FB: Middle Atlantic Conference

[bman]

Huge game this week at Lyco...either way, though, the Albright and Lyco games are also huge games looming for Widener, before the Del Val game...
Looks like Del Val and Lyco have gotten through the most difficult part of their schedule, while that can not be said for Widener.

We'll see if the ranking for WU is justified...

[gordonmann]

Gordon please talk to dlip about this Del Val team. Looks like they are starting to really come together and have rebounded from a tough start. To you, is this a top 10 team in the east?

That's a good question.

The Aggies first team defense hasn't allowed a touchdown since the second half of Game 2 against Lycoming.  The reserves allowed touchdowns to Stevenson, FDU and Albright but the starters held those three teams plus King's out of the endzone.  Then again, three of those four teams are headed for losing seasons. 

Del Val replaced five of their front seven on defense so some growing pains were likely.  Coach Clements is an outstanding defensive coach so improvement was also likely.  Unfortunately Del Val's first two opponents didn't leave room for subpar performances.

Right now either Del Val or Leb Val is the third best team in the MAC, behind Widener and Lycoming.  Is the third best team in the MAC one of the Top 10 in the region?  Maybe it's not this year considering the Empire 8's depth, the NJAC's parity at the top and Hobart's stellar start.

[gordonmann]

Huge game this week at Lyco...

If Lyco wins this week, the Warriors basically lock up the automatic bid.  They finish with Wilkes, Stevenson and Misericordia.  Even if they lost one of those two games, they would still win the automatic bid with tie breakers over Widener or Del Val (the only teams who could catch them at that point). They could still split the conference title since the MAC recognizes co-champs.

[bman]

Gordon

At 4-1 in the conference, anything can happen... it all comes down to the Del Val/Widener game (assuming the top 3/4 don't slip prior).  To Del Val, the WU/Lyco game isn't really relevant...unless one of them loses unexpectedly.   Del Val, only has one stiff game ahead (leb Valley) based on the season's performance so far.   Widener still has to face Lyco, Albright, (which has been a challenge for them in years past) and Del Val....clearly the hardest schedule of the 3...As you mention Lyco is in the best position so far, but it looks like they don't score a lot of points....which may make them somewhat vulnerable...

Interesting few weeks coming up...

[gordonmann]

If Lyco wins tomorrow, Del Val's hopes for the AQ are essentially gone.  So are Widener's.

With a victory, the Warriors would be 6-0 with a one game advantage over Del Val and Widener and the head-to-head advantage.  The only way Del Val or Widener gets the AQ in that situation is if Lycoming loses two of its last three games against Wilkes, Stevenson and first year program Misericordia.  Even if we assume Lyco loses one of those three, the Warriors would at worst finish tied with Del Val or Widener in the standings and have the H2H advantage for the AQ.

If Widener wins tomorrow, we have an interesting final three weeks.  If Lycoming wins, the race for the AQ is basically over.

[bman]

Don't worry Gondon..Widener will win by 13...

[kate]

Aggies were up pretty well in the Misericordia game, so switched to the Lyco/Widener contest- The Pride up midway through the first quarter, 7/0 - Go Pride!  Until your last game of the season that is!

[kate]

At this moment, it looks bad for Del Val as Lycoming is beating Widener (the Pride keep turning the ball over), 17/14 in the middle of the 4th.  I have to start supper, but for now - not so great.

[AUKaz00]

Mad scramble by the Pride as they come back to win 28-23.  So, AQ hopes are alive for all three teams.

[pg04]

Mad scramble by the Pride as they come back to win 28-23.  So, AQ hopes are alive for all three teams.

Wow!  They did a similar thing against LVC. They have resiliency and I actually do hope they go undefeated.

[kate]

WOW, thank you Widener - Aggies, it all up to you now - GO DEL VAL!!!

[gordonmann]

Widener's comeback also keeps Leb Val and Albright's hopes for a conference title alive.  It'll be a fun three week stretch.

[Lyco80]

Was at the Widnener-Lycoming  game for any and all concerned and am willing to answer questions, if requested.

The Warriors were up, with the ball, and only needing to run out the clock.  They were able to overcome a false start and get a first down and needed only one more to run out the clock.  On third and fourth, Coach Clark elected to pass and the ball was thrown behind Parker Showers for an incomplete pass stopping the clock - a critical mistake.  Second guessing says, run the ball, if you do not get the first down let the clock continue to run - take the timeout and then punt.  Not done - leaving Widener with 1:26 on the clock as the ball came to rest near the twenty yard line.

Widener gets the ball and begins to self-destruct - penalties, have to use up third time out, scrambling like mad, etc.  A series of dramatic third down pass plays for big gains.  With mere seconds to go - not quite yet in field goal position they attempted a crossing route with Anthony Davis - I do not know how they got him since I thought he turned pro after USC - but he made a great catch in mid-stride and sprinted diagonally across the field for a score.  If he catches it and is tackled it is very likely the clock runs out before they line up and spike it - but Lycoming did not lay a hand on him.  After the touchdown the clock read 00:17 - those final seconds that might have been run off the clock earlier during the Warriors last possession loom even larger as the season winds down.  Hard to say if things would have turned out differently - I would have preferred to eat more clock. 

Lycoming gambled on the pass for the final first down to run out the clock and threw over the middle and LOST.  Widener, with their backs to the wall, created an aerial circus, and gambled, throwing over the middle and WON.

It was a stunning loss, given the Girardi bust dedication, the homecoming backdrop, and the Warriors giving up 14 points in the final quarter - something not usually seen in Williamsport or elsewhere.  The Pride have a potent office and can score fast. 

The only truly negative thing I can report is they seemed a bit too full of themselves at the end - and did not exit the field to celebrate in the locker room which would have been the sportsmanlike thing to do - and what Lycoming did at Del Val earlier in the year when they upset them at home.

All in all - an exciting exhibition of D-III football and a game that might have turned out differently for a few crucial and strategic decisions.

I am now an Aggie fan - beat Widener.

Go Warriors!

ATB

[wesleydad]

gordon, what has del val changed during the win streak.  the offense was baffling to me in week 1, but the aggies seem to be scoring more now.  moving the qb around more instead of keeping him in the pocket?  if they win out do they win the MAC, not sure anyone thought that would happen after the early season struggles

[bman]

Lyco80

Thanks for the recap...nice write-up!  While glad for the win, I certainly don't like to hear that WU wasn't very respectful in the celebration...that's not good to hear.  As much as we have beat the h@ll out of each other over the years, I thinks we've both earned the respect from each other that we deserve...
I was wondering if you could elaborate more on the turnovers(by both teams) and how they affected the game and the score...Unfortunately I was not near a computer on Sat., and couldn't listen to the game.  I was shocked to see WU had 7 turnovers, yet was able to still (even keep the game close) win...

Thanks!