FB: Middle Atlantic Conference

[MacQuiz]

Change of hat plans today...

Normally I go with my Nebraska hat...due to a circumstance beyond my control...(my wife chucked it...), I will be sporting an orange(ish) Taylormade gold cap...and will have 2 boys in tow.

Please don't hesitate to pop by and introduce yourself...or call out if you see me...

She disagreed with the Mike Riley hire???

[George Thompson]

Pat and bman,

Thank you.   I am now signed up.   Anxious for the game to start.    Hopefully Linfield will play as well as Oregon did last night.   I expect Widener will be a much tougher opponent, though.


George
A Linfield fan

[jmcozenlaw]

I happen to be at home (Wyomissing, PA) this weekend as my alma mater (high school) is playing in the state semifinals today.  As I read the morning paper - the Reading Eagle - there is a very nice article about Widener quarterback Seth Klein, an alum of nearby Wilson (West Lawn) - which has produced a few notable quarterbacks over the years (Kerry Collins, Shane Stafford, and Chad Henne, to name a few). 

The Reading Eagle usually runs just token box-scores and capsules of local Division III schools - the MAC, Centennial Conference, and some NJAC scores usually make their way into the Eagle - but they have two very good high school sportswriters who will occasionally write a nice profile-type article if a Berks County product is having a noteworthy season or career (including yours truly in 2006 thanks to Carnegie Mellon's big season that year).

Just giving a shout-out to the Reading Eagle for the D3 acknowledgement and coverage, and a nod to Berks County product Seth Klein leading Widener into a huge game for the program.  Good luck to the Pride!

Tartan - Is your high school either AAAA or AAA by chance? The Philly area teams in both classes, St. Joe Prep (AAAA) and Archbishop Wood (AAA) are ridiculously good..................and I hope that someone knocks them off of their high horse. Maybe your school can knock one of them out..................unless AA or A.

The PIAA allowing these private school recruiting machines to take part in state playoffs is a joke..................and this coming from a CB West grad, from back in the days when we tore up the state

[MasterJedi]

Good luck to Widener today, it'll be a monumental task today but I hope your team can pull it off!

[ExTartanPlayer]

I happen to be at home (Wyomissing, PA) this weekend as my alma mater (high school) is playing in the state semifinals today.  As I read the morning paper - the Reading Eagle - there is a very nice article about Widener quarterback Seth Klein, an alum of nearby Wilson (West Lawn) - which has produced a few notable quarterbacks over the years (Kerry Collins, Shane Stafford, and Chad Henne, to name a few). 

The Reading Eagle usually runs just token box-scores and capsules of local Division III schools - the MAC, Centennial Conference, and some NJAC scores usually make their way into the Eagle - but they have two very good high school sportswriters who will occasionally write a nice profile-type article if a Berks County product is having a noteworthy season or career (including yours truly in 2006 thanks to Carnegie Mellon's big season that year).

Just giving a shout-out to the Reading Eagle for the D3 acknowledgement and coverage, and a nod to Berks County product Seth Klein leading Widener into a huge game for the program.  Good luck to the Pride!

Tartan - Is your high school either AAAA or AAA by chance? The Philly area teams in both classes, St. Joe Prep (AAAA) and Archbishop Wood (AAA) are ridiculously good..................and I hope that someone knocks them off of their high horse. Maybe your school can knock one of them out..................unless AA or A.

The PIAA allowing these private school recruiting machines to take part in state playoffs is a joke..................and this coming from a CB West grad, from back in the days when we tore up the state

You're a CB West grad from that era?  I was a kid during the big CB West powerhouse days and remember watching their teams in the AAAA title games.  I thought Dustin Picciotti was going to play in the NFL.

My school (Wyomissing) is AA.  Traditional "regional" power that has climbed up the state ladder recently.  Won a few District 3 titles in class A (89, 90, 93) and then some AA titles (2000, 2001, 2003) before making our first real serious run at a state title (2006, lost in the state semifinals) and finally breaking through in 2012 for the first state title.  Back to the semis again this year.  Pretty cool stuff - the 2001 and 2003 teams (my soph and senior year, respectively) felt like the start of a real uptick that has finally brought us to the top of the heap - and all of the aforementioned titles have come under the same head coach and with many of the same staff members, which is why I'm still so supportive of the program.

I still follow all classifications.  Our neighboring school district, Wilson, is in the AAAA semis in the other side of the bracket against Pine Richland today.  If they win, I'd be pulling for them against SJP, but I don't think they have the horses.  SJP and ABW are much better than the teams they're playing today and both will likely win handily. 

[jmcozenlaw]

I happen to be at home (Wyomissing, PA) this weekend as my alma mater (high school) is playing in the state semifinals today.  As I read the morning paper - the Reading Eagle - there is a very nice article about Widener quarterback Seth Klein, an alum of nearby Wilson (West Lawn) - which has produced a few notable quarterbacks over the years (Kerry Collins, Shane Stafford, and Chad Henne, to name a few). 

The Reading Eagle usually runs just token box-scores and capsules of local Division III schools - the MAC, Centennial Conference, and some NJAC scores usually make their way into the Eagle - but they have two very good high school sportswriters who will occasionally write a nice profile-type article if a Berks County product is having a noteworthy season or career (including yours truly in 2006 thanks to Carnegie Mellon's big season that year).

Just giving a shout-out to the Reading Eagle for the D3 acknowledgement and coverage, and a nod to Berks County product Seth Klein leading Widener into a huge game for the program.  Good luck to the Pride!

Tartan - Is your high school either AAAA or AAA by chance? The Philly area teams in both classes, St. Joe Prep (AAAA) and Archbishop Wood (AAA) are ridiculously good..................and I hope that someone knocks them off of their high horse. Maybe your school can knock one of them out..................unless AA or A.

The PIAA allowing these private school recruiting machines to take part in state playoffs is a joke..................and this coming from a CB West grad, from back in the days when we tore up the state

You're a CB West grad from that era?  I was a kid during the big CB West powerhouse days and remember watching their teams in the AAAA title games.  I thought Dustin Picciotti was going to play in the NFL.

My school (Wyomissing) is AA.  Traditional "regional" power that has climbed up the state ladder recently.  Won a few District 3 titles in class A (89, 90, 93) and then some AA titles (2000, 2001, 2003) before making our first real serious run at a state title (2006, lost in the state semifinals) and finally breaking through in 2012 for the first state title.  Back to the semis again this year.  Pretty cool stuff - the 2001 and 2003 teams (my soph and senior year, respectively) felt like the start of a real uptick that has finally brought us to the top of the heap - and all of the aforementioned titles have come under the same head coach and with many of the same staff members, which is why I'm still so supportive of the program.

I still follow all classifications.  Our neighboring school district, Wilson, is in the AAAA semis in the other side of the bracket against Pine Richland today.  If they win, I'd be pulling for them against SJP, but I don't think they have the horses.  SJP and ABW are much better than the teams they're playing today and both will likely win handily.

Tartan - I'm on my way out the door to see the St. Joe Prep vs. Pennsbury AAAA game. I'll check in later. Have a great day!!

[D3MAFAN]

Linfield is making everyone one-on-one play and Widener quarterback is not making good decisions, but the running game looks good as well as overall defense. I guess Linfield is use to the weather, because Widener is letting it effect them tremendously.

[MonroviaCat]

I've been watching some of the Widener videos and am wondering why Widener and their opponents us short kickoffs so often....seems like a lot of drives starting with good field positions as a result.....

I am hoping Linfield takes that opportunity/chance and kicks it deep, they would soon find out why many teams don't.

well at least you got your wish on this one thing....

[MonroviaCat]

Congrats to Widener and their fans on a good season----your defensive front was awesome--made me nervous for a good part of the game.

[D O.C.]

Me too.
Widener looks like the kind of team we would like a home and home series with. Everybody would win with SOS.

[bluenote]

Excellent season Widener. I saw a lot of talent on the field...I'm sure you guys will be right in the thick of things next season. Thanks for the tips on the Philly Cheesesteaks also!

[desertcat1]

YO  ADRIAN

[bman]

Have to say it was a long day yesterday....

Scrambled to get to the game after a family commitment, and then a long waterlogged ride home.   Didn't get on the board until last evening, and must say that I was disappointed with the BS and venom spouted on the "purple" board....I was inclined to respond...but then thought better of it...
Played with the kids, put some ornaments on the tree, and put some things into perspective...

First.  I want to thank the Pioneers(oops Pride...I really did just type Pioneers first) for a wonderful season.   Again, this was a team that NO ONE expected anything out of...Ranked initially 40th and 3rd in the MAC...and they came to play!  I can't be more proud of these kids...despite the outcome yesterday.  They exceeded our expectations...

I was also pleased with the game yesterday for another reason...Despite the outcome, and despite the nonsense (especially in the headlines ...and what is being posted elsewhere), this team is not far off...The game simply got away from them...Despite what the Linfield posters are spouting, this team was competitive except in a few facets of the game...
1.  The secondary...a point of concern all year.  This was a big difference in the game.  You can spout statistics all you want, but WU stuffed the Linfield running game.  I And were equal on the line of scrimmage.  I can't count the 3rd and 9, 10, 11, 12 etc. that Linfield converted...The secondary is a big point of upgrade if we want to be competitive...  Linfield's safety valve all game was to simply throw a comeback pattern along the sidelines just past the sticks, or just chuck it deep to a receiver on 1 on 1 coverage...  Their receiver #9 killed us, until he got hurt.
2. Speed of game.  It was clear that the WU offense had great difficulty playing faster.  The Linfield D, was quick, and was able to recover more quickly than the QB and receivers were used to...
Don't get me wrong, there were receivers open, and plays that were there, but they were unable to make them...so as odd as it seems given their record, being competitive at this next level means an upgrade a couple key positions....
3. play calling...was a bit ...odd, which will need to improve....Davis...targeted 3 times...typically he saw 1 on 1 with safety help over the top...nothing he hasn't seen all year.   he dominated in the MU game 2 years ago (which as a secondary was Waaay better than what he saw yesterday)...but they never really went to him.   Was surprised that they just didn't go to him, and let him make a play.  Also, there were lots of way to exploit the 2 deep, but they seems to stick to the same plays...little adjustments...it seems that they just seemed to be determined to stick to a game plan regardless...

In any case, the sad thing is that the score will simply result in everyone (and it's already happening) stating that the East is weak, Blah Blah Blah, and in this case the score won't indicate how close WU is....no sense in arguing that anymore...it's tired...

Lastly, I was disappointed in Coach Kelly for calling out Chip Kelly, in the manner that he did...it brought a negative light to the team...now the media has spread this, and are positioning the quote as if he was stating that Chip Kelly assisted Linfield in preparing....which is BS, but is what EVERYONE will grab on to...

I understand Chip in helping out a team that he has ties to, and really it was the right thing to do, however, he clearly doesn't understand Philadelphia yet...
Philly is a blue collar town...hardscrabble...as Philadelphians all we ask are teams/players/coaches to do two things...
1. Put in a real effort... and
2.  Don't be disrespectful to the folks that put money in your pocket... Chip (or the Eagles) should have made a simple phone call to WU to let them know they were helping out, and to perhaps wish the local team well as well...
Clearly Chip had no idea how this would be perceived locally (bad), and, while he "says" he wants to be part of this city, has no clue what that means...I kind of compare this to when the Sixers were in the finals and Destiny's Child performed at the half in Laker's gear, and got booed off the stage...and they were clueless why....
The answer there, as is here...is that it was disrespectful to the locals...

Back to football...
Closing the season, next week's Linfield/Whitewater game, will show 1 of 2 things...Either Linfield is competitive, and in which then we know where WU (and by default DVC and Lyco) are, OR they get smoked, in which then we know that we all (the MAC and by default the East) have a lot of work to do...
Given what I saw yesterday, I'd be surprised if Linfield can win next week...

[MonroviaCat]

Have to say it was a long day yesterday....

Scrambled to get to the game after a family commitment, and then a long waterlogged ride home.   Didn't get on the board until last evening, and must say that I was disappointed with the BS and venom spouted on the "purple" board....I was inclined to respond...but then thought better of it...
Played with the kids, put some ornaments on the tree, and put some things into perspective...

First.  I want to thank the Pioneers(oops Pride...I really did just type Pioneers first) for a wonderful season.   Again, this was a team that NO ONE expected anything out of...Ranked initially 40th and 3rd in the MAC...and they came to play!  I can't be more proud of these kids...despite the outcome yesterday.  They exceeded our expectations...

I was also pleased with the game yesterday for another reason...Despite the outcome, and despite the nonsense (especially in the headlines ...and what is being posted elsewhere), this team is not far off...The game simply got away from them...Despite what the Linfield posters are spouting, this team was competitive except in a few facets of the game...
1.  The secondary...a point of concern all year.  This was a big difference in the game.  You can spout statistics all you want, but WU stuffed the Linfield running game.  I And were equal on the line of scrimmage.  I can't count the 3rd and 9, 10, 11, 12 etc. that Linfield converted...The secondary is a big point of upgrade if we want to be competitive...  Linfield's safety valve all game was to simply throw a comeback pattern along the sidelines just past the sticks, or just chuck it deep to a receiver on 1 on 1 coverage...  Their receiver #9 killed us, until he got hurt.
2. Speed of game.  It was clear that the WU offense had great difficulty playing faster.  The Linfield D, was quick, and was able to recover more quickly than the QB and receivers were used to...
Don't get me wrong, there were receivers open, and plays that were there, but they were unable to make them...so as odd as it seems given their record, being competitive at this next level means an upgrade a couple key positions....
3. play calling...was a bit ...odd, which will need to improve....Davis...targeted 3 times...typically he saw 1 on 1 with safety help over the top...nothing he hasn't seen all year.   he dominated in the MU game 2 years ago (which as a secondary was Waaay better than what he saw yesterday)...but they never really went to him.   Was surprised that they just didn't go to him, and let him make a play.  Also, there were lots of way to exploit the 2 deep, but they seems to stick to the same plays...little adjustments...it seems that they just seemed to be determined to stick to a game plan regardless...

In any case, the sad thing is that the score will simply result in everyone (and it's already happening) stating that the East is weak, Blah Blah Blah, and in this case the score won't indicate how close WU is....no sense in arguing that anymore...it's tired...

Lastly, I was disappointed in Coach Kelly for calling out Chip Kelly, in the manner that he did...it brought a negative light to the team...now the media has spread this, and are positioning the quote as if he was stating that Chip Kelly assisted Linfield in preparing....which is BS, but is what EVERYONE will grab on to...

I understand Chip in helping out a team that he has ties to, and really it was the right thing to do, however, he clearly doesn't understand Philadelphia yet...
Philly is a blue collar town...hardscrabble...as Philadelphians all we ask are teams/players/coaches to do two things...
1. Put in a real effort... and
2.  Don't be disrespectful to the folks that put money in your pocket... Chip (or the Eagles) should have made a simple phone call to WU to let them know they were helping out, and to perhaps wish the local team well as well...
Clearly Chip had no idea how this would be perceived locally (bad), and, while he "says" he wants to be part of this city, has no clue what that means...I kind of compare this to when the Sixers were in the finals and Destiny's Child performed at the half in Laker's gear, and got booed off the stage...and they were clueless why....
The answer there, as is here...is that it was disrespectful to the locals...

Back to football...
Closing the season, next week's Linfield/Whitewater game, will show 1 of 2 things...Either Linfield is competitive, and in which then we know where WU (and by default DVC and Lyco) are, OR they get smoked, in which then we know that we all (the MAC and by default the East) have a lot of work to do...
Given what I saw yesterday, I'd be surprised if Linfield can win next week...

I can only assume the "venom" you are talking about is the response to the "Chip Kelly" stuff.....I went back and looked at our in game posts and saw nothing but positive comments about the way the Pride played.  I for one commented on how tough the defensive front was and how elusive the QB was.  That being said, the commentary in response to the Chip Kelly comment was really not directed at the effort or quality of the team (IMO) but was certainly taken as disrespect do our team as (I think you stated) it suggested that Chip Kelly was the reason Linfield won and not because they were the better team.  I do see that Widener's coach tweeted a clarification later on but when a coach makes a bone-headed comment like that the reaction it received is inevitable.  All that being said--I agree with you that Widener was more competitive than the score suggested.  They had a heck of a defensive front and actually the coverage by the DBs was pretty good on most play but our guys just outfought them for the ball on several plays.  The offense for Widener never got moving and the turnovers early on dug a hole that they couldn't get out of.  Anyway--I was impressed with Wideners team despite the score/stats.  Next week will be a battle for the Cats as it is every time we face Whitewater---I for one hope we can get the Monkey (Warhawks) off our back!

[bman]

Have to say it was a long day yesterday....

Scrambled to get to the game after a family commitment, and then a long waterlogged ride home.   Didn't get on the board until last evening, and must say that I was disappointed with the BS and venom spouted on the "purple" board....I was inclined to respond...but then thought better of it...
Played with the kids, put some ornaments on the tree, and put some things into perspective...

First.  I want to thank the Pioneers(oops Pride...I really did just type Pioneers first) for a wonderful season.   Again, this was a team that NO ONE expected anything out of...Ranked initially 40th and 3rd in the MAC...and they came to play!  I can't be more proud of these kids...despite the outcome yesterday.  They exceeded our expectations...

I was also pleased with the game yesterday for another reason...Despite the outcome, and despite the nonsense (especially in the headlines ...and what is being posted elsewhere), this team is not far off...The game simply got away from them...Despite what the Linfield posters are spouting, this team was competitive except in a few facets of the game...
1.  The secondary...a point of concern all year.  This was a big difference in the game.  You can spout statistics all you want, but WU stuffed the Linfield running game.  I And were equal on the line of scrimmage.  I can't count the 3rd and 9, 10, 11, 12 etc. that Linfield converted...The secondary is a big point of upgrade if we want to be competitive...  Linfield's safety valve all game was to simply throw a comeback pattern along the sidelines just past the sticks, or just chuck it deep to a receiver on 1 on 1 coverage...  Their receiver #9 killed us, until he got hurt.
2. Speed of game.  It was clear that the WU offense had great difficulty playing faster.  The Linfield D, was quick, and was able to recover more quickly than the QB and receivers were used to...
Don't get me wrong, there were receivers open, and plays that were there, but they were unable to make them...so as odd as it seems given their record, being competitive at this next level means an upgrade a couple key positions....
3. play calling...was a bit ...odd, which will need to improve....Davis...targeted 3 times...typically he saw 1 on 1 with safety help over the top...nothing he hasn't seen all year.   he dominated in the MU game 2 years ago (which as a secondary was Waaay better than what he saw yesterday)...but they never really went to him.   Was surprised that they just didn't go to him, and let him make a play.  Also, there were lots of way to exploit the 2 deep, but they seems to stick to the same plays...little adjustments...it seems that they just seemed to be determined to stick to a game plan regardless...

In any case, the sad thing is that the score will simply result in everyone (and it's already happening) stating that the East is weak, Blah Blah Blah, and in this case the score won't indicate how close WU is....no sense in arguing that anymore...it's tired...

Lastly, I was disappointed in Coach Kelly for calling out Chip Kelly, in the manner that he did...it brought a negative light to the team...now the media has spread this, and are positioning the quote as if he was stating that Chip Kelly assisted Linfield in preparing....which is BS, but is what EVERYONE will grab on to...

I understand Chip in helping out a team that he has ties to, and really it was the right thing to do, however, he clearly doesn't understand Philadelphia yet...
Philly is a blue collar town...hardscrabble...as Philadelphians all we ask are teams/players/coaches to do two things...
1. Put in a real effort... and
2.  Don't be disrespectful to the folks that put money in your pocket... Chip (or the Eagles) should have made a simple phone call to WU to let them know they were helping out, and to perhaps wish the local team well as well...
Clearly Chip had no idea how this would be perceived locally (bad), and, while he "says" he wants to be part of this city, has no clue what that means...I kind of compare this to when the Sixers were in the finals and Destiny's Child performed at the half in Laker's gear, and got booed off the stage...and they were clueless why....
The answer there, as is here...is that it was disrespectful to the locals...

Back to football...
Closing the season, next week's Linfield/Whitewater game, will show 1 of 2 things...Either Linfield is competitive, and in which then we know where WU (and by default DVC and Lyco) are, OR they get smoked, in which then we know that we all (the MAC and by default the East) have a lot of work to do...
Given what I saw yesterday, I'd be surprised if Linfield can win next week...

I can only assume the "venom" you are talking about is the response to the "Chip Kelly" stuff.....I went back and looked at our in game posts and saw nothing but positive comments about the way the Pride played.  I for one commented on how tough the defensive front was and how elusive the QB was.  That being said, the commentary in response to the Chip Kelly comment was really not directed at the effort or quality of the team (IMO) but was certainly taken as disrespect do our team as (I think you stated) it suggested that Chip Kelly was the reason Linfield won and not because they were the better team.  I do see that Widener's coach tweeted a clarification later on but when a coach makes a bone-headed comment like that the reaction it received is inevitable.  All that being said--I agree with you that Widener was more competitive than the score suggested.  They had a heck of a defensive front and actually the coverage by the DBs was pretty good on most play but our guys just outfought them for the ball on several plays.  The offense for Widener never got moving and the turnovers early on dug a hole that they couldn't get out of.  Anyway--I was impressed with Wideners team despite the score/stats.  Next week will be a battle for the Cats as it is every time we face Whitewater---I for one hope we can get the Monkey (Warhawks) off our back!

MonroviaCat

Understood, and the core posters (for the most part) certainly weren't disrespectful, but when you look at the tenor of the board, and see terms such as:
"That is funny MC. So the Pride's coach had an excuse the boys in the booth didn't use? Im sure they would have had they known. Kind of sad to be honest, what did he think? Chip slipped Coach Smith the master game plan of the pride?
or
Great game today Cats. Total domination on both sides of the ball."
or
"but to bring it up publicly with anger after totally getting drilled??? "
or
"Outside of the east region its been thought of as pretty weak for years now."  followed by "Then there could/should be a new formula where they don't get home games consistently. Just sayin'."
or my favorite...
"What a loser of a coach, he must be buddies with Ben McEnroe. Sorry coach, you just ran into the Linfield buzzsaw. and Just a reminder that the east region is overrated."
Was disappointed that D.O.C. who has been nice all week, mocked our Video/Radio crew...who BTW get little support from the University...
"And more homer announcers."...

Maybe I was just oversensitive last night...

In any case, I do hope Linfield does well (read into it wins) against UWW.  In a weird sense, their success, kind of validates WU's season...Personally, I don't have a real good feeling about it, comparing 2012's loss to MU, to this one...but understand they all are completely different teams.  Would also note that it would be great for the Linfield family to win for Parker Moore and his family.  That's really helpful for the healing process...

Also as a last note, was able to meet Wildcat 11 yesterday.  He took 5 minutes out from his filming duties to talk football, the team, and Philly.  Class guy, and represents your program in the best manner.  I know you are all proud to have him associated with the program, and he does a great job...although It will be too painful to watch the highlights he produces for this game...