FB: American Rivers Conference

DutchFan2004 · November 14, 2005, 09:52:46 AM

Badgerwarhawk,

There isn't alot to tell. We are kind of a blue collar team. We are a very young team with alot of sophs playing. We had the leagues leading rusher. Like to run the ball first but we can throw it if we have to. The d bends but doesn't break. And the team seems to find a way to win. If one side of the ball isn't playing real well the other seems to help find a way to win or the special teams seem to find a way to help win the game.

Already_Gone · November 14, 2005, 09:57:06 AM

Hmmmmm ...

What does "automatically ordain" a team as being "better" than another? Seems as though the NCAA's formula for determining home games in the playoffs is about as shaky as the Warren Commission and its single-bullet theory.

It's probably time to recognize the 500 pound gorilla in the room that no one really wants to talk about. Most of the Minnesota- and Wisconsin-based D-3s often have twice the enrollments of Iowa Conference schools.

In the NCAA's on-going game of rock / paper / scissors ... THAT seems to be the one factor that trumps all else.

johnnie_esq · November 14, 2005, 11:36:36 AM

Alreadygone, check the NCAA championship handbook. All the information is in there, and nobody is making it up as they go along. If there were a conspiracy, it may well be from within the IIAC, since the regional committee (who makes the regional rankings and determined that Concordia should be higher than Coe) had two IIAC representatives and only one MIAC representative. Not to mention the Co-chair of the committee was the AD at Central, and Mr. Raeburn was also a part of the committee. The MIAC representative was Steve Johnson at Bethel, who historically has no love for either Concordia or SJU.

You can argue the 500-lb gorilla as you like, but tuition at MIAC schools generally will parallel that of IIAC schools, so the 500 to 1000 more students at MIAC schools is probably a function of location (in and around Minneapolis instead of all over Iowa) rather than competitive advantage. Considering that only 11 can play at one time, and you aren't making complaints that the IIAC teams aren't as deep as MIAC squads, I don't really get your argument. A better question is whether it is fair that WIAC schools have cheaper tuition than MIAC/IIAC squads. However, the WIAC limits its rosters to 100 persons, and with no more redshirting there, the five-year issue is pretty much dead. Not to mention their cheaper tuition is paired with 5 times the students at most MIAC/IIAC schools, so STUDENT athletes get what they pay for.

badgerwarhawk · November 14, 2005, 11:57:11 AM

Quote from: DutchFan2004 on November 14, 2005, 09:52:46 AM
Badgerwarhawk,

There isn't alot to tell. We are kind of a blue collar team. We are a very young team with alot of sophs playing. We had the leagues leading rusher. Like to run the ball first but we can throw it if we have to. The d bends but doesn't break. And the team seems to find a way to win. If one side of the ball isn't playing real well the other seems to help find a way to win or the special teams seem to find a way to help win the game.

Dutchfan2004
Well we sound pretty similar. We have our league's leading rusher who also ranks high nationally. Our quarterback is pretty decent, significantly improved over last year, and we've got wide outs who are talented and quick. One thing that's made us better this year is the versatility we have offensively. When teams have stacked the middle to stop our running game we've been able to open them up with a passing attack.

Our defense has been better than many thought they'd be, particularly at stopping the run. Our linebackers are the leaders and generally make a lot of tackles among them. But the whole defense has been one pleasant surprise. Perhaps calling them a "surprise" is unfair. I'm sure they knew they'd be as good as they've been it's just some of us weren't so certain when the season started out.

This is a good group of players who haven't seemed to take anything for granted and have remained focused on the task at hand, winning the next game, through out the season.

The enrollment thing is a dead issue. The fact is that neither WIAC or MIAC teams do much recruiting from the general student body. It isn't like we hang signs in the dorms saying "Football Tryouts Today." If you're playing football in the WIAC or MIAC it's probably because you were recruited to play before you got there. Not because we have more students to try out. If you want to talk about how unfair our size is you'd have a better argument if you focused it on facilities. That's an area in which we may have the advantage.

coocooforcoekohawk · November 14, 2005, 12:01:46 PM

Congratulations Central, at large bids are not easy to get, unless you are in the East. Coe and Central have big time apponents next weekend. At least we have the chance at two wins this weekend. Getting two teams into the playoffs is a huge accomplishment. Not too many conferences can boast two in the playoffs. It's already been a successful season for the IIAC. Here's to a good playoff run.

Go Kohawks!

qbdriver · November 14, 2005, 12:11:20 PM

Quote from: johnnie_esq on November 14, 2005, 11:36:36 AM
Alreadygone, check the NCAA championship handbook. All the information is in there, and nobody is making it up as they go along. If there were a conspiracy, it may well be from within the IIAC, since the regional committee (who makes the regional rankings and determined that Concordia should be higher than Coe) had two IIAC representatives and only one MIAC representative. Not to mention the Co-chair of the committee was the AD at Central, and Mr. Raeburn was also a part of the committee. The MIAC representative was Steve Johnson at Bethel, who historically has no love for either Concordia or SJU.

You can argue the 500-lb gorilla as you like, but tuition at MIAC schools generally will parallel that of IIAC schools, so the 500 to 1000 more students at MIAC schools is probably a function of location (in and around Minneapolis instead of all over Iowa) rather than competitive advantage. Considering that only 11 can play at one time, and you aren't making complaints that the IIAC teams aren't as deep as MIAC squads, I don't really get your argument. A better question is whether it is fair that WIAC schools have cheaper tuition than MIAC/IIAC squads. However, the WIAC limits its rosters to 100 persons, and with no more redshirting there, the five-year issue is pretty much dead. Not to mention their cheaper tuition is paired with 5 times the students at most MIAC/IIAC schools, so STUDENT athletes get what they pay for.

Got us good there johnnie_esq - Who are you, some coach from SJU that has all this info about the selections? Must be all that extra time you have up their in the artic...... This board is for fans! Tell us more oh wise one. Why is this Steve Johnson at Bethel on the committee? and Mr. Raeburn, he's the nephew of the head coach from Mt Union and played and also coached there. As I recall they have kicked your butt a few times. It appears that he is trying to build the same tradition at Coe. And Central is back as well. The IIAC has been down for a while but not out. Watch out for us in upcoming years.

Good luck in the match up with Monmouth... they'll be shakin in their boots and you'll have your JV in by the second quarter. Try not to hurt them.

IowaCityDad · November 14, 2005, 12:40:51 PM

Quote from: DutchFan2004 on November 14, 2005, 09:52:46 AM
Badgerwarhawk,

There isn't alot to tell. We are kind of a blue collar team. We are a very young team with alot of sophs playing. We had the leagues leading rusher. Like to run the ball first but we can throw it if we have to. The d bends but doesn't break. And the team seems to find a way to win. If one side of the ball isn't playing real well the other seems to help find a way to win or the special teams seem to find a way to help win the game.

Hey DutchFan, my son is a HS Senior and being recruited by Central, as well as others. We attended the Recruiting Day on Saturday and very much enjoyed an excellent game. How many Dutch fans do you think will travel to UWW? We are actually thinking about making the trip to support Central and get another look at the Central D Schemes. My son is a DE/OLB and with Central switching the D to the 4-4 during the game, we would like to get a better feel about where my son might fit in best.

BTW, one of my son's other top choices is Cornell, as he really likes their "one class at a time" academic structure, and has gotten to know an assistant coach here very well. Coach Reisland resigning at Cornell certainly threw a wrench into things, but he is attending to get an education first... at least that's what I keep telling him! My wife is a Coe alum, so that makes Coe one of the schools being considered, along with the fact that it is an excellent school and football program.

All in all, I have to say we came away from Central EXTREMELY impressed. Coach McMartin and all of the staff were very impressive, and the tradition and "family atmosphere" surrounding the Central program is amazing. As a parent, the bottom-line is that Central impressed me as a place that will "take care" of my son very well... they really seemed sincere in their caring about the players developing as Students, People, and Athletes.

Any input is welcome and appreciated. This is obviuosly a huge decision for my son.

Maroon&Gold · November 14, 2005, 12:44:01 PM

Greetings IIAC and Coe fans:

I for one know that the Cobbers are aware of your recent playoff tradition. It should make for a great game saturday in Moorhead. Well I guess I am looking for some insight into the Coe team this year, I hear that they have a stud running back , and they like to put the ball up as well. The Cobbs have mostly relied on their run game but hte pass game has started to come around recently. I can't wait until saturday

Floyd in Iowa City · November 14, 2005, 12:56:26 PM

From what I have seen, both Coe and Concordia have played pretty good defense all season. Coe has some talent at RB, but the way they play is much different than the Wartburg Offense that the Cobbers played last season. The Coe QB has had a pretty good season overall and the Kohawks in general are pretty balanced on offense.

Coe likes to spread the field at times on offense. They have been pretty consistent on that side of the ball, but IMO they are somewhat better and more veteran on defense. It is not a great defense, but it is a pretty good defense.

Coe will not be confused with the 2003 St. John's team, but they were the co-champs of a pretty deep league. The depth of the league was better than the star power at the top of the league this year.

Floyd in Iowa City · November 14, 2005, 01:10:10 PM

Thanks to Augustana for making the playoffs and going undefeated in the CCIW this year! I believe it is the first time they have made the playoffs since 2001, so their recent past really does mirror Central that way. The win over Augie was a huge factor in the Dutch making the playoffs this year.

I would think Central has had the kind of season where the Coach of the Year honor should reside in Pella this year.

Augustana plays Lakeland College in the first round. Lakeland has won 7 games in a row and has a good QB, but Whitewater hammered them earlier in the season. Luther also scrimmaged Lakeland and clearly was the better team even though Sherden did not dress because of a groin pull.

I like Coe's chances of playing up at Concordia. It should be a tough game for both teams.

Central has had a great season, but they are going into a tough situation this week. The Dutch need to be on top of their game as Whitewater's season has been VERY impressive.

Good luck to both IIAC teams!

johnnie_esq · November 14, 2005, 02:02:06 PM

qbdriver-- just a fanATIC, not to be confused with a player and certainly not with a coach. A few of us on the MIAC board will follow the NC$$ regs to guesstimate what'll be next for SJU, and by extension, the MIAC and D3 as a whole.

Just for grins, though, right now we've got Mt. Union's number; it just took us 4 tries to get there.

Best wishes to both Central and Coe this weekend-- the Jays would like nothing more than to have a Stiftingfestivities in Collegeville in 2 weeks where our Dutch friends can bring along letters from Jaarsma's. Concordia is very good team. Here's to clean, injury free games this weekend for all West region games.

warthog · November 14, 2005, 02:18:41 PM

Floyd:

You are correct. The Augie win had to help the Dutch. I like the Vikings chances to win through the second round. They have improved as the season wore on.

Your coach of the year nomination is a good one.

There were few surprises this year. The top four teams and the bottom four teams were sort of expected. When no team makes a better than expected run the spoils should go to the victors.

Iowa City Dad:

Be sure the youngster finds his fit not only on the football field but also in the dorms, classrooms, cafeteria etc.

What will he be majoring in? If you are talking the sciences, be sure to put Wartburg and Luther on the visit list. They both have top notch faculty that prepare students well for post-graduate work.

When our family went through the process you are faced with, it came down to three things for our son:

1) Where will I fit in as a student?
2) Where will I be best prepared for life after football?
3) Where will I want to call home for the next four years?

In his case it was Wartburg. The place felt right for him. He also visited Central, Cornell and Luther. All are fine institutions and undoubtedly are the right fit for somebody else. Be sure to visit the campuses on a non-football trip. That is when you get to see things the way they really are.

It is way too early to be worrying about how the boy will fit in to the 4-4 defensive scheme. Regardless which college he attends, the coaches will tell him where he fits into the scheme.

One plug for Wartburg. The football team and their parents become a family. You form a real bond that stays for years to come. We still go to games, tailgate and sit in the stands with parents of players who graduated and are long gone from campus. Be Orange is a silly saying, but it gets in your blood.

coocooforcoekohawk · November 14, 2005, 02:27:13 PM

Cobbers,

Are we playing in the fargo dome. Playing in the snow won't have any effect on the Kohawks. This could be a great game on saturday. Coe's offense is ready to explode. The Cobbers won't know what hit them this saturday. Wish I could make it to the game.

Go Kohawks!

Maroon&Gold · November 14, 2005, 02:41:17 PM

As far as I know, the game is outside at the "Jake". I agree the weather should be less than perfect, which will make the game even better. Cannot wait until saturday....Go Cobbs!!!

DutchFan2004 · November 14, 2005, 02:48:04 PM

Iowa City Dad,

I think that you need to read Warthogs post. I agree with it. For my son it came down to Wartburg and Central. After Coach Kac had resigned he seemed to lean to Wartburg. I already had a son attending there. When Coach Mcmartin got the job he called my son right away. My son really had a hard time deciding on which school to attend. My oldest son (not the one attending Wartburg) talked to his little brother and said to him just the things that Warthog said. What school will prepare you the best to obtain your vocation (or at least the one you are seeking now)

How will you fit into the the football system. What are the pros and what are the cons. How important is football to you. The real reason is the school. What major are you going into. If the school can't or isn't strong in that field then he should think twice about attending that school. If he likes the coaches and the players he met at Central I would suggest he make plans for an overnite visit and take advantage of that. Learn who the players are and see if he would like to be team mates. My son did that and he fell in Love with Central. Central is a family they bond and I think that kids that were enemies in high school on the playing fields become best of friends there. Central will be a great school for you son to attend, but only if he comes to that conclusion. At this level its about the DEGREE not football. Football is a big part of it but not the only thing.

FB: American Rivers Conference

Already_Gone