FB: American Rivers Conference

[notlongago]

Not much to say about a dismal Wartburg loss.

The only thing I'm hoping for now is a five way tie for second in the IIAC.

I hope the recruiters are out in force starting a week from this coming Monday.  Shopping list includes some taller d-backs and some players who can show a spark of enthusiasm.

Have to gve them credit for keep coming back and fighting though...that has to count for something.

[Klompen]

Warthog, don't take it so hard, I kept hoping the knights would throw in the towel, but they just kept hanging around.  Thank you, thank you, thank you to the player that held on the called back TD.  The streak lives on because of you. 

Not saying it was a wrong call, but this was the first time I have seen a "further review" saying that the player got pushed out of bounds at the one, but the ball crossed the goal line so a TD is awarded. 

Forgot to mention in other posts that it was great to see some real enthusiasm by the Central players today.  Things are on an upswing.  Keep building on that and leave it all on the field next week against Coe. 

[doolittledog]

As has been said, every team has their woulda coulda shoulda arguments.  My only point, there is a decent chance Dubuque will end in a 5 way tie for 2nd place in the the conference.  That's not exactly a "down" year.  If Dubuque can get a win at home over BVU and Coe beats Central, it's likely Wartburg and Simpson will get wins over Loras and Luther.  That would make a 5 way tie for 2nd place with each of the 5 teams losing to Coe and each of the 5 teams going 2-2 against each other.  Dubuque with a 3 point loss in Double OT to Coe (the only team to give Coe a scare)  a 7 point loss at Central and a 3 point loss at Wartburg with 4th quarter leads in all 3 games stacks up well against any other teams resume in the conference.  Not conference championship material, but I also wouldn't say Dubuque had a down year either. 

I would also like to add that UD getting a 45-0 win over Loras felt very very good

[Klompen]

As has been said, every team has their woulda coulda shoulda arguments.  My only point, there is a decent chance Dubuque will end in a 5 way tie for 2nd place in the the conference.  That's not exactly a "down" year.  If Dubuque can get a win at home over BVU and Coe beats Central, it's likely Wartburg and Simpson will get wins over Loras and Luther.  That would make a 5 way tie for 2nd place with each of the 5 teams losing to Coe and each of the 5 teams going 2-2 against each other.  Dubuque with a 3 point loss in Double OT to Coe (the only team to give Coe a scare)  a 7 point loss at Central and a 3 point loss at Wartburg with 4th quarter leads in all 3 games stacks up well against any other teams resume in the conference.  Not conference championship material, but I also wouldn't say Dubuque had a down year either. 

I would also like to add that UD getting a 45-0 win over Loras felt very very good

Given the number of years I have watched IIAC football, this was a very good season for UD.  Heck, it doesn't take too many wins to make a good season for UD over the period I have watched.  My only comment was that they were down compared to last year, but still a good UD season.  And I can imagine how great it was to beat Loras today.  Other teams have rivalries, but the rest of us have to travel to ours every other year.  In town rivalries are much more spirited and tend to mean a lot more.  Congrats to UD for their win today.

[Old Dutch]

Congrats to the Dutch yesterday on a big win.  They executed very well in the first half but sure didn't adjust to Wartbutg's defensive pressure in the second.  That half was ugly football, for both sides with the turnovers and penalties.  I was impressed with Eiseler's throwing on the run, and he made some good decisions with the ball.  He's improved greatly since being given the ball full time.  Doehrmann had one of his best efforts leading the Dutch to 100 yards more than Wartburg's average allowed.  Take out the 7 sacks, (were they all in the second half?) and the Dutch had a great day offensively. 

Speaking of the 7 sacks, I'll try to keep it family friendly, some of line play made me want to vomit!  Especially when we couldn't get 4 th and inches!! . The pressure around the edges cancelled out the sprint out passing game AND eliminated the running game.  I slightly agree with Klompen that coach Mac got predictably conservative, but not sure what else they could do with the line play they were getting.

Regardless, a great first half really showed what this group is capable of and I hope they get things together for Coe.  Another win could keep us out of that 5 way tie for second, let the others be satisfied with that tie, Dutch.  We want to put a spoiler on the Kohawks and really build momentum for the future!

[Old Dutch]

On activities outside the lines, very nice to visit with you AZD!  Hope your trip to Pella was enjoyable, I'm sure that win helped out!

Hate to bring the pep band back up, but . . . It's never been a real strength, however this year's version seemed especially weak.  Whether its lack preparation or dedication, they are not adding positively to the game experience.  Someone needs to decide Central either has a pep band big enough and good enough to add to the game, or just drop it.

[D3Dutchman]

On activities outside the lines, very nice to visit with you AZD!  Hope your trip to Pella was enjoyable, I'm sure that win helped out!

Hate to bring the pep band back up, but . . . It's never been a real strength, however this year's version seemed especially weak.  Whether its lack preparation or dedication, they are not adding positively to the game experience.  Someone needs to decide Central either has a pep band big enough and good enough to add to the game, or just drop it.

Thank You!!  I felt alone in the world.  It honestly needs a serious overhaul, or it needs to go. 

[Klompen]

Old Dutch, you are so right on the o-line play.  What do you think is the issue there this year? 

[D3Dutchman]

Old Dutch, you are so right on the o-line play.  What do you think is the issue there this year?

Radio said they were battling injuries on Saturday.  Not sure if that has been a season long issue or not.

[Willie University]

As has been said, every team has their woulda coulda shoulda arguments.  My only point, there is a decent chance Dubuque will end in a 5 way tie for 2nd place in the the conference.  That's not exactly a "down" year.  If Dubuque can get a win at home over BVU and Coe beats Central, it's likely Wartburg and Simpson will get wins over Loras and Luther.  That would make a 5 way tie for 2nd place with each of the 5 teams losing to Coe and each of the 5 teams going 2-2 against each other.  Dubuque with a 3 point loss in Double OT to Coe (the only team to give Coe a scare)  a 7 point loss at Central and a 3 point loss at Wartburg with 4th quarter leads in all 3 games stacks up well against any other teams resume in the conference.  Not conference championship material, but I also wouldn't say Dubuque had a down year either. 

I would also like to add that UD getting a 45-0 win over Loras felt very very good

Given the number of years I have watched IIAC football, this was a very good season for UD.  Heck, it doesn't take too many wins to make a good season for UD over the period I have watched.  My only comment was that they were down compared to last year, but still a good UD season.  And I can imagine how great it was to beat Loras today.  Other teams have rivalries, but the rest of us have to travel to ours every other year.  In town rivalries are much more spirited and tend to mean a lot more.  Congrats to UD for their win today.

Your mentality is living in the past. You will never see those teams again. Like I was trying to point out, the Spartans were the only team to give Coe a game and 1 first down at the end and coe doesn't make it to overtime to sneak out the win. Likewise, a fluke at central and again, 1 first down at wartburg and game was over. I realize losses are losses but the spartans were much closer to competing for the conference with coe then central in my opinion. Now, if UD losses to BV, I'll eat those words.

Willie U

[doolittledog]

Here is what I have for BVU, Central, Dubuque, Simpson, Wartburg.

BVU       - lost to Coe 51-0...beat Central 30-25, beat Simpson 29-27, lost to Wartburg 42-21, plays @ Dubuque this weekend

Central    - plays @ Coe this weekend...beat Dubuque 31-24, beat Wartburg 31-28, lost to BVU 30-25, lost to Simpson 21-18

Dubuque - lost to Coe 41-38 in 2OT...beat Simpson 45-40, lost @ Central 31-24, lost @ Wartburg 34-31, plays BVU this weekend

Simpson  - lost to Coe 47-7...beat Central 21-18, beat Wartburg 20-19, lost to BVU 29-27, lost to Dubuque 45-40

Wartburg - lost to Coe 35-7...beat BVU 42-21, beat Dubuque 34-31, lost to Central 31-28, lost to Simpson 20-19

Coe has put a whuppin on the entire conference...except for Dubuque...Wartburg beat BVU by 21 points.  After that every game was decided by 1-7 points.

I don't think there is much to choose from between BVU, Central, Dubuque, Simpson, and Wartburg this season. 

I will stick to my assertion that Dubuque isn't having a down year.  Not the year they wanted.  But not the year Central, Simpson or Wartburg wanted either.  I imagine BVU is pretty happy with life right about now...especially after an 0-5 start. 

[notlongago]

As has been said, every team has their woulda coulda shoulda arguments.  My only point, there is a decent chance Dubuque will end in a 5 way tie for 2nd place in the the conference.  That's not exactly a "down" year.  If Dubuque can get a win at home over BVU and Coe beats Central, it's likely Wartburg and Simpson will get wins over Loras and Luther.  That would make a 5 way tie for 2nd place with each of the 5 teams losing to Coe and each of the 5 teams going 2-2 against each other.  Dubuque with a 3 point loss in Double OT to Coe (the only team to give Coe a scare)  a 7 point loss at Central and a 3 point loss at Wartburg with 4th quarter leads in all 3 games stacks up well against any other teams resume in the conference.  Not conference championship material, but I also wouldn't say Dubuque had a down year either. 

I would also like to add that UD getting a 45-0 win over Loras felt very very good

Given the number of years I have watched IIAC football, this was a very good season for UD.  Heck, it doesn't take too many wins to make a good season for UD over the period I have watched.  My only comment was that they were down compared to last year, but still a good UD season.  And I can imagine how great it was to beat Loras today.  Other teams have rivalries, but the rest of us have to travel to ours every other year.  In town rivalries are much more spirited and tend to mean a lot more.  Congrats to UD for their win today.

Your mentality is living in the past. You will never see those teams again. Like I was trying to point out, the Spartans were the only team to give Coe a game and 1 first down at the end and coe doesn't make it to overtime to sneak out the win. Likewise, a fluke at central and again, 1 first down at wartburg and game was over. I realize losses are losses but the spartans were much closer to competing for the conference with coe then central in my opinion. Now, if UD losses to BV, I'll eat those words.

Willie U

You seem to see everything in blue shades, so let me bring you back to reality. Dbq was a bad/average team the past decade. You had one anomaly year where you needed a once in a lifetime player, D3 heisman player to barely win the conference then subsequently embarrass the conference in the first round.

You are back to average again this year without him. Once is a fluke, 3-4 times is a patern that means you're average.

Stop belittling the other teams that beat Dbq because they made more plays when they needed to. What is so hard to comprehend about a conference that will likely have a 5-way tie for second that EVERY TEAM can point to plays that if they would've done something different, they may be leading the conference race. There is nothing that Dbq has or has done this year that would make any objective person think they are superior to any of the other 4-5 teams in the iiac. STOP MAKING EXCUSES!

[doolittledog]

I think what set Willie off and what at least got my attention was you saying you didn't think Centrals win over Dubuque meant anything because Dubuque was having a down year.  The reality is, outside of Coe, Dubuque is doing as well as anyone else in the conference. To me it seemed like in your opinion Dubuque was a rung below BVU, Central, Simpson, and Wartburg.  The reality is, all these teams seem pretty even.  A whole mess of games decided by 1 to 7 points.  Wartburg with one big win and Dubuque taking Coe to OT being the only outliers of the bunch.   

[notlongago]

I think what set Willie off and what at least got my attention was you saying you didn't think Centrals win over Dubuque meant anything because Dubuque was having a down year.  The reality is, outside of Coe, Dubuque is doing as well as anyone else in the conference. To me it seemed like in your opinion Dubuque was a rung below BVU, Central, Simpson, and Wartburg.  The reality is, all these teams seem pretty even.  A whole mess of games decided by 1 to 7 points.  Wartburg with one big win and Dubuque taking Coe to OT being the only outliers of the bunch.

Quite the opposite actually...I think those teams are on the same level and as a central fan, I was very excited when central beat Dbq because I wasn't too confident in it happening.

[AZDutchman]

Nice meeting AZ Dutchman after the game.  It is a shame these 4 years have gone by so fast and your son is a senior but you will always have the memories.

Nice to see AZD again and to meet a couple of your kids. And you got to see your son help keep the Central tradition alive.  Hope you have had a great visit and that those Dutch letters get home okay.

On activities outside the lines, very nice to visit with you AZD!  Hope your trip to Pella was enjoyable, I'm sure that win helped out!

It was awesome to meet all of you! I had the chance to meet others also. With talking with all of you, I heard such a great history that stands with Central. Old players, coaches and games. Hearing about when you and your sons had played at Central. It was very nice to meet your families also. I had such a great time at the game! and Yes the win did help.

Dutch Letters? I came home with a full box of bakeries. No chance of any of those missing...I had my own selection to eat from. Mrs. AZD had a huge smile.

My thanks to all. I couldn't have had a better time!