps you throw Allegheny into the conversation as well.  While OWU did manage to beat Gheny and Wooster, they still had trouble getting points and got beat down pretty hard by Wabash and Witt.  I have a hard time seeing OWU doing much better than 5-2 in NCAC play with their scheme...it just doesn't get it done.  Wooster ought to be improved next year, but Wooster got beat 110-17 by Wabash, Witt, and OWU this year.  Yes, Wooster was hammered by injuries, and they were playing a crop of brand new guys who had basically sat around for a year or two watching the '04 seniors win a ton of games, but injuries and inexperience don't make up for 100 points.  Wooster, I'm afraid to say, doesn't have the players right now that Witt and Wabash do and are currently on the short end of a talent gap.

Witt and Wabash will be strong for sure.  Allegheny, if they can carry any of their late season mo' into next year will also contend.  It's worth noting that the Gators play @ Wabash, @ Witt, and @ Wooster which is brutal.  OWU and Wooster could spoil, but I'm thinking that it's not likely.

As for the rest....I see a down year for Denison with Roe and Cappetto gone.  Kenyon...Sanchez and Coombs are back, but the Lords are on the radar now and you better believe that Wooster and Allegheny will come strong against Kenyon.  Hiram and Earlham...same ol' same ol', although it was encouraging to see Hiram score some points this year.  Their getting better, but still have a long way to go.  I think the sleeper team from the bottom half in '06 will be Oberlin.  Oberlin's starting to play some defense again (5th in total D in '05, 2nd in Pass D, forced 26 turnovers), Schubert is real good...if the Yeomen can cut down on their turnovers and convert a better 3rd down percentage, they could creep up in the standings.

[wally_wabash]

Hmmmm...Harbaugh wore #3.  If you mean #4, that would be Dustin Huff who was our backup this year.  Huff completed every pass he threw this season (9-9) and, assuming he'll get the job next fall, won't step into the position completely naked.  He got significant playing time in '04 during the catastrophe that was musical quarterbacks at Wabash that season.  He's got a couple of starts and has been in some big situations.  Huff gives a little bit different look than Harbaugh does in that Huff can really hurt you with his feet.  Russ could scramble and avoid pressure, but he wasn't going to break any backs with his running ability.  If Huff gets out of the pocket he can take it all the way (his 51-yard TD run to seal the '04 game vs. Wash U. was amazing). 

But Wabash's qb situation certainly isn't settled for next year.  One assumes you'd go with the senior (Huff), but Brandon Neighbors is probably still in the conversation. 

[JK]

Wally,

Sorry, you are correct.  #4, big arm on that kid.

[aueagle]

Dear Santa
All I want in Delaware is an offensive line like the 7 Blocks of Granite, an offense that is "Wide-Open like the West Coast", transfers from Bowling Green, Ohio U and qualifying JUCO's, the Bishop decal back on the helmet, 6,000 in Selby, CHAMPIONSHIPS

[aueagle]

and if it's not asking to much......can they all be SOPHS!!!!!

[DarkSide-D]

You should watch it Wally.  There are many people out there that could have said the same thing about the lil' giants following their slide in the 04 season.  I think Wooster will be fine.  Will they win the title?  I won't make that claim.  I had thought going into this past season that next year was woo's next year.  After this season, I don't know.  I think Woo has plenty of talent, they just need to bring it all together and play as a team.

Another problem I think Woo faces are firstyears jumping ship.  I have heard about one or two leaving already...which I think is absolute Bull Sh!t!!

I wish to add to my wish list for next year..A GREAT recruiting class

[Li'l Giant]

Darkside,

Any reason for the exodus that you've heard? I would be quite disappointed in that as well.

[scotty]

we all are disappointed...

[wally_wabash]

I mean no disrespect to the Scots, DD.  Wabash's 6-4 in '04 was a little different than Wooster's 6-4 in '05.  The biggest difference being that Wabash was competitive...losing by 3 to Wooster, 14 to Witt (but we all know that game was a muffed punt away from going Wabash's way), and losing in OT to Allegheny.  Wabash was in every game they lost in '04.  Wooster quite clearly was not in every game they lost in '05....again the final tally this season was Wabash/Witt/OWU 110, Wooster 17.  I think one can pin a 32 point per game deficit on just inexperience and scheme. 

[smedindy]

Darkside -

Freshmen leaving are par for the course in any D-3 program. Were they contributors?

[DarkSide-D]

Smeds,

Yes, they did contribute.  I realize this is a common part of the game.  I hate to say it, starters and fans don't really mind it much when scout players leave the squad.  I thought this individual could have lit the fire in the team in the coming years.  However, as it is, I hear he has moved on to what he believes will be a better situation for him.  I wish him the best of luck, and a great career.  Still, to second Scotty and Lil'Giant...i am disappointed.

Wally,

Your points are solid.  I am sure many of the Wooster faithful hoped for a better outcome this year.  However, Woo finished right where I thought they would at the beginning of the season.  They spoiled me at the beginning, however, when they went 4-0, only to fall to kenyon, which started a slide the rest of the season.  Against Bash, I saw some things I liked.  At times they played strong, others, not so much.  I think the biggest differnce was the Dline.  After years of what can only be called large humans at the position... Mandingo, Fayball, and Kearney, it was bound to happen.  this is not to take away from the players this year.  they work hard, and play hard...the good lord just didnt give them size.  And of course, having an offense built around a guy whose foot is broken doesnt help much either.  But what an effort he gave.

Anyway, I look for the Scots to rebound next year.  They still have a ton of talent on the team.   That talent just needs to learn to compliment eachother.  The premadonnas need to pull their heads outta their asses, or take a hike.  It all starts in the weight room and in the gym.  I wonder who will take the crown this year for the saltiest coach award now that Yeager is gone.