FB: American Rivers Conference

[TC]

You MIAC guys are a little touchy. I wasn't trying to start an arguement or rehash an old one. (Aside from a thinly vieled shot at the bottom of your conference) I just said that St Johns would be in the playoff picture for the forseeable future. Didn't expect a lot of debate over that. But thanks for taking the time to research semi-valuable non-coference history.

Let's make up our minds, then:  are we talking football or aren't we?  Or are we going to meet in the middle and gush about feelings and heart and believing and about how Central winning every game by a last-second field goal means they are battle-tested and tough, while St. John's beating Carleton by only 3 means the dynasty has come to end?  Because I'm fine with either of the first two options.

I threw out a few football questions this morning, most important being whether Central has the athletes to keep up with the Johnnies.  St. John's has scored at least 30 points in all 8 games on turf this season (and 40+ in 7 of 8 ).  I know Central has a good defense, but so did Concordia-Moorhead, St. Olaf and Redlands and St. John's was able to turn all of those games into track meets.  What is Central going to do to keep that from happening this week?  Or, now that the Dutch know how to pass, are they fine trying to outscore the Johnnies?

(Edit to get rid of a stupid smiley.)

[Thunderbolt]

 Lets talk footall TC. Not sure I want to be around you when your gushing.

[OzJohnnie]

I'm looking forward to the chance that the IIAC will have full ownership of the MIAC 2 weeks from now.  The MIAC champ isn't any better than a 3rd tier IIAC team.  The only 2 words I really have to say... Buena Vista. 

Gotta hand it to Bethel, they really know how to &#^$ up an inter-conference argument. Nice of them to show up in the playoffs this year, though.

Where's Wartburg playing this weekend?  I can't find them on the d3football schedule.

[footballdaddy]

I'm gald the Yonnies like track. But this is football. Central hung with an athleticly superior Wartburg team on turf and still had something left to win the game.

And BTW about Wartburg. Yes they screwed themselves this year. It will not happen again.

[Fannosaurus Rex]

I thought we already covered the stats.  It is simple.  Opponents give Central a short field with fumbles, interceptions, blocked or shanked punts.  Central gives opponents a long field with few turnovers and long unreturnable punts.  Maybe Central needs to keep running past the end zone and try to put up bigger stats.

Whoever said they liked to do research should look up the average starting field position for Central and its opponents.

And as for track meets, I'd like Central's chances there too.

[oldbeake]

I threw out a few football questions this morning, most important being whether Central has the athletes to keep up with the Johnnies.  St. John's has scored at least 30 points in all 8 games on turf this season (and 40+ in 7 of 8).  I know Central has a good defense, but so did Concordia-Moorhead, St. Olaf and Redlands and St. John's was able to turn all of those games into track meets.  What is Central going to do to keep that from happening this week?  Or, now that the Dutch know how to pass, are they fine trying to outscore the Johnnies?

1) Yes...I believe so.  Having Dustyn Baethke back and playing well couldn't have happened at a better time.
2) See answer to #1, and a running game that seems to be getting stronger each week (although the Johnnies D-line may be tough to navigate).  I think the ability to keep the Johnnies off the field offensively would be gravy.
3) Connell can pass, and carry the team on his shoulders.  This is an X-factor that is entirely new to Central fans.  This really isn't the same team a lot of us grew up loving.  So...if a shootout is going to be the flavor of the day...there's some confidence there.  The big play is something that happens in Pella these days...which is nice for a change.

[OzJohnnie]

You MIAC guys are a little touchy. I wasn't trying to start an arguement or rehash an old one. (Aside from a thinly vieled shot at the bottom of your conference) I just said that St Johns would be in the playoff picture for the forseeable future. Didn't expect a lot of debate over that. But thanks for taking the time to research semi-valuable non-coference history.

I think this is called crawling back into his hole.  It was nice seeing you.

[OzJohnnie]

I thought we already covered the stats.  It is simple.  Opponents give Central a short field with fumbles, interceptions, blocked or shanked punts.  Central gives opponents a long field with few turnovers and long unreturnable punts.  Maybe Central needs to keep running past the end zone and try to put up bigger stats.

Whoever said they liked to do research should look up the average starting field position for Central and its opponents.

And as for track meets, I'd like Central's chances there too.

So Central has never been in a track meet because they have spent the season with short fields.  But now you like their chances in a track meet against the King of the Meet.  Interesting.  This "Football of Hope" type talk can let a guy follow any argument to a Dutch win.  When the game finishes and you have been stomped, what will the argument be?

[coco]

Where can an upstate NY guy living in TN get some of this Hamms? it sounds delicious...

'gro,

Turn on your tap. It tastes about the same.

[KCDutch]

I'm gald the Yonnies like track. But this is football. Central hung with an athleticly superior Wartburg team on turf and still had something left to win the game.

And BTW about Wartburg. Yes they screwed themselves this year. It will not happen again.

Athletically  superior, I would say Wartburg has a lot of athletes and the defense is extremely fast, but the Knights offense couldn't run the ball and only had one big time play on offense (by a one year transfer).  Nobody could defend Smith on the outside, hence why Weber grabbed his jersey on the last play   The last statement was to get the Warts fired up, I just don't think the word SUPERIOR should be used when comparing the Dutch/Knights......B/C the Dutch have won the last three games w/ Wartburg.  All previous statement are just my opinions, that is all.

Now back to the playoff game.......Dutch over the St. Johnnies in a close game 28-24, I've been reading the Johnnies posts so I kept there points under the 28 pts threshold

[Thunderbolt]

You MIAC guys are a little touchy. I wasn't trying to start an arguement or rehash an old one. (Aside from a thinly vieled shot at the bottom of your conference) I just said that St Johns would be in the playoff picture for the forseeable future. Didn't expect a lot of debate over that. But thanks for taking the time to research semi-valuable non-coference history.

I think this is called crawling back into his hole.  It was nice seeing you.

Did we have a bad day at the Burger King?

[oldbeake]

This "Football of Hope" type talk can let a guy follow any argument to a Dutch win.  When the game finishes and you have been stomped, what will the argument be?

Pretty much hammer meeting nail right here.  There hasn't been any rhyme or reason to Central's victories this season.  Someone new seemed to step up at the right time each week.  Connell being steady week to week is an understatement, but outside of that...it's a tough call.  One thing is for certain: The Johnnies will see a different team in the second half.  Central's ability to make and execute game-day adjustments has been amazing.  The Johnnies better hope it is a "stomp" in the first half and that the game is out of reach because if Central's close at half time...they have you right where they want you.

There aren't any excuses...we know what we're up against, and will know that we've been beaten by the better team.  Who knows, though...we haven't lost a game yet...kinda hard to predict losing when you don't know what it's like.

[Mr.Shoes]

One thing is for certain: The Dutch will see a different team in the second half.  SJU's ability to make and execute game-day adjustments has been amazing.  The Dutch better hope it is a "stomp" in the first half and that the game is out of reach because if St. John's is close at half time...they have you right where they want you.

There, fixed it for you. Half time adjustments have been a trademark of a John Gagliardi-coached team since...well, 55+ seasons ago. The old man always has something up his sleeve.

Who knows, though...we haven't lost a game yet...kinda hard to predict losing when you don't know what it's like.

Not this season, no. Your last was against...yup, the boys coming to town on Saturday.

[oldbeake]

One thing is for certain: The Dutch will see a different team in the second half.  SJU's ability to make and execute game-day adjustments has been amazing.  The Dutch better hope it is a "stomp" in the first half and that the game is out of reach because if St. John's is close at half time...they have you right where they want you.

There, fixed it for you. Half time adjustments have been a trademark of a John Gagliardi-coached team since...well, 55+ seasons ago. The old man always has something up his sleeve.

Who knows, though...we haven't lost a game yet...kinda hard to predict losing when you don't know what it's like.

Not this season, no. Your last was against...yup, the boys coming to town on Saturday.

I seriously would take a stomp in the first half from the Dutch.  We've been waiting for it all season...and feel like we're owed at least one this year.  My heart can't take many more comebacks (okay...so yeah...that's a lie...I'd be able to handle one more this week)!

Go DUTCH!

[Klopenhiemer]

You MIAC guys are a little touchy. I wasn't trying to start an arguement or rehash an old one. (Aside from a thinly vieled shot at the bottom of your conference) I just said that St Johns would be in the playoff picture for the forseeable future. Didn't expect a lot of debate over that. But thanks for taking the time to research semi-valuable non-coference history.

I think this is called crawling back into his hole.  It was nice seeing you.

Did we have a bad day at the Burger King?

Bolt....Thats funny.