FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[KC]

Huge win for the Lords, and I get that everyone is shocked, but I don't agree with this idea from DD that

"3.) The revenge for Kenyon, I would like to reiterate the Yankees favorite slogan, "Another 84 years!" Woe be to the lords next season when this years team Plays them the last game of the season with this bitter taste in their mouth. I as a fan have a worst taste in my mouth than if I found an open Beast in Bissman Hall and chugged it outta desperation. Remember the punishment the Obies took last year?"

Sure, you can't underestimate the desire to stick it to Wooster after playing Sutton in the 4th quarter of an 84-21 game last year, and we all feel that Schmitz is a prick, but this has been a few years in the making and should serve as an announcement to the NCAC, Kenyon isn't Kenyon anymore.  I wouldn't say the Lords are going to run the table or anything, but the program has been improving for 3  straight years and will only be better next year.  We only graduate 5 players, none of them impact players except McConnell, return Shoemaker, and everyone else is a year older and stronger.  Not to say we win this game next year, but don't expect it to be a cakewalk.  Kenyon is 2 years from being a legit contender as long as the staff stays intact.

[bashbrother]

Great article on the Northwestern College Doubleheader.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2185866

"It was the 40-year-old making three tackles and the former equipment manager scoring a TD."


KC -

The Kenyon story this year is a good one.  This may be the best Kenyon team offensively, since 1990 when a guy named Creighton was the QB.

[wally_wabash]

Easy, KC.  Kenyon's not announcing anything until they back up this season with another good season.  Every year in this conference somebody from the bottom half has a decent season...somewhere in that 4-3 area and finshes third or so in the standings.  Oberlin went 4-2 in '03 and with that win over Wooster started to get people thinking about whether or not Oberlin was really becoming a player.  In '04 Oberlin went 1-6 in conference play.  So much for that.  This sort of thing happens every year...

Year	Team	Record	Follow -Up Record
2004	Denison	4-3, 6-4	??
2003	Oberlin	4-2, 5-5	1-6, 1-9
2002	Earlham	4-3, 4-6	1-5, 2-8
2000	Earlham	4-3, 6-4	3-4, 4-6

Kenyon got a good win and might be on their way to having a good season, but let's save the statement stuff until Kenyon backs it up.  Personally, I'd love to see Kenyon become a player here...but I'm not ready to proclaim their greatness based on one win or even one decent season. 

[DarkSide-D]

KC,

Yes, Kenyon has come a long way from the 03 withdrawal from the conference.  What  I meant by my comment is that there is a huge circle on woosters calender for next season.  This game was a huge win for Kenyon and its program.  But on the opposite side of the coin, it is a very bitter loss for Wooster.  When Oberlin beat Woo in 03, the final was 14-7.  The 04 result was 59-14.  This years team will be mostly seniors next year.  And this game will stick with them for years to come.  

Wow, I have never heard anyone refer to Schmitz as a "Prick", with the exception of guys that quite the program and blamed Schmitz for not playing them.  I can honestly say that it didn't really matter that Sutton was in the Fourth Quarter last year.  When he was in, he wasn't in for very many plays.  there were a couple of times when our third stringer (the only other back we had) busted out a 40 + yd run for a Touchdown.  The next step was to start putting our linemen into the position of runningback.

That is where I think Kenyon made the most improvement.  Kenyon's offense surprised Woo last year, but their D was like swiss cheese.  This year however, Kenyon brought a whole package to the game.

[BashBacker#16]

DarksideD,

What's the D game plan brother?  Is it too early to start talking matchups for this weekend?  How do you stop Harbaugh and his crop of receivers...Russell, Walker, Piazza, Summers, Green, & Nelson???  Can the Woo front get pressure against the Bash O-line?  Will Bash have the ability to run the ball?

Can Wooster run the ball effectively against the Bash D?  Will Shafer play?  If he plays will he be as effective as last year leaving the pocket?  Can Wooster throw the ball downfield?

Should be a good one...Bash owes you guys for 2 straight wins in the series...

[wabashcpa]

Darkside,

Come sit on our side Saturday - to paraphrase Colin Cowherd, "You'll be smarter, your food will taste better, your demeanor will improve, and your girlfriend will be better looking".

[KC]

Wally, I wasn't saying Kenyon was making a statement of greatness, far from it.  The statement they made was that they aren't the same Kenyon anymore, the one that starts the season with 36 kids, ends up with under 30, and has linebackers running the ball 40 times a game.

[WallyFS4]

Darkside,

I understand how you feel about the band.  Some times the band, the parents and anyone connected with the band thinks the games are put on so the band can perform.   With that being said, Wooster would be nothing without them.  I don't think I have seen a better atmosphere at D3 than at Wooster.  The band rivals any D1 program anywhere.  Leading the team to the field, everything that they did 2 years ago was fantastic.  I was glad I was able to get pictures, and video.  I'm very upset that I'm not going to be able to attend this weekend.  Have prior commentments.  Should be a great game, and you can't beat the atmoshpere.  As always.

WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS![/font]

[DarkSide-D]

Wow, Never in a million years would I have thought I would be asked to hang out with Wabash fans.  This is almost as shocking as when BJ Harris asked me to have a beer with him after a bball game!!

As far as matchups, I will start with what I can answer.  Schafer will play.  I believe he will be a force both inside and outside of the pocket.  I think that now that Dave Miller is back, he will have one more good target, and get the ball to him.  I like Miller and his ability to fight for the extra yard after first contact.  He was a key ingrediant to setting up the final (missed) field goals for Wooster against Kenyon.

I think Wooster running game will surprise Bash fans.  Its not as great as when Sutt was there, but Woos committee has some talent.  Sheppard looks to be a solid runner as a firstyear.  Anderson has come miles from where he was to become a good runner.

Woosters O-line is big and experianced.  They should make good blocks all day long and make lanes and protect Schafer.  However, Woos O-line tends to be hot and cold at times.  If they show up, it should make for a game.

Now, Defense.  Oh boy.  I think if the Defense that played against Kenyon shows up, Woo is in trouble.  I look for the coaching staff to have a week heavy with tackling, pursuit, tackling, and tackling.  I look for Woo to work on its coverage.  It looked like some of their guys were out of position at times and too many recievers were left open.  I believe Wooster's D will show up this week though.  I remember the Papp used to be a graveyard for Top offensive performers.  RJ Bowers came to woo and had to wait til the next week to set his record.  In 03, Lafitte (although a firstyear) got rocked at the Papp.  Dante Washington ran into a meat grinder in Wooster.  Last week, however, Coombs just flat out had a day.  I hope Woo's D comes back around and plays solid hard nose football.  That is not to mean tryin to decapitate ppl, but fire off the ball and create a strong push at the line.  Being phsyical with recievers running routes.  Punish the ball carrier by getting lots of hats on him.  And most importantly, TACKLE the ball carrier by wrapping him up and bringing him down.

It should be a hard fought game on both sides of the ball.  Can't wait for Saturday!!

[DarkSide-D]

WallyFS4

Thanks for your comments, and I agree.  I was very upset at the time I made those comments, and I was not thinking properly.  I was simply lashing out at anyone I could.  Haha.  I have since apologized to the band through this board.  However, I refuse to apologize to the fans of the band who were absolutely ignorant towards the football program.  Who here, in their right mind, can imagine Wooster in Purple Unis??

[BashDad]

wabashcpa:

Interesting that you should mention "our side"--Wooster is another Ohio school that has seating only on the home side of the field.  Even if the visiting team travels with a good loud fan base they get lost in a large crowd on the far end from a very loud band.  I plan to be on my feet on the visitor's side of the field during the game.  Hopefully, this will be allowed.  I invite other Bash fans to join me--I simply feel that the L'il Giants need the vocal support of the fans who travel with them.

Wooster will be loaded for bear--they, as well as us, realize what's at stake.  

WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS!!




 

[wally_wabash]

Wabash was on the hairy edge of being doomed to an eternity of purple (heliotrope, I believe, was the exact hue) athletic uniforms.  Thank God for the kid who sounded off against that idea.  I shudder to think of a bookstore with nothing but purple sweatshirts and hats.  Scary. 

[spliskin]

I've been following this board for some time now and have to ask the question to all of you Bash---backers----dads-----brothers----sisters----girlfriends----cousins-----aunts-----uncles-----sons-------daughters.......fans------& Wallys:

What is the history/significance of the slogan:  "Wabash Always Fights"

As it seems pretty ingrained in your psyche, I assume this slogan has been around for a long time. Where/when did it start? Does this mean that there are bench clearing brawls at Wabash games or is it as simple as meaning that Wabash never gives up? Please enlighten me as I have never been to Wabash or seen them play.

[Ryan Tipps]

What is the history/significance of the slogan: "Wabash Always Fights"

During an alumni rally, a graduate from the class of 1910 said, "Wabash teams do not always win, but they always fight." The quote was published in the Sept. 25, 1919, edition of the school newspaper, and then evolved into the school slogan.

I hope that no one has ever seriously thought that it had anything to do with Little Giant teams always wanting to brawl. Think of it more in terms of the spirit of perseverance.

[Apone]

Wabash vs. Wooster:


The key story in this game will be Schafer.  How hurt is he?  The question was raised "Could Schafer have played against Kenyon?"  The answer: NO.  Word from Woo camp last week said that Schafer could not have played.  Word this week is that Schafer will play against Bash.
Last year Schafer made big plays and created opportunties with his feet.  Will he be able to do the same this year?  If not, what effect will that have on the Woo offense.  Looking at stats, Schafer has played a prominent role in Wooster's ground game thus far this season.  If he is too hobbled to run, can Wooster find a ground game consistent enough to take some pressure off the 'Bash blitz?  If the Lil Giants are allowed to lay their ears back and come after Schafer, this game will be over quicker than your "first time".  I believe the first series will go a long way to foretell the outcome of the game.  We'll see how healthy Schafer is and we'll see how aggressive the Bash D will be.

Also, last year the Wooster D had a great gameplan against the Bash O.  Wabash survived on a mismatch with Clifton that went for 4 scores over the same DB.  Well that receiver is gone, luckily, and so is that DB.  Two years ago the Bash O was blown up for 6+ sacks and only 1 score.  Wooster still has Mizak, but has nothing to replace Kearney.  Love seeing new players in old rivalries (must be even more fun for you Bash Boys in the Monon Bell).

Wabash has dropped 2 straight to Wooster.  DO NOT underestimate how much they want a win.  Conversely, Wooster enjoys beating Wabash very much and is not interested in breaking this 2-game win "streak".