Atlantic Central Football Conference/Independents

[wesleydad]

ski, or anyone else who may know, what is the date for the scrimmage?  if it is at widener I will certainly make the trip since it is only 5 mins away.

[Teamski]

ski, or anyone else who may know, what is the date for the scrimmage?  if it is at widener I will certainly make the trip since it is only 5 mins away.

I don't know yet.

-Ski

[DE Wesley Fan]

Nice article in today's Delaware State News about Justin Sottilare and his preparation for this year after having a year off (couldn't find an on-line version to link to).  Gist of it was that when he became the starter two years ago after McSweeny's injury, he really wasn't properly prepared going into the season - hadn't focused on strength training or the playbook as much as he should have over the summer since he planned to be a back-up.  Those things have been corrected this time around and he's ready to go.  Wow - if that's true and he still accomplished all he did that year, I can't wait for this one!  I remember thinking that season he was missing some confidence, just didn't have that spark of leadership a great quarterback usually does.  Feeling under prepared would certainly explain that.  Can't wait for this season to get started! 

[wdelsean]

A brief conversation I had with Wesley Head Coach Mike Drass today.  Sounded like he was ready to begin the real hitting drills tomorrow.

http://www.wdel.com/story.php?id=44890

[Teamski]

Nice article in today's Delaware State News about Justin Sottilare and his preparation for this year after having a year off (couldn't find an on-line version to link to).  Gist of it was that when he became the starter two years ago after McSweeny's injury, he really wasn't properly prepared going into the season - hadn't focused on strength training or the playbook as much as he should have over the summer since he planned to be a back-up.  Those things have been corrected this time around and he's ready to go.  Wow - if that's true and he still accomplished all he did that year, I can't wait for this one!  I remember thinking that season he was missing some confidence, just didn't have that spark of leadership a great quarterback usually does.  Feeling under prepared would certainly explain that.  Can't wait for this season to get started!

The fact that Sottilaire broke the season TD mark that year said everything even with Krout in the mix.  Justin is a great guy and he really stepped up to the plate and gave Wesley another shot in the semi's.  This year I think he is just going to blister the secondary.  He had a lot of good experience watching McSweeny last year from the coache's booth and that bodes really well.  I talked to him many times during the games while filming, and for the first time, he was seeing holes and possibilities that he could have exploited from a vantage point that only a year removed from the field could give him.  It really opened his eyes.  I am really pumped to see him in action once again!  It is going to be a great year!

-Ski

[DE Wesley Fan]

A brief conversation I had with Wesley Head Coach Mike Drass today.  Sounded like he was ready to begin the real hitting drills tomorrow.

http://www.wdel.com/story.php?id=44890

Great link, and really enjoyed the videos there too.  Was happy to hear a few mentions of Jordan Westcott returning on defense and am looking forward to seeing him after being away for a year too (though I will admit to being partial since my husband coached him at Woodbridge High).   

Another player I'm anxious to see is Sammy Mohr, freshman from Cape Henlopen.  Saw him a couple times last year and at this summer's Blue-Gold game.  Was very impressed with his speed and athleticism as a DB.  Can't wait to see how he makes the transition to this level and hope he can be an asset for the future.

It's killing me that the first game is so far away.  Any of you heading down?

[Teamski]

A brief conversation I had with Wesley Head Coach Mike Drass today.  Sounded like he was ready to begin the real hitting drills tomorrow.

http://www.wdel.com/story.php?id=44890

Great link, and really enjoyed the videos there too.  Was happy to hear a few mentions of Jordan Westcott returning on defense and am looking forward to seeing him after being away for a year too (though I will admit to being partial since my husband coached him at Woodbridge High).   

Another player I'm anxious to see is Sammy Mohr, freshman from Cape Henlopen.  Saw him a couple times last year and at this summer's Blue-Gold game.  Was very impressed with his speed and athleticism as a DB.  Can't wait to see how he makes the transition to this level and hope he can be an asset for the future.

It's killing me that the first game is so far away.  Any of you heading down?

I'll be there, of course!  I'll be wearing my Bryan Robinson #92 jersey while my wife will have McAndrew's #1.  It sure pays to get to the jersey sales early!

-Ski

[DE Wesley Fan]

Enjoy the trip!  I think we're saving our pennies for a trip to CA.  We've always talked about heading out to an Oakland Raiders game, so this sounds like as good an excuse as any to actually do it this year.  Trying to work out our schedule so we get to see more of CA than two football fields and an airport

[bleedpurple]

Enjoy the trip!  I think we're saving our pennies for a trip to CA.  We've always talked about heading out to an Oakland Raiders game, so this sounds like as good an excuse as any to actually do it this year.  Trying to work out our schedule so we get to see more of CA than two football fields and an airport

Going all the way to CA, it would be a shame to limit your experience to two football fields and an airport. I'll try to send you a link for a listing of the high school games in CA on Friday night. Three football fields and an airport just sounds much, much better! 

[Raider 68]

ski, or anyone else who may know, what is the date for the scrimmage?  if it is at widener I will certainly make the trip since it is only 5 mins away.

wesleydad,

Is this year Wesley's year to win it all? Your thoughts?

[wesleydad]

Raider68, not sure.  they have the ability to be very good on offense.  The d lost a couple of key pieces, but the d backs should be better and they always seem to find a strong d lineman to step in each year.  I hope to get an idea of how good when I get to the scrimmage against Widener this week.

[dlippiel]

ski, or anyone else who may know, what is the date for the scrimmage?  if it is at widener I will certainly make the trip since it is only 5 mins away.

wesleydad,

Is this year Wesley's year to win it all? Your thoughts?

dlip will give this a shot if Raider68 does not mind

Before the summer dlip felt this may be the year The Gulls of Salisbury take down their rival Wesley. After looking at what Wesley has this year, reading some of the posts on the site, and being quite aware of Salisbury's strengths, dlip does not feel that is the case. As a matter of fact, to dlip, this may be the best Wesley team in some time. Drass seems pretty confident in what he has, on both sides of the football. Wesley looks to have some serious players at the skill positions and with the return of Justin Sottilare, whom many say during his breakout season (two years ago) he was still learning (WOW  ), this Wesley team may be able to get over the hump that is the semi-finals. With U-Dub Dub Dub Dub Dub looking nasty as always, dlip feels Wesley's only realistic way to the finals will be through the Purple Raiders. Mount, who dlip feels will still be amazing, seems as if they may have a few kinks in the armor this season (honestly, they don't look like kinks to dlip, but he is speaking in comparision to U-Dub and Wesley). The few times dlip has seen Seaman play he has not been overly impressed (but still impressed ) and with the absence of a featured returning back this may just be the year Wesley can outgun the Raiders. Does dlip think it will happen? Who knows, but he guesses it's possible this year.

A good indication early for Wesley will be their results against their absurd schedule. Their games against the likes of ETBaptist, the aforementioned Salisbury Gulls, Louisiana College, UMHB, and even Birmingham Southern will be telltale in regards to their potential to defeat the likes of UMU and/or U-Dub. Gonna be a great year fellas!

[Raider 68]

ski, or anyone else who may know, what is the date for the scrimmage?  if it is at widener I will certainly make the trip since it is only 5 mins away.

wesleydad,

Is this year Wesley's year to win it all? Your thoughts?

dlip will give this a shot if Raider68 does not mind

Before the summer dlip felt this may be the year The Gulls of Salisbury take down their rival Wesley. After looking at what Wesley has this year, reading some of the posts on the site, and being quite aware of Salisbury's strengths, dlip does not feel that is the case. As a matter of fact, to dlip, this may be the best Wesley team in some time. Drass seems pretty confident in what he has, on both sides of the football. Wesley looks to have some serious players at the skill positions and with the return of Justin Sottilare, whom many say during his breakout season (two years ago) he was still learning (WOW  ), this Wesley team may be able to get over the hump that is the semi-finals. With U-Dub Dub Dub Dub Dub looking nasty as always, dlip feels Wesley's only realistic way to the finals will be through the Purple Raiders. Mount, who dlip feels will still be amazing, seems as if they may have a few kinks in the armor this season (honestly, they don't look like kinks to dlip, but he is speaking in comparision to U-Dub and Wesley). The few times dlip has seen Seaman play he has not been overly impressed (but still impressed ) and with the absence of a featured returning back this may just be the year Wesley can outgun the Raiders. Does dlip think it will happen? Who knows, but he guesses it's possible this year.

A good indication early for Wesley will be their results against their absurd schedule. Their games against the likes of ETBaptist, the aforementioned Salisbury Gulls, Louisiana College, UMHB, and even Birmingham Southern will be telltale in regards to their potential to defeat the likes of UMU and/or U-Dub. Gonna be a great year fellas!

dlip,

Good analysis! I think Wesley will be strong but they have some strong tests to determine how they look going into the playoffs. The general consensus based upon Pat's D3 poll is that the Raiders have only a 1 in 5 chance of winning the title. The loss of M. Piloto and J. Murray will have some impact, but the Raiders will still be strong. If and it is a big if, the QB is strong and consistant they will still be a force this fall. The Raiders will have an answer at RB. The key to most championship teams is defense and the top teams all have great defenses. So this fall will be another great season to watch for all of us and IMHO, it could come down to which team peaks at the right times and avoids a key injury late in the season.

[thewaterboy]

Is it that time already?!?!

Here's my analysis of Wesley going into it. Sottilare will return as a definite strength for the offense and is capable of being an All-American, but like last year, the success of the offense as a whole will depend on the success of the QB. Jahad and Wright (torn ACL last year) will be a good combo out of the backfield, but where this team really hides its weapons is at reciever. Im going to venture state that this team has the fastest recievers in all of D3 with Matt Barile, Steve Koudossou, and Matt Bundy. They also have some key possession recievers like Howe and Robinson. If the o-line gives Sottilare time to throw...itll be a long day for the defense.

The defense will be interesting to see who steps up. Look for Kirk Brooks, and Sosthene Kapepula to anchor linebacker spots. Devin Hardy will make plays on the line. But there are still question marks up front and in the secondary, although I do think that Leon Jones is a playmaker-to-be.

As for the schedule: its the toughest in D3. Hands down. It will be an interesting challenge for sure.

[Teamski]

Great discussion guys!  Wesley always seems to draw strength from the depths when skilled players leave.  No doubt, this will be the case again this year.  What I like about that is the fact that Wesley seems to play at a higher level with relatively unknown (albeit skilled) players who are out to prove themselves.  Sometimes the cadre gets complacent and that has bit Wesley in the past.   Everybody will be gunning to be the team to beat Wesley again this year and that will provide a real challenge for the Wolverines.   I am really pumped even though I will not be filming the team for the first time since 2009! 

-Ski