FB: Conference of New England

[FBALLguy]

Any interesting non-conference opponents this year for NEFC teams or are they sticking to the usual, softy other division?

[63Center]

There are only a few teams that are willing to play outside the NEFC.  PSU is taking on Mt. Ida whci ould be a good game.  MEM plays Becker.  Salve plays SUNY Maritime.  CGA continues its tradition of playing Kings Point and this could be a good one too.  I think Kings Point has won the last couple of games against CGA.  EC plays two non-conference games, one at Hartwick and a home game against RPI.  EC might have achance against Hartwick, but they need to hope to stay in game against RPI.

I am not sure why the NEFC teams don't schedule outside the conference.  I suppose they are afraid of losing and getting a bad record.  Anyone have any insight why the NEFC don't play many non-conference games?

[AptosDad]

I'm not sure if MIT graduated their QB from last year but he was a great player and had terrific vision.  If he is still around and they get more numbers for players they could be a suprise.

You're talking about Rick Mancuso, who won the conference ROOKIE of the year award.  He's back for his sophomore season this fall.  Nice to hear someone speak of MIT and prospects for good football in the same topic.
From MIT's website:
"Mancuso's first season behind center was the best ever for an MIT quarterback. Despite playing in just seven games, he set Institute records for completions (135) and attempts (282), while tossing for an MIT season-record 1,587 yards." 

No mention of turnovers, but the MIT defense got a lot of action......and gave up a lot of points.  I'd like to see their numbers up this year too, but haven't heard anything.  Last year's roster of 44 was mostly sophomores and freshmen, and I know they started 10 freshmen in most games.  Maybe there's hope for their season.

[lewdogg11]

On three......

1...


2....


3...



FART NOISE!!!

[nefan]

The NEFC football teams (at least the State schools) have a limited budget.... The majority of most of the state schools staffs are part time (teachers) Until recently a number of the schools had part time coaches- but then a few went full time like Endicott, Salve, WNEC and etc.. Endicott is throwing all kinds of money into thier program.... They went to Canada (I believe..not sure) for Spring drills They will eventually reap some of the benefits...Bridgewater has a young full time coach(works in the fitness center) and he will be bringing a huge freshmen class ...UMass Dartmouth is ALL Part Time staff..... The NEFC has played numerous teams outside of the conf but still in the NE region- West Ct, Springfield, Coast Guard, WPI, Merrimack in the past but with budget crunches, travel costs, etc .... Not many teams will travel

[d3fan06]

i agree that budgets control the ability to travel etc for most teams.

i also imagine that finding matching dates that do not conflict with the nefc schedule is difficult. looking at the schedule, those games have to be played early in the year. that might also require teams to report to camp early, something that requires additional funding at most schools.

money makes the world go 'round.....

[63Center]

Thanks for the replies on why the NEFC teams don't play outside the conference.  The budget issue makes a lot of sense.  Yes, I also heard that EC did some spring training in Canada.  I guess the private schools can afford to throw more money into their programs. 

[63Center]

I think MIT could have a pretty good season this year and next.  They were looking pretty good at the end of last season and as has been stated have a young team.  That soph. QB is really talented and could be what they need to get them some wins.  They need some help in the RB department though so there is a threat of a run and not all passing by the QB.

[d3fan06]

DOES THE NEFC EVER DO A COACHES POLL LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER CONFERENCES AROUND THE COUNTRY?

WHERE DOES EVERYONE THINK THE TEAMS FROM THE BOYD AND BOGAN WILL RANK IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DIVISIONS?

[FBALLguy]

Camp is less than two weeks away for most schools. anay interesting camp battles that we can look forward too?

[InTheMix]

A few new coaches around the lague this year right?? Who is going to have the best year?

[waggle09]

It should be really interesting in both divisions. New coaches and a lot of new people in the skill positions. New qb's and rbs. I also think there are transfers from 1aa and 2 going to Westfield, Bridgewater Curry and others...What do you hear? Camp begins on the 19th which is late.....I think depth will be key: thats why recruiting over the last couple of years will show .  I expect Curry and Endicott to battle it out in their division, the other who knows?

[Random Task]

I've got to say I agree with FBall Guy and Gull those are solid picks. I was reading all the posts, as I have not been frequenting the board, and I wanted to throw in a few comments on the Nichols Bison. They lost their QB last year and that stinks, but as a coach you would think you would recruit someone who had some skill as a back-up and not rely on the skill of your little bro alone to win games (Nichols QB and the HC are siblings). That is a failure on the elder Carven's part, people get hurt in football and you always need a contingency. When I was in college our QB went down and we started a BU my senior year and we managed to win a few because we had a good supporting cast, and a balanced team. This shows the coach's inability to recruit talent. As for Mesue I haven't seen him play, but he has some solid stats and may warrant consideration as a preseason All-American. However its tough to be a preseason all American out of the NEFC because of the reputation of the conference has nationally. Outsiders think its easy for a marginal athlete to rack up stats against poor teams, I don't agree with that logic but that is the perception and it makes it difficult.

[d3fan06]

Task,

I believe Nichols lost not only the starting QB, but then went through 4 more QBs that were lost to injury etc etc. I also think they lost a total of like 10 starters to season ending injuries early in the year. Nichols always has a large roster so I don't think you can say he has not recruited "talent". I am not trying to make excuses for the Bison and I agree you need to have a contingency plan in place - but what do you do when the wheel fall off as they sometimes do?

With those players back (I heard Mike Craven was coming back for a 5th year) Nichols could be right back in the mix.....

[Random Task]

I was not aware they lost so much, that really stinks for the kids that played there last year. Going O'fer is never fun, but the team has been trending downward the last few years and has had a tough time compeating with the upper echelon teams in the NEFC, but I hope your right and with the core coming back they rip it up. I never want to see a team do bad. However Belecheck won't get a pass from fans if Brady, Dillon, Bruschi, and Seymor all get hurt and the Pats loose all thier games. I know its the NFL and you can sign guys off the street and it is a strech of an analogy, but I think if a team goes O'fer its more the Coach's fault than the kids and if the "wheel's fall off" there is an issue. Bill Carven needs to turn his program around, I mean They were playing for the tittle a few years ago.