FB: Middle Atlantic Conference

[redswarm81]

One last question - where are all those geniuses who picked Lycoming to finish 5th in the preseason poll now?

I'm no genius, but I picked Lyco sixth.  I was wrong so gloat at your leisure.

Of course I also picked Del Val to do the following:

Beat Iona
Lose to Wesley
Lose to Salisbury
Beat King's
Beat Leb Val
Beat FDU-Florham
Beat Lyco (went back and forth on that one)

Missed it by that much.

Do I at least get credit for picking Lyco to beat Del Val in this week's Triple Take?

You get credit for quoting the greatest source of pop cultural icons in the last half of the 20th Century.

[Lyco80]

RS,

Don Adams, aka Agent 86, sitcom "Get Smart"

Also known for:  "Would you believe?"

I chuckled out loud.

GM - thanks for the permission to gloat - I bet you can see my smile even from Yokohama!

Pat - what's three points amongst friends?

Nice to see some honest disclosure among the glitterati too.

ATB

[gordonmann]

Lyco80:

You're as loyal as they get.  Gloat and enjoy the ride from across the Pacific.

[Jonny Utah]

yea this MAC might be the best conference from top to bottom in the country...

[G-manWU]

Lyco80,

Congrats to your Warriors- that was a big win and indeed your squad may have the well-earned inside track to the MAC title. The only thing I would add is that you seem very quick to blame the turnovers for costing the Warriors in that "other loss"- with respect, did you ever consider that perhaps Wilkes may have been better than some of the Warrirors faithful anticipated? I remember reading your post about looking forward to the Lycoming-DVC matchup a few weeks back- did you perhaps overlook the stop at Ralston Field along the way?

Your comments are all taken in good stride, and in the years that I have been following this board your comments have been among the most positive. But just remember that if the Warriors do indeed claim the title, the Colonels may wind up being the only MAC squad that knocked them off along the way.

On one last note, I agree that DVC has been the best-represented fanbase on here for quite a long time. At the same time, I have been following these boards for several years, since the start of the 2005 season. I had always wanted to comment, but did not do so because I was still a student at Wilkes and was working with the football program, so I thought it best to not get involved here until now. So while the Aggies ruled the MAC board, there has always been one rep form the Colonels waiting in the wings.

[Lyco80]

G-manWU,

Great comments and thanks for the compliments about my previous posts and this year's edition of the Warriors for their achievements, not mine.

I never knew a Wilkes team to be an easy victory in any sport particularly football.  Therefore I find it hard to accept your assessment of looking past them.

My comments regarding five turnovers and 85 yards in penalties are valid.  It is hard for any team to give up the pigskin that often, with nothing to show for it, and allow your opponent second and third chances via mistakes, to win.

Stats are interesting things but only tell part of the story not the mood, spirit and temperament of team - also key factors.  In the military such things are referred to as esprit de corps.  Napoleon said it something like this - "the morale is to the physical as three is to one." 

I was not at the game so it is hard to discern what actually happened but reading the box score I learned the following:

                                  LYCO   WILKES
FIRST DOWNS...................       16       20
RUSHES-YARDS (NET)............    28-34   39-119
PASSING YDS (NET).............      312      175
Passes Att-Comp-Int...........  41-21-4  27-14-1
TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS.....   69-346   66-294
Fumble Returns-Yards..........      0-0      0-0
Punt Returns-Yards............      1-3     3-49
Kickoff Returns-Yards.........    5-117     3-60
Interception Returns-Yards....      1-0     4-64
Punts (Number-Avg)............   4-34.5   6-36.5
Fumbles-Lost..................      2-1      0-0
Penalties-Yards...............     7-85     5-50
Possession Time...............    29:41    30:19
Third-Down Conversions........  7 of 18  2 of 11
Fourth-Down Conversions.......   1 of 1   1 of 1
Red-Zone Scores-Chances.......      1-3      3-3
Sacks By: Number-Yards........     2-20     2-13

The most tellling statistic, aside from turnovers or takeaways - if you prefer, is that the Warriors were successful on 7 of 18 third down conversions whereas the Colonels executed 2 out of 11.  It seems to me, from this narrative, that Lycoming's offense moved the ball fairly well.

Regardless, hats off to Wilkes for their W but it is easy for me to see, even in this defeat, the reason the Warriors are 5-2 overall, with a chance to win the MAC for the first time in quite a while.

For that, and positive posts such as yours, I remain most grateful.

ATB

[KingSting999]

Congratulations to Lyco on a hard fought victory once again played in extreme weather conditions (wind & rain). They obviously made some defensive adjustments after the Aggies took the opening kickoff and drove the length of the field for an early 7 - 0 lead. Unfortuanately for the Aggies they never really threatened to score after that. It was a hard hitting game with only a handful of big plays. Both defenses played well and neither really deserved to lose. The Aggies came up with some vital stops in he second half but for whatever reason they couldn't build on that momentum..

As far as what may be wrong with the Aggies, here are just a couple of my personal observations and opinions. The offensive line has been beset with injuries over the past few games. Against FDU they played without their starting right tackle and lost their right guard early in the game. In the Lyco game they were without their starting right guard, their tight end went down in the frist series. He tried to continue but was unable to and then they lost their center to injury in the second quarter. As with most DIII teams experienced backups are few and far between and no matter how talented a a younger or inexperienced lineman is there is almost always a dropoff under game conditions. This is not a knock on those young men who gave their best and that is all anyone can ask for. Hopefully the injured players can comeback and finish the year on a positive note.

Outside of the injuries, it just seems at the current time that the offensive execution is very fragmented. They would have a decent play then start the new set of downs with a loss putting them in second and long. Under such harsh playing conditions a more conservative passing game and straight ahead running game may have helped. Plays that were slow developing were often run down from behind or stopped for no gain too many times. The passing game, in my opinion didn't try and work the middle of the field enough or take advantage of shorter routes. Too many times we attempted to go down field with longer routes, mostly between the numbers and the sideline and I don't believe we completed one of them. I know that most of the game Lyco had a safety over the top but the middle of the field may have been the place to go with the footing as it was. A couple of staright draws worked very well. It is just my feeling that the shorter distance you have to throw the ball the better chance you have of completions in wet conditions. The Aggies also showed a "wildcat" offensive formation two or three times but lost yardage each time they used it. Just maybe not the best time, under those conditions, to try such plays.

Please understand, these are not knocks on the coaching staff or game plan, just personal observations. I have enjoyed watching  the Aggies play for four years and would never question a coaches decision or call. The Aggies usually play an exciting wide open style of football. We all love watching those long completions or wild scrambles that they pull off ffrom time to time. I guess the statement "Live by the sword, die by the sword" holds true here. The Aggies always make me proud to be a fan, win or lose they have my support. As always .... GO AGGIES!!!!

[Lyco bleeds BLUE and GOLD]

Its been a while guys... The mac is seriously shaken up. Hats off to my boys in williamsport though. What do you think of this Lyco team?

[Lyco80]

LBBG,

Love your nom de plume and gave you a +1 karma shot to get you started for that alone.

I am pleased the team is doing so well and hope this is the beginning of even better things to come.

My limited assessment from a distance is they possess a solid O line, a rugged defense, as usual, and offense and special teams play that can be ecstatic or erratic. 

I am hopeful that the offense will mature and the special teams will gel before the end of this season. 

The MAC is a knife fight in the dark this year - big surprise.  Life beyond the MAC will be even tougher for whoever is the champion.  Other conferences have teams that generate lots of yards and make few mistakes. 

Despite my devotion to Lycoming I would be very surprised if any of the MAC team gets beyond a first round game.  The leaders of the league all seem inconsistent and the better D-III teams all play well consistently.

Those are my observations - just remember they are offered from a 7,000 mile distance and from only reading recaps, box scores and posts.

It is hard to get to Williamsport, PA from Yokohama, Japan for a weekend game.  The commute is just too much.

Great question - now it is your turn.

ATB

[gordonmann]

Knife fight in the dark.  A very apt description.

[G-manWU]

Lyco80,

Thanks for the reply- indeed all of my comments are with good intent and with no disrespect for the Warriors or any other club. I have always admired the pride you have taken in your alma mater in your postings here over the years, and with my registration here, I now look to emulate that same pride, but in the shades of blue and gold that we use in Wilkes-Barre.

Regarding Lycoming this season, the Warriros are indeed pulling away from the pack enough to be in position to bring home the title. If all of the others fall out of contention, it would indeed be interesting to see Lyco vs. LVC in the season finale with the title on the line. You would have one of the established programs with a long and proud history squaring off against a team that has been aiming to get to that spot for some years now.

In regards to the last time Lyco won the title, it was of course 2003- the season before I arrived at Wilkes as a student. If you care to know a totally useless fact, the Wilkes-Lyco matchup at Ralston Field that season was the first D3 football game I ever saw in person- it was part of an open house day I was attending on the Wilkes Campus. The contest opened my eyes to the quality of football on the D3 landscape, and less than a year later I would be enrolled at Wilkes and working with the program.

On one last note, Lyco80, it is very good to see the mention of esprit de corps. I have mentioned this before, but it is perhaps worth brining up again that while I have never served in any of the armed forces, I did spend 4 years as a member of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, or USNSCC. From what I can tell you have more than a few years of service in either the Navy or USMC- have you ever worked with a sea cadet unit or served with anyone who has put time in the program?

In no way would I ever compare my experiences with your serivce or that of anyone else, but the program was of great value to me in terms of character and leadership development, at a stage in life where young people shape the values and attitudes they will carry with them into adulthood. While I did not follow the sizeable number of my shipmates from my home unit and summer trainings that are now serving in various capacities in the armed forces, the military bearing that defined my conduct as part of the program remains part of my personal decorum and conduct still today. Hats off to you and your command at Yokohama, and we will see how the road plays out in the always- changing MAC 

[G-manWU]

KingSting,

Sorry to see that the Aggies have been bitten by the injury bug recently- I have always said that an offense on any level of football will not go anywhere without at least a semi-decent line, and as a result, injuries to the unit hurt a bit more than at other positions IMHO. Best wishes to all of your guys on a quick recovery, and hopefully we will see them on the field at Wilkes in a few weeks.

On that note, for both you and PBR, please let me know if you guys will be at Ralston Field when Wilkes takes on the Aggies next Saturday. It's always good to meet up with felow fans, so I will try and track you down if possible. In terms of tailgates, my family and I enjoyed many great tailgates over the last few years (many of which were hosted by our fellow poster Grizzman) but most of those families have seen their players graduate and as a result our group dose not get together with the same frequency after home games, otherwise you'd be more than welcomed to stop over. On any note, while the matchup will not have the same luster as the 2006 classic, I hope you all and other DVC faithful on here can hop up for what will hopefully be a good game.

[Grizzman]

[I enjoyed many great tailgates over the last few years]

GMWU - don't forget #1 & #8s parents were great providers of food (& adult beverages) during those tailgates. They were fun, too bad they are not as consistent this year.

I still enjoy reading the posts on here and still follow Wilkes F - ball, although I am more interested in their wrestling team. The MAC has been crazy this year - I think Wilkes could use a little help from a certain former LB.

I can't believe these MAC posters have not given you more karma - let's go boys - give it up to the G man.

Say hello to your Mom & Dad - hope they are doing well. They are a trip. Maybe I'll see you guys at a home match.

By the way, Matt's doing well at Camp Pendleton. Call or text me @ 610-217-3671 and I'll get you his e mail. He would love hearing from you.

Go Colonels...

[KingSting999]

G-Man

I and my family will be at Ralston Field when DVC travels there next week. My wife and I have not missed a DVC game in four years. We are usually in the stands by the time the players come out for warm-ups and right around the 50 yeard line. Really enjoy watching the game at Ralston. the setting is ideal for college football and the visitor bleachers are very good for viewing the game. Fondly remember the last time we were there as it was a defensive slugfest. The Aggies came out on the short end but it was a well played contest and the better team won that day. I believe it was the game that springboarded Wilkes to the MAC championship that season. We often wear 5 shirts if the weather is decent in support of our favorite player. Hope you get a chance to identify yourself and chat for awhile.

As this season winds down it will be bittersweet. This is my son's senior year and (along with his twin sister) being our youngest this will bring to an end our many years of watching our five children play competitive athletics. His older brother played at Ursinus for four years and his two older sisters both played Division I softball at Monmouth and FDU (Teaneck). His twin sister took more of an academic route and is currently in Australia doing her student teaching for Boston University.
It's been one hell of a ride andvwe have a lifetime of memories to looks back on. I hope that every parent enjoys every momentt of it because it flys by.

Hoping that the Aggies finish strong and win or lose all of the players have my respect and thanks for the years of enjoyment they have provided me. DIII players are kind of special in that they really have to love the game to play, there are so many other things they could do but choose to make the sacrifice to play! Congratulations to everyone of them and as always .... GO AGGIES!!!!!

[PBR...]

KingSting,

Sorry to see that the Aggies have been bitten by the injury bug recently- I have always said that an offense on any level of football will not go anywhere without at least a semi-decent line, and as a result, injuries to the unit hurt a bit more than at other positions IMHO. Best wishes to all of your guys on a quick recovery, and hopefully we will see them on the field at Wilkes in a few weeks.

On that note, for both you and PBR, please let me know if you guys will be at Ralston Field when Wilkes takes on the Aggies next Saturday. It's always good to meet up with felow fans, so I will try and track you down if possible. In terms of tailgates, my family and I enjoyed many great tailgates over the last few years (many of which were hosted by our fellow poster Grizzman) but most of those families have seen their players graduate and as a result our group dose not get together with the same frequency after home games, otherwise you'd be more than welcomed to stop over. On any note, while the matchup will not have the same luster as the 2006 classic, I hope you all and other DVC faithful on here can hop up for what will hopefully be a good game.

would love to be there G but unfortunately pbr has family obligations. Finally time to chime in after last weeks brutal loss. Tough all around as Coach C said its tough to win in pee wee let alone college football when you have that many turnovers. Wasnt there to see the pass interference call so pbr defer's to refs. Albeit 1 thing that drives pbr nuts is a late flag. its either interference or not, have confidence in yourself to make the immediate call if is otherwise keep the hanky tucked away.

EDIT: Forgot to send congrats to lyco on a great season so far.