FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[sigma one]

wabco, bashbrother:  I agree completely.  Months ago, we analyzed, to an extreme those games, and I said the losses were inexplicable.  They were and are.  I was commenting on the fans' reactions to a team that was clearly out of sorts in both games.  I found that somewhat disappointing, but perhaps understandable given such program success.  And, yes, the team was lethargic--I think less so in the Oberlin game, particularly when Oberlin began their run.  Upon reflelction, the fan behavior may have been as much as reaction to what they saw happening on the field as anything.  But even so I just perceived too much expectation of continuing superior performance as anything.  Thanks for your points of view:  like you I expect those games to have been a learning experience for a talented, young team.  Witt and OWU at home this year; if we got them on the road, there's a good chance we will get them at home, despite the fact that they will come to C'ville in the mood for revenge, hoping to avenge losses to a team that they think they should have beaten last year--the team that cost them both perfect seasons.
WAF

[D3MAFAN]

I have to agree with Wabco....

While I was not at Hollett for those games,   I was watching everything on the field and thus, my only focus was the team, their energy and execution.

I remember posting in the first half of both games that I had  never seen a Wabash Little Giants team void of the energy and fight we have all become so accustomed to.  Privately, I remember going into halftime knowing we were in trouble in both games,

The fans/environment can only do so much for energy, execution or play selection.  I write it off as a Young team and that was lacking some senior leadership.

This year will be different!  The realization that you can NEVER take a game off, I believe became very clear to this young team.  We got caught flat and could not find it.

I am not worried about our QB situation.   With the way we have been recruiting,   I look for a true battle in camp and the chosen one will materialize and lead us well.

Agree, senior leadership plays a big part regarding on and off the field production. Coaches also play a big part, but to some of the younger guys, they look at the upper classmen (mainly seniors) most of the time regarding preparation and response in key or tough games.

[wabco]

Guys ... I apologize for the poor typing skills demonstrated in my last post.  I was trying to make a point and concentrated too much on that and not enough on getting the thoughts into words.  I know we have the best coaches.  I know we had another good recruiting year.  I know the QB spot will be a strong part of our game (regardless of who it is ... given all the candidates ... both there and coming in).  D will be great.  O was a young last year and now not young.  I look for a 50/50 type offense ... ER loves the smash run as a staple ... which will be complemented by paaaing talent by our QBs to our fine receivers.  I really believe this could hark back to a few years ago when - as an opponent - you were unsure whether you would rather have or O or are D on the field.  AND ... the fans will bring it.  With a strong Witt and strong OWU (from what we are told as to OWU progress), and a Dannie team not hobbled by its coach ...... we should have a fun fall every saturday.  Be there or be square.  WAF ... and seniors ... that means ALWAYS.

[oldtiger]

Witt's 2013 recruits listed:

http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/sports/college-football/florida-well-represented-in-witt-recruiting-class/nYJyr/

[WittFan]

Witt's 2013 recruits listed:

http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/sports/college-football/florida-well-represented-in-witt-recruiting-class/nYJyr/

The Tampa Tribune recently ran a nice article on Keith Hopkins. It sounds like that young man has met some big challenges head-on and in the process has demonstrated character beyond his years. I wish him all the best in Springfield.

[wally_wabash]

I was at both games.  The fans were shocked ... not by the intensity of play by Gheny and Oberlin ... boith these schools always bring their "A" game.  "Apathetic response" if you will ... simply filtered down into the fans.  It was as if the team "expectation" umntil too late ... that something good would happen ... it always had.  WELL, IT DIDN'T.  Take nothing away from Gheny and from Oberlin.  My hat is off.  They played the "Wabash Game."

I pulled out the above quote because I think it is really important to help understand what happened in our stands last year.  As I've thought more and more about this, I think over time we've sort of come to expect that the players on the field will give us a reason to be excited and enthusiastic and loud...the crowd has increasingly tended to rely on the energy of the team for fuel.  In fact, it should be the other way around...the team should be the ones feeding off of the energy of the crowd.  When the crowd is waiting for something good to happen (as "it always had") and the team is in need of an energy boost to get something good to happen, we wind up in a staring contest; a self-perpetuating cycle of blah.  2012 was 2012 and lessons have been learned all the way around.  I look forward to 2013 and a revived Byron P. Hollett Little Giant Stadium with a grandstand packed with fans full of enthusiasm and optimism no matter the game situation, especially game situations that require that boost of positive energy.  It's going to be a fun year at the Hollett...Wabash is hosting two of the top games in the region this fall and we get to watch from our familiar perches around the stadium.  Under three months to go!

[sigma one]

Wally, Bravo.

[waf56]

In the past couple weeks, with the Red Wings' season ending prematurely, and only early summer baseball on to semi-satisfy my sports craving (ok maybe a little bit of rooting for the hawks) I have returned to football. I am nearing the point where I only know a few current Little Giants personally, and this has really allowed me to be at least semi-objective in my analysis of Wabash football for the first time in a long time. I am very excited to see who will be leading the offense this year behind center. With Holmes pounding the rock, and a much more cohesive offensive line, the new QB will hopefully transition in smoothly. The defense should be even better this year. Hammer has a great defensive mind and I look forward to seeing what we throw at offenses this year with a VERY veteran linebacking corp. As always there will be a new face or two who will make a huge impact, and last year's role players who will step up after working hard all summer.

Last year is behind us now, and we all remember what happened the season after the last time Wabash did not make the playoffs. I can hardly wait for fall to get here. Oh, I love football so much!!!

[D3MAFAN]

In the past couple weeks, with the Red Wings' season ending prematurely, and only early summer baseball on to semi-satisfy my sports craving (ok maybe a little bit of rooting for the hawks) I have returned to football. I am nearing the point where I only know a few current Little Giants personally, and this has really allowed me to be at least semi-objective in my analysis of Wabash football for the first time in a long time. I am very excited to see who will be leading the offense this year behind center. With Holmes pounding the rock, and a much more cohesive offensive line, the new QB will hopefully transition in smoothly. The defense should be even better this year. Hammer has a great defensive mind and I look forward to seeing what we throw at offenses this year with a VERY veteran linebacking corp. As always there will be a new face or two who will make a huge impact, and last year's role players who will step up after working hard all summer.

Last year is behind us now, and we all remember what happened the season after the last time Wabash did not make the playoffs. I can hardly wait for fall to get here. Oh, I love football so much!!!

I wonder how the defensive line for Wabash is going to be this year.

[wally_wabash]

In the past couple weeks, with the Red Wings' season ending prematurely, and only early summer baseball on to semi-satisfy my sports craving (ok maybe a little bit of rooting for the hawks) I have returned to football. I am nearing the point where I only know a few current Little Giants personally, and this has really allowed me to be at least semi-objective in my analysis of Wabash football for the first time in a long time. I am very excited to see who will be leading the offense this year behind center. With Holmes pounding the rock, and a much more cohesive offensive line, the new QB will hopefully transition in smoothly. The defense should be even better this year. Hammer has a great defensive mind and I look forward to seeing what we throw at offenses this year with a VERY veteran linebacking corp. As always there will be a new face or two who will make a huge impact, and last year's role players who will step up after working hard all summer.

Last year is behind us now, and we all remember what happened the season after the last time Wabash did not make the playoffs. I can hardly wait for fall to get here. Oh, I love football so much!!!

I wonder how the defensive line for Wabash is going to be this year.

Good.  They will be quite good. 

[wabco]

Pssssst.  There should be another impact player from Hamilton HS this year.

[waf56]

Pssssst.  There should be another impact player from Hamilton HS this year.

That is what I have heard as well. 

[Bishopleftiesdad]

Not sure how much this means in the real world, but:

Ohio Wesleyan was ranked No. 18 in the Division III preseason poll featured in The Sporting News' annual college football yearbook.

http://www.battlingbishops.com/news/2013/6/18/FB_06182013.aspx

Congratulations Bishops

[Bishopleftiesdad]

Found the whole article on Johns Hopkins website. Witt is ranked number 7.

[waf56]

Though they are only pre-season polls, and these ones are written by publications that could not care less about D3 football, it is exciting to see the NCAC getting represented! Hopefully the Bishops live up to their ranking (other than on Oct. 12 of course  )