Atlantic Central Football Conference/Independents

[wesleydad]

Good first week test.  So ready to see how this years Wesley team comes out of the gate.  They have been known to start slow in many a season, they can not afford a loss with only 5 D3 games.  I hope that the offense stays as wide open as it was in the Mount game last year.  That was crazy and they are that good.  Speed all over.  The defense should be very good with Kap being scary good.  Stop the More running game and this could end up one sided.  As usual penalties and turnovers could be the killer.  Expecting a win and glad to see a team I have not seen yet.

[Teamski]

Really looking forward to seeing Wesley on the field tomorrow.  I am not looking forward to the possible thunderstorms following Thomas More into town....   Cameras don't like water.

-Ski

[dedragon]

I got a seat in the press box again  12 years running!! But, please don't rain anyways. Keith, don't bang on the glass like Jason Bowen for stats. Just kidding, he stopped doing that years ago.

[D3MAFAN]

Expecting a great game out of both teams. I expect this game to be won in the trenches if it rains. If not, then the show goes on.

Also, just saw that  Tusculum demolished College of Faith 71-0 and held College of Faith to 100 negative yards, which included a negative 124 yards rushing, both NCAA records.

[wesleydad]

going to be a HOT one today in Dover.  Heat index of 100 or so.  Not great for a first game anyway you look at it.  Figure that the mandatory stoppages for water will be in play today.  Going to need to find a way to stay cool while watching the game, can not imagine how hot the field will be at game time.  Hoping that both teams stay safe and we get a good game in before the storms roll in later in the day.  Glad that it is football season again, Saturdays are booked up until mid December.  Safe travels to all coming to the game today and stay cool.

[Teamski]

GAMEDAY!!!  GAMEDAY!!!  GAMEDAY!!!  GAMEDAY!!!  GAMEDAY!!!  GAMEDAY!!!

[SaintsFAN]

going to be a HOT one today in Dover.  Heat index of 100 or so.  Not great for a first game anyway you look at it.  Figure that the mandatory stoppages for water will be in play today.  Going to need to find a way to stay cool while watching the game, can not imagine how hot the field will be at game time.  Hoping that both teams stay safe and we get a good game in before the storms roll in later in the day.  Glad that it is football season again, Saturdays are booked up until mid December.  Safe travels to all coming to the game today and stay cool.

I want to hear your report after this game, wesleydad.

[SaintsFAN]

21-7 Wesley at halftime. 

Couldn't make the trip but from the broadcast it sounds like there were plenty of dropped passes, penalties and mental errors on both sides - basically what you'd expect from a season opener.  Here's to an injury free 2nd half. 

[wesleydad]

Saintsfan, Strong opening drive by Saints. Been basically shut down the rest of the half.  Wesley has been inconsistent on offense but look to be in control. Saints have been able to throw the ball some which bodes well for them as the season goes forward. Solid team overall. Wesley looks strong both sides of ball but will need to improve on special teams. Punter was shady early but switched field a couple of times. Time for second half.

[SaintsFAN]

Saintsfan, Strong opening drive by Saints. Been basically shut down the rest of the half.  Wesley has been inconsistent on offense but look to be in control. Saints have been able to throw the ball some which bodes well for them as the season goes forward. Solid team overall. Wesley looks strong both sides of ball but will need to improve on special teams. Punter was shady early but switched field a couple of times. Time for second half.

Agree - they need to get Hayden going also through the passing game.  I'm encouraged and this is the opener --  minus anything unforeseen, Thomas More will win the PAC.  TMC gets the ball, obviously this possession is huge. 

PS - PUT SOME SUNBLOCK ON !!

[SaintsFAN]

For the Wesley fans or "locals" as the TMC radio guys referred to them as seated in front of the booth, Who were voicing their displeasure with Thomas More trying to extend the game in the last minute after the onside kick recovery:: You call timeouts/kill the clock even in the last minute down 15 with a chance to score because as coaches you are teaching a young team to compete.  EVERY snap at Wesley today was a valuable learning experience for the Saints program.  This isn't. "Trying to make the scoreboard better".

Now, onto things and people who actually matter--  great game by the usual suspects for Wesley.  Very efficient offense led by Callahan and tough defense to hold Hayden to 92 yards and under 4 yards a carry.  Not sure what happened with the ejection of the Wesley LB. 

Lots of good for TMC here despite this being a loss.  Our QB played tough as did the defense and TM found a backup to Hayden.  I think a loss to Wesley better prepares TM for the season than playing Capital in the opener.  There's nothing to hang their head about as Wesley has won 66 of the last 70 games in Dover. 

Best of luck the rest of the year.

[Teamski]

An ugly opener for sure.  Man, I haven't seen it that chippy out on the field like that in a long time.  It started early; the shoving and trash-talking and sure enough, the flags started flying after a while.

Not the cleanest of starts by Wesley, but hey, we always seem to start slow.  Next week will be another stern test at Salisbury who depends on the run game.  Wesley will need to continue to work on their run defense this week.  That said, their goal-line stand today was awesome!

I am thrilled with the win, though.  Thomas More definitely has some offensive weapons.  Their slant routes were pretty effective today.

-Ski

[wesleydad]

This was a pretty strong effort for Wesley from the snap of the ball until the whistle.  Too bad some of the defense didn't know how to walk away once the whistle blew.  The captain of your team can not put himself in the position of getting tossed from the game if this is going to be a team that challenges the top of the top.  I don't want to hear any excuses or that Thomas More was doing it too.  The score is 28 - 7 and you are pretty much dominating the game.  There is no reason to chirp, you have proven on the field that you are the better team.  This has to be cleaned up before next week.

The offense looked pretty solid; the o-line seemed to start getting a push as the game went on and the running game was able to get going in the second half.  Callahan kept several plays alive by sliding in the pocket, 2 turned into TDs.  The defense looked lost on the first drive as seems to be the case often, but then dominated the rest of the way.  If you hold the RB who averaged over 200 yards a game to less than 100 and avg of 3 yards a carry you have done a great job.  The middle was open and the Saints exploited it, but could not do it consistently enough to mount any drives.

I have no issue with how the Saints kept playing until the end of the game, that is what you are supposed to do.  I didn't understand the field goal attempt down 21, which was blocked.  They are a solid team and will beat many teams if not all the teams they have left to play.

[DE Wesley Fan]

I usually leave the Wesley opening game a bit frustrated, but this year I left pretty darn happy and optimistic.  I thought we played well, especially against a very talented opponent.

Offense - I was very impressed by how smoothly things ran for the first game.  Usually early in the season there are spurts where it seems to take forever to get the calls in, players not sure where to line up, delay of game, etc. but next to none of that this time.  Callahan looked to be firmly in control on the field, and that confidence seemed to spread to the rest of the offense.  I guess it's easier to be confident out of the gate when the horses are back and healthy.  Baynard picked up right where he left off last year, displaying great field vision and ability to hit the hole (or make his own if need be).  Receiving corp will be scary good if everyone stays well.  Wright looked a little timid, wonder if he's fearing another injury or just needs a little time to get back in the swing of things.  Offensive line pretty much held their own, always room for improvement, but looking more comfortable as a group with more experience under their belt.

Defense - Gotta be tougher on the run and the secondary had a few bouts of confusion over coverage, but they seemed to improve as the game went along.  Have to stop being stupid after the whistle.  As wesleydad said, learn how to walk away! Was pretty surprised the staff hadn't laid into them more early in the game to try and nip it in the bud.  Both sides had their fair share of attitude, but enough already.  Both ejected players have to sit out the first half of the Salisbury game, right?  Will be interesting to see how SU works to take advantage.

Special teams - Looks to be another adventure.  Punter had a couple good ones mixed in with the truly horrible.  Will give him the beneift of the doubt this week.  On returns, a couple times it looked like blockers were set up pretty well but the returners couldn't quite get there.  Was a shame to have to burn a time out on an extra point try. 

Feels to me like maybe we're a step ahead than in previous years out of the gate.  I hope the emotions get held in check better against SU, but that's tough since it's always such an intense battle.  Should be another good match up, and I'm looking forward to a good year.

[wesleydad]

Big test this week for Wesley.  Salisbury looked pretty good moving the ball on the CNU d and with 2 of your top defensive players out for at least part of the game the coaches and players will have to adjust and make the plays.  Thomas More was able to move the ball more once both players left the game.  The Gulls defense looks average at best and had issues with CNU.  I think Callahan and co will have a big game this weekend.  Having seen Wesley play now for sometime, I am sure the after the whistle crap has been addressed and I can only hope that the players realize that there is more at stake than woofing after a play.  This rivalry game is usually high spirited as it is.  Wesley needs to play a good hard hitting clean game, snap to whistle.