FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[aueagle]

Yikes...and it's just the off-season!!!!

[Hawk1404]

I think it is great that the NCAC is now allowed to use footballs in spring ball...kind of ridiculus that they werent permitted before....dont you think??? But I want to talk about the 2006 Season. People can say what they want but from my observation I would have to think the the boys in Wooster would have to be considered as favorites to win the league this year. I have been able to see able to see Wooster play over the last couple of years and with what they have coming back you would think there time to return to the top is now. If they can stay healthy their O and D could be better than 2004. Of course there are question marks on both sides of the ball and in ST but who doesnt have question marks. Woo has a ton of experience coming back and lets remember they played a lot of young guys last year and they played half the season without J. Schafer a legit all league QB. Most of the seniors and juniors were guys who played and had major impacts on the 2004 team. They know how to win and they are ready for a return tot he top. Wooster works harder than any team in the league in the off season and from what I hear they have stepped it up this winter with a burning desire to erase the 2005 season. Their coaches do a tremendous job and I PROMISE you they will be ready when they kick off the 2006 season against John Carroll. Good Luck to all and lets get a disscussion finally started about the 2006 season. The Players, Coaches, and Even the Pipers are ready to hand out a few paybacks this season.
Go Scots!

[wally_wabash]

Fair enough, Hawk.  Let's break it down....

People can say what they want but from my observation I would have to think the the boys in Wooster would have to be considered as favorites to win the league this year.

Don't worry about that...people will say what they want.    
I don't think it'll be standing room only on the Wooster bandwagon in '06. 

I have been able to see able to see Wooster play over the last couple of years and with what they have coming back you would think there time to return to the top is now.

A lot of us have seen Wooster play over the last couple of years.  Last year, Wooster didn't exactly look or feel like a team that was just a year away. 

If they can stay healthy their O and D could be better than 2004.

Offense...no way.  Not unless Sutton magically finds another year of eligibility.  Defense...I'll buy it.  The '04 Wooster D could be, and was, scored on.  If Wooster's '06 Defense wants to be better, they'll need to get much, much tougher on the pass.  I still have that all-time worst pass D in Wooster history game vs. Wabash burned into my memory. 

Woo has a ton of experience coming back and lets remember they played a lot of young guys last year and they played half the season without J. Schafer a legit all league QB. Most of the seniors and juniors were guys who played and had major impacts on the 2004 team. They know how to win and they are ready for a return tot he top.

They were role players lending support to an amazing senior class in '04.  In '05 when they got their chance to step up, they lost to Kenyon.  At home.  Again, that's not just a hiccup...that's something much more serious. 

Wooster works harder than any team in the league in the off season and from what I hear they have stepped it up this winter with a burning desire to erase the 2005 season. Their coaches do a tremendous job and I PROMISE you they will be ready when they kick off the 2006 season against John Carroll.

Every fan, player, and coach of every fooball team in the universe says the same thing about their team.  EVERYBODY has the "championships are won in the offseason" mentality.  Save the clichés.  Everybody in the league is busting hump right now in preparation for next year. 

'06 will be interesting.  Wooster is bringing a lot back.  Allegheny is coming off the most hard-luck season I think I've ever seen and return a lot.  Witt has the best (by far, I think) player in the league coming back for a seventh season.  Wabash brings a lot more back from their championship team than people realize.  If OWU can figure out how to score points, they'll be tough.  There will be a lot of good teams in the league this fall.  It's going to be fun to see who puts it all together. 

[Hawk1404]

Let me break it down!

Role players in '04:
R.Drushal- All-American OL
A. Mizak- All-American DE
J. Schafer-All NCAC QB (wouldnt have won the league in 04 w/o him)
C. Craig- All NCAC DB (INT for TD in C-ville)
E. Watson- Starting DE, All-NCAC '05 (name sounds familiar...could get him to stay home)
S. Swearingen- 3rd WR, behind 2 All-NCAC WR, All-NCAC '05

Not bad credentials for ROLE PLAYERS.....All coming back for '06

I give you that everyone says they work hard in the off season......The Kenyon loss just embarrasing even with a backup QB......after that injuries played a huge part.....and im not into making excuses...because the Scots should of been 8-2 not 6-4.

If I am correct the Scots have won 2 of the last 3 against the little giants and had not problem going into dreaded Hollett and beating a nationally ranked team with a long home winning streak.

The league will once again come down to the 3 W's. Can Bash use the Momnetum from '05 to carry them to another title? Can Witt survive their early schedule and stay healthy for the league play and can the Scots return to their form from '02-'04. Gheny and OWU just dont have enough firepower yet but they are getting very close.

Should be a fun year in the NCAC!
Go Scots!

[wally_wabash]

I think maybe we watched different games at Hollett in '04.  I wouldn't say that Wooster "had not [sic] problem" winning that game.  Kight made a great play that saved the game for Wooster in the fourth quarter.  And then the Scots still had to survive a looong field goal that just barely missed that would have sent that game to OT. 

I would think that after Oberlin '03 and Kenyon '05, Wooster would know better than to sleep on any team in this conference.  Adopting the idea that "Allegheny and OWU don't have enough firepower" is a dangerous thing for Wooster. 

If you read back you'll find that you said:

Most of the seniors and juniors were guys who played and had major impacts on the 2004 team.

You listed six players, a couple of which I question as to whether or not they had a "major" impact in '04.  I doubt seriously that those six players account for most of Wooster's juniors and seniors.  In reality, a few of Wooster's 2006 juniors and seniors played when it mattered in '04.  The rest got their chance last year and went 6-4.  That says something doesn't it?

[illinihscoach05]

Wabash alums and fans - go to the CCIW homepage on here - there is on pages 240 & 241 some neat Wabash trivia and facts about this storied and football rich institution which I was very fortunate to coach at - so see if you can guess - Wabash folks - who I am (who is this illinihscoach? - hopefully some of my former players remember me - ya knuckleheads!)  Can anyone guess who I am?

[kcreds]

I admit I was an uninformed rookie last year and some of my comments reflected that. This year I recognize that I need more experience but I am no longer a rookie.

Hawk1404 here is my insight. I went to the majority of OWU's games last year and I listened to a familiar someone's opinions. There were 2 teams that in appearance were ahead of everyone else, Witt and Wabash. If they return alot of the same size players and throw in some good skill players, they will be scary again. Beatable but scary. Allegheny is a team that could join them this year as a favorite but I am not sold on them yet. OWU is an outside favorite. They lost some talented players but they return several very good ones. I will campaign again and state that Owen Case has the potential to be NCAC Defensive player of the year. Wooster and Kenyon will be competitive but will fall short of having a legitimate chance. OWU beat those teams handily last year. I loved Wooster's atmosphere and Kenyon's new athletic facility but was not impressed with their teams. Don't get me wrong, both of those teams are capable of beating OWU this year but I'm betting, not. The rest of the teams will probably surprise some teams but unlikely that they will compete for the title.

I like the idea that Hawk1404 is very positive about his team. I also like the cockiness that some of the Wabash and Witt fans display. They have the right to be right now but I truly hope OWU changes their tune this year and I for one will be elated. They will make victory that much sweeter. Not only does OWU need to beat the best to be the best but we as OWU fans need to be able to hang with their fans.

Goooooo Bishops!

One more thing, why can't DIII have spring games like DI?

[Hawk1404]

Wally,

I love the arrogance of the Bashers. I didnt say that Gheny and OWU couldnt win it but it just seems that they are a couple years away from seriously being in the championship hunt......they will though play a huge role in who wins the NCAC because they will play and probably beat one of the teams who will win it.

In the game in '04 Wooster dominated 3 1/2 quarters of that game......Brandon Clifton went off on an average pass D and  he and Russ made some plays. The game was a great one and I give the Bashers all the credit in the world for fighting back because we all know " Wabash Always Fights"!!!! HA!

Again, I am not trying to start any uproars but I think that Wooster should have a legit shot to win the league this year, pending any meltdowns, Kenyon '05/Oberlin '03, as do Bash and Witt. I also think it all comes down to who can stay healthy and win the big games....and if you do your research when the Scots lost those games to Oberlin and Kenyon they did play those games without Sutton in '03 and Schafer in'05.

As for those role players........I guess we will have to just see.......none of us can get through the opinions and thoughts of the Bashers.....because if you play there or are one of their fans you know that you are elite and you are of course always right!!!!

Good Luck to all and it is nice to finally post about something that really matters.....the '06 season.

Go Scots!

[wally_wabash]

Curious as to what I said that was arrogant...I haven't predicted much of anything for anybody to this point. 

It doesn't make much sense to me for you to say that Allegheny and OWU are a couple of years away and at the same time tell us that Wooster "would have to be considered favorties to win the league this year."  OWU handled Wooster last season.  Wooster got by Allegheny....barely.  I think there are effective arguments that could made that Allegheny was a better team than Wooster in '05, records be damned.  Wooster is in the hunt, but you can't call them a favorite.  In fact, I'd be cautious about calling anybody a favorite at this point EVERY team in the contender conversation has issues and holes to fill and problems to solve. 

[illinihscoach05]

Hawk I don't think that those of us affiliated with Wabash in any way try to be arrogant.  We are proud of our tradition, our alums, and our supporters, and yes, WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS!  Allegheny certainly has its own traditions ('90 NCAA Champs in football), as does OWU and Wooster among many others.  I hope people don't mistake PRIDE for arrogance.  I only coached there two years but still maintain that pride.

[BashBacker#16]

Wow, some action...finally.  Hawk - not sure why you guys aren't discussing LAST YEAR's Wooster homecoming game and NOT the game 2 years ago - is the game 2 years ago relevant?  If you can honestly look in the mirror and tell yourself that Wooster has made gains on Wabash (considering the THRASHING) that the Little Giants put on you at the Papp on your Homecoming...more power to you.  There was a HUGE talent gap and you travel to C-ville this Fall.  Did you really mention a player named Swearingen?  Did he start?  Those same Wabash receivers are back (Russell/Green/Walker/Banach -good luck trying to cover them!!!), the O-line will be bigger-deeper and better (Millikan, Certain, Hilts anchor), the Defense will be their usual selves with an All American in the middle (Adi Pynenberg) - where are the holes?  The only question mark would be at quarterback, similar to last year's pre-season assessment.    I can tell you this much, with the talent around him (Huff is the likely successor) - he won't have to be a major playmaker rather limit his mistakes and get the ball in the hands of the playmakers.  On top of that, he's been a part of the program for 3 years with 2 years of eligibility remaining.

Wally - seriously - what am I missing with Witt?  They lost Glover & Holmes - return Murray - what do you see that I do not?  On your Wooster stats, why not use last year's Bash/Woo massacre?  That is powerful evidence.

Hawk - one more thing, I am still not convinced (not even close) that Wooster has the best off season program.  I think results speak for themselves and Bash would be hard to argue.

[Hawk1404]

I said I like the arrogance or PRIDE or whatever....you guys have a great thing going over there. I am not saying it is bad thing. It is what it is and I think that the other people in the NCAC will agree....everyone has arrogance and pride for their school other than maybe Hiram, Oberlin, or Earlham.

OWu beat the Woo but they did not handle us.....and that was at the end of a bad season with a beat up and desimated Scots squad.

I agree that everyone is in the hunt for the '06 title....I just think that Wooster should be given some more respect....Wabash didnt have a great record in '05 with the same players that went 11-1 this year.

All I am saying is dont overlook the Scots because I guarruntee they will be a different team in '06 than they were in '05. I dont think that anyone is a clear cut favorite in the NCAC this year.

BashBacker,

YOu did play well at Wooster this year and I appluad the boys.....but we were playing with a QB with a broken ankle...and still put some yards on you although we didnt put it in the Zone. ...it was a beatin but not a massacre......and again i will tell you it is harder to repeat than you think!!!!!!!!! Everyone is now after you and last year meant nothing.
The Scots were a team in '05 trying to overcome injuries and find its identity and they will be an opponent to recon with in '06.....are we going to win the league...I dont know....I just think that if you look at eveything that happened to the Scots in '05 they are better team than they showed.

Go Scots!

[BashBacker#16]

Illinihscoach05 = the legendary Dale Sprague...please, was that supposed to be hard?  "Knuckleheads" was an obvious give away...c'mon coach.

...came to Wabash from St. Lawrence (NY)
...O-line coach/head baseball (2 years) - '84 & '85
...lived in the tiny white house where the present day Sigma Chi house stands
...former C-ville American Legion Post 72 coach - tore his Achilles waving in the winning run vs. the Lebanon Merchants in the Sectional championship and thought he had been shot in the leg by the opposing fans
...loved to keep the Legion baseball team in the dugout and talk for an hour about the 1980 Olympic Hockey team in 95 degree Summer heat
...father of twins + 2 (at least one Millikan grad)
...on a bad call in baseball - one of the best in the country clearing out a team's bat rack on to the field
...Your Baseball signs = 1-9 touch system representing each guy in the lineup...hat 1, right cheek 2, left cheek 3, right shoulder 4, left shoulder 5, right thigh 6, left thigh 7, (can't remember), belt 9.  Your sign at the plate = bunt.  Your sign on base = steal.

One of your former Post 72 Left Handed Pitchers/Center Fielder ---
BashBacker16

[wally_wabash]

16-

Bringing up last year's game vs. Wooster is too easy.  But Wabash was really good last year and they were REALLY good on that day.  I think the more convincing evidence against picking Wooster to be the favorite in '06 has to do with their struggles against the rest of the league.  I guess I'm giving the Scots a mulligan on the Bash game...but you can't hide from Kenyon, OWU, and Witt.  Losing those games is pretty strong evidence that Wooster isn't out ahead of enough of the league to be called favorites. 

And your point about what has Wooster done to catch up to the two teams that really pounded them last year is very valid.  The Scots are healthier, yes but injuries don't account for the totality of the Wabash/Witt beatdowns.

I don't think you're missing anything with Witt.  Murray is a stud.  Witt's in the hunt as long as Murray has two working legs.  How the rest of the offense is going to compliment him is unknown, but Witt always seems to have good athletes at the skill spots.  I wouldn't expect this year to be any different.  Plus Wabash goes to Springfield this year...never easy to win over there. 

[DarkSide-D]

Sure, last year Woo lost to Kenyon, Bash, OWU and Witt.  But saying that those losses mean that Woo won't win it this year is a joke.  Let's look back to '03 when Woo lost to Obe, Gheny, and Witt.  Were people saying that Woo wasn't a favorite for '04?  Hmmm, then again, Woo did beat Bash that year.  Maybe that was the difference.  If you beat Bash, you become a favorite.

And please don't say that "yes, by beating bash you become the favorite cuz they won the title last year."  That was last year, they haven't won squat this year, or rather, "They haven't won a sausage!!."