FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[aueagle]

Congrats to Mason Espinosa...NCAC Offensive Player of The Week
23 of 45 - 424 yards with 4 TD's  and only a sophomore.
One of the few bright spots for the Bishops this year.

[wally_wabash]

Alright, before we move on to this weekend's events, time to get something off my chest. 

There has been a ton of undue criticism toward the players and coaches from the fans of a team that HASN'T LOST A GAME.  Outplayed and outcoached?  Really?  Wabash went on the long road trip, to play against a team that had an extra week to rest and prepare, and who is playing for a share of the conference title...doing it all with some key players on the shelf.  And they won.  Outplayed and outcoached?  Poll Allegheny fans who haven't seen their coaches or players beat Wabash in seven years...I wonder how many of them would love to have Wabash's coaches and players.  Answer: all of them.  There are ten teams that are 8-0.  Out of 239.  That has to be good enough.  It just has to be. 

Players and coaches at Wabash constantly talk about how much they love playing for their fans and how the fans' SUPPORT helps push the team to acheive.  I've read a lot of stuff in here this season that makes me shake my head and what I don't want to see happen is that our team stops winning in part because of the fans and starts winning in spite of the fans.  It isn't fair to get out here and put the coaches and players on blast because they didn't win by 30 points or because a series went 3 and out.  I'm not sure when or why the tone went from all out support to nitpicking and unconstructive criticism, but I hope that we can get the conversation back to the positive for these next two weeks (and beyond if things go to plan). 

Now, here we go.  In five days it's the game we've been waiting all year for.  Championship on the line.  Playoffs on the line.  This is the big one.  Witt Week.

WAF!

[nike]

Aueagle,
If the Bishops got a couple of good running backs by next fall, it is possible that you could be in the mix of things next year.  Espinosa looked bigger this year than I remember him and might be the next best QB in the league next year behind Belton.  He is a big kid. Do not know the year of Witt's QB.  Your defense is very solid. But your QBs run the ball so much, they seem to always get hurt before the season ends.  As long as I can remember.
And it is understood that everything is superceded by the coaching issues in Delaware raised in your quality posts earlier, as well as those of BishopOWU.
Trust Witt-Woo will be a good game.  Last year's was great. Lights out great.
Been away a while. Where did the Lass Go?

[bashbrother]

Wally.....

Friggin relax dude.....  If you saw my previous post,  I was simply trying to give Gheny credit.....  I said as much.  They executed well enough to be ONE (1) play away from defeating us as huge underdogs....  I may have over done it a bit, but the fact remains that Gheny deserved a ton of credit.

I went to erase that part knowing your panties would get into a bunch...... but my brother, captured it in a quote.

Move on......

[BashDad]

Your brother is very sneaky that way.

I don't think anyone's singling you out though, Mike. It fires me up that you care so much.

[BashBacker#16]

Here's a question for you guys - I would especially love any input from Witt guys...  Will Fincham kick to Chamblee?  Punts or kickoffs?

Also, can Bash slow McKee and Cooper?

I think this game is won in the trenches but there are many other factors.  I can't wait...

[GatorsFan8]

Alright, before we move on to this weekend's events, time to get something off my chest. 

There has been a ton of undue criticism toward the players and coaches from the fans of a team that HASN'T LOST A GAME.  Outplayed and outcoached?  Really?  Wabash went on the long road trip, to play against a team that had an extra week to rest and prepare, and who is playing for a share of the conference title...doing it all with some key players on the shelf.  And they won.  Outplayed and outcoached?  Poll Allegheny fans who haven't seen their coaches or players beat Wabash in seven years...I wonder how many of them would love to have Wabash's coaches and players.  Answer: all of them.  There are ten teams that are 8-0.  Out of 239.  That has to be good enough.  It just has to be. 

Players and coaches at Wabash constantly talk about how much they love playing for their fans and how the fans' SUPPORT helps push the team to acheive.  I've read a lot of stuff in here this season that makes me shake my head and what I don't want to see happen is that our team stops winning in part because of the fans and starts winning in spite of the fans.  It isn't fair to get out here and put the coaches and players on blast because they didn't win by 30 points or because a series went 3 and out.  I'm not sure when or why the tone went from all out support to nitpicking and unconstructive criticism, but I hope that we can get the conversation back to the positive for these next two weeks (and beyond if things go to plan). 

Now, here we go.  In five days it's the game we've been waiting all year for.  Championship on the line.  Playoffs on the line.  This is the big one.  Witt Week.

WAF!

I thought Wabash played well.  Allegheny effort and preparation was outstanding and having a bye week helps that.  I don't know if you can find a former player who played for Coach Matlak at Allegheny say that they would rather play for any other coach in the NCAC.  Now I know Wabash's success the past 7 years has been better but I don't know if any player would want to play for any other coach than Coach Matlak.  The assistant coaches at Allegheny do a fantastic job each and every year.  The Allegheny defense has been one of the top defenses in the conference and in the country in each of the past 7 years (4th in the country in rush defense last season) and the offensive coaches do a great job developing talent.  Just look at the progress the QB Flower has made this season from the first scrimmage to the Wabash game. 

Wabash talent wise has had better players across the board than Allegheny has the past 7 years and that is probably why they are 7-0 in those year but there is no reason to attack the coaching staff and players at Allegheny for something your own fans are saying.  It was a good game Allegheny almost pull off the upset but Belton's ability to buy time was the difference.  And remember they play the game for a reason and that reason is because you never know what is going to happen each sunday.  Good luck to Wabash this week I hope they kill Witt.

[wally_wabash]

It's easy to say Allegheny played a great game without simultaneously cutting down the Wabash team.  It's really hard to be 8-0 and you don't do it by accident.  The players and coaches have done an outstanding job here in 2011. 

And it's not just about you or the one quote...it's been like this from a lot of folks for most of this season.  I know how much you care and how much you want to see the team succeed.  Anybody who stood out in that weather at Whitewater in '07 for the duration bleeds my kind of red.  We'll no doubt again share some long pours on the eve of a regional final (or later) down the road. 

[smedindy]

Wally, the Little Giants had some critical penalties, yet again and the run game aside from Belton was non-existent (48 yards on 16 carries for Holmes and Hunt and Hunt dropped the ball in the fourth quarter on a crucial series.) Allegheny seemed to want the game a bit more at times, though Wabash did get it together when it mattered. There were stretches where Wabash just didn't seem to play with fire or verve, and then committed a 15-yard penalty out of frustration. Again, they got it together when it mattered and that's a testament to the players and coaches but it wasn't a 60-minute effort, and Witt will require that effort.

Even at 8-0, there's no reason to chug the Kool-Aid. There are concerns. Not many, of course. But enough concerns that gives me pause about the upcoming Witt game.

The rational observer says that it's going to be a heck of a fight against Witt and Wabash needs to rectify its problems with penalties and play a full 60-minute game.

The fan in me says we will crush Witt!

[FightinScot]

Nike-

I'm the one that made the infamous "Barnes to WR" statement that you're talking about. I think this conversation has been beaten to death on this board, so I'll try keep it short. I'm not going to back off my statement, but its more of a recognition of Wooster's depth at QB and lack at other spots. Lots of guys change positions at this level, and are quite successful after a change. In fact, as it stands now, we have a converted QB (Wiedrick) and converted RB (McIntyre) as our top 2 receivers, and I believe they're both seniors. First look at who we have coming back next year shows Rice and Obery as the top two receivers... not a lot of depth there (although one of those two comes from fantastic bloodlines!  )

Obviously they will battle it out, and Barnes may well win the job back. He was, after all, very effective last year. Just saying, a player with his athleticism could be useful at other positions of need, if Frongillo proves to be a good player and earns it. Wooster needs a lot of guys, at a lot of positions, to make the NCAC a "3 W's" league again instead of just 2, as its been recently.

Lass has not been seen on this board in a while, we miss her insight. Any opinions on Witt? Have not heard much about them, although I haven't been looking too hard. The team shouldn't look past Kenyon, but we can! Am a Wabash fan this week, anybody but Witt!

[firstdown]

Wall and BashBrother -

As I said on Saturday, the Little Giants needed a good test to be ready for the rest of the season.  Allegheny played well and were playing for a piece of the Conference Championship, and they gave the LG's a stern test.  The LG's had a 9 hour bus ride, and had to play in cold and wet conditions, with a lot of key guys not on the field.  But for the fumble late in the 4th quarter, the LG's would have been tested, but not put to the test.  They responded by keeping their focus and bending, but not breaking.  They made the key play and stopped the Gators when it counted.  Clearly, the Gators are due congradulations on a great game, but, the Little Giants were neither outplayed, nor outcoached - they were put to the test, and came out stronger.

Smedindy was right when he notes that the LG's had to find their true focus on Saturday.  Whether the penalites where born of frustration, or seeking to light the extra spark, its hard to say.  As noted, it is Witt week. This is the only thing that matters.  The LG's depth, "next man up" attitude, heart and focus will be on the line.  I expect the LG's will be playing hard on every play with the WAF attitude.  I expect another classic on Saturday.

[wally_wabash]

Even at 8-0, there's no reason to chug the Kool-Aid. There are concerns. Not many, of course. But enough concerns that gives me pause about the upcoming Witt game.

My perspective is fine.  I just want the criticism to be fair.  Killing the QB after he goes for 250 and 4 TDs isn't fair.  Killing the coaching staff and players for going on a 9-hour roadie and beating a rested, well-prepared team playing for a share of the conference title (and with you-know-who looming just one week away) isn't fair.  Sometimes, you just have to accept winning.  I don't think that's a big ask. 

[BashDad]

I don't know if you can find a former player who played for Coach Matlak at Allegheny say that they would rather play for any other coach in the NCAC.

Snort.

[Li'l Giant]

Even at 8-0, there's no reason to chug the Kool-Aid. There are concerns. Not many, of course. But enough concerns that gives me pause about the upcoming Witt game.

My perspective is fine.  I just want the criticism to be fair.  Killing the QB after he goes for 250 and 4 TDs isn't fair.  Killing the coaching staff and players for going on a 9-hour roadie and beating a rested, well-prepared team playing for a share of the conference title (and with you-know-who looming just one week away) isn't fair.  Sometimes, you just have to accept winning.  I don't think that's a big ask.

THIS.

Defending the coaching staff and players in this situation isn't "chugging the Kool Aid".

And if Wabash were winning every game by 40 we'd all be concerned about Witt.

[BashDad]

And if Wabash were winning every game by 40 we'd all be concerned about Witt.

Whoa! Good point, good point!

I must admit to feeling a little rotten, however, that people have to feel bad for being passionate and posting their frustrations in the only accessible forum for such a thing. It's not like folks can just walk down to the corner bar and vent about whether or not Belton should be player of the year or--shudder--a running back. Tweets from those close to the program calling ppl in this universe "stupid" seems, well, severe. And not very nice. And kind of inappropriate.