FB: American Rivers Conference

[Schipper Strong]

I think Wartburg learned a few things in Pella yesterday...
1. Even a great defense gets tired, and the offense needs to be more consistent to possess the ball and take some time off the clock.  Thats what happened in the first half, but not in the second half.
2. The offense needs to take advantage of opportunities and make every possession count. The last possession of the half could have been a real turning point.  Got a big turnover and couldn't convert it.  That is a whole different game if the score is 17-0 at half instead of 10-0. 
3. Wartburg needs to put teams away when they get a chance.  2 separate times in the game, Wartburg had the crowd sitting on their hands and let the crowd back into the game.  End of the first half (see above) and mid 4th quarter when we went up 28-14.  Wartburg pushed Central close to their breaking point and then let up, and we won't be able to get away with that in November.
4. Wartburg needs to clean up penalties in big games, took some bad flags at crucial times yesterday.

All things considered, good win for Wartburg and can't wait to finally get Central at home next year, I think that game is closer to 28-10 if played in Waverly with a limited travel roster on the sideline and a hostile crowd in the stands.

With all due respect, those issues are true in every game. I don't know that Wartburg let up so much as Central put in our starting QB from every game prior to this one and he did the things that made him starting QB in the first place. If we had put him in already the second quarter we might have had a different outcome. As the saying goes, if ifs and buts were candy and nuts... Wartburg played well and won the game. Period. I look forward to going to Wartburg and winning next year.

[MediaGuy]

I think Wartburg learned a few things in Pella yesterday...
1. Even a great defense gets tired, and the offense needs to be more consistent to possess the ball and take some time off the clock.  Thats what happened in the first half, but not in the second half.
2. The offense needs to take advantage of opportunities and make every possession count. The last possession of the half could have been a real turning point.  Got a big turnover and couldn't convert it.  That is a whole different game if the score is 17-0 at half instead of 10-0. 
3. Wartburg needs to put teams away when they get a chance.  2 separate times in the game, Wartburg had the crowd sitting on their hands and let the crowd back into the game.  End of the first half (see above) and mid 4th quarter when we went up 28-14.  Wartburg pushed Central close to their breaking point and then let up, and we won't be able to get away with that in November.
4. Wartburg needs to clean up penalties in big games, took some bad flags at crucial times yesterday.

All things considered, good win for Wartburg and can't wait to finally get Central at home next year, I think that game is closer to 28-10 if played in Waverly with a limited travel roster on the sideline and a hostile crowd in the stands.

With all due respect, those issues are true in every game. I don't know that Wartburg let up so much as Central put in our starting QB from every game prior to this one and he did the things that made him starting QB in the first place. If we had put him in already the second quarter we might have had a different outcome. As the saying goes, if ifs and buts were candy and nuts... Wartburg played well and won the game. Period. I look forward to going to Wartburg and winning next year.

I hope I didn't come off arrogant or like I was trying to pour salt into a wound, that wasn't the intention.  I thought Central played a better game, (less missed passes, big penalties and unwavering determination) and I didn't think Wartburg played as close to their potential as they could have.  I thought Wartburg was more talented as a whole but Central never gave up like we have seen other teams in the past.  And the fact of the matter is, if Wartburg can play the type of game Central did yesterday, they could make some noise in the postseason, but if history serves, we'll have to play a road game in the MIAC, WIAC or CCIW in round 2 and if the offense plays that sloppy, or were that undisciplined with penalties, we'll have issues getting a road win.
That all was intended to be a compliment, so if it doesn't land that way, I guess I'll owe you a beer at Joe's next year in Waverly.

[Outside the Crate]

I see that Wartburg has bounced up to # 17 in the D3 poll, and Central dropped to "also receiving votes."  With two losses that is probably fair. 
     Homecoming in Waverly this weekend along with the inauguration of our new president, Dr. Rebecca Neiduski, so there will be huge crowds, I expect.

[Schipper Strong]

Was hoping to watch the Central JV game against Wartburg this afternoon/evening. Can't find anything on it, does Wartburg not stream their JV games?

[Outside the Crate]

I don't believe Wartburg broadcasts JV games.

[Schipper Strong]

I don't believe Wartburg broadcasts JV games.

Central and Simpson do, so I was hoping. Thanks for letting me know.

[Schipper Strong]

Hey MG, not saying you came off arrogant and only slightly rubbed salt in a wound.  Just saying most of those observations are pretty typical. I mean you want to talk about making each possession count, Central did nothing offensively the entire first half. I'm sure we wish we had taken advantage of each of those possessions. I am sure it had a LOT to do with Wartburg's defense, as I posted at halftime. I thought Ccoper Downs deserved to start Saturday, but I was ready to try another QB after the first quarter of doing nothing. Even in a losing effort I was able to joke about the line for the women's restroom exceeding Central's first half yardage.

Now for my arrogance: I happen to believe there is less difference in the talent level of the two teams, but a much greater difference in the experience of the teams. This year I believe you have 7 5th year players, we only have 3. I think our talent level is pretty high, but young. I have a really good feeling about Central's games the rest of this year and even better for next year. I will be really interested in how the JV game turns out today. Our JV hasn't had any competition yet, so would have loved to watch today's game as I am certain Wartburg brought in more talent than the teams we have played thus far.

[MediaGuy]

Was hoping to watch the Central JV game against Wartburg this afternoon/evening. Can't find anything on it, does Wartburg not stream their JV games?

Update from the "JV Super Bowl" halftime score, 7-7...game is alot like Saturday.  Central offense is feast or famine and having a better time passing than running.  Wartburg offense moving the ball between the 30's but have a tough time when they get closer to the end zone.  Wanted to stay but the bugs were getting oppresive and the kids wanted supper...I'll try to give a final when I have it.

[Schipper Strong]

Was hoping to watch the Central JV game against Wartburg this afternoon/evening. Can't find anything on it, does Wartburg not stream their JV games?

Update from the "JV Super Bowl" halftime score, 7-7...game is alot like Saturday.  Central offense is feast or famine and having a better time passing than running.  Wartburg offense moving the ball between the 30's but have a tough time when they get closer to the end zone.  Wanted to stay but the bugs were getting oppresive and the kids wanted supper...I'll try to give a final when I have it.

Thanks for the update. Appreciate it.

[MediaGuy]

Was hoping to watch the Central JV game against Wartburg this afternoon/evening. Can't find anything on it, does Wartburg not stream their JV games?

Update from the "JV Super Bowl" halftime score, 7-7...game is alot like Saturday.  Central offense is feast or famine and having a better time passing than running.  Wartburg offense moving the ball between the 30's but have a tough time when they get closer to the end zone.  Wanted to stay but the bugs were getting oppresive and the kids wanted supper...I'll try to give a final when I have it.

Thanks for the update. Appreciate it.

Final score Central 26, Wartburg 22.  4th quarter excitement as Wartburg scores a pick 6 to go ahead, and stopped a late Central drive but couldn't run out the clock.  Central gets a walk off TD pass to win.  Sounds like the games on Saturdays will continue to be exciting for the next few years at least.

[Schipper Strong]

Thanks again MG. Sounds like it was a good one. I knew Wartburg would be the team to challenge these guys. Sucks being too efficient and leaving time for the other team to score. 

[Schipper Strong]

It looks like Coe vs Dubuque is the game of the week this week. UD has been beating up on some of the lower tier teams this year. Their loss by 27 to UWL impresses me more than Coe's loss to Hope, so I am going to pick UD for the win. Wartburg will have an easy time with Nebraska Wesleyan. Central will extract a pound of flesh from BV. Loras will win easy as well.

Time for Central to start moving up the standings. Rough first half of the year, but I see good things coming our way as we continue to improve. Two losses where the go ahead score was in the last 30 seconds of the game is a hard way to go, but we were in them to the bitter end.

[Fannosaurus Rex]

I hope I get to see the BV marching band today.

[WLCALUM83]

I hope I get to see the BV marching band today.

Do you know how the Iowa HS band landscape has changed? I was in Iowa when our HS band competed against Oskaloosa, Webster City, Davis County, and South Tama back in the late 1970's.

Go, Nebraska Wesleyan! (yes, I have posted previously on Prairie Wolve softball and volleyball)

[doolittledog]

Dubuque up 10-7 at the half @ Coe. Decent amount of offense from both teams for such a low score.