FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[cut above]

any chance Witt will give Cap a game this year?

[wally_wabash]

any chance Witt will give Cap a game this year?

No.

[seinfeld]

Just to clarify the Clark/Holmes situation, Clark came in as a freshman in 2003. At that point, Holmes was a junior, who had only been healthy for one year, and had never started before. Clark then sat on the bench in 2003 & 2004, and when Holmes decided to take his fifth year in 2005, Clark left. If he had sat last year as well, he would have come into this year as a senior who never started a single game before. You can decide whether that was worth waiting for or not.

[Li'l Giant]

Just to clarify the Clark/Holmes situation, Clark came in as a freshman in 2003. At that point, Holmes was a junior, who had only been healthy for one year, and had never started before. Clark then sat on the bench in 2003 & 2004, and when Holmes decided to take his fifth year in 2005, Clark left. If he had sat last year as well, he would have come into this year as a senior who never started a single game before. You can decide whether that was worth waiting for or not.

I clearly didn't have the whole story. I can totally understand leaving at that point.

[ScotsFan]

Seinfeld, thanks for clearing that up a bit.  After reading witt4ever's post, he made it sound like Clark was a highly touted frosh like Huffman.  I find no fault in Clark jetting after finding out Holmes was coming back for a 5th year.  He waited it out long enough IMO.  I would have done the same thing if I were in his shoes. 

At the same time, I don't think you can fault Fincham for going with a 5th year senior in Holmes (who was quite good BTW) over Clark.  Being highly touted as a recruit doesn't automatically transfer to being great at the next level.  Fincham knew what he could expect from Holmes.  The same couldn't be said for Clark. 

[seinfeld]

Here are some quick thoughts on what I think is the most interesting game of the week. And since there are no John Carroll fans on this board, I will play the role of the Blue Streak fan to argue why they will win.

Why Wooster will win:  The Scots return virtually their entire team from last year, and with a large and talented senior class, should have a significant edge in playing experience. Schafer returns to the field healthy, and in games that he has been healthy in his career, he has posted a 22-4 record. In addition, Wooster should have the extra motivation of trying to make up for last year's collapse. John Carroll lost 14 starters from last year, including a whopping 9 on offense, including its starting quarterback, running back, and four offensive linemen. This will likely mean the Blue Streak offense will not be clicking on all cylinders early in the season.

Why Wooster will lose: It is hard to have much confidence in a team that did not score an offensive touchdown in its final two games of 2005 and went straight downhill after losing its starting quarterback. And while it returns almost its entire team from last year, this was the same group of players that did not perform very well the second half of the season. With a couple of exceptions, Wooster has not been able to perform consistently as an offense with the passing game as the primary weapon since the 1999 season, so it remains to be seen that it can do so this year, if that is the direction they go in. John Carroll did lose a lot of starters, but they are a top OAC team for a reason. They always have depth and will have capable players to step in this year. In addition, their is a lot of pride on the line to show how strong the OAC is.

In conclusion, I think Wooster will pull out a fairly low scoring affair, maybe something like 17-13. I think Schafer will be able to make enough plays himself to pull out the game. If Wooster can't beat John Carroll this year, I shudder to think what the result will be against them next year.

[ScotsFan]

I'm sorry if I missed this, but I don't recall it being discussed in here at all and that relates to the injury to Dustin Sheppard.   I meant to bring this up the other day after reading an article that mentioned it in the Wooster Daily Record.  The article didn't say what was wrong with Sheppard.  It just said that freshman Kevin Call will likely be the starter Saturday with sophomores Joe Francescangeli and Orlando Jones figuring to get some reps as well while Sheppard "heals."  Heals from what?  And how long will he be healing? 

Again, I apologize if this has already been discussed.  I usually keep abreast of the goings on in here and I really don't recall it being mentioned.

[Li'l Giant]

Joe Francescangeli

I bet the equipment manager is glad they don't do names on the backs of the jerseys. 

[wally_wabash]

This is the first we've heard of a Dustin Sheppard injury here.  You have to think that this throws a wicked kink into the offensive plans for the Scots...without Sheppard it would seem that they are right back to where they were last year in terms of running backs, and that's not really a good thing. 

I'm sure the board will be tracking this story as it goes along...this is actually pretty big news. 

[scotty]

seinfeld, excellent observation...in a game like this, field position and special teams will decide it...

ScotsFan, i believe it is his back...backs are tricky...

Li'l Giant, he has a brother on the team  

[wabashcpa]

It just said that freshman Kevin Call will likely be the starter Saturday with sophomores Joe Francescangeli and Orlando Jones figuring to get some reps as well while Sheppard "heals." 

Last time I saw Orlando Jones was in the movie "Drumline". 

[ScotsFan]

Last time I saw Orlando Jones was in the movie "Drumline". 

Funny thing is that his nickname is "Juice".  Personally, I think I'd pick a different nickname, I don't care what your initials are.  To be linked with Orenthal "If the glove doesn't fit, You must aquit" Simpson wouldn't be something I would desire...

[Li'l Giant]

Last time I saw Orlando Jones was in the movie "Drumline".

So you're the guy that watched that movie.

[gobash83]

Joe Francescangeli

I bet the equipment manager is glad they don't do names on the backs of the jerseys. 

I would hate to be the PA or radio announcer

[wabashcpa]

Last time I saw Orlando Jones was in the movie "Drumline".

So you're the guy that watched that movie.

Many times, actually.  I like the high-steppin' choreography and the drum sequences - good stuff.