Atlantic Central Football Conference/Independents

[wesleydad]

dlip, nice job on the preview.  Wesley will score, how much the other team scores will be the question.  I will reserve my overall until I see the scrimmage, which I believe to be Thursday against Widener.  The Pride have a top notch QB so it will be an early test to see what is needed if anything in the d backfield.  The schedule is out of control, but I like it because with the Del Val/Rowan game the first week I will get to see 4 of the top teams in the country in the 1st 3 weeks.

[DE Wesley Fan]

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20120822/SPORTS08/308220035/QB-Sottilare-makes-return-huddle?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CHome%7Cs&nclick_check=1

Today's News Journal had an article about Sottilare's return at QB.  Nothing new, but nice article.

[wesleydad]

just came back from the scrimmage and as i expected Wesley will be able to score.  Seems like they are looking for the quick pass at the line of scrimmage when the d backs lay off which is going to happen often.  they were able to throw the long pass anytime they wanted with one going for a td and several others for long gains.  Knapp has also put in a wildcat package which if they get it squared away, one fumble, it will give teams something else to worry about.  good luck to any defense that has to face this bunch of receivers who are just bottom line fast.  the d looked to have the same issues, covering the short pass and missing tackles when looking for the big hit.  the beginning of the year may end up being an outscore the other team, (salisbury and umhb) before the d gets it together.  i hope that they are able to run the ball a little bit better than they did tonight, but that will just be icing on the cake especially if the wildcat ends up working well.  looking forward to seeing them plan salisbury and umhb.

[Teamski]

Great report!  +1!  I wish I could have made it myself, but it wasn't even close.  Looking forward to seeing Wesley in person at Salisbury! 

-Ski

[DE Wesley Fan]

Thanks for the analysis.  Did you think the issues with the running game were due more to the line, or the ball carriers?  I'm a bit disheartened to hear of the same old defensive problems - hope that can be improved on.  Did Hopkins or the other receiver they moved to DB get much time back there?

[wesleydad]

dont know who was playing d back, did not have a roster with me to look at.  widener has a good qb and he was able to complete passes, did have one picked off and returned for a td though.  that was a positive on d.  the running game just looks slow.  plays just seem to develope almost in slow motion.  i know about reading blocks and stuff but not sure if they blame can be put on any running back or the o line.  the o line did a nice job pass blocking which is what wesley will need to be top team.

[DE Wesley Fan]

The interception sounds encouraging.  Glad you were able to make it to the scrimmage.  Can't wait for the season to start - I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning 

[dlippiel]

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20120822/SPORTS08/308220035/QB-Sottilare-makes-return-huddle?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CHome%7Cs&nclick_check=1

Today's News Journal had an article about Sottilare's return at QB.  Nothing new, but nice article.

Very nice article on Sottilare. Kid seems very mature and really is aware of the great opportunity he has the year. Dlip wishes him tons of luck on his season.

[TxFight]

Looks like Wesley may get a break in their opener...its only predicted to be 92 in Texas on Saturday 

Personally I was hoping for about 102 (like it has been recently).  Obviously that was a joke just looking forward to see a good ballgame to kick off the year.  ETBU played Wesley tough last year but turnovers and inability to score in the red zone (often due to turnovers or penalties) killed them.  ETBU has to replace the most dangerous player in program (albeit brief 12 year) history at quarterback and another 1000 yard back.  Wesley fans whats your take?

[wesleydad]

TxFight, I would figure that ETBU will have trouble stopping Wesley from scoring.  If ETBU is replacing the players that kept them in the game last year, then they may be in for a long day.  Recent history shows that most of Wesley's non-playoff loses occur in the first couple weeks of the season, so ETBU has that going for them.  Also, the travel and this is nothing against ETBU, but Wesley could easily be looking ahead to the rivalry game(s) with Salisbury the following week and Mary Hardin Baylor the week after that.  Wesley will have to protect the ball and avoid stupid penalties, 2 issues that have cost them early in the season in years past.  If they play to their potential they will likely score in the 40's, can ETBU match that?

[TxFight]

Wesleydad, its an interesting question asking whether or not ETBU can match that.  They are going to be a different offense without Harris at QB.  Last year the OC did a great job of calling the offense to Harris' strengths (quick passing and the option run game).  It will be impossible to replace what Harris brought to the table.  But the guy that will be taking the snaps is no "new-comer" to the college game.  He has a similar career path as Sottilare.  Its definitely possible that this could turn into a shootout.  But its really an unknown because the offense has never been truly tailored to his style.  As a freshman he started the last 4 games and was the starter going into the season opener as a Sophomore until an injury in the scrimmage kept him out and put Harris back at QB.  So i really can't answer what ETBU is going to be able to do on offense.  Its not so much that they are replacing folks from last year as it might be if it were someone who has never started at QB.  You guys at Wesley know as much about that as anybody.

[DE Wesley Fan]

The first game of the season always worries me - so many unknowns, so many changes to get used to, so many bugs to work out....  That said, I think Wesley's offense should come out strong enough to carry the game.  But it will be interesting to see how we do on defense, especially since it sounds like ETBU's offense will be so different from last year.  Hope it's a great game and both sides come out injury free.

[thewaterboy]

Ive got a good feeling coming into the season. Last year against ETBU I felt that the team was very "green" with a lot of guys still learning to play together. This will be the case on defense this year with a lot of key pieces gone but, we are returning a lot of veterans on offense that has played together for at least 1 whole season, so hopefully the offense will start to find a groove here early on. I'm excited to see Sottilare perfect his passing game this season...trust me, he never once reached his full potential in 2010, and when he does, look out! I think the loss to Mount last year showed this team that they are very, very, very close to making the Purple Powers the Big 3. It showed them they can play with (and beat) the like off UWW or Mount. But for now, ETBU looms!

[Teamski]

Well, if there is one thermometer that Wesley is always guaged by is execution, execution and execution.  We talk about it every year: keep penalties and mistakes to a minimum and you win.  This year should be like any other.  If Wesley can keep the penalties down, then they are really tough to beat.  If Wesley gets sloppy, that easily opens the door for other teams to even things up.  Once you get a giant on the ropes, the giant killers hone in for the kill.  We saw this with Kean, Montclair State and nearly Hobart.  Wesley is good, but not too good to commit big mistakes and walk away with a win.    That said, if I learned anything about Wesley, is that the coaches instill the heart of the game into the players.   Last year's Linfield game was the best game I have ever seen on any level.  To be behind by 20 points at the half to a top DIII team and body slam them in the second like that was just epic.  That took moxy.  If they can bring that kind of spirit to the game this season, it will be a good year.

They just gotta keep their game TIGHT!!

-Ski

[TxFight]

well it appears I may have spoke too soon...Saturday could have sloppy field conditions thanks to Isaac.  We've know got 80% chance of rain Thursday in Marshall which is not a good thing for a grass field with a game that weekend.