FB: Middle Atlantic Conference

[wone3]

Oh I know Whitewater's conference is dynamite this year. I was just pointing them out as how fluky this week is being for teams and tight games that maybe shouldn't be. Yeah I agree with your assessment but the choosers have been known to do strange stuff in the past. Doesn't matter now though. I do tend to agree with the call of one and done most likely is the story; but strange things can happen in the playoffs just ask Lyco in 1990.         

[jmcozenlaw]

I'm on the Stevenson bandwagon this year and others until I see a solid team in Lyco again. They lost their dominance about 15 years ago. I think Stevenson could potentially go on a Lyco style run on the conference for a few years to come. It would be an easy choice either way with 8 -1 vs pride. The tough choice would be both playing for championship or playoff bowl game spot. I tend to agree with you that it would be Wesley/NJAC champ for first round and I still wouldn't have been sold that they would give us the home advantage at 10-0 anyway.

Wone - Don't use the "bangwagon with Stevenson until Lyco gets good again". That's like all of these people who are now Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors fans and will be switching teams when LeBron retires and the Warriors get picked apart in free agency. Or new Chicago Cubs fans for the first time. Or Patriots fans until Brady retires. We are fans of our schools whether they are great, good, bad or suck.

No choice at all if it would come down to the MAC Championship or a NCAA Playoff berth. The alma mater is with you for life. The kid's alma mater is with them for life..........although the debt can be a lifetime for us as parents as well.

At 10-0 and a national ranking in the Top 12 to 15, if not slightly higher if some crazy results were to happen right above them in these final two weeks, they absolutely, positively, no doubt about it would of had at least one home game as the #4 seed. I would of bet the house.

I have no doubt that Stevenson will go on a long run in the MAC with the advantages of not having many schools in their backyard in which to compete, the budget as they become a much larger school than any in the MAC (the goal to get to 10,000 students, when the average MAC school is around 2,000) which will help greatly from a facilities standpoint and from a financial package standpoint as well.

The MAC coaches who I speak to are already well aware of this and were speaking about it not long after Stevenson was admitted to the MAC for football. I'd actually be shocked if they are not at the top, injuries aside, going forward year in and year out.

[jmcozenlaw]

Oh I know Whitewater's conference is dynamite this year. I was just pointing them out as how fluky this week is being for teams and tight games that maybe shouldn't be. Yeah I agree with your assessment but the choosers have been known to do strange stuff in the past. Doesn't matter now though. I do tend to agree with the call of one and done most likely is the story; but strange things can happen in the playoffs just ask Lyco in 1990.         

I would love to see a Stevenson vs. Wesley game..........although I can't stand that drive down to Dover. It reminds me of Pennsyltucky!!

[D3MAFAN]

Oh I know Whitewater's conference is dynamite this year. I was just pointing them out as how fluky this week is being for teams and tight games that maybe shouldn't be. Yeah I agree with your assessment but the choosers have been known to do strange stuff in the past. Doesn't matter now though. I do tend to agree with the call of one and done most likely is the story; but strange things can happen in the playoffs just ask Lyco in 1990.         

I would love to see a Stevenson vs. Wesley game..........although I can't stand that drive down to Dover. It reminds me of Pennsyltucky!!

Game would probably be at Stevenson.

[Warren Thompson]

I have no intention of shutting it down -- but what I would suggest is that your regular commentary on the subject of there not being a lot of posters is not going to help welcome people in. Talk about football, rather than talking about talking, in my opinion.

I understand Pat. I'm trying to shame some of them back in. You know firsthand that bman, simba, PBR and bill have been with you from day one and were all posting at the start of the year. Strange how they all disappeared at the same time.

Look at it another way though.............the post elicited a response from wesleydad, Saxon and, a brand new King's poster, the first that I can recall.

So something worked. Now maybe bman, simba, PBR and bill will return home, guided by the warm light of my beacon!!

Pat. it also reeled in Warren. Like shooting fish in a barrel!!

I only did this out of the kindness of my heart. As to being "reeled in," I've no idea what you're talking about ....

[wesleydad]

Oh I know Whitewater's conference is dynamite this year. I was just pointing them out as how fluky this week is being for teams and tight games that maybe shouldn't be. Yeah I agree with your assessment but the choosers have been known to do strange stuff in the past. Doesn't matter now though. I do tend to agree with the call of one and done most likely is the story; but strange things can happen in the playoffs just ask Lyco in 1990.         

I would love to see a Stevenson vs. Wesley game..........although I can't stand that drive down to Dover. It reminds me of

You don't want to see that game.

[tweisman5]

After witnessing today's shocking lost today to Wilkes, here are my observations and input. First I would like to congratulate Wilkes for a good game and playing their hearts out. As angry as I am after the lost, I can't disrespect a good game by Wilkes, they deserve to celebrate. Anyways here is my reaction:

1. Going into the game, I heard coach was going to not dress a few players. Certain key players either didn't dress to rest or because of injury. Some players such as our starting RB and backup RB didn't play. Starter was injured in Del Val game, and the backup RB I'm not sure for what reason. Also, early in the game several key injuries sidelined players with precaution. An important player, #8 FS Billy Lewis, got injured early in the 1Q. I suspect as precaution, the coach kept him sidelined. He is a key component to getting our secondary in the right place to function, which leads me into my second observation.

2. Billy Lewis' injury caused havoc in the secondary, as it seemed our secondary was out of place and couldn't gel until it was too late. Most people don't understand the chemistry that our secondary has when all are on the field. With Lewis' injury, it was apparent our secondary was in shock. Most players and coaches on the team will speak to how valuable Lewis is to keeping our secondary functioning at its elite level.

3. An obvious issue I noticed was defensively, we allowed Wilkes to keep working the flats and throwing into the area to move 10-15 yards upfield to move the chains. I'm not certain why we didn't make the adjustment, but it was frustrating to watch.

4. Vertical passing game of Wilkes was a thorn in the side of the defense for the majority of the game. Several times when the defense closed in on forcing a punt, the Wilkes QB would throw rainbow passes over the shoulder of the DB for deep shots to keep the chain moving.

5. The Wilkes QB was very elusive throughout the game. Several times when the crowd and team thought we had him in our grasp, he somehow would slip out of the hand of our rushers to either run for several yards or to throw to an open receiver that lost his coverage man due to the scramble.

Overall, most would agree that if this was a series for best of 3, Stevenson would certainly win at least 2. Between the key players not being on the field; cockiness of being up 14 points during the first 2 minutes of the game; and possibly overlooking/looking ahead for the playoffs, it quickly because obvious this game was going to be a disaster. I won't be shocked if Stevenson drops out of the top 25 and move down to 7-10 for the East region rankings. It hurts because I feel our chances of an NCAA 1st round playoff game are out the window. If we had finished 10-0, we would have likely been a top 3 seed in the East and host at least the 1st round game. Regardless, I'm hopeful this doesn't kill the teams energy heading into the playoffs in two weeks; instead, maybe it will motivate them with a new fire to focus in for the remainder of the season. Depending on the opponent in the 1st round, I still feel confident in Stevenson advancing at least to the 2nd round, if not the Quarterfinals.

[jmcozenlaw]

Oh I know Whitewater's conference is dynamite this year. I was just pointing them out as how fluky this week is being for teams and tight games that maybe shouldn't be. Yeah I agree with your assessment but the choosers have been known to do strange stuff in the past. Doesn't matter now though. I do tend to agree with the call of one and done most likely is the story; but strange things can happen in the playoffs just ask Lyco in 1990.         

I would love to see a Stevenson vs. Wesley game..........although I can't stand that drive down to Dover. It reminds me of

You don't want to see that game.

I love football so I could watch 22 pigmies (spelling?) take the field 365/24/7. Other than basketball.........no other sports compare. So I would love to see that game, along with any team that plays any other team. I would put Wesley as a 13.5 point favorite at home and still give the points and would watch it live if the drive from Doylestown to Dover wasn't so God awful. I'll wait for Wesley's rematch with Mount Union in the semi's to get my real fix.

[wesleydad]

Oh I know Whitewater's conference is dynamite this year. I was just pointing them out as how fluky this week is being for teams and tight games that maybe shouldn't be. Yeah I agree with your assessment but the choosers have been known to do strange stuff in the past. Doesn't matter now though. I do tend to agree with the call of one and done most likely is the story; but strange things can happen in the playoffs just ask Lyco in 1990.         

I would love to see a Stevenson vs. Wesley game..........although I can't stand that drive down to Dover. It reminds me of

You don't want to see that game.

I love football so I could watch 22 pigmies (spelling?) take the field 365/24/7. Other than basketball.........no other sports compare. So I would love to see that game, along with any team that plays any other team. I would put Wesley as a 13.5 point favorite at home and still give the points and would watch it live if the drive from Doylestown to Dover wasn't so God awful. I'll wait for Wesley's rematch with Mount Union in the semi's to get my real fix.

Agree, always fun to watch the game live if you can.

[jmcozenlaw]

After witnessing today's shocking lost today to Wilkes, here are my observations and input. First I would like to congratulate Wilkes for a good game and playing their hearts out. As angry as I am after the lost, I can't disrespect a good game by Wilkes, they deserve to celebrate. Anyways here is my reaction:

1. Going into the game, I heard coach was going to not dress a few players. Certain key players either didn't dress to rest or because of injury. Some players such as our starting RB and backup RB didn't play. Starter was injured in Del Val game, and the backup RB I'm not sure for what reason. Also, early in the game several key injuries sidelined players with precaution. An important player, #8 FS Billy Lewis, got injured early in the 1Q. I suspect as precaution, the coach kept him sidelined. He is a key component to getting our secondary in the right place to function, which leads me into my second observation.

2. Billy Lewis' injury caused havoc in the secondary, as it seemed our secondary was out of place and couldn't gel until it was too late. Most people don't understand the chemistry that our secondary has when all are on the field. With Lewis' injury, it was apparent our secondary was in shock. Most players and coaches on the team will speak to how valuable Lewis is to keeping our secondary functioning at its elite level.

3. An obvious issue I noticed was defensively, we allowed Wilkes to keep working the flats and throwing into the area to move 10-15 yards upfield to move the chains. I'm not certain why we didn't make the adjustment, but it was frustrating to watch.

4. Vertical passing game of Wilkes was a thorn in the side of the defense for the majority of the game. Several times when the defense closed in on forcing a punt, the Wilkes QB would throw rainbow passes over the shoulder of the DB for deep shots to keep the chain moving.

5. The Wilkes QB was very elusive throughout the game. Several times when the crowd and team thought we had him in our grasp, he somehow would slip out of the hand of our rushers to either run for several yards or to throw to an open receiver that lost his coverage man due to the scramble.

Overall, most would agree that if this was a series for best of 3, Stevenson would certainly win at least 2. Between the key players not being on the field; cockiness of being up 14 points during the first 2 minutes of the game; and possibly overlooking/looking ahead for the playoffs, it quickly because obvious this game was going to be a disaster. I won't be shocked if Stevenson drops out of the top 25 and move down to 7-10 for the East region rankings. It hurts because I feel our chances of an NCAA 1st round playoff game are out the window. If we had finished 10-0, we would have likely been a top 3 seed in the East and host at least the 1st round game. Regardless, I'm hopeful this doesn't kill the teams energy heading into the playoffs in two weeks; instead, maybe it will motivate them with a new fire to focus in for the remainder of the season. Depending on the opponent in the 1st round, I still feel confident in Stevenson advancing at least to the 2nd round, if not the Quarterfinals.

tweisman - You know that I love you, especially stepping in at a time when so many of the old timers seemingly retired right around the same week, but while I appreciate the thorough report, you needed to be missing a heck of a lot more "key players" than you were. Without Lewis, the Wilkes QB still threw 3 INT's to Williams 1 and Williams also threw 4 TD's. Remember, just a couple of weeks prior, two teams that Stevenson beat, DelVal and Albright, had just beaten Wilkes by a combined score of 121-23. I think DelVal and Albright could have been missing half of their team and still won given the beatdowns.

Also, Wilkes has no defense and Williams is one hell of a weapon. There is no excuse for not scoring with 1:05 left after the kickoff return to the Wilkes 15 yardline. Sack, incomplete, incomplete, missed FG is brutal. With a little more than 10 minutes left in the game, despite a few missing players, Stevenson was up 35-24 with Williams and his array of stud receivers against a very porous Wilkes defense........especially their secondary.

There is no way that Stevenson can lose to Lycoming, with everything to play for and Lycoming having squatta. Depending on what the committee does in terms of moving a team or two into the East (Mount Union as a #1 seed and John Hopkins as a #2 seed.......although both happening is unlikely), Stevenson might have lost a home game, even if they finish 9-1. If they do wind up with a #4 seed and play Wesley in the first round, I don't see them beating Wesley.

They will learn from this game and whether or not it helps them win a game in the playoffs, it remains to be seen. I picked them to win the conference in mid-August and Albright to finish second and that's how it looks like it's going to play out. It should be interesting.   

[jmcozenlaw]

I have no intention of shutting it down -- but what I would suggest is that your regular commentary on the subject of there not being a lot of posters is not going to help welcome people in. Talk about football, rather than talking about talking, in my opinion.

I understand Pat. I'm trying to shame some of them back in. You know firsthand that bman, simba, PBR and bill have been with you from day one and were all posting at the start of the year. Strange how they all disappeared at the same time.

Look at it another way though.............the post elicited a response from wesleydad, Saxon and, a brand new King's poster, the first that I can recall.

So something worked. Now maybe bman, simba, PBR and bill will return home, guided by the warm light of my beacon!!

Pat. it also reeled in Warren. Like shooting fish in a barrel!!

I only did this out of the kindness of my heart. As to being "reeled in," I've no idea what you're talking about ....

Oh, that comment wasn't for you it was for Pat. We have an APB out for bman, simba, PBR, bill, Colonel John and others who were regular contributors on the MAC board for years and most disappeared after posting after week one or two this year. If you're not dead (or not in a coma), nobody is too busy to spend a few minutes to bang on the keyboard each week. I think it's a loss of interest vs. the lack of time.........the bane of small school football that doesn't exist for some reason at the big school level, although it's the same sport. I might write my dissertation on the subject someday for kicks and giggles. Something to do. Trading commodities and futures is profitable.................but as boring as hell!!!

[wone3]

After witnessing today's shocking lost today to Wilkes, here are my observations and input. First I would like to congratulate Wilkes for a good game and playing their hearts out. As angry as I am after the lost, I can't disrespect a good game by Wilkes, they deserve to celebrate. Anyways here is my reaction:

1. Going into the game, I heard coach was going to not dress a few players. Certain key players either didn't dress to rest or because of injury. Some players such as our starting RB and backup RB didn't play. Starter was injured in Del Val game, and the backup RB I'm not sure for what reason. Also, early in the game several key injuries sidelined players with precaution. An important player, #8 FS Billy Lewis, got injured early in the 1Q. I suspect as precaution, the coach kept him sidelined. He is a key component to getting our secondary in the right place to function, which leads me into my second observation.

2. Billy Lewis' injury caused havoc in the secondary, as it seemed our secondary was out of place and couldn't gel until it was too late. Most people don't understand the chemistry that our secondary has when all are on the field. With Lewis' injury, it was apparent our secondary was in shock. Most players and coaches on the team will speak to how valuable Lewis is to keeping our secondary functioning at its elite level.

3. An obvious issue I noticed was defensively, we allowed Wilkes to keep working the flats and throwing into the area to move 10-15 yards upfield to move the chains. I'm not certain why we didn't make the adjustment, but it was frustrating to watch.

4. Vertical passing game of Wilkes was a thorn in the side of the defense for the majority of the game. Several times when the defense closed in on forcing a punt, the Wilkes QB would throw rainbow passes over the shoulder of the DB for deep shots to keep the chain moving.

5. The Wilkes QB was very elusive throughout the game. Several times when the crowd and team thought we had him in our grasp, he somehow would slip out of the hand of our rushers to either run for several yards or to throw to an open receiver that lost his coverage man due to the scramble.

Overall, most would agree that if this was a series for best of 3, Stevenson would certainly win at least 2. Between the key players not being on the field; cockiness of being up 14 points during the first 2 minutes of the game; and possibly overlooking/looking ahead for the playoffs, it quickly because obvious this game was going to be a disaster. I won't be shocked if Stevenson drops out of the top 25 and move down to 7-10 for the East region rankings. It hurts because I feel our chances of an NCAA 1st round playoff game are out the window. If we had finished 10-0, we would have likely been a top 3 seed in the East and host at least the 1st round game. Regardless, I'm hopeful this doesn't kill the teams energy heading into the playoffs in two weeks; instead, maybe it will motivate them with a new fire to focus in for the remainder of the season. Depending on the opponent in the 1st round, I still feel confident in Stevenson advancing at least to the 2nd round, if not the Quarterfinals.

Dead on for the analysis...knew we had a key guy go out early but didn't realize who it was exactly. Your call about 3-5 was spot on!!

I tend to agree that most likely the home game is gone; unless maybe we did get the match up with Wesley. Assuming both teams win and ended up matched up because of how the match-ups fell, would they give the home game to 8-2 over a 9-1 team?? Otherwise, yep it will be a road travel game. I think Lyco will not be VERY happy next week, cause the 'stangs should be mad and paying hard and Lyco's secondary tends to be a sieve the few portions of games I have watched. The offense gets hitting a few things and it could turn into a long game for Lyco.

A little bit more on today's game....offense was quite a bit out of sync also, and yet while the score reflects only one INT against Williams, there was at least 2 other balls that were dropped INTs for sure and WAY too many dropped balls that our receivers normally catch. Both sides of the ball were WAY out of sync after Wilkes first score. If you also notice...check the running totals...not having 2 RB's to mix it up more hurt. Wilkes did a decent job early on to run stop, there were some decent runs but timing was just OFF all game. Whether it had to do with the oddness of players out or looking ahead, not sure; but I'm sure all of that played into it. Put that out there with a team on the other side with nothing to lose and playing for pride and that signature win and they got it today. Hopefully the mustangs learn from it and refocus and play mad the rest of the time they have this season.

I think also JM while you keep going back to a few weeks ago and both Del Val and Albright killing Wilkes, they are also programs who have been in the position before of being on the cusp of going into the playoffs aka the experience. This is slightly new turf for a team that has been around for 6 years. Granted, it shouldn't make a difference but these are kids who are used a routine and certain guys playing each week and the routine got screwed up in their minds. ECAC or MAC/Cent bowl is a total different animal in not as much pressures than NCAA D3 playoffs. It is also a different timing and place where Del Val and Albright were playing from vs where Stevenson was today. Del Val and Albright knew they both had to keep winning and hope that the mustangs would falter. The stangs didn't need to have the game today to make the playoffs; but winning helps keep the seed up and pride of the non loss regular season should have instilled something tho. It wasn't quite the same level of urgency.

To gain you the understanding of today..if you watched the Stevenson/Del Val game and saw how complete and in sync Stevenson the game was there; this one was a 180 of that game. They NEVER got into a rhythm or really established drives well. Yes, they made plays and such but it was not the typical game/way they played all year. I will give some credit of that to Wilkes cause after the starting14 point run, they got the stangs out of sync. After Wilkes first score, the onside kick recovery started it and the stangs just never found a rhythm to the game.

[jmcozenlaw]

Oh I know Whitewater's conference is dynamite this year. I was just pointing them out as how fluky this week is being for teams and tight games that maybe shouldn't be. Yeah I agree with your assessment but the choosers have been known to do strange stuff in the past. Doesn't matter now though. I do tend to agree with the call of one and done most likely is the story; but strange things can happen in the playoffs just ask Lyco in 1990.         

I would love to see a Stevenson vs. Wesley game..........although I can't stand that drive down to Dover. It reminds me of Pennsyltucky!!

Game would probably be at Stevenson.

Does a 9-1 Stevenson team with a loss to Wilkes get a home game? Tough call. It depends on what the committee does in terms of moving teams into the top one or two seeds in the East. I don't see it happening but if Mount Union and Hopkins were #1 and #2, I'm not sure if Stevenson gets the #4 or #5 seed. Close call. Either way, Wesley or Stevenson.........blech drives from Doylestown (Bucks County) PA, but if I want to see some live football, a sojourn I must make.

[wesleydad]

Oh I know Whitewater's conference is dynamite this year. I was just pointing them out as how fluky this week is being for teams and tight games that maybe shouldn't be. Yeah I agree with your assessment but the choosers have been known to do strange stuff in the past. Doesn't matter now though. I do tend to agree with the call of one and done most likely is the story; but strange things can happen in the playoffs just ask Lyco in 1990.         

I would love to see a Stevenson vs. Wesley game..........although I can't stand that drive down to Dover. It reminds me of Pennsyltucky!!

Game would probably be at Stevenson.

Does a 9-1 Stevenson team with a loss to Wilkes get a home game? Tough call. It depends on what the committee does in terms of moving teams into the top one or two seeds in the East. I don't see it happening but if Mount Union and Hopkins were #1 and #2, I'm not sure if Stevenson gets the #4 or #5 seed. Close call. Either way, Wesley or Stevenson.........blech drives from Doylestown (Bucks County) PA, but if I want to see some live football, a sojourn I must make.

This year is going to be really interesting as to who goes where and who ends up playing who.  You can throw a blanket over about 5 teams after Alfred and say they could host a game in round 1 but would not be stunned if they went on the road.  Husson winning makes things a mess for the committee since there is only 1 team WNEW, maybe 2 - not sure about Bridgewater St. that they can get to under 500 miles.  That makes for some really nice possible first round games this year.

[Saxon73]

Bridgewater is closer to Husson  than WNEU by far.