Atlantic Central Football Conference/Independents

[DE Wesley Fan]

Closer than I would have liked, but I'll take it! All the personal fouls were inexcusable. Hobart's lines were pretty much as good as advertised. Was #90 hurt towards the end? Proud of Wesley for grinding it out till we could pull away. Can't wait for the rematch with Mt Union and looking forward to leaving Ohio with a win this time!

[Teamski]

Wesley got it done today even with the mass of personal fouls that kept Hobart into the game early on.  I have to hand it to Hobart as their defensive line was tough!  Wesley couldn't freely run until late in the game.   The score doesn't give the game justice as Hobart played tough throughout.  However couple key mistakes took them out of the game.  The rain had a pretty big impact with the sky falling at times.  Luckily, it wasn't too cold.  Wesley's defense held Hobart to less than 200 yards total offense which was pretty impressive.  So, onto Mount Union once again in hopes to finally break the Purple duck.

-Ski

[wesleydad]

The offense struggled today.  Hobart controlled the line of scrimmage and Coleman was a monster.  Not sure how you run read options in his direction and not have him blocked.  The ball seemed to be heavy from the rain today and the effected some of the throws.  Callahan had to move around too much today, the O line has to be better than that if they are going to win next week.  This game was won by the defense.  They again controlled the game and if not for the penalties would have been a little easier.  Next week will be a great chance for them to gain a little revenge for the bad game they put up last year.  The whole key will be to get pressure on Burke and keep him in the pocket.  The offense should be able to move the ball and I hope they come out fired up and take control from the start.  The team has been close before, time to get over the hump and get to the Stagg Bowl.

[HSCTiger fan]

I'm pulling for you guys to win it all, but special teams and Oline need to step up their game and Wesley players need to stop with some of the bonehead penalties if the Wolverines are going to win a national championship.

[wesleydad]

59 - 31, that is what Wesley has to remember happened after the first quarter last year against Mount.  The offense grew up that day and has not really stopped since.  In the end it is going to come down to how the defense handles Burke.  It seems that Mount is really counting on him to make plays this year.  This defense is so much better than the one that played in last years Mount game.  Callahan looked a little shaky today, but Hobart's front 4 were outstanding.  I am not sure if Mount has anyone with the skill level of Coleman.  I hope Wesley comes out throwing the ball all over the field and running just to keep the Mount D honest.  Mount's secondary had issues covering the receivers last year and with them all back I don't see why that would not still be the issue this year.  Show up believing you are the better team and then go out and play like it.  59 - 31.  Go get it done.

[DE Wesley Fan]

A few other observations now that I've gotten to dry out... 
1. Punt team was a bit better, kick coverage a bit worse although the kicks themselves were a little better. This is the part of the game that most worries me for next week.  Sounds like Mt Union's punter had some nice kicks today.
2. George had some nice catches in this game, but his blocking efforts left something to be desired again. 
3. Was interesting seeing Martin get some carries when the game still mattered, and I think he figured out pretty quick the side-to-side stuff doesn't work as well when the defense hasn't already been demoralized.
4. I know I'm always hard on our secondary, so I give them credit for a pretty darn good game.  On the blown coverage that allowed the touchdown pass, did the linebacker miss that or was it a group effort catastrophe?

I'm so darn proud of this group of kids and I just know they have it in them to take the program two steps further this year.  Speed, depth, skill, all the pieces in the right places.  This team has been able to start out strong every game, something not always done in the past.  If we can have a solid first quarter that should give them the confidence needed to believe they really can take down one of the big boys.  Even feels like the coaching staff is hitting its best stride, not trying to over think or being too fancy or too predictable. We're darn lucky to have the great staff we do.  Proud to be a Wolverine and ready to beat some Purple butt!!

[Ralph Turner]

Wesley will become truly the Beast in the East next season.

[gordonmann]

To answer one of the questions below, Coleman got hurt tackling Braynard on a screen pass where Coleman nailed him behind the line of scrimmage. He came out of the game and I don't think he returned, though the game was out of reach soon after that any way. Wesley was its usual impressive self, but Coleman was really impressive individually. There was one play where he re-enacted Reggie White, jamming up under Adebayo and lifting him off his feet and out of the way.

Good to see the Wesley folks again. Good luck in Alliance next week.

[ITH radio]

Appreciate you and Frank braving the elements to bring the fans a video broadcast.

I said a cpl weeks back Hobart had a championship defense and today I'd say the ST unit outplayed Wesley's. Unfortunately for the Statesmen they don't have a Callahan or a Koudossou (at least with experience - there is young talent on the roster that gives hope for the future). Credit the reserves on the secondary for playing tough. D'Antonio was amazing in only his 2nd or 3rd career start IMO.

Wolverines defense was impressive on one hand but Hobarts offensive wasn't great this season and definitely did not play well today so I worry how the Wolverines will fair against Burke.

[Teamski]

Good to see the Wesley folks again. Good luck in Alliance next week.

It was great to see the two of you there.  Luckily the rain didn't flood your gear!  A bit more wind and it would have. 

-Ski

[PA_wesleyfan]

   I don't know how you call all those personnel fouls and don't say what they were. But one player on special teams had two of them that  I saw. He has a problem every week stopping on the whistle. I think that may be as bad as I've seen the field conditions at Wesley. Even the sleet game was better footing

[SaintsFAN]

59 - 31, that is what Wesley has to remember happened after the first quarter last year against Mount.  The offense grew up that day and has not really stopped since.  In the end it is going to come down to how the defense handles Burke.  It seems that Mount is really counting on him to make plays this year.  This defense is so much better than the one that played in last years Mount game.  Callahan looked a little shaky today, but Hobart's front 4 were outstanding.  I am not sure if Mount has anyone with the skill level of Coleman.  I hope Wesley comes out throwing the ball all over the field and running just to keep the Mount D honest.  Mount's secondary had issues covering the receivers last year and with them all back I don't see why that would not still be the issue this year.  Show up believing you are the better team and then go out and play like it.  59 - 31.  Go get it done.

wesleydad -- I'm assuming I'll see you this coming weekend?  I'll be in Alliance on either Friday or Saturday, I'm not sure yet.  If its Saturday, it will be really, really early on Saturday morning so I can meet up with skunkssidekick, skunks, mtfan, hurf and the others.  Let me know what your plans are. 

This won't be popular with the folks in Alliance, but I've been telling HScoach all season how I feel about Wesley's team.  I think this is Wesley's best shot -- its their best team and I feel like they have the type of team to take advantage of some of Mount's shortcomings.  Mainly along the two lines.  The only other team left that can manhandle the Mount Union war pigs (OL) and the DL (esp if Lalley is still out of the lineup) is Whitewater.  Hard to discount Linfield without having seen them, but I don't think they are as strong as Whitewater or Wesley along the lines. 

My favorites for the Stagg would be in this order:

1.  Whitewater
2.  Wesley
3.  Mount Union
4.  Linfield

[Raider 68]

59 - 31, that is what Wesley has to remember happened after the first quarter last year against Mount.  The offense grew up that day and has not really stopped since.  In the end it is going to come down to how the defense handles Burke.  It seems that Mount is really counting on him to make plays this year.  This defense is so much better than the one that played in last years Mount game.  Callahan looked a little shaky today, but Hobart's front 4 were outstanding.  I am not sure if Mount has anyone with the skill level of Coleman.  I hope Wesley comes out throwing the ball all over the field and running just to keep the Mount D honest.  Mount's secondary had issues covering the receivers last year and with them all back I don't see why that would not still be the issue this year.  Show up believing you are the better team and then go out and play like it.  59 - 31.  Go get it done.

wesleydad -- I'm assuming I'll see you this coming weekend?  I'll be in Alliance on either Friday or Saturday, I'm not sure yet.  If its Saturday, it will be really, really early on Saturday morning so I can meet up with skunkssidekick, skunks, mtfan, hurf and the others.  Let me know what your plans are. 

This won't be popular with the folks in Alliance, but I've been telling HScoach all season how I feel about Wesley's team.  I think this is Wesley's best shot -- its their best team and I feel like they have the type of team to take advantage of some of Mount's shortcomings.  Mainly along the two lines.  The only other team left that can manhandle the Mount Union war pigs (OL) and the DL (esp if Lalley is still out of the lineup) is Whitewater.  Hard to discount Linfield without having seen them, but I don't think they are as strong as Whitewater or Wesley along the lines. 

My favorites for the Stagg would be in this order:

1.  Whitewater
2.  Wesley
3.  Mount Union
4.  Linfield

SaintsFan,

Good post, but My order for the Stagg Favorites would be:

1-2. Tie Mount Union-Wesley. Wesley has a great team and yes the Raiders this year are much better than 2013, both
    on Offense or Defense. The winner of this game wins the Stagg.

3. UWW - Great team, but not the defense of 2013, and IHMO will not win a scoring race with either Mount or Wesley.

4. Linfield- Could very realistically be number #3 if they play a great game at UWW.

[wesleydad]

59 - 31, that is what Wesley has to remember happened after the first quarter last year against Mount.  The offense grew up that day and has not really stopped since.  In the end it is going to come down to how the defense handles Burke.  It seems that Mount is really counting on him to make plays this year.  This defense is so much better than the one that played in last years Mount game.  Callahan looked a little shaky today, but Hobart's front 4 were outstanding.  I am not sure if Mount has anyone with the skill level of Coleman.  I hope Wesley comes out throwing the ball all over the field and running just to keep the Mount D honest.  Mount's secondary had issues covering the receivers last year and with them all back I don't see why that would not still be the issue this year.  Show up believing you are the better team and then go out and play like it.  59 - 31.  Go get it done.

wesleydad -- I'm assuming I'll see you this coming weekend?  I'll be in Alliance on either Friday or Saturday, I'm not sure yet.  If its Saturday, it will be really, really early on Saturday morning so I can meet up with skunkssidekick, skunks, mtfan, hurf and the others.  Let me know what your plans are. 

This won't be popular with the folks in Alliance, but I've been telling HScoach all season how I feel about Wesley's team.  I think this is Wesley's best shot -- its their best team and I feel like they have the type of team to take advantage of some of Mount's shortcomings.  Mainly along the two lines.  The only other team left that can manhandle the Mount Union war pigs (OL) and the DL (esp if Lalley is still out of the lineup) is Whitewater.  Hard to discount Linfield without having seen them, but I don't think they are as strong as Whitewater or Wesley along the lines. 

My favorites for the Stagg would be in this order:

1.  Whitewater
2.  Wesley
3.  Mount Union
4.  Linfield

Saintsfan, I will be there Sat Morn for breakfast.  I know what I know and this is the best Wesley team since 2005.  I am not sure how much better Mount is on defense, but they will have to be much better than they were last year.  They entire team is back that put up 59.  I know Mount scored 62, but the Wesley defense is light years better than last year.  This is going to be a fun game to watch.

[SaintsFAN]

Can one of you guys direct me to the Wesley Two-Deep?  I've been to the website and can't find anything..