FB: Middle Atlantic Conference

[gordonmann]

Well that was painful.

First off, big ups to Lycoming. Down by 21, it never felt the Warriors were out of it because Del Val's defense couldn't get any stops. Whiteman played great, Umpleby was unstoppable and Bowman made a big conversion on third and long when a stop could've set Del Val up to put the game away. There were lots of chances to make the one more play that makes the difference and the Aggies couldn't do it.

Simba and company should enjoy this one.

We'll see if Del Val can rebound next week against Widener. Whatever happens, it's been a good season for a really young team. But it will feel less like that if they finish the season with two losses.

[bman]

And so goes an opportunity for 2 MAC teams in the playoffs...
Wesley will breathe a bit easier...

[wone3]

Stevenson is up 21-17 at the half...they look pretty good.

That was quick!! Albright was up 17-7

Score and then forced fumble recovery on 2. Problem is while Albright is good, they can and will get clobbered in first round I think. Stevenson drove first score and was driving again and called a "cutesy" flea-flicker play on forth and goal that was picked off and run back taking momentum all game.
I give the Stevenson guys credit for fight; but anyone who figures the play action and has a defender shadow Albright's QB will beat them badly and Albright is dead in the water unless they do have a good pass attack that we didn't see today. I'm not over impressed to see them make a major run in the playoffs. They were somewhat decent on run; but Stevenson made some really nice runs and the defense in pass can be picked apart on slants and screens. If the Stevenson new freshman QB could've been more accurate in a few deep balls; then Albright would've been in trouble and playing from behind. Albright is solid but not overpowering and very easily beat by more rounded teams.

[D3MAFAN]

Well that was painful.

First off, big ups to Lycoming. Down by 21, it never felt the Warriors were out of it because Del Val's defense couldn't get any stops. Whiteman played great, Umpleby was unstoppable and Bowman made a big conversion on third and long when a stop could've set Del Val up to put the game away. There were lots of chances to make the one more play that makes the difference and the Aggies couldn't do it.

Simba and company should enjoy this one.

We'll see if Del Val can rebound next week against Widener. Whatever happens, it's been a good season for a really young team. But it will feel less like that if they finish the season with two losses.

Hopefully they win next week and continue into the post season (ECAC Bowl).

[wone3]

Well that was painful.

First off, big ups to Lycoming. Down by 21, it never felt the Warriors were out of it because Del Val's defense couldn't get any stops. Whiteman played great, Umpleby was unstoppable and Bowman made a big conversion on third and long when a stop could've set Del Val up to put the game away. There were lots of chances to make the one more play that makes the difference and the Aggies couldn't do it.

Simba and company should enjoy this one.

We'll see if Del Val can rebound next week against Widener. Whatever happens, it's been a good season for a really young team. But it will feel less like that if they finish the season with two losses.

Hopefully they win next week and continue into the post season (ECAC Bowl).

Bowl game yes but not ECAC since they made the stupid move for a central location in Conn. Centennial and MAC put together 2 games for the top 2 teams that don't make NCAA playoffs.

[bman]

Definitely a MAC-CC Bowl game...

The scenarios as they stand:

Assuming both Albright and Johns Hopkins are not upset next week and both get Pool As (both have easier games), and either team gets a Pool C bid (extremely unlikely at this point)...

MAC teams in contention:
DVU                6-2  holds tiebreaker over Stevenson
Stevenson       6-2  holds tiebreaker over Widener
Widener          6-2

If Del Val defeats Widener, then DVU will be the number 1 team and Stevenson will be the number 2 (assuming they win next week)
If WU beats DVU, Then Stevenson will be the number 1 team, and Widener would be the number 2

CC Teams in contention:
Moravian             7-1
Muhlenberg         6-2   holds tiebreaker over Gettysburg
F&M                    5-3  holds tiebreaker over Muhlenberg
Gettysburg          5-3

Moravian and Muhlenberg play each other this week:

If Muhlenberg beats Moravian, they are the number 1 seed, and Moravian is the number 2 seed.
If Moravian beats Muhlenberg, Moravian is number 1 seed, and (assuming all teams win) F&M is the number 2 seed(F&M holds tiebreaker over Muhlenberg).
There is no scenario that gets Gettysburg into a game based on tiebreakers...


So definitely something to play for this week...

[wesleydad]

Definitely a MAC-CC Bowl game...

The scenarios as they stand:

Assuming both Albright and Johns Hopkins are not upset next week and both get Pool As (both have easier games), and either team gets a Pool C bid (extremely unlikely at this point)...

MAC teams in contention:
DVU                6-2  holds tiebreaker over Stevenson
Stevenson       6-2  holds tiebreaker over Widener
Widener          6-2

If Del Val defeats Widener, then DVU will be the number 1 team and Stevenson will be the number 2 (assuming they win next week)
If WU beats DVU, Then Stevenson will be the number 1 team, and Widener would be the number 2

CC Teams in contention:
Moravian             7-1
Muhlenberg         6-2   holds tiebreaker over Gettysburg
F&M                    5-3  holds tiebreaker over Muhlenberg
Gettysburg          5-3

Moravian and Muhlenberg play each other this week:

If Muhlenberg beats Moravian, they are the number 1 seed, and Moravian is the number 2 seed.
If Moravian beats Muhlenberg, Moravian is number 1 seed, and (assuming all teams win) F&M is the number 2 seed(F&M holds tiebreaker over Muhlenberg).
There is no scenario that gets Gettysburg into a game based on tiebreakers...


So definitely something to play for this week...

I like this set up.  More leagues should do it.  It adds a game and likely an uncommon opponent which is always fun.

[Pat Coleman]

Johns Hopkins has already clinched. They can't be knocked out.

[bman]

Johns Hopkins has already clinched. They can't be knocked out.

Understood

Given they both had fairly easy games, I decided not to look or include in my scenario...

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Congrats to MAC Champ Albright as the Kiddie Corps from DelVal choked up a big one today. 21 point lead.

Freshman..........they can be lethal to rely on at times. One of those times just occurred 

Albright hasn't clinched anything... if they get beat by Lebanon Valley and Delaware Valley beat Widener... then it's a co-championship and DelVal gets the title due to their head-to-head win over Albright. Yes, Stevenson can also win and make it a three-way tie, but the Mustangs lost to both Albright and DelVAl and thus are already eliminated from the AQ.

As for at-large... I'm pretty sure in saying the MAC isn't getting a second team in the NCAA tournament. That means selecting a 2-loss team which we already know is a rarity, but it isn't like the MAC is a juggernaut of a conference nor that the teams have stellar SOS numbers (Albright: .467; DelVal: .489; Stevenson: .467 as of last week).

Teams next week are playing to either spoil the party (LVC vs. Albright and Widener vs. DelVal)... or place themselves in the Centennial-MAC Bowl Series. The interesting thing is I think the two feature games are up in the air next week. I think Albright is good, but not awesome and LVC has a legit chance of knocking them off. DelVal seems more smoke and mirrors and Widener as a very good opportunity to knock them off. DelVal could go from being in control of the conference not even playing in a post-season game in a matter of two weeks!

Note about Albright-Stevenson game... to be honest, it was a fun game to watch. Both teams threw everything at each other. Stevenson's defense was very good, but so was Albright's when it needed to be. The Lions gave up a ton of yards, but had timely plays when they needed them. Sure, one of those plays was a questionable half-back option back to the QB on fourth down at the two by Stevenson, but a terrific effort to grab the ball falling to the turf for the INT to nearly end the game was terrific.

Now, I will question what in the world Albright was doing at the end of the game. They took two delay of game penalties to back themselves up and get closer to the endzone so they could kill the clock and give up a safety. HOWEVER, the last delay of game didn't allow the game clock to move and I feel forced them out of bounds with seconds remaining. It probably would have been smarter to have five more yards for the defense to cover so the game could have ended on the safety. (I don't know off the top of my head if Albright would have had to still kick off to Stevenson with no time on the clock - I can't remember the rule per a game ending on a safety.) The ensuing kick and laterals-a-plenty could have gone badly for the Lions - a risk I don't know was worth taking if you didn't have the extra delay of game at the end.

Anyway... fun game to watch; great crowd on hand as I could tell... just too bad the Stevenson band wastes 100-plus seats.

[bman]

Dave

Please pass word to those responsible, on what a pleasure it is to watch a Stevenson Broadcast.  It's one of the best in D3.  Great picture quality, great camera work and good play by play/color.  And I love the instant replay...  I can certainly see the pride Stevenson takes in that broadcast....it really shows!   
I usually try to catch at least a few minutes(if not more) when you are home...

[wone3]

Congrats to MAC Champ Albright as the Kiddie Corps from DelVal choked up a big one today. 21 point lead.

Freshman..........they can be lethal to rely on at times. One of those times just occurred 

Albright hasn't clinched anything... if they get beat by Lebanon Valley and Delaware Valley beat Widener... then it's a co-championship and DelVal gets the title due to their head-to-head win over Albright. Yes, Stevenson can also win and make it a three-way tie, but the Mustangs lost to both Albright and DelVAl and thus are already eliminated from the AQ.

As for at-large... I'm pretty sure in saying the MAC isn't getting a second team in the NCAA tournament. That means selecting a 2-loss team which we already know is a rarity, but it isn't like the MAC is a juggernaut of a conference nor that the teams have stellar SOS numbers (Albright: .467; DelVal: .489; Stevenson: .467 as of last week).

Teams next week are playing to either spoil the party (LVC vs. Albright and Widener vs. DelVal)... or place themselves in the Centennial-MAC Bowl Series. The interesting thing is I think the two feature games are up in the air next week. I think Albright is good, but not awesome and LVC has a legit chance of knocking them off. DelVal seems more smoke and mirrors and Widener as a very good opportunity to knock them off. DelVal could go from being in control of the conference not even playing in a post-season game in a matter of two weeks!

Note about Albright-Stevenson game... to be honest, it was a fun game to watch. Both teams threw everything at each other. Stevenson's defense was very good, but so was Albright's when it needed to be. The Lions gave up a ton of yards, but had timely plays when they needed them. Sure, one of those plays was a questionable half-back option back to the QB on fourth down at the two by Stevenson, but a terrific effort to grab the ball falling to the turf for the INT to nearly end the game was terrific.

Now, I will question what in the world Albright was doing at the end of the game. They took two delay of game penalties to back themselves up and get closer to the endzone so they could kill the clock and give up a safety. HOWEVER, the last delay of game didn't allow the game clock to move and I feel forced them out of bounds with seconds remaining. It probably would have been smarter to have five more yards for the defense to cover so the game could have ended on the safety. (I don't know off the top of my head if Albright would have had to still kick off to Stevenson with no time on the clock - I can't remember the rule per a game ending on a safety.) The ensuing kick and laterals-a-plenty could have gone badly for the Lions - a risk I don't know was worth taking if you didn't have the extra delay of game at the end.

Anyway... fun game to watch; great crowd on hand as I could tell... just too bad the Stevenson band wastes 100-plus seats.

Let's not say the band wastes seats ( my kiddo is a member of the colorguard )...usually the games at Stevenson haven't been sold out except Homecoming/Family Weekend. It wasn't even close to sell out yesterday and the band had to leave after half for a few exhibition performances in PA for the weekend.
We left after the pick-off right at the end of the game...missed that last bit. That half back option was the play of the game unfortunately in my opinion. Stevenson had the momentum and was seemingly driving pretty easily til then. They were and got lucky to go in ahead at half and just didn't make adjustments. Albright's play action is good and their little RB #2 is only a sophomore if I read right and will be a force to deal with over next few years.

[wone3]

Stevenson should win their game against FDU. The team doesn't deserve to play in any post-season stuff, if they can't win that game in my opinion. I'm just looking and hoping for the scenario (s) for them to have the home bowl game so my folks can watch the band and such live on field this year.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

wone3 - my only point is that once a year they leave a game at halftime for an exhibition... it seems things outside of the game take priority. Furthermore, I can't figure out why they don't play more often during games - but then again, my sister played for four years at Southern California... so I admit, I have gotten spoiled by big-time college bands (while also playing for a pretty good one in high school - though, no football). As big as they are... it also would be nice to find another seating situation.

By the way, in all seriousness, the color guard is far better this year than it has been in the past. So kudos there.

Dave

Please pass word to those responsible, on what a pleasure it is to watch a Stevenson Broadcast.  It's one of the best in D3.  Great picture quality, great camera work and good play by play/color.  And I love the instant replay...  I can certainly see the pride Stevenson takes in that broadcast....it really shows!   
I usually try to catch at least a few minutes(if not more) when you are home...

I will pass it along. I have been in charge the last three-plus years in some capacity or another. I am still there as a contracted person, but am switching towards more special projects there as my right-hand guy has been hired as the full time video production guy (I couldn't be more thrilled for him). I was there on Saturday and have only missed one home game in the last four years at Stevenson.

[wone3]

wone3 - my only point is that once a year they leave a game at halftime for an exhibition... it seems things outside of the game take priority. Furthermore, I can't figure out why they don't play more often during games - but then again, my sister played for four years at Southern California... so I admit, I have gotten spoiled by big-time college bands (while also playing for a pretty good one in high school - though, no football). As big as they are... it also would be nice to find another seating situation.

By the way, in all seriousness, the color guard is far better this year than it has been in the past. So kudos there.

Thanks...my gal was one of the 5 in rifle line during 1/2 time..it is tougher to tell them apart during the pregame

This year's exhibition was US bands (high school circuit) national A championships in Allentown and was an overnight trip. I'm guessing that they have done one each year but this might have been a first having a home game the same weekend. This was the only game they left after halftime this year, they stay thru the game normally. Always helps to promote the school and the band in it's also short 5 year existence.

I think it is in the lines of "sportsmanship" not to keep playing while the guys are at the line to start the play but they do play cheers and stuff in the stands and play every home game and open house the school has. I do agree that the stadium seating will need to be redone as the team keeps gaining on success and the need for regular seats grow. As you know and has been stated, they haven't sold out games outside of Homecoming in the entire time of existence. I think they are going to have to take the now practice field for seating and clear out another area further back for a new practice field as the eventual solution but I don't think they know how quickly they'll need to do it or will do it until they start having sell outs throughout a season (outside of Homecoming).