FB: American Rivers Conference

[Confused77]

Here ya go-

Contenders: Central, Coe, Wartburg

Spoilers: Luther, Simpson, BV, Loras

Battle for the bottom: UD & Cornell

Contenders are contenders. I actually think they are in that order as well. I am not saying IIAC title for the Knights just yet, my heart tells me yes, but my head tells me no. Still have a few worries after last season.

Spoilers: Are just that. They are the teams that will knock one or 2 contenders off. I will not predict which place these teams will finish in, although Simpson and Luther are the top 2 of this group.

Bottom Feeders: UD has impressed me the last 2 years, but what do they have returning? Cornell, could surprise some people, but I don't think they have anywhere near the numbers needed to compete in the IIAC. Will the Wing-T work? I think it will. Dillon knows his wing-t anything is better then the d**n double wing option. The question is, can the defense make some stops and can the team stay healthy? The answer to those questions are a big NO in my opinion.

[DutchFan2004]

I think the contenders will be the same as last year.  Central, Coe, and Wartburg, the Spoilers will be the same as last year as well, Luther Simpson, and BV,  the same three teams will fight for the next positions as well, UD Loras and Cornell.  I think that UD with Jackson coming back will be tuff again.  The big question is what a new coach at Loras will do for them.  Their d was tuff last year they just couldn't move the ball.  I think Luther will be pretty tuff as well and may challange for the top.  I have no predictions on the way any of the teams will finish but I think that that will be the three team groupings.  That's the way they finished last year and I don't see much difference this year. 

[Walston Hoover]

I have no doubt Dillon knows his wing-T, I just don't see him getting the athletes in there to compete with the rest of the conference. He's going to come up against things he hasn't seen before. I don't think any other coaches in the conference came from a HS-All the others I believe were coordinators at the college level or had some other college coaching experience-
We are talking about a coach here that in his last 3 years of HS ball has a combined record of something like 13-16.
I don't think there's much reason to get too excited about Cornell.

[alfredenuemann]

The demise of the home of many great game plans.
The former home football offices were used a "fireman practice" area on Saturday as part of the clearing the area for Wartburg Waverly Wellness center. See LINK

http://www.wartburg.edu/wellness/61206/pages/fire5.htm

[sportsknight]

Wow, its amazing how much you miss when you don't have Internet access for two full weeks (thanks, Mediacom).  As I type this I am sitting in my car in a parking lot next to a Holiday Inn that has wireless internet.  Never let it be said that Wartburg alums aren't resourceful.

Yes, for those of you that didn't know, I was a member of Wartburg's 154th graduating class on May 28.  Since then, I've moved to Mason City and am currently working as a news/sports assistant with KRIB/KYTC Radio here in town.  My days are comprised of calling people for interviews and voicing newscasts, while about half of my nights are spent announcing Mason City Newman baseball and softball games.  The baseball Knights are #1 in 1A right now, so that's something.  I will also be doing Newman football games this fall.

The nice thing about this job is that I'm only an hour away from Waverly.  I plan on attending a couple Wartburg football games this fall, but that number will likely jump to all the home games between now and September.

As for this year's IIAC season, I would echo WH's thoughts that Wartburg's coaching change will have little effect on the team's success.  The personnel is all the same on the Wartburg staff, with the exception of Pat Toohey, a former Knights O-lineman that I heard got hired as an assistant coach.

Beyond that, I have very little to add to the conversation at this point.  What I do know, though, is that after Mediacom finally comes to install my cable/internet tomorrow, I'll be able to keep much better tabs on what is said in these fancy blue and white boxes.

[The Show]

You'd be surprised how many businesses have wide open wireless networks.

If you're really bored, chances are that you could also drive around town and pick up more than one wireless internet connection from random homes.

I think BV could be a bit of a sleeper this year.  Even I'm not sure what to expect.  About all I know is that they have a tailback that is pretty quick, but could use a little more size...

I would think Central is the favorite going in.

[warthog]

Alfred E.:

Thanks for the heads up on the construction/destruction photos.

Orange flames

Black smoke

The Knights never give up a marketing opportunity

[sportsknight]

I don't have anything interesting to say.  I just got tired of seeing the IIAC at the bottom of the West Region page.

[The Show]

For those of you interested in recruiting-A couple of my Dowling boys will be balling it up in the IIAC next year.

Couple other guys going to the JUCO route or D2

Which school(s) are they heading to?

We only had one kid going on to play at Dana.  Probably only one or two kids from the going to be seniors will go on to play as well.  Should have a few more the following year though.

[CaliRamRL6]

Cornell hires a full time strength & conditioning coach

http://www.cornellcollege.edu/athletics/Frey.shtml

It's nice to see that we're getting someone who is completely devoted to the development of all the athletes. In recent years, we've had coaches that spent part of their time servicing all the athletes. I hope this new hire can bring some positive change.

[Walston Hoover]

Simpson. Loras, Central, I believe Coe, and of course Wartburg.
QB is going to Winona State (along with my bro who will be a GA there)
FB is going to UN-something if I remember right and our big tackle is going to Iowa Central.

I think about 2 of the guys going the IIAC route you'll probably hear about, the rest will have to work awefully hard to play, but not impossible.

[dutchfan1]

http://www.central.edu/athletics/facilities/construction.cfm

New photos showing the progress of A. N. Kuyper stadium... Apparently they are laying the turf the first part of July, and expect to be ready to host games in September.

[Touchdown Tommy]

Pretty cool DF1.  I was unaware that your beloved alma mater was getting turf.  What type is it gonna be? Did they announce the costs? Is a donor paying for it or how is Central funding this?  OAS and I would like to make the trip to see the new field sometime.  Maybe the Johnnies will meet the Dutch in the playoffs for the West Region title.  I hope speed beats power as surely this new turf would favor the Js.

[DutchFan2004]

Touchdown Tommy,

I believe that it was Field Turf brand.  Hope that is holds up.  The best part about it is that it will be like Wartburg.  They are not sharing the field with any other sport.  The field will not even be lined for high school games.  It is to be only for college games.  It should hold up well I think.

[Walston Hoover]

I agree '04, no communist soccer lines on the field are what make it great.