FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[reality check]

I have no idea when he played.  I was just told as a kid that he played goalie briefly for the Gems.  I kinda sorta never believed it but didn't pursue it.  I grew up in Harrison Township about five minutes from Hara (Catalpa Woods area).  I learned to drive a stick in the Hara parking lot.  I still remember my dad parking my little 86 Cavalier on one of the Hara loading ramps, shutting it down and applying the e-brake.  He got out, handed me the keys and said "good luck".  My test was to start it, disengage the break and get up the ramp without stalling or rolling back to the bottom of the ramp in the hole. 

I watched some Dayton Bombers hockey at Hara growing up and remember seeing a couple circuses and the Globetrotters there as a kid but when the Nutter Center popped up, all that went away.  I did play a little golf on the Hara Green golf course they built at the back end of the property.

[ohiofan1954]

I have no idea when he played.  I was just told as a kid that he played goalie briefly for the Gems.  I kinda sorta never believed it but didn't pursue it.  I grew up in Harrison Township about five minutes from Hara (Catalpa Woods area).  I learned to drive a stick in the Hara parking lot.  I still remember my dad parking my little 86 Cavalier on one of the Hara loading ramps, shutting it down and applying the e-brake.  He got out, handed me the keys and said "good luck".  My test was to start it, disengage the break and get up the ramp without stalling or rolling back to the bottom of the ramp in the hole. 

I watched some Dayton Bombers hockey at Hara growing up and remember seeing a couple circuses and the Globetrotters there as a kid but when the Nutter Center popped up, all that went away.  I did play a little golf on the Hara Green golf course they built at the back end of the property.

great stuff reality, you should have been at Hara the night of the second ali-frazier fight. Closed circuit camera went out in the second round and there was a riot.

[reality check]

I've actually heard stories about that fight.  Couldn't believe that it took place at Hara Arena in the first place.

[ohiofan1954]

The fight itself was in Madison Square Garden. It was a closed circuit broadcast in Hara Arena. For those not old enough to remember that was the way to see major fights live up until the late 70's. The first fight I watched that way was the Foreman-Roman title fight in 1973. It cost $6 to see it. It also lasted 2 minutes. It was only after the boom of cable tv that it switched from poor images on a big screen in either theaters or arenas. During the event mentioned here the camera went off in the second round. You could hear the commentary but that was all. It would be unusual but not completely unknown to hold a major heavyweight fight in a place like Hara though. The second ali-liston fight was fought in a tiny ice rink in Lewiston ,Maine.

[tigerfanalso]

WallyWabash: What should HSC expect from Wabash next year ? I'm afraid 2015 will be a rebuilding year for HSC, probably picked near the bottom of the ODAC preseason and as you well know, the ODAC is not competitve on the regional or national
level most years. I'm afraid the Gentlemens Classic will not be much of a game unless miracles occur between now and then.   

[wally_wabash]

WallyWabash: What should HSC expect from Wabash next year ? I'm afraid 2015 will be a rebuilding year for HSC, probably picked near the bottom of the ODAC preseason and as you well know, the ODAC is not competitve on the regional or national
level most years. I'm afraid the Gentlemens Classic will not be much of a game unless miracles occur between now and then.

I think Wabash is going to be decent in 2015.  Things I'm excited about:
- 5 returning OLs that started all 12 games in 2014.  This is huge. 
- Mason Zurek getting more carries.  List of guys that I've seen at Wabash where I seriously think every touch is going to result in 1) some guy getting his ankles broken, 2) some guy getting steamrolled, 3) Wabash scoring a long touchdown, 4) any combination of 1-3: Aaron Lafitte, Mason Zurek.  End of list.  Z is exciting. 
- Two returning QBs with experience.  I have no idea if Putko or Rice (who you didn't see last year...Wabash started rotating him in about halfway through the season) will start or be the #1 guy or if they'll rotate around again this year.  Either way, I think Raeburn has a chance to get really creative with this offense. 

Things I'm less excited about:
- Having to replace three guys on defense that were four year starters and one other guy who had a great senior year.  That's going to be the question mark- who is going to fill those spots vacated by C. Buresh, Akinribade, Wilkins, and Rutter.  I believe Wabash has the players, but  you don't just replace that experience.  I don't think Wabash is going to turn into a defense that gives up 25 points per game, but guys are going to need to learn quickly here.  I'll never count out a H-SC offense and Wittenberg comes up in September this year.  Tricky first few games for the Wabash defense. 
- And that's it really.  I like this team a lot. 

I know H-SC is replacing some all timers there on offense, but that's actually something that gives me pause.  Last year I think we kind of knew what was going to happen.  Nance was going to sling it a bunch.  Game plan was to get to Nance. Mission accomplished.  I'm not sure who plays QB for your Tigers in 2015, but surely they are going to have to mix things up a little bit more in 2015.  If Hampden-Sydney is going to have an advantage in 2015 it's that they are kind of in a reinvention mode while Wabash is going to be pretty much the same thing they saw in 2014.  There's going to be a familiarity advantage there for Hampden-Sydney I believe.  Whether they can turn that into a win or not, who knows.  I'm looking forward to that game for sure.  September is HUGE for Wabash is 2015.  They need to get off to a good start down in Virginia on 9/5. 

[tigerfanalso]

Thanks for your feedback. HSC looks kinda of like this; replace 8 starters on defense; replace QB, WR, & RB, and one Olineman. You are correct about our offense next year, it will certainly look different.  September is huge for us as well as we face two teams that made it to the second round of the playoffs in weeks one & two. HSC will start slow and get better with each week. Facing Wabash will help prepare them for odac play. So basically, little experience on defense, OL very experienced, skilled positions little to no experience. All good players, which is why I think we begin to hit our stride in week three. 

[sigma one]

Wally, et al:  Rutter will return this year.  He has a year of eligibility remaining, not sure exactly why, but I think he was injured early on and missed a season. 
     Wally's analysis is always cogent, and the loss of those 4-year starters will hurt.  On the more positive side on defense, the defensive backs might all return; Woods is a question mark after ACL surgery.  And Ludwig and Karns got plenty of playing time late in the season and in the playoffs due to injuries of early-season starters (Klembara, in particular).
     By my count the LGs have 8 all-NCAC ist and 2nd team selections returning:  Wes Brown and Sturdivant on the O-line; Christen at WR; Dickerson as a returner; Zurek at RB; McCullen on the DL; Ethan Buresh at LB; Austin Brown at safety.  And Rutter was HM on the D-line.  Both kickers, one used on kickoffs, the other on FGs, and the punter also return.
     Wally, I'd value your opinion on a RB question.  In addition to Lafitte and Zurek, would you consider Chris Morris in the same category?  He is the Wabash all-time leader in rushing yards.  He and Lafitte shared carries when Morris was senior and Lafitte a freshman.     

[wally_wabash]

I remember Chris Morris as being extremely durable and extremely consistent.  He almost never made negative plays (149 yards lost from scrimmage in 585 career carries...that's awesome).  He had a handful of long runs in his career, but his main thing was just being so steady.  4-7 yards every time he touched it.  As far as all time greats for Wabash, certainly Chris Morris is on the short list.  He rushed for more yards than anybody in our history as you mentioned.  I think what I was alluding to more with Lafitte and Zurek is the wow factor that those two have whenever they get the ball.  Something really awesome is going to happen twice per game with those guys whether a defense is ready for it or not...and I think those guys are a little different than Morris in that respect.  And I hope that doesn't get read as a slight to Chris.  For all of the greatness of Knott and Short, the 2002 season doesn't happen without Chris Morris's 1500 yards. 

[sigma one]

Agree on the 2002 season.  I appreciate, and agree with, your analysis of Morris.  He did break a few long runs, but he was durable, consistent, and also a good blocker.  He wasn't usually the kind of scary back that both Lafitte and Zurek were/are.   I recall him going crazy vs. Kenyon one year, rushing for almost 200 yards in the first half on very few carries.  That was a really weak Kenyon team though. Too bad Lafitte didn't stick around for four years.  In his sophomore season he sustained a high-ankle sprain in the red and white scrimmage and struggled all year, but played well against DePauw in the Bell Game.  Then he decided to transfer near home, to Arizona State, and was the leading rusher in their spring game.  Unfortunately, he didn't last there.  A few years later he emerged at McPherson, NAIA, in Kansas playing for Brian Ward, who initially recruited him to Wabash.  I believe he might have been the leading TD scorer in the nation there.  Of course, by then he was in his mid-twenties.

     Raeburn likes to use two backs.  Zurek will get most of the carries, but it will be interesting to see who also sees time.  Johnson looked decent last year late in games, as did Estrada, another back from Arizona.  I heard recently that he will transfer to the University of Arizona.  Most of the Arizona guys stay, but one or two a year seem to head back to the desert.

[wally_wabash]

Selfishly, that would be a bummer if Estrada did transfer away.  I'm really looking forward to seeing what he can do with a healthy year (he wasn't last year as we know) and more carries available on Saturdays.  Healthy or not, it's tough to crack a backfield that features the two first team all-league RBs. 

[wabco]

I h ad the good fortune to meet and spend some time with a recent HS grad (base baller).  I asked about the stadium.  While seating is all along one side, it is new and pretty nice.  Tailgating seems to be the same type with similar administration approaches.  His description was that the HS tailgaters would be welcoming of Wabash fans.  I explained that a Wabash open and welcoming tailgate is the rule with Wabash (except possibly in the case of Witt and Dannies). He felt they will be very curious about Wabash and similarities to what HS believes.  The tailgates could/should be fun.  I told him I expect Wabash will "travel well" and be represented well at the game and before the game.  His description of the town sounds like a smaller C-ville.  Not many motels ... so if you have not obtained lodging yet ... get on it.  I know a number of folks who already have accommodations for Friday and Saturday.  So ... I say ... Wabash ... if you can, be there.  This could be a fun time in the genre of Whitewater tailgates and a chance to spend some time learning not only about HS but the lower VA as well.  WAF

[HSCTiger74]

I h ad the good fortune to meet and spend some time with a recent HS grad (base baller).  I asked about the stadium. While seating is all along one side, it is new and pretty nice.  Tailgating seems to be the same type with similar administration approaches.  His description was that the HS tailgaters would be welcoming of Wabash fans.  I explained that a Wabash open and welcoming tailgate is the rule with Wabash (except possibly in the case of Witt and Dannies). He felt they will be very curious about Wabash and similarities to what HS believes.  The tailgates could/should be fun.  I told him I expect Wabash will "travel well" and be represented well at the game and before the game.  His description of the town sounds like a smaller C-ville. Not many motels ... so if you have not obtained lodging yet ... get on it.  I know a number of folks who already have accommodations for Friday and Saturday.  So ... I say ... Wabash ... if you can, be there.  This could be a fun time in the genre of Whitewater tailgates and a chance to spend some time learning not only about HS but the lower VA as well.  WAF

   I haven't been up for a game since the stadium upgrades so this could now be totally wrong, but there has always been seating on the visitor's side of the field. The only drawback is that it is high school-like aluminum bleachers, with no cover at all. Be sure to have seat cushions, and if it's a sunny day plenty of sunscreen and a good hat. Alternatively, there's usually room on the grass for those who are comfortable with spreading a blanket (it's a natural bowl, so visibility will be OK), plus it's more shaded.
   As to the question of where to stay, you might find it expedient to find a place in Lynchburg or Richmond and make the hour or so drive on game day. I know when my nephew, who played at Dickinson, made the trip a few years ago that's what the team and most of the supporters did.
     

[wabashsid]

I've had the pleasure of visiting both Dr. Simms the past few years at Summer College at Hampden-Sydney (Dr. James Simms and his daughter, Dr. Edith Simms) and yes, the aluminum bleachers are still in place on the visitors side of the field along with ample area on the surrounding hillside to enjoy the game. I know I'll be in the press box as part of the broadcast, but another good spot to view the game (if you are granted an invitation) would be from the porch of the Wilson Center above and behind the end zone... and not too far from the Founder's parking and tailgate area.

[reality check]

Wabash guys.  You just got a huge recruiting boost.  I just got a text from my HC saying that our graduating QB is coming to Wabash.  He's the best player I've personally coached.  Here's his hudl highlights. 

Adam Abbatacola

Apache Junction has sent a couple kids your way over the years.  I see Adam as an absolute D-I talent but the program was in such flux the last couple years and he didn't see the field enough under previous regime.  He's a 6'4", lefty, 4.0 student, legit 4.7 speed and a rocket arm.  He was already working with Mesa Community College this spring and the coaches there were drooling over him.  I don't mean this as a slight to Wabash but Adam was always dead-set on working his way up to Division I so I am surprised to get the text this morning that he's committed to Wabash.  You guys will be VERY VERY happy.