FB: American Rivers Conference

chewey · October 28, 2008, 02:37:29 PM

Thanks to all who responded to my question about bars/bakeries in Waverly. Should be a fun day. Maybe there will even be a One Armed Scot or Pat sighting given that it's the IIAC game of the week.

warthog · October 28, 2008, 02:44:52 PM

LCNorse: You shouldn't have any problems tailgating as long as you don't act like a jackass. There are plenty of spots near Walston Hoover to set up a table, grill, cooler etc. The only time I've ever seen authorities get involved is when someone lets the beer start doing the talking.

LCNorse · October 28, 2008, 02:48:12 PM

Thanks Warthog...don't plan on having that many before the game, just hoping to be able to celebrate after the game...should be a great day!

Purple Heys · October 28, 2008, 04:02:04 PM

Quote from: dutchfan1 on October 28, 2008, 01:52:30 PM
I'd like to say we were going to stop them dead in their tracks, too, but we are going to have to play with a hell of a lot more determination than we showed the first three quarters last week. We have the skill -- it's Loras, for goodness sake -- but do we have the heart?

Plan on needing to stop the Loras running game. If you can't do that, Loras may well meet their goal.

warthog · October 28, 2008, 04:02:45 PM

LCNorse:

If Wartburg doesn't find a running game before Saturday, you may have plenty to celebrate around 4:00. It seems we hear many positives about the Norse d-line and plenty of negatives about the Knight o-line. That doesn't sound like the makings of a very even match up.

I'm just hoping the Knights can dip into their bag of tricks and pull out a victory. I don't care if it turns out to be a lucky win or an ugly win. I'll just take a win.

Wartburg Fan · October 28, 2008, 04:18:39 PM

Quote from: warthog on October 28, 2008, 04:02:45 PM
LCNorse:

If Wartburg doesn't find a running game before Saturday, you may have plenty to celebrate around 4:00. It seems we hear many positives about the Norse d-line and plenty of negatives about the Knight o-line. That doesn't sound like the makings of a very even match up.

I'm just hoping the Knights can dip ito their bag of tricks and pull out a victory. I don't care if it turns out to be a lucky win or an ugly win. I'll just take a win.

Amen

Klompen · October 28, 2008, 04:20:57 PM

Quote from: warthog on October 28, 2008, 04:02:45 PM
I don't care if it turns out to be a lucky win or an ugly win. I'll just take a win.

Wait until you have to sit and watch a really ugly win before you say that. It isn't a pleasant experience, even though you do get the win. $:-\$ Ugly is hard to shake off.

Klompen · October 28, 2008, 04:32:54 PM

I agree that the Dutch have the athletes to win. I agree they have the ability to win. And I agree that they lack the fire and determination this year. I thought Shane Wong really stepped up on Saturday and it was good to see someone do that. He stepped up by his level of play and his enthusiasm on the field. I don't care how leaders choose to step up, or whether they are the designated leaders, i.e. the captains, I just want players to show that they want to be part of the winning tradition at Central.

Is the world going to come to an end because Central lost two games already this year? No. Is it going to come to an end if we lose the rest of the season? No. But I want players who feel like it is. I want players who play like it is. I want them to adopt the motto, "Losing is not an option."

Am I a spoiled Central fan? To quote Sarah Palin, "You darn betcha!" And I like it that way. But I already voted against Palin.

du-sz · October 28, 2008, 04:54:49 PM

I assume you're referring to Loras' past performances, but this year's team is a little more to worry about. Its a team that beat up on Cornell by 42, not 7 in OT. One that beat UD by 36, not 3. Of course, you can do the same thing in Central's favor with Wartburg and even Coe. I know its Central, and they know how to win, but they're going to need more than just heart to win. They're going to have to exploit Loras' Dbacks the way they did Cornell's in the 4th/OT last weekend and force Loras to beat them through the air, something the Duhawks haven't been able to do. Central can do it, but it won't be easy.

Quote from: dutchfan1 on October 28, 2008, 01:52:30 PM
Wow, slow news day in here.

After last week's debackle against Cornell, it would appear the Dutch need something to re-ignite the fire... some locker room material, if you will. Something to re-inspire focus and determination.

It may be time to revisit Loras' goals for the season....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG6WKJvcHLA

In spring practice, they stated that one of their goals was to beat Central. Talk about determination...they want to march into our house and beat us on our home turf, before our hometown fans.

I'd like to say we were going to stop them dead in their tracks, too, but we are going to have to play with a hell of a lot more determination than we showed the first three quarters last week. We have the skill -- it's Loras, for goodness sake -- but do we have the heart?

DBQ1965 · October 28, 2008, 04:55:52 PM

doolittledog ...

I read your "pick 'ems" and took the same approach you did with Simpson over UD. Back in the 60's when I was sports editor for The Que (the campus newspaper), whenever I picked the Spartans to win, they always lost ... so I got a request one day from the team to stop picking them! It didn't quite work out as hoped ... there was no long win streak after I started picking the opponents to win ... but I've had some good laughs with former team members about it now.

GO SPARTANS!

Klompen · October 28, 2008, 05:52:08 PM

Quote from: du-sz on October 28, 2008, 04:54:49 PM
I know its Central, and they know how to win, but they're going to need more than just heart to win.

[/quote]
I'm a longtime Central fan and my take on this year's team is that they have more than the heart to win. They have good athletes with good abilities, the part I'm not always sure about is if they have the heart to win. $:-\$ They need to get consistent. They need to play the entire game with heart, not just the last quarter and OT. If they play that way, they will win. I'm hoping they will think about the fact that they won't be in the playoffs this year unless they get a ton of help, so they better decide to play every minute of every game they do have left this season. The seniors are down to their last 3 games. It's time to play the games of their lives, there won't be a next year.

Purple Heys · October 28, 2008, 06:58:15 PM

How many seasons has it been since the Dutch have had only personal pride to play for...Without a conference championship or a playoff berth on the line?

Maybe this is why Dutch fans are questioning the heart of this team.

Maybe this is somewhat foreign territory for the players and coaches.

DutchFan2004 · October 28, 2008, 07:31:33 PM

Quote from: Purple Heys on October 28, 2008, 06:58:15 PM
How many seasons has it been since the Dutch have had only personal pride to play for...Without a conference championship or a playoff berth on the line?

Maybe this is why Dutch fans are questioning the heart of this team.

Maybe this is somewhat foreign territory for the players and coaches.

It has only been the last three years that the Dutch have only had Championships. The Dutch, I would argue are not out to the Championship hunt yet. If Luther pulls off the upset and Coe wins with a Dutch victory over Loras they will be tied with those two schools for the IIAC lead. With two games to play the math is still there that the Dutch could win the AQ. Not really likely but can happen mathematically. So I don't think your question is on the mind of the Dutch yet.

Purple Heys · October 28, 2008, 08:32:37 PM

Quote from: DutchFan2004 on October 28, 2008, 07:31:33 PM
Quote from: Purple Heys on October 28, 2008, 06:58:15 PM
How many seasons has it been since the Dutch have had only personal pride to play for...Without a conference championship or a playoff berth on the line?

Maybe this is why Dutch fans are questioning the heart of this team.

Maybe this is somewhat foreign territory for the players and coaches.

It has only been the last three years that the Dutch have only had Championships. The Dutch, I would argue are not out to the Championship hunt yet. If Luther pulls off the upset and Coe wins with a Dutch victory over Loras they will be tied with those two schools for the IIAC lead. With two games to play the math is still there that the Dutch could win the AQ. Not really likely but can happen mathematically. So I don't think your question is on the mind of the Dutch yet.

DF2k4,

Maybe from our perspective this maybe so and the coaches too...but don't you think it's possible that some of the older players, used to no losses at this point in the season, after 2 league losses see it different and maybe with a little bit less enthusiasm.

I see this in our High School team, which expects to go undefeated every year, after that first loss in a given season, they are almost always lost for a while. Regrouping takes longer in some years than others.

I submit this year's Dutch may have suffered a bit of that feeling. It doesn't mean they can't regroup...the 4th quarter of the Cornell game may have brought their mojo back...who knows.

One thing is certain...they will need lots of help to get into the playoffs. (Cue: Jim Mora)

DutchFan2004 · October 28, 2008, 09:04:18 PM

Quote from: Purple Heys on October 28, 2008, 08:32:37 PM
Quote from: DutchFan2004 on October 28, 2008, 07:31:33 PM
Quote from: Purple Heys on October 28, 2008, 06:58:15 PM
How many seasons has it been since the Dutch have had only personal pride to play for...Without a conference championship or a playoff berth on the line?

Maybe this is why Dutch fans are questioning the heart of this team.

Maybe this is somewhat foreign territory for the players and coaches.

It has only been the last three years that the Dutch have only had Championships. The Dutch, I would argue are not out to the Championship hunt yet. If Luther pulls off the upset and Coe wins with a Dutch victory over Loras they will be tied with those two schools for the IIAC lead. With two games to play the math is still there that the Dutch could win the AQ. Not really likely but can happen mathematically. So I don't think your question is on the mind of the Dutch yet.

DF2k4,

Maybe from our perspective this maybe so and the coaches too...but don't you think it's possible that some of the older players, used to no losses at this point in the season, after 2 league losses see it different and maybe with a little bit less enthusiasm.

I see this in our High School team, which expects to go undefeated every year, after that first loss in a given season, they are almost always lost for a while. Regrouping takes longer in some years than others.

I submit this year's Dutch may have suffered a bit of that feeling. It doesn't mean they can't regroup...the 4th quarter of the Cornell game may have brought their mojo back...who knows.

One thing is certain...they will need lots of help to get into the playoffs. (Cue: Jim Mora)

Yes they need a bunch of help to get to the playoffs. But I don't think that the players have given up hope yet. With all of the OT games that the older players have been a part of and the OT game with your Rams I would submit that this gives the players the hope they need that it is possible and that NSD (never say die) is the attitude that the players are and have to take. The fat lady may be on stage but the Dutch can have a lot to say whether she starts singing or not.