FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

Interesting: Wilmington (0-10) landed a first teamer in WR Jeremy Duncan. A sophomore, he caught 70 passes for 1184 yards and eight TDs for a team that completed only 178 passes and 17 TDs.

The OAC named him their receiver of the year. Hard to ignore something like that.

And we're still scratching our heads over that selection.   Should have been Greenwood from JCU.

But then again, the OAC also saw the wisdom of Co-selections for Coach of the year, Assistant Coach of the year, D-lineman of the year and at 1st team QB.    Not the best All-OAC selections ever.

Still, considering the companies he keeps, that's an outstanding season. Not all of the best players play for the best teams.

Agreed. I like when there's a receiver of the year and a lineman of the year to help guide us as well.

[HScoach]

What I found as weird with the Wilma receiver was he flashed nothing against Mount.   Most times, even on the worst teams, there is a player or two that we think "wow, he'd look good in purple playing for Mount".   However I can't remember anyone from Wilmington, Capital or ONU where we said that.   Which is odd.   

Maybe he had a really off day, or maybe that was early enough in the season that the Mount DB's hadn't forgotten how to cover yet?

[ExTartanPlayer]

What I found as weird with the Wilma receiver was he flashed nothing against Mount.   Most times, even on the worst teams, there is a player or two that we think "wow, he'd look good in purple playing for Mount".   However I can't remember anyone from Wilmington, Capital or ONU where we said that.   Which is odd.   

Maybe he had a really off day, or maybe that was early enough in the season that the Mount DB's hadn't forgotten how to cover yet?

Just spitballing since I didn't see the game, but Mount had five sacks on 28 pass dropbacks for Wilma, so it's possible that the Wilma QB/OL were just so overwhelmed by Mount DL that they couldn't get him the ball.  I think WR is one of those positions that can really influence a game only with the necessary support from QB/OL; you could put Jerry Rice out there and it wouldn't matter if the OL can't block long enough for the QB to get him the ball.  Duncan appears to have done most of his damage against Otterbein (12-104-0), Muskingum (8-327-3; that 327 yards is not a typo), Capital (12-192-2),and Marietta (8-126-1).  That's about 65% of his yardage in four games against the non-powers of the OAC.  This is not a criticism of Duncan - obviously ANY kid will have similar quirks in their statistical profile, and it still allows for the above point that the QB/OL may just not have been good enough for Duncan to get the ball much against better opponents.

[Wfaf1234]

besides Scola (I think he'd be a locked 1st teamer) is there anyone from Wabash who could see as a member of one of the four All-American teams?

[wally_wabash]

besides Scola (I think he'd be a locked 1st teamer) is there anyone from Wabash who could see as a member of one of the four All-American teams?

I think both of the kickers are in play and perhaps Buresh as well.  Riffle on the third team all-region is probably not in play for A-A, unfortunately. 

[Wfaf1234]

So now that a little time has passed after the season, (and this is mainly for the wallies) what are your thoughts on the season? Who were the MVPs of the team? Surprise players? Let downs? Most promising for the future? Players that will be missed the most?

[wally_wabash]

So now that a little time has passed after the season, (and this is mainly for the wallies) what are your thoughts on the season? Who were the MVPs of the team? Surprise players? Let downs? Most promising for the future? Players that will be missed the most?

I'll bite.  MVP at Wabash this year?  Such a tough call.  The contributions all over the team were so balanced that it is hard to zero in on one or two standouts.  If I'm having to pick just one guy, I think I'm picking Nate Scola.  He was the highest honored Little Giant on the all-conference team after all.  Also worth mentioning here are the seasons that Ian MacDougall and Cam Sobleski had.  Easily the best two seasons at those positions that I've seen at Wabash- and I mean there are miles and miles of space here between these guys and the next best kickers I've seen in 17 seasons at Wabash. 

Surprise player - Has to be Grant Klembara.  This kid is a junior and 4 games into this season I didn't know his name (shame on me, I know).  Pressed into action in the second half of the year the kid gets asked to switch from defense to offense the week after finally cracking the lineup at LB and responds by carrying 52 times for 398 yards.  That's 7.7 yards per carry- best in the league by almost two yards. 

Let downs - It's probaby easy to point at the Witt game, but I won't.  The first half there was a bummer, but Wittenberg had a lot to do with that.  No, for me the biggest let down for this season were the injuries to Holmes and Zurek.  These guys were big difference makers on offense.  Wabash still had great success running the ball, but there's a reason that these two were the top two backs on the chart when the season started.  They're real good.  We hope they'll be back and ready to pound on people in 2014. 

Promising for the future - Delon Pettiford is going to be locking up #1 WRs around the league for three more years.  Probably going to see Ethan Buresh join his brother Cody somewhere in that front seven next year and that's going to be fun.  Ohohoh...one more.  Drake Christen.  How exciting was this kid when he got his shot?  He was dynamite in the Witt and DePauw games and he's a guy that I think Wabash can (and will) use in a ton of different ways going forward.  To whatever extent ER wants to get exotic with his offense (not really his style), but Christen could be a Robin Witjes-type guy for Wabash over the next few years doing all kinds of who-know-what out of the slot. 

Who are we going to miss?  We're going to miss all of the seniors.  This group had a great run.  Undefeated in Bell games, a boatload of wins, a lot of these seniors had parts to play in the 2011 playoff run and the big time win against North Central...they had a great four years.  Specifically, I think you'll miss the MVPs that I mentioned above, especially the kickers if we are looking at this from a "who's toughest to replace" angle.  Scola is great and you'll never get somebody just like him again, but Wabash is thick with linebackers who will contribute to another great defense next year.  Kicking, especially in D-III, is much more hit and miss.  And Wabash just had two best-evers that did the kicking in 2013.  That's going to be hard to replicate in 2014.  And maybe a bit off the radar because of how run-heavy Wabash was in 2013 are the graduations of Hildebrand, Laird, and Kraus.  That's three of your top 4 WRs there and guys that I think we really, really overlooked this season. 

[Schwami]

For all the Wallies, speaking of that 2011 run and the game against North Central, check out the new issue of Wabash Magazine --- a great article in there by Tyler Burke about "The Comeback" (as it felt inside his helmet that day). 

[wally_wabash]

More interesting offseason news as Chris Creighton is headed to the MAC. He's taking the incredible challenge that is leading Eastern Michigan.

[smedindy]

Wow. That's probably one of the larger challenges in D-1A (not counting new-ish programs or programs just reclassifying)- along with New Mexico St.

But Bill Snyder proved you can win at Kansas State, which was as bad or worse historically than EMU. So it CAN be done, and CC may be the coach to do it!

[sigma one]

I watched Creighton close up during his seven years at Wabash, and he used the same methods at Drake.  I hope he can find the scholarship players at EMU who will appreciate the way he wants his players to perform. 
     No doubt, Chris's energy and knowledge will carry him through whatever awaits at EMU.  If he gets the buy in from his athletes, he will make a mark there.

[wally_wabash]

I watched Creighton close up during his seven years at Wabash, and he used the same methods at Drake.  I hope he can find the scholarship players at EMU who will appreciate the way he want his players to perform. 
     No doubt, Chris's energy and knowledge will carry him through whatever awaits at EMU.  If he gets the buy in from his athletes, he will make a mark there.

There aren't many who don't buy in to what CC is selling.  That guy is the pied piper.  He'll get that team into a bowl before he's done there.  And more than that- he'll get that campus excited about football.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I watched Creighton close up during his seven years at Wabash, and he used the same methods at Drake.  I hope he can find the scholarship players at EMU who will appreciate the way he want his players to perform. 
     No doubt, Chris's energy and knowledge will carry him through whatever awaits at EMU.  If he gets the buy in from his athletes, he will make a mark there.

I taught at EMU my whole career; it is a graveyard for coaches.  The ONLY one who had success in the last 40+ years was immediately hired away by Cal (where he flopped).  Based on his rousing success at all three schools he coached, if anyone can win at EMU he seems like a great candidate.  BUT, I doubt anyone can win there.  They are just too overshadowed by the school 8 miles west (UM), who despite falling to mediocrity has still had c. 200 consecutive crowds of 100,000+.  EMU, on the other hand, should have been kicked out of D1 BCS long ago for failing to meet the attendance requirements.  Creighton may find it a shock that EMU draws fewer fans than Drake or Wabash!

I wish Coach Creighton all the luck in the world - he will need it!

Wally, just saw your post - I hope against hope that you are right; but then we'd lose him to a real D1 school anyway!

[sigma one]

Wally, jumped in, so I will too.  I agree with everything Wally laid out about this season and prospects for next year.  I'm curious he did not mention the QB situation.  I know he supported Putko this year, and its hard to deny Putko's success at the helm.  I do not think the QB position is solidly his to retain in 2014.  To me, it will be the most important wide open position when camp begins in August.
     I will also point to a solid offensive line.  Riffle is a big loss because he was so accomplished at several positions, but starters will return at LT, LG, C, and other young players got snaps all year.  TE is a ?, but the way Wabash is using the TE, I have no concern there.  Holmes and Zurek will be back; will they be the same or better after their injuries?  Stella may, uh, disappear.   Hodges, Christen, and one or two whose names are largely unknown will be the receivers.  Look for Dickerson, Adams, maybe Brazel and a couple of other rising sophomores.
     The D line needs a solid player in the middle.  I think he's on the roster, but I don't know who it will be.  McCullen, Tuck-Snelling, Rutter form a strong nucleus up front.  As Wally emphasized, the LBs are numerous.  I think sometimes we forget Akinrabade because Buresh (Cody) and Scola scooped up so many tackles.  But AJ is among the best in the conference, and I see him getting more visibility next year.  I know this:  even this year teams had to prepare for him.  Buresh (Cody) actually made the all-NCAC team as a defensive lineman.  The other Buresh (Ethan) may become just as good.  Several freshmen will move up:  I like Sinnis and Jones.  Broecker and Montgomery and Bauer (who started for most of this year) are also there.  One can't have too many linebackers on the roster.
     In addition to Pettiford, Cmehil returns at the other corner; and there's always Hodges when needed.  The safeties have the potential to be special:  Woods, Brown--a freshman who got a lot of time in the second half of the season, and then Wilkins, who was, well, only 1st team all-conference.
     The defense could well be better than this year's group.   The offense might be able to be more diversified, though as long as the LGs can run the ball successfully Raeburn has shown that he's satisfied to eat up yards and the clock, using the pass to keep the defenses honest.
      The kickers:  true, big losses in MacDougall and Sobleski, special players.  Tutsie will be first in line as the kicker.  He got a few chances this year when Wabash was way ahead.  Punting--line up and see who emerges.
     I know I've left out some names that should be in the mix.
     My final comments:  both Holmes and Zurek are all-conference-type backs--or were; I hope they will be again.  Klembara:  where will he end up.  He's too talented to keep off the field for long.  Before he moved over to run the ball this year, he was settling in effectively as the nickle and dime back.  Who knows how he will be used next fall.  Same is true for the second AJ, AJ Clark, a Wilkins- type hybrid LB/S. 
     That's my two cents worth. 

[owubishops]

Pretty cool stuff here for the NCAC.


Hundred of fans, family members, and loyal patrons descended on the campus of Florida International University to see former NFL Coach Mike Stock's Red Nation team take on current Lehigh Valley Steelhawks head coach Chris Thompson battle it out in the 4th Annual National Bowl Game. The game was played at Alfosno Field at FIU Stadium in Miami, FL seeing many friends of the program headed to South Beach for sun, dinner, and shopping. Meanwhile, the 100 players participating in the game were there for glory. Glorious this day was as 66 total points were scored as the Red beat the Blue 40-26 in a shootout that saw the best hitting, running, and passing see in the National Bowl series. National Bowl founder said "it was the most talented group we have had yet and we are expecting to see alot of these guys in NFL and CFL camps." Some know stars were honored such as NE-10 Conference Player of the Year QB Joe Clancy while new ones were born when Overall Game MVP QB Mason Espinosa of Ohio Wesleyan stole the show. Scouts from 10 NFL teams were on hand including several CFL and arena league scouts. If you did not get a chance to see the game live it will be shown on replay soon on the Florida Sports Network's website or on the National Bowl presented by East Preps Youtube channel here:  http://www.youtube.com/user/eastpreps   We suggest next time you make the trip to see the best players you've never seen!