FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Josh Bowerman]

Greetings, Hope fans!  It's been some time since I've last been able to check in on you all--the women's basketball final four two years ago in Springfield, to be exact.

Normally, I cover games photographically for d3football.com in the South Region, as I live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.  However, a business trip will be bringing me to the Chicago area this weekend, and I'm going to be able to shoot the Wheaton/Hope game Saturday evening.  (Thank goodness for the 7 p.m. kickoff!) If you'd like to see some of my other game coverage, you can check it out by visiting the Photo Galleries link on the front page of this site.

Please be sure to look for the photo gallery on Sunday, and please support this site by ordering prints early and often.  I also take special requests, so if there's anyone that would like me to snap some shots of something in particular, please send me a private message or email me offline--I'll be glad to accommodate any and all requests.

I'm looking forward to my first taste of real, midwest football in a long time this weekend.  Please say "hi" if you see me and introduce yourself--it's always great to meet fellow DIII fans!

[DEACONBLUE]

ADRIAN over Huntingdon - tough defensive battle...Doghouse is the edge
ALMA over Wittenberg - cocky Alma offense shows-off at home, lots of points
KALAMAZOO over Bluffton - tooo close, hornet victory assured if throwback stripes worn
Elmhurst over OLIVET - Jays are really pumped up this year, plus home field
TRI-STATE over Franklin - upset special, Thunder doesn't know any better than to be intimidated by a national ranked team's home opener.
HOPE over Wheaton - Wheaton favorite (home, depth, recent emotional purpose), but bad timing, Hope now clicking while Wheaton is suddenly regrouping.

Good luck MIAAsters, would be nice to have a MIAA sweep just before we all begin to mix it up between ourselves.  Well said formerd3db, "safe travels to all".

 

[matblake]

Hey Hope and MIAA fans.  I know that David Booko has not played in the first 2 games due to suspension, is he expected back this week vs. the Thunder?

[formerd3db]

Hey Hope and MIAA fans.  I know that David Booko has not played in the first 2 games due to suspension, is he expected back this week vs. the Thunder?

matblake:

Yes, Booko's suspension was for the first two games; he was to be eligible to play for the Wheaton game.  No having checked the with anyone and/or the Hope and MIAA website yet, and I have not heard anything to the contrary, but assuming he is healthy, he should be ready to go for the game.  Not sure if he is starting, but since he is a Sr. and Captain, I would suspect so, even though his back-up did a great job in the last game.

Deaconblue:
Thanks and good luck to your team this weekend.  Great to have you on the board.

[matblake]

Thanks former.  I hope Wheaton is not looking past this game.  I believe that Hope is better than their record indicates.  With Booko returning and adding in the injury to Zach Ullrich and having a less seasoned QB in the game things could get interesting. 

[DutchDad]

Hey Hope and MIAA fans.  I know that David Booko has not played in the first 2 games due to suspension, is he expected back this week vs. the Thunder?

matblake:

Yes, Booko's suspension was for the first two games; he was to be eligible to play for the Wheaton game.  No having checked the with anyone and/or the Hope and MIAA website yet, and I have not heard anything to the contrary, but assuming he is healthy, he should be ready to go for the game.  Not sure if he is starting, but since he is a Sr. and Captain, I would suspect so, even though his back-up did a great job in the last game.

Deaconblue:
Thanks and good luck to your team this weekend.  Great to have you on the board.

From what I have been told, RB David Booko is expected to start on Saturday.  QB Jake Manning is a game time decision, but doubtful.  Everyone else is healthy with DE Matt Rugenstein back to full speed.

[burly]

What high school also plays at the same stadium as Hope?

[formerd3db]

What high school also plays at the same stadium as Hope?

Pilgrim:

Holland High School also uses the Holland stadium.  Holland West Ottawa High School has their own field/stadium as I recall.  Nearby Zeeland and Zeeland West High Schools have their own facilities also.

[burly]

What high school also plays at the same stadium as Hope?

Pilgrim:

Holland High School also uses the Holland stadium.  Holland West Ottawa High School has their own field/stadium as I recall.  Nearby Zeeland and Zeeland West High Schools have their own facilities also.

Has there been any talk about building a stadium?

[miaafbfan]

Good luck to all MIAA teams today.  Hopefully our non-conference winning % improves before the race begins next week.

[LetItRain]

Tri-State:  14
Franklin:  38

QB Eric Watt was hurt during the game, but I don't know the extent of the injury.  They're announcing either a knee or ankle injury, no idea of how severe at this time.

Paul Curtis was also out for this game - there was some mention that he is sick, but no details.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Looks like a tough day again for the MIAA congratulations to Kzoo on a big day as well as to Jordan Tallman on a big day passing, 398yds and 3 TD's, even with 2 INT's nothing to scoff at.

I was able to attend the first half of the Adrian game today and it was some downright exciting football with a half time score of Huntingdon 22 Adrian 19.  Adrian came out strong a big pass play setting up two runs for the TD on the first drive followed by a long TD to Pat Reagan on  the next drive.  Two 15 yarders on that play resulted in a missed PAT and kicking from the 15 however.  Huntingdon came back after their starting QB got knocked out of the game and their backup came in and played very well he was a gritty player to say the least and finished with 4TD passes.  Adrian showed some big play ability with TD passes of 55, 27 and 22yds in the game although Adrian QB's did combine for 4 INT's on the day and were hit hard on several occasions despite allowing one sack.  The defense stepped up in the second half and in overtime keeping Huntingdon out of the endzone and played as solid game after the first half lots of scrambling by the Huntingdon QB opened up some real passing opportunities but all in all another very solid game from the AC defense.  All in all from what I saw and what the game ended up as some great football Huntingdon was a solid team that gave Adrian a test and let the players come back which gave them some adversity to overcome which is never a bad thing before the league season.  A better effort running the ball by Adrian today, gaining 100+ yards, but still lacking a bit in the ypc category which could prove troublesome down the road, sitting at slightly over 3.  Improvement though is gradual. 

I was also able to attend the EMU vs. Howard game today and to get some sideline passes which was an experience, it was alright some decent football from EMU some dumb plays from Howard.  Highlight there had to be Howard Universities marching band at halftime, I encourage anyone who gets a chance to see an MEAC marching band to do so.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Any Hope updates out there?

[Mugsy]

Any Hope updates out there?

Wheaton 42 - Hope 7.   7 minutes left in the game.  Hope's lone TD came after Wheaton jumped offsides and blocked a Hope FG, giving Hope a 1st down in the redzone.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Yikes.