FB: Middle Atlantic Conference

[Bartman]

Good luck to Wilkes Football this year. Coach Drach will make you all forget about last year, especially with some of those Hobart alums on your coaching staff who know how to win. Listen up Colonels, practice hard and you will be back in the thick of it again.

[bman]

Good luck to Wilkes Football this year. Coach Drach will make you all forget about last year, especially with some of those Hobart alums on your coaching staff who know how to win. Listen up Colonels, practice hard and you will be back in the thick of it again.

I would think this will take a couple years to turn around...I hope they do though!

[jmcozenlaw]

I think Del Val is still very good this season and in it all the way to the Keystone Cup. Darden is a winner, a senior, and has the ability to put that team on his back. They do a great job recruiting there and I'm pretty sure the cupboard isn't bare.

To me, Widener must be better at the quarterback position. The guy(s) from last year have a long way to go.

Stevenson has a senior QB, like DVU, and a fertile area for recruiting. They will have players.

To me, Lyco has to get bigger, stronger and faster. Always well-coached.

Jason - There is a MASSIVE difference between guessing, from a distance, that the "cupboard isn't bare" and actually knowing what is in and what's not in the cupboard. It's sort of like being set up on a blind date, where you HOPE that she is as attractive as your friend says that she is vs. actually knowing exactly what she looks like before meeting her

Widener and Stevenson should easily be able to take care of a young and rebuilding DelVal on their respective home fields. It's a mockery this year of that does NOT happen:

- 9 out of 11 defensive starters from last year's team gone, including All-Everything safety Miller, the other safety, both CB's, all 4 LB's and the stud nose tackle/heavyweight wrestler (Issak)

- 6 out of 11 offensive starters gone, including the MAC's best running back (Ellis) along with his two primary backup's.........and two All-MAC offensive linemen (Walsh and Sylvester)

- Team's best punt returner (multiple TD's last year) AND team's best kick returner (multiple TD's last year) gone. They are/were two separate players.

- Widener and Stevenson both on the road

- The only team in the MAC to not have perennial lightweight's FDU AND Misericordia NOT on their schedule in 2018 (and looks like 2019 as well)

If the coach at DelVal somehow wins the MAC given ALL of THAT........................not only should he win MAC Coach of the Year, but he should be the D-III Coach of the Year, Doug Pederson's (from the four time World Champion and Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles) heir apparent, a statue should be erected in Doylestown and he should be able to then make the blind see and heal the sick and eventually be cannonized (fellow Catholics will get that one)

This would be the all-time great coaching job in the history of the MAC. They lost the motherlode from last season while several other teams bring back a ton of experienced talent. We'll see how it plays out. That's why they play the games.

[tweisman5]

Here is some exciting news with expansion of the MAC-Centennial Bowl series, which is entering it's forth year. With the expansion to three bowl games, the format was changed to adjust to the expanded series. Read below!

http://gomacsports.com/news/2018/8/16/football-centennial-mac-bowl-series-adds-third-game-in-2018.aspx

[jknezek]

Here is some exciting news with expansion of the MAC-Centennial Bowl series, which is entering it's forth year. With the expansion to three bowl games, the format was changed to adjust to the expanded series. Read below!

http://gomacsports.com/news/2018/8/16/football-centennial-mac-bowl-series-adds-third-game-in-2018.aspx

I wish the ODAC would find a partner to do something like this. What a great last game for seniors!

[dlippiel]

I think Del Val is still very good this season and in it all the way to the Keystone Cup. Darden is a winner, a senior, and has the ability to put that team on his back. They do a great job recruiting there and I'm pretty sure the cupboard isn't bare.

To me, Widener must be better at the quarterback position. The guy(s) from last year have a long way to go.

Stevenson has a senior QB, like DVU, and a fertile area for recruiting. They will have players.

To me, Lyco has to get bigger, stronger and faster. Always well-coached.

Jason - There is a MASSIVE difference between guessing, from a distance, that the "cupboard isn't bare" and actually knowing what is in and what's not in the cupboard. It's sort of like being set up on a blind date, where you HOPE that she is as attractive as your friend says that she is vs. actually knowing exactly what she looks like before meeting her

Widener and Stevenson should easily be able to take care of a young and rebuilding DelVal on their respective home fields. It's a mockery this year of that does NOT happen:

- 9 out of 11 defensive starters from last year's team gone, including All-Everything safety Miller, the other safety, both CB's, all 4 LB's and the stud nose tackle/heavyweight wrestler (Issak)

- 6 out of 11 offensive starters gone, including the MAC's best running back (Ellis) along with his two primary backup's.........and two All-MAC offensive linemen (Walsh and Sylvester)

- Team's best punt returner (multiple TD's last year) AND team's best kick returner (multiple TD's last year) gone. They are/were two separate players.

- Widener and Stevenson both on the road

- The only team in the MAC to not have perennial lightweight's FDU AND Misericordia NOT on their schedule in 2018 (and looks like 2019 as well)

If the coach at DelVal somehow wins the MAC given ALL of THAT........................not only should he win MAC Coach of the Year, but he should be the D-III Coach of the Year, Doug Pederson's (from the four time World Champion and Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles) heir apparent, a statue should be erected in Doylestown and he should be able to then make the blind see and heal the sick and eventually be cannonized (fellow Catholics will get that one)

This would be the all-time great coaching job in the history of the MAC. They lost the motherlode from last season while several other teams bring back a ton of experienced talent. We'll see how it plays out. That's why they play the games.

This is a great ****ing post...especially the last two paragraphs...+k

[@d3jason]

I think Del Val is still very good this season and in it all the way to the Keystone Cup. Darden is a winner, a senior, and has the ability to put that team on his back. They do a great job recruiting there and I'm pretty sure the cupboard isn't bare.

To me, Widener must be better at the quarterback position. The guy(s) from last year have a long way to go.

Stevenson has a senior QB, like DVU, and a fertile area for recruiting. They will have players.

To me, Lyco has to get bigger, stronger and faster. Always well-coached.

Jason - There is a MASSIVE difference between guessing, from a distance, that the "cupboard isn't bare" and actually knowing what is in and what's not in the cupboard. It's sort of like being set up on a blind date, where you HOPE that she is as attractive as your friend says that she is vs. actually knowing exactly what she looks like before meeting her

Widener and Stevenson should easily be able to take care of a young and rebuilding DelVal on their respective home fields. It's a mockery this year of that does NOT happen:

- 9 out of 11 defensive starters from last year's team gone, including All-Everything safety Miller, the other safety, both CB's, all 4 LB's and the stud nose tackle/heavyweight wrestler (Issak)

- 6 out of 11 offensive starters gone, including the MAC's best running back (Ellis) along with his two primary backup's.........and two All-MAC offensive linemen (Walsh and Sylvester)

- Team's best punt returner (multiple TD's last year) AND team's best kick returner (multiple TD's last year) gone. They are/were two separate players.

- Widener and Stevenson both on the road

- The only team in the MAC to not have perennial lightweight's FDU AND Misericordia NOT on their schedule in 2018 (and looks like 2019 as well)

If the coach at DelVal somehow wins the MAC given ALL of THAT........................not only should he win MAC Coach of the Year, but he should be the D-III Coach of the Year, Doug Pederson's (from the four time World Champion and Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles) heir apparent, a statue should be erected in Doylestown and he should be able to then make the blind see and heal the sick and eventually be cannonized (fellow Catholics will get that one)

This would be the all-time great coaching job in the history of the MAC. They lost the motherlode from last season while several other teams bring back a ton of experienced talent. We'll see how it plays out. That's why they play the games.

This is a great ****ing post...especially the last two paragraphs...+k

jm never afraid to take a stand...

The Aggies have over 60 upperclassmen back. They have been to a postseason game every since 2003 except one. Their coaching staff develops players well because, you are right, Duke and his staff are good coaches.

I predicted that they would be in the mix until the last game of the season. This hardly sounds like a stretch.They beat Widener by five touchdowns last season and Stevenson by three touchdowns.

And actually, I am not really that far away. I could be there in 1:45, if the traffic on the Blue Route is good. 

[tweisman5]

Here is some exciting news with expansion of the MAC-Centennial Bowl series, which is entering it's forth year. With the expansion to three bowl games, the format was changed to adjust to the expanded series. Read below!

http://gomacsports.com/news/2018/8/16/football-centennial-mac-bowl-series-adds-third-game-in-2018.aspx

I wish the ODAC would find a partner to do something like this. What a great last game for seniors!

I recall last fall that someone posted on this board curious as why the series didn't matchup #1 vs. #1, #2 vs. #2, and etc. So it's great to see that idea incorporated into this expanded series. The series has been a great model for other conferences to implement  another opportunity for teams around the country. Overall, the series provides great matchups with donations to an outstanding organization!

[jmcozenlaw]

I think Del Val is still very good this season and in it all the way to the Keystone Cup. Darden is a winner, a senior, and has the ability to put that team on his back. They do a great job recruiting there and I'm pretty sure the cupboard isn't bare.

To me, Widener must be better at the quarterback position. The guy(s) from last year have a long way to go.

Stevenson has a senior QB, like DVU, and a fertile area for recruiting. They will have players.

To me, Lyco has to get bigger, stronger and faster. Always well-coached.

Jason - There is a MASSIVE difference between guessing, from a distance, that the "cupboard isn't bare" and actually knowing what is in and what's not in the cupboard. It's sort of like being set up on a blind date, where you HOPE that she is as attractive as your friend says that she is vs. actually knowing exactly what she looks like before meeting her

Widener and Stevenson should easily be able to take care of a young and rebuilding DelVal on their respective home fields. It's a mockery this year of that does NOT happen:

- 9 out of 11 defensive starters from last year's team gone, including All-Everything safety Miller, the other safety, both CB's, all 4 LB's and the stud nose tackle/heavyweight wrestler (Issak)

- 6 out of 11 offensive starters gone, including the MAC's best running back (Ellis) along with his two primary backup's.........and two All-MAC offensive linemen (Walsh and Sylvester)

- Team's best punt returner (multiple TD's last year) AND team's best kick returner (multiple TD's last year) gone. They are/were two separate players.

- Widener and Stevenson both on the road

- The only team in the MAC to not have perennial lightweight's FDU AND Misericordia NOT on their schedule in 2018 (and looks like 2019 as well)

If the coach at DelVal somehow wins the MAC given ALL of THAT........................not only should he win MAC Coach of the Year, but he should be the D-III Coach of the Year, Doug Pederson's (from the four time World Champion and Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles) heir apparent, a statue should be erected in Doylestown and he should be able to then make the blind see and heal the sick and eventually be cannonized (fellow Catholics will get that one)

This would be the all-time great coaching job in the history of the MAC. They lost the motherlode from last season while several other teams bring back a ton of experienced talent. We'll see how it plays out. That's why they play the games.

This is a great ****ing post...especially the last two paragraphs...+k

jm never afraid to take a stand...

The Aggies have over 60 upperclassmen back. They have been to a postseason game every since 2003 except one. Their coaching staff develops players well because, you are right, Duke and his staff are good coaches.

I predicted that they would be in the mix until the last game of the season. This hardly sounds like a stretch.They beat Widener by five touchdowns last season and Stevenson by three touchdowns.

And actually, I am not really that far away. I could be there in 1:45, if the traffic on the Blue Route is good. 

Jason - You are better than that

In the Stevenson game (the one, at HOME, where the Aggies won by three touchdowns), the game started with an 87 yard game opening kickoff return from stud returner and scatback, LaQuille Nesbitt. He is NOT back with the team this year. The scoring ended with a 53 yard punt return by Vinnie Nelson, one of three this speedster had for the year. He is NOT back with the team. In between the opening kickoff return by the player who is NOT back and the punt return by the player who is NOT back, it was a 13 - 7 game. Additionally, stud running back (the best in the MAC), DeVauntay Ellis, rushed for 95 yards against that stout Stevenson defense. he has graduated. His backup, Khalil Roane, is NOT back. The third running back, Ryan Wharton (two 80 yard TD runs at Misericordia last year) and blazing speed, is NOT back. The senior laden Aggies defense (with 9 or 11 starters gone) had 2 sacks, forced 2 fumbles and intercepted 2 Williams passes and only gave up 51 yards on 22 rushing attempts. One must peel back the layers of an onion......................vs. just looking at a score

In the Widener game (another HOME game, where the Aggies won by five touchdowns), the Aggies rushed for 366 net yards. Khalil Roane had 106 yards. DeVauntay Ellis had 75 and Ryan Wharton had 28 yards. That is 209 yards from their TOP THREE RB's.........who are all gone. Darden ran for 133 yards,but he had three RB options (who are gone) and many of the yards were after the game was decided. Widener's freshman QB threw 4 picks and their RB's ran for -9 YARDS IN 28 ATTEMPTS against the stout, senior laden defense. Widener also recovered 3 of their own fumbles. Once that snowball started rolling downhill, Widener had their bags packed and the busses running.

Both teams get the Aggies at home. Both teams have MUCH more coming back (or lost one hell of a lot less) than the Aggies and both are pissed at the azz whooping's that they received. Bringing 60 underclassmen back is good on the surface, but you have to look at the underclassmen who are not back (huge losses) and the number of starters coming back for both Widener and Stevenson.

Also remember, there are only 8 MAC games this year so the margin for error is a little smaller.........................and made even yet a bit smaller with the Aggies being the only team in the MAC to not have the 2 gimme wins on the schedule this year in Misericordia and FDU. Three of the final four games are on the road and they have a tough, physical and experienced (and pissed having lost two in a row to the Aggies) Wesley team to start the year, followed by a trip to Massachusetts for the second game of the year.

I'll go as far as to say that if the Aggies are even in contention for the MAC Championship leading into the final game of the year at Widener, Coach Greko should be the Coach of the Year regardless of the outcome. The MAC poll that just came out predicting the Aggies to win the MAC is comical. I've had coaches tell me they actually make the picks to put a target on certain team's back. The coaches also have no idea, at this point, of the number of key underclassmen who are not back.

I wasn't insinuating that you are "not close" meaning geography. It was more about the proximity to information, not geography. My buddy was at the Aggies scrimmage on Saturday and said that if the reconstructed offensive line (lost 3 starters, 2 All-MAC players) can give Darden time, they have receiving weapons BUT at this time, they have no running game whatsoever. Defensively, you can't lose both safeties (including an All-American, Miller), both CB's and the heir apparent (Prevard), all four linebackers and the stud nose tackle/heavyweight wrestler and think that you are going to be as good as last year. The Aggies four LB's averaged 238 pounds last year, INCLUDING one who weighed 215 soaking wet. That was BIGGER than the LB core's of 21 NFL teams!! This group is about 30 pounds lighter per player.

The other MAC teams need to take advantage of this window this year and next before Coach loads up again!

I wish that I could monetize this knowledge.................and these opinions.

 

[tweisman5]

JM

Good post with excellent analysis and explanation of why Del Val will struggle to repeat as MAC champs (something that hasn't been done since 2011). People need to dig deeper than the final box score to understand how everything unfolded to make an accurate forecast. The lost that Del Val lost will hurt this season, but I do still expect them to battle for position in the top 3 of the MAC. In regards to the MAC preseason poll, I see some similarity to what I predict with a few exceptions! I'll post my preseason conference prediction later this week.

MAC preseason poll: http://gomacsports.com/news/2018/8/20/aggies-picked-to-repeat-in-mac-football-coaches-preseason-poll.aspx

[bman]

JM

Good post with excellent analysis and explanation of why Del Val will struggle to repeat as MAC champs (something that hasn't been done since 2011). People need to dig deeper than the final box score to understand how everything unfolded to make an accurate forecast. The lost that Del Val lost will hurt this season, but I do still expect them to battle for position in the top 3 of the MAC. In regards to the MAC preseason poll, I see some similarity to what I predict with a few exceptions! I'll post my preseason conference prediction later this week.

MAC preseason poll: http://gomacsports.com/news/2018/8/20/aggies-picked-to-repeat-in-mac-football-coaches-preseason-poll.aspx

Clearly the coaches aren't peeling the onion either...

2018 MAC Football Coaches' Preseason Poll
Rank Team Points              (1st Place Votes)
1 Delaware Valley                 98 (8)
2 Stevenson                         88 (2)
3 Widener                            79 (1)
4 Albright                             73 
5 Lycoming                          64 
6 Lebanon Valley                  59 
7 King's                               48 
8 FDU-Florham                     30 
9 Wilkes                               29 
10 Misericordia                     25 
11 Alvernia                           12

[bman]

I think Del Val is still very good this season and in it all the way to the Keystone Cup. Darden is a winner, a senior, and has the ability to put that team on his back. They do a great job recruiting there and I'm pretty sure the cupboard isn't bare.

To me, Widener must be better at the quarterback position. The guy(s) from last year have a long way to go.

Stevenson has a senior QB, like DVU, and a fertile area for recruiting. They will have players.

To me, Lyco has to get bigger, stronger and faster. Always well-coached.

Jason - There is a MASSIVE difference between guessing, from a distance, that the "cupboard isn't bare" and actually knowing what is in and what's not in the cupboard. It's sort of like being set up on a blind date, where you HOPE that she is as attractive as your friend says that she is vs. actually knowing exactly what she looks like before meeting her

Widener and Stevenson should easily be able to take care of a young and rebuilding DelVal on their respective home fields. It's a mockery this year of that does NOT happen:

- 9 out of 11 defensive starters from last year's team gone, including All-Everything safety Miller, the other safety, both CB's, all 4 LB's and the stud nose tackle/heavyweight wrestler (Issak)

- 6 out of 11 offensive starters gone, including the MAC's best running back (Ellis) along with his two primary backup's.........and two All-MAC offensive linemen (Walsh and Sylvester)

- Team's best punt returner (multiple TD's last year) AND team's best kick returner (multiple TD's last year) gone. They are/were two separate players.

- Widener and Stevenson both on the road

- The only team in the MAC to not have perennial lightweight's FDU AND Misericordia NOT on their schedule in 2018 (and looks like 2019 as well)

If the coach at DelVal somehow wins the MAC given ALL of THAT........................not only should he win MAC Coach of the Year, but he should be the D-III Coach of the Year, Doug Pederson's (from the four time World Champion and Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles) heir apparent, a statue should be erected in Doylestown and he should be able to then make the blind see and heal the sick and eventually be cannonized (fellow Catholics will get that one)

This would be the all-time great coaching job in the history of the MAC. They lost the motherlode from last season while several other teams bring back a ton of experienced talent. We'll see how it plays out. That's why they play the games.

This is a great ****ing post...especially the last two paragraphs...+k

jm never afraid to take a stand...

The Aggies have over 60 upperclassmen back. They have been to a postseason game every since 2003 except one. Their coaching staff develops players well because, you are right, Duke and his staff are good coaches.

I predicted that they would be in the mix until the last game of the season. This hardly sounds like a stretch.They beat Widener by five touchdowns last season and Stevenson by three touchdowns.

And actually, I am not really that far away. I could be there in 1:45, if the traffic on the Blue Route is good. 

I wish that I could monetize this knowledge.................and these opinions.

JM  You should be the sideline reporter for the DVU Broadcasts....Maybe Gordon would welcome it and you would make a great team!

[bman]

One last thought since I am on a roll this morning!

A couple of years ago, I questioned why WU doesn't post their roster like many of the schools.  Coach Kelly let me know (he pretty much chastised me  in a nice way) on why, which is he wants to see the commits in camp, and then that they make it through camp, prior to publishing.
Makes total sense, and an honorable thing.
It just tortures me though at this time of year, since I'm not an insider anymore and this is the time of year that I am most excited and want to know how things are going...
Since I don't have time to make it up to Chester much, I have to rely on tidbits of info from my still connected buddies, and of course, D3football.com 

[RowanPhan]

Can't wait for Aug 30 to watch Rowan vs Widener. It has turned into a good rivalry.

With the NJAC losing 2 teams next year, I'm curious how Rowan will respond with scheduling games.  It may lead to more match-ups with MAC schools.

Best of luck to all of the MAC teams in the upcoming season.

[bman]

Can't wait for Aug 30 to watch Rowan vs Widener. It has turned into a good rivalry.

With the NJAC losing 2 teams next year, I'm curious how Rowan will respond with scheduling games.  It may lead to more match-ups with MAC schools.

Best of luck to all of the MAC teams in the upcoming season.

RowanPhan
Agree...I just wish it wasn't week 1 which kills me since I ALWAYS seem to have a conflict (which I do again this year)... ugh!

I think given the proximity and similar nature of the athletic programs having the MAC and NJAC play more often is a great thing...