FB: American Rivers Conference

[doolittledog]

desertgator, nice to have you on here.  Purple Heys is another father of a Cornell player on here.  

Klop and DBQ1965, Colton Hansen was a junior last season, though he had little playing time prior to that because of Jermar Jackson.  

jtplayer25, you saw spring ball so you would have the best perspective of the UD team.  I can't comment on Colton Hansen being the face of the team or not.  I did think from what I saw last year that he had a lot of talent, but maybe wasn't the best at being a team leader from some of the quotes coming from him.  Something you need from your starting QB.  My take on the UD defense over the last few years is that the Spartans favored speed over size.  I would have liked to see a bit more size on the D side of the ball the last few years.  

[jtplayer25]

doolittledog, I believe that I am going to have to agree with you on Colton Hansen not being the type of leader that a Qb should be. He did not seem very outspoken towards his teammates or did he seem to bring the excitement that starting QB should bring, I also am going to agree with you on the speed over the size. In the IIAC size means more than speed. Now if you can get size and speed thats even better. We will have to see what Coach Z brings in, in what is said to be the best recruiting class he has ever had. But I dont know, that outspoken, exciting leader that the Spartans need just might come from the other side of the ball this coming year. we will see, I am interested to see and hear how other teams are doing so far, this year should be a great one   

[desertgator]

Thanks for the welcome doolittledog!  I read back through some of the post and saw some post from purpleheys.  I believe I know who he is and our sons are good friends.  Both boys are transplants from the west.  It seems like a good board...lots of pride in the conference and minimal player bashing, I like that.

[DBQ1965]

Thanks for the welcome doolittledog!  I read back through some of the post and saw some post from purpleheys.  I believe I know who he is and our sons are good friends.  Both boys are transplants from the west.  It seems like a good board...lots of pride in the conference and minimal player bashing, I like that.

Minimal bashing ... I like that!  Of course, there is the occasional explosion.  Anyway ... welcome to the IIAC board.  Just think of it ... an addition to both the Spartans and the Rams ... all in one evening!  There must be a God!

Now I am off to California tomorrow for the h.s. graduation of my little brother's youngest ... some time in Yosemite ... a day in S.F. pigging out on crab cocktails, cioppino and sourdough bread ... and a few days "stuck in Lodi."

[5 Words or Less]

... but without a doubt I think that Luther has the best natural grass field. The stadium itself is really nice and with the addition of a new track, and some new visitor stands that stadium would be a little better ...

Track surface removed today

[5 Words or Less]

Congratulations Titleburg U.S.A. and Coe

[jtplayer25]

see the Luther Norse Gods from above have listened to the message boards posts and are working their magic  

[5 Words or Less]

Just returned from Land-o-10,000 crappies 
Won't return until August 
Left bait in fridge 
Cabin destinking tips anyone

[warthog]

5WoL:

I'm thinking your stinking problem could be solved with a gallon of gas and a match.  Take pictures of the orange flames and black smoke; then when you file your insurance claim, blame the whole deal on some pesky Wartburg fan.

[footballdaddy]

Thanks for the welcome doolittledog!  I read back through some of the post and saw some post from purpleheys.  I believe I know who he is and our sons are good friends.  Both boys are transplants from the west.  It seems like a good board...lots of pride in the conference and minimal player bashing, I like that.

Let me add my welcome too!

As for mnimal player bashing, you're absolutely correct. Posters? That's another story! 

[5 Words or Less]

5WoL:

I'm thinking your stinking problem could be solved with a gallon of gas and a match.  Take pictures of the orange flames and black smoke; then when you file your insurance claim, blame the whole deal on some pesky Wartburg fan.

Sensitivity training here I come 

[coco]

You people have a great board, which is one of the reasons I like to visit. Part of that is because you don't bash the players, as you've mentioned. Some of the other boards' posters can get pretty brutal when criticizing players for mistakes made during games. Players read these boards too, and that's not necessary. They're still just kids. You folks have some of the more interesting discussions, too, and not only about football.

Plus you have the DutchFan! And Warty!

[jtplayer25]

So I was watching the Cavaliers and Magic game and for some reason I began to think about some things to look out for this year in IIAC football.

Central: Can the Dutch rebound from making a late season charge to the front and reclain their IIAC crown?

Wartburg: Can the Knights capitalize on their success from last season and do what that Dutch have done for many years before this past and repeat?

BV: Can the Beavers, take last years surprise success and clinch a much wanted and desired IIAC crown?

Cornell: With the loss of Dallas and their stud running back can they Rams get back on track and make tremendous strides and rebound from last year?

Coe: Played well on the road but can they return to homeland dominance and still maintain their road warrior mentality?

Loras: Mayhem Mgrew is out, can the Duhawks find a new locomotive to carry the Duhawks to the promise land?

Luther: Started off strong last season, have a few options at QB, but can the Norse start strong and finish strong?

UD: New coaching staff, New season. Can the new coaches take the returning players and the incoming recruiting class and do a 180 with last years failures. Can they renew the rivalry between UW-Platteville, and between the Duhawks?

Key game to watch. First time ever Rivalry by the river Loras vs. UD for UD's homecoming at night

[Ram2]

Does anyone have any spring ball reports?  I have a son that attends Cornell and wanted to see how everyone is shaping up for next season.  Also, are their any big commits to any schools in the conference?  Sorry for the hundred questions but just stumbled onto the board and I'm excited to get news.  Ram2, were you a coach last year?  Thanks.

I haven't really heard anything as far as huge recruits.

As far as spring reports Cornell  has huge Offensive holes to fill with departure of Bush and Hardman.

And defensively they six starters but have some good players returning to fill the holes. Not sure how recruiting is going but they played well towards the end of the year. If they can take some of that momentum into next season Dillon could see at least two conference wins next year. but that all also depends on recruiting class.

As far as Luther not too sure about them. Haven't heard much except alot of there starters were out for spring sports!!

as far as the coaching question. something like that!!!

[doolittledog]

So I was watching the Cavaliers and Magic game and for some reason I began to think about some things to look out for this year in IIAC football.

Central: Can the Dutch rebound from making a late season charge to the front and reclain their IIAC crown?  I have no idea, that is probably the big IIAC question of this year.

Wartburg: Can the Knights capitalize on their success from last season and do what that Dutch have done for many years before this past and repeat?  I think that is very probable.  Warty is on a pretty long run of good results.  I don't see that ending soon.

BV: Can the Beavers, take last years surprise success and clinch a much wanted and desired IIAC crown?  I think the BV success story was actually starting during the 2007 season.  We just weren't seeing the signs of it.

Cornell: With the loss of Dallas and their stud running back can they Rams get back on track and make tremendous strides and rebound from last year?  My thoughts are you will see some conference wins from Cornell this year.  Even with some losses, you now have some players at Cornell that have 3 years of starting experiance.  That has to count for something...think Dubuque in '06.

Coe: Played well on the road but can they return to homeland dominance and still maintain their road warrior mentality?  I think Coe will still be a strong team this year.  I'm not convinced they aren't headed for a down hill slide in the near future, but I think they will be fine this year.  I wouldn't be surprised to see Coe return to dominance either.  Just if I were a betting man I would bet they are looking at sinking fortunes instead of more good results.

Loras: Mayhem Mgrew is out, can the Duhawks find a new locomotive to carry the Duhawks to the promise land?  As far as Loras, I was convinced last season was going to be a long one for them and look what they accomplished.  So, uh, no predictions for me on Loras...other than UD will find a way to beat the Duhawks at Chalmers Field this fall!!!

Luther: Started off strong last season, have a few options at QB, but can the Norse start strong and finish strong?  Luther, I think they have a good coach, I think we saw some positive signs from the Norse last season, I think we will probably see another 5-5 or 6-4 season from them again this year.  

UD: New coaching staff, New season. Can the new coaches take the returning players and the incoming recruiting class and do a 180 with last years failures. Can they renew the rivalry between UW-Platteville, and between the Duhawks?  UD...I have been trying to keep my expectations low for my Spartans.  The IIAC is a tough conference to get wins.  I won't be surprised at 2-8  I won't be surprised at 5-5 next year.  7-3 and I will be dancing in the streets and saying I KNEW all along they could do it!!!  And then reminded by others on here that I was not expecting that 

Key game to watch. First time ever Rivalry by the river Loras vs. UD for UD's homecoming at night  Looking forward to renewing the UW-Platteville rivalry and I like that it's a night game.  My wife and I will be at that one.  I'm not sure about Loras being a night game.  For starters, all the old alumni in town for homecoming could get a bit cold for that 6pm start, in addition to being too tired to then go out that night for all the festivities.  Plus, Dubuquers starting to drink at 10am for a 6pm kickoff could spell trouble...but I do like the idea of night games for the UD/Loras rivalry...should be fun.

You left out Simpson...I think they are the team to watch.  If coach Glo can get another good recruiting class, and start getting some wins against Central...we might be seeing a changing of the guard in Central Iowa...or maybe not.  But I see good things ahead for Simpson.