FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[aueagle]

Nice to read the kudos for Owen Case-OWU Def. End. As much as I would like to see O. C. get awards, the downside is that he missed an NCAC game vs Kenyon. Still, his stats are solid: 29 solo-27 ast - 7.5 sacks - 1 int - 2 fumble rec - 1 int. He led the NCAC in '05 in tackles for loss & was the Bishop Team MVP in '05. A level-headed player, tough and leads by example. I go to speak with him during the Kenyon game...I came away very impressed by him...as a player/leader/student.
A very tough year in Delaware....the Hiram game is a springboard to 2007.
GO BISHOPS

[wally_wabash]

Alright...I've had time to think about this and my selections go as follows:

Gregory Award: It's a toss up between Huff and Murray.  Murray is the key guy on one of the worst offenses in the league (the stats don't lie)...but he does account for over half of Witt's offensive yardage and over one-third of their points.  Huff's numbers have been just plain nutty this season and he's a couple of good games away from breaking the NCAC single season record for PER.  If Witt wins Saturday and Murray has a good game doing it, I'd endorse him here and be happy to have Huff wait a year to collect this award. 

Critchfield Award: It should be Pynenberg (should have been last year also).  Harmon leads the league in tackles, but isn't on the radar in sacks or TFL.  Adi has tackle numbers like a LB, and sack/TFL numbers like a DL.  The kid is everywhere on the field and is probably the best LB I've seen at Wabash, which is high praise.  Watson has been the best player on the best D, but Adi got the best of him head to head and I think that tips the scale in favor of Pynenberg.  Case has crazy numbers, but I think he gets dinged bad because of OWU's misfortune on the scoreboard. 

Coach of the Year: Probably Fincham pending Saturday's game.  I think this was Stanley's award to win until his team blew it last week against Denison.  Should Witt lose, I'll split my vote between Matlak and Hollway. 

Newcomer of the Year: It has to be Huffman, even though Witt has seemingly won most of their games in spite of him as opposed to because of him.  He plays a high profile position on one of the league's best team...I just don't know who else would win this award. 

[Ryder16]

Watson has been the best player on the best D, but Adi got the best of him head to head and I think that tips the scale in favor of Pynenberg.  Case has crazy numbers, but I think he gets dinged bad because of OWU's misfortune on the scoreboard. 


I dont know If he got the best of him head to head, they are both on defense, and granted wabash won, but its not like they suited up  one on one and had a battle.

[wally_wabash]

I realize they weren't running around tackling one another....however in the game when they were on the same field on the same day, Adi had the better day and Adi's team won the game which is something that is often used to separate individuals for awards like these when the stats are so close. 

That's the point I was making....and it pains me that I had to explain that. 

[lancer98]

I am a little late to the rodeo on this one(out of town) and I am a bit surprised that Shaffer's injury has not been discussed more on here but I think we would be foolish not to think he's presence COULD have made a difference in the game.

While I concede injuries are a part of the game and every team has them, I think it is safe to say when your starting QB is hurt it is a huge blow and is much more significant than any other postion on the team.  While Reiff is a capable backup there still is a considerable difference between the two.

All I am saying is with a healthy Shaffer it would have been interesting to see the outcome.  Its quite possible it could have been the same.  But let's face it, QB is the most important postion on the field by a land slide in most cases....

[DadofBashWarrior..]

Wabash's "Red Squad" (JV team) played 5 this year going 4-1 with wins over Millikan, 2 over DePauw  , and D2 St. Joseph  .  Their lone loss was to Franklin  .  More then anything, that gives the underclassmen a chance to show what they can do along with providing a huge morale boost during the year.

Scotty - they finally let Sobecki play in the last one of the season vs. DePauw - I guess he ripped it up.  A highlight was a screen pass that went for 40+ where he ran about 4 guys over and broke a bunch of tackles.  He'll be the horse next season and has hopefully picked up some good experience this season.  He's on a bunch of special teams and will definitely earn his letter.

DadofBashWarrior - have you been to a game yet this year?  What is up with that - please tell me you will be at Hollett Little Giant Stadium on November 11...

Regarding post season awards...some tough calls no doubt.  Yes, Huff has the best supporting cast of WRs but he's made a lot of plays throughout the season...ex. last week with his legs.  He has made some clutch throws too.  With that said, I think Murray will win it and probably deservedly so.  It may play in to who wins the NCAC title though...  If Bash wins it outright, it may go to Huff.  I am biased but I think Pynenberg should win the D POY.  Watson and/or Harmon would be strong selections too.  Newcomer of the Year...not sure but I wouldn't think Huffman would.

Thanks for asking.....Your question makes every bit of sense to me....I will be at the Bell game and other extended family will be there as well coming from FLA and Ohio just for the game....Last year I was at most of the home games and all the JV games....Having Russell and Walker and Green and Banach it did not seem that Andrew would get much more playing time than some forth quarter and some "speed" plays....My circumstances are a bit different right now (career change) and what we thought would be little playing time has turned into something more than we thought with Walker out.
I should be at the remaining games in his career beyond the Dension game...it has hurt not to be there frankly...Andrew and I have agreed to watch the DVD's of each of the games at Christmas.

On another note....I have heard nothing here about the new wide receiver coach. Andrew has HUGE respect for him....HUGE.....I will leave it at that for now.....
WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS

[BashBacker#16]

Wabash WR's coach Timon Marshall - complete stud and has done a great job with a talented group.  More then anything,  I think he has instilled a swagger & confidence that has shown in their production.

I am pretty certain on the following...played for CC at Ottawa and showed up as a Freshman at 150 pounds.  Worked his tail off to be an incredible player and got much quicker and stronger.  Huge numbers last year in the AFL.  Agreed to coach on CC's staff with one out clause, if an NFL team approached him, he would have to pursue.  KC called about 3 weeks ago and flew him in for a workout.  He caught all 22 balls they threw at him but he was not called back.  I have heard all good things this entire year.  KC was looking for a burner and someone who could stretch the field.

His player profile - http://www.grandrapidsrampage.com/

[nike]

The best plyer in the league is Drushal, hands down. He will not get Gregory award, but he played his position far better than anyone else on offense this year. Been watching him open huge holes since his freshman year with Sutton running behind him.
Schaffer has simply not been the top flight quarterback he was since Sutton left. I really cannot figure out if Sutton made the passing game that much more effective or if Schaffer just hasn't played as well these last two years. Even in games where Sheppard has had big rushing days, Schaffer has not looked sharp.
Best player on defense I saw this year was Harmon, Witt or no Witt.
Come on Allegheny, you can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!
Really surprised Kenyon and OWU did not pick up where they left off last year. Honestly thought both would still be in the thick of things right about now. Guess you still got to play the games on the field.

[DadofBashWarrior..]

NCAA Regional Ranking

http://www.d3football.com/dailydose/?p=262

[BashBacker#16]

Regarding the regional rankings...how awesome would that be if the NCAC champ avoids Mount Union in the first round and goes the other way to Mt. St. Jo - they wouldn't have to make the long trek to Alliance until the Regional Finals if they made it that far.  Whether it is Witt or Bash, that could be huge break.  It sounds like that could be the scenario.

[Li'l Giant]

Regarding the regional rankings...how awesome would that be if the NCAC champ avoids Mount Union in the first round and goes the other way to Mt. St. Jo - they wouldn't have to make the long trek to Alliance until the Regional Finals if they made it that far.  Whether it is Witt or Bash, that could be huge break.  It sounds like that could be the scenario.

Wouldn't that mean the NCAC champ would play the CCIW champ or Capital in the second round if we got that far? Neither of those are close to easy wins. Regardless of who represents our conference, I'm thinking the NCAC playoff road is a tough one.

[woosterbooster]

This is a scary thought.  Mt. Union killed Capital, who murdered Wittenberg, who beat Wabash, who beat Wooster.  The last two matchups were close, or reasonably so, pretty normal football games.  But the difference between Mt. Union and the top NCAC teams sure looks huge from here.

[wally_wabash]

Let's not play the comparative score game...it can be extremely misleading.  For instance...

- last year Mount Union killed Capital who killed Witt who played a close game with Wabash who went to the final minute with Capital who then gave Mount Union everything they could ever want in the playoffs. 

Confused?  I'm not done. 

- Ohio Wesleyan lost to Franklin who beat Wabash who lost to Witt who lost to OWU. 

How does this make any sense at all?  It doesn't.  You can play six degrees of separation all day with football scores and it's all completely pointless, particularly when it gets to playoff time. 

Here is what you can bank on:  The North Region is HARD.  Any road through the North Region is going to be tough whether it starts in Cincinnati and goes through Bexley then Alliance...or Alliance to Rock Island to wherever.  There are a lot of good teams in the North Region and there really isn't an easy path to the national semis out of this region. 

[woosterbooster]

Wally -

Why is it that so many of your posts sound condescending?  What you say is of course true, and I and everyone else knows that, but you act as if you're the only one that does, even as if you're the moderator of this board which I don't believe you are.  It gets old.

[ScotLass]

The above is what is so annoying about this board.... you know, the NCAC ain't all about Wabash.

No matter who goes where in the playoffs, all roads lead to Mount Union. I don't have a beef with any NCAC team or poster on here and I am Woo all the way, BUT no team in the NCAC is playing to the level of Mount. Until one does, there's not a backer of any team on here whose post is of more consequence than anyone else.