FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

The biggest difference between '03 and '05 is how Wooster lost their games in those years.  Wooster was close in '03 and they looked like a team that had the talent but was a year's worth of experience away from being a strong contender.  In '05 Wooster got blasted by Wabash and Witt, was dominated by OWU, and then of course the Kenyon debacle (making no mention of the one-point squeaker vs. Oberlin wherein Oberlin led in the 4th quarter and missed 2 PATs in the game).  Watching Wooster last year, I never got the sense that they were a team that just needed one more year of experience.  Remember, Wooster lost four conference games last year by an average score of about 34 to 10.  That kind of differential isn't just about experience.

None of that is to say that Wooster can't or won't win the league in '06, but the difference I described is real and the subsequent skepticism is legitimate. 

[Hawk1404]

I am going to bring up this point......the Scots were not the same team without Justin Schafer....not only for his tremendous ability as a QB but his leadership.....they were not the same when he was not in the huddle....It was evident if you were at the games when he played and the ones he didnt you would know that.....even the Bash and Oberlin game he PLAYED ON A BROKEN ANKLE!!!! We were not dominated by OWU. In what was one of their best years they could only beat us by 18pts at the end of one of most trying seasons in school history....that goes for Witt as well.....they did not play the true Scots on those afternoons.....I will proudly stand behind that..

As for the Oberlin game...as I mentioned once Schafer played on a broken ankle....it was 40 degrees and raining and the lack of fans (200 maybe...150 Woo fans) didnt help. Oberlin scored on a fluke botch FG and a Blocked punt...also Wooster had a TD taken away when D. Shepard lost the ball out the  back of the endzone after a 50 yard run....oh yea he had 250 yards rushing that game....and was NCAC newcomer of the year.

Maybe we shouldnt be a clearcut favorite but we sure do have a lot coming back.

I have heard they have some absolute stud WRs coming up who would make the entire league forget about the WRs that Bash has right now. They have a good running game (i hear they have 3 stud frosh TBs), an experienced OL, 3 stud TEs, and oh yea SCHAFER,and an improving and agressive Defense.

You dont have to give them any respect...they actually like it that way!!! Keep doubting and we will see what happens......Should be interesting!!!!

[billy_pilgrim]

A rare Earlham post featuring a rare Earlham offseason article.....enjoy:

Rummell returning and drawing interest from scouts

http://www.pal-item.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060415/NEWS02/604150328/1004/NEWS17

[wally_wabash]

Maybe we shouldnt be a clearcut favorite but we sure do have a lot coming back.

...is an awful long way from....

I would have to think the the boys in Wooster would have to be considered as favorites to win the league this year.

I couldn't agree more with the former. 

It'll be a while before the league forgets about this crop of Wabash WRs.  Most of these guys still have another year after '06.  That's downright scary. 

[kcreds]

I have mixed feelings about billy pilgrim's post.

I love the fact Earlham is posting something positive. If in fact this QB is that good then Earlham should be competitive and may surprise some teams this year. Gotta love the QB's desire to play another year for a team that struggles. I hope he does go pro and does well, it will only bring more attention to DIII and the NCAC.

The other side of the coin is why would NFL scouts consider a DIII QB on a lower tier team? Is he really that good or does he just know someone? I speculate that the article was written to put Earlham in a positive light and hopefully be more appealing to recruits. It also might make believers of his teammates this year and they play harder. Whatever the reasoning, I like it. Way to go Earlham and thanks billy pilgrim for the post.

Wally, do you want to know what is really scary? Me agreeing with you on the Wooster issue.

Hawk1404, Wooster was never in that game with OWU last year and that is why I said OWU won handily. How a team reacts to adversity shows their character. You expect me to believe that Wooster mailed it in toward the end of last season and they are a much better team is hard for me to swallow. What is going to happen to this team facing any adversity this year? Don't get me wrong, I truly like your positive thinking but I don't buy into your reasoning. Ultimately it doesn't matter what we think but how the players and coaches on opposing teams will view Wooster. I believe that Wooster has a class program that no coach or player will look past them. Wabash and Witt are on a pedestal this year and I hope that OWU or anyone else can knock them off, preferably OWU. Goooooo Bishops!   

[BashBacker#16]

Kcreds,

Rummell is pretty darn good.  I'd like to see if he can put up numbers against the Bash's and the Witt's of the NCAC - NOT the Manchester's of the world.  My hunch is his production will drop off considerably once they face the upper tier teams and they pressure him.

41 - if you are out there...Bash recruiting is going very well - can't wait to see the finalized class.

DarksideD - it's about time, where have you been???  My goal for this season is for you to admit that Pynenberg is the "real deal."  He's started all 22 games in his first 2 years.  Are you coming to Hollett Stadium on October 28th?

[wally_wabash]

Rummell is good.  In fact, if we used how a team plays without it's best player as a metric for MVP type awards, Rummell would have won in a landslide last season.  In two games with Rummell, Earlham scored 110 points and 15 offensive touchdowns.  In 8 games without him Earlham scored 41 points and just three offensive touchdowns.  You could say he makes a just a wee bit of difference for the Quakers. 

With Rummell in '06, Earlham has a good chance to win at least five games and as many as seven I think.  Without him, I'm having a hard time finding any more than two or three games that they can win. 

[illinihscoach05]

Boy oh boy Bash Backer had me pegged didn't he - yes I am Dale Sprague - although I question the legendary part!!!  Bash Backer could only be Kelly House unless I miss my guess - a Southmont grad who excelled in all he did and who has two wonderful parents in Judy & Steve (who is still coaching at 'Bash and doing a great job).  Kelly then excelled in Football & Baseball at 'Bash under Greg Carlson (winningest coach in Bash history) and Scott Boone, presently coaching at William & Mary in football.  Great Kelly - identifying my signs!!!  Now if I ever coach baseball again, there goes the secret!  And I did think someone had shot me in the leg over at Lebanon!!! Damn that hurt!!  One sone Matt grad of Millikin ('02), Twins Katie &Ryan at Illinois State (Ryan started at Millikin-transferred for Sports Communications-called the Millikin womens '05 NCAA Championship game in hoops on WJMU and for ESPN2), and Billy who is at Blackburn where I used to coach. WHew-life history - but I miss Wabash and Crawfordsville and all the great folks there.  And Kelly.......you were always one of my favorites!  I am very proud of what you have accomplished - I know dad & Mom are too - I only hope I had a small part in it somehow!  Take care of yourself, your family, and Mom and Dad.

[bashbrother]

BB16 - Thanks for all the recruiting updates. 

Russ update:  Heading to Columbia University for Film school next fall.


Go Wabash!

[kcreds]

What is the recipe for winning an NCAC title? Is there more than one? Can just having a standout player get you there? Is that recipe any different than other divisions or conferences? Is there some ingredients that you need more of than others? To make it easier, your ingredients have to equal 100.

Here is my take:
Main ingredient 45 parts of Total Defense 
Complimentary ingredient 25 parts of Offensive Line
Sprinkle in 15 parts of Skill players (don't be afraid of over doing it)     
To add some spice 10 parts Coaching         
A dash of 5 parts Special Teams

I believe that with a solid defense and a big, strong and quick offensive line, a team has a real good chance of winning a title. Good skill players can win you games but without a good defense or offensive line, a title is unlikely. Coaching is overrated, obviously their scheme and motivational skills are very important, and they need to be experienced. No one should ever leave out special teams, they can make or break a team. I do not believe my recipe is the only one that can win a cookoff but I would put it up against anyone's.

   

[Superfoot Wallace]

Think you might have to put it up against others at a cookoff Kcreds.

Was thinking about a post before coming on to the board about how the teams that have generally rounded out the bottom middle of the conference have their quarterbacks coming back, while three of the four top teams dont return their quarterback this season.

Just so happens those teams not returning their quarterback have traditiions of solid olineplay and defense.

Could really be a shakeup brewing in the NCAC as the teams go round robin with veteran skill sets versus veteran bluecollartypes.

Really could see multiple traditional top tier teams losing to the more recent lower rungs, creating a rock paper scissor for the conference championship.

Just have this sneaky suspicion that this could play into the hands of a Wooster or Kenyon.

signed,
the Last OAC Triumvirate

[Hawk1404]

Here is my take on what it takes to win an NCAC or any championship.

1. Leadership- you can have all the talent in the world but without a team that has a clear focus and leadership you will fall short somewhere along the line. This has to come from the players..the coaches will always provide this the the true championship teams win because the leadership truly comes from the players.

2. A tough Defense. You have to stop teams....in today's era of spread, high scoring offenses you have to be able to shut them down. The conditions effect the D less too....a high scoring offense can be shut down by just a bad weather day or a star player missing....you can never rely on out scoring opponents...you MUST be able to stop them.

3. Run the ball- you have to use the clock and move the ball on the ground...again you can always rely on the run game no matter what the conditions.


4. Playmakers- You have to have 2 or 3 guys whether it be O, D, or ST that make a big play when the team needs it.

5. Luck- no matter how good you are you will need it. Every team that wins a championship at any level will always run into close game and they need a break. i.e. a missed FG, a turnover, a trick play. I know people like to say that luck has nothing to do with it but ask a team that is WEARING A RING and ask them if luck played a part at anytime.

6. Solid Coaching- you need coaches that have been in that situation before.....coaches that can kept their players focused every week...overlooking no one. Coaches that are willing to adjust and do what it takes to win when the game is on the line.

By the way I have 2 rings.

[Superfoot Wallace]

 

By the way I have 2 rings.

Sounds like a hygiene problem.  Might I suggest some Lotrimin AF or bacitracin.  Stay away from the litter box.

signed,
Digger

[Hawk1404]

MacLeod,

You have to go there dont you.....Im guess you have never been a part of a championship. You probably are still wearing your Intermurals Championship T-shirt and you high school class ring.

Get a clue...and grow up!

[Superfoot Wallace]

Its all in fun Hawk dont get upset big boy.  I hope I never grow up, would suck to be with those poor and timid souls who know neither humor nor a poke in the ribs.  geesh.

If it means anything I was so afraid of my property teacher in law school that I had to put my NCAC championship ring on just to mutter responses as my fight or flight switch wasnt tripped by a cordial looking little lady.

Only time I really wore my ring.  Every time she cornered me on some question and grilled me with So Krates methodology Id look down at the ring and flashback to one of Finchams halftime butt chewins.

One in particular from the year you Wooster guys nearly took one from us at Edwards Maurer but for an unbelievable effort by an eyetalian fullback running down the return of a blocked field goal at a click covering 40 yards wherein the two guys returning it didnt cover 20.

On the same note, to quote the Man In the Iron Mask, nobody keeps secrets like the Jesuits.  My high school didnt have class rings, we have signet rings and the influence is probably greater than a large share of universities.

Also to quote the Man in the Iron Mask, and because Im so happy its my birthday, 'How can we beat them, the corridors reduce the advantage of our numbers, How is it that four can beat twenty?'

signed,
Joan of Arc