FB: American Southwest Conference

[CruAlum39]

thrwdp--

The replies you have received on this board are very good ones and portray insight into not just D3 football, but football in all divisions.  

Incoming freshman are USUALLY not just behind physically, as 18 year old boys are now playing with 21 and 22 year old men, and then some who are even in their mid to upper twenties, but they also have a problem learning the new schemes of their offense or defense.  As a former D3 player, my senior year I remember many freshmen coming up to me amazed at how well I knew our defensive scheme.  All I could tell them is that it only took me 4 years to get that way.   It is a much faster game on the field and a much more complex game in the minds of the players and coaches.  Many freshmen are not ready for this change.  

Also, it is not good for a team to have too many freshmen playing on their team because they do not have the leadership the team needs to take it in the right direction.

These are just a few thoughts on this issue.

[Josh Bowerman]

Well put, Bret.

[Zmotion10 out on 2]

Here is one from an actual parent of a Current HSU player.

(I hope I don't regret posting something like this)

I'll just say that my kid got 1 play in the HSU blowout last Saturday.  He is a 3rd year sophomore (redshirted a year & played JV last year).  So my wife and I were very dissapointed in his lack of PT.  Oh and the 1 play was on special teams -- but he did good on the one play!!!!  There were 3 freshman that played ahead of him during the game.   Not sure why he didn't get in -- but he didn't.  We feel they at least owe him a shot in a blow out game.  Not sure that Keeling even knew that he didn't get in though.  Could be that he is not as good as we think.  You know how parents are.  Could be a personal issue with the coach, could be that the other players are just better, who knows?

Football is not like track in that the best time wins.  There is evaluation and sometimes the coaches go with someone that may not be as good.  Who is to say?  HSU has been very sucessful so it is hard to knock them.  My wife and I have been praying that our son gets the opportunity and I believe that he will.

[Ron Boerger]

Bad news for MC:  starting QB Adam Shaffer will miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury suffered last weekend.

Josh, sure, I was thinking about going anyway.  Drop me a note and we can work out the details. 

[Josh Bowerman]

Z, I personally think you've taken the right tack thus far. 

Sure, you want to see your son in there more.  I know he'd like to be in there more, too.  There are about 125 others on the team that can say the same thing, and there's nothing wrong with that.  If those guys that aren't playing don't want in there or don't think they're good enough, then there's a bigger problem that needs to be addressed.

There is no conspiracy, as was intimated previously, though.  I took the original post as someone's attempt to grind an ax publicly, which does nothing but hurt the collective effort of the guys suiting up for HSU.  You've not done anything like that, IMO, so I don't think you have anything to regret.

I appreciate your perspective, candor and insight.  I hope that your son has a good experience at HSU, one that is predicated on more than just Saturday afternoons--because the memory of Saturday afternoon becomes just that:  a memory.  If he's making friendships for life, learning about life through experiencing, taking advantage of non-football opportunities on campus, as well as hitting the books and really getting to know his professors, then he'll be able to make his college days something that have far more meaning than just football.

Just my humble .02 worth--and that's the last I'll say on the subject.

[Zmotion10 out on 2]

Josh thanks for the positive response.  I agree with you.  HSU is a very good school.  A lot of support from faculty, fans and the average Abilene citizen.  Throw in a really nice campus too.  Great place to learn.   Academics are excellent and the connections that my son will make now and over the next three years will help him land that first coaching job no doubt.  I'm confident that he will get his shot in due time. 

So I say Go Cowboys.  I can't wait for the Linfield game.  I'll be BBQing before the game so all the D3 posters on here that get to attend will have to come by and get a sample!!!

[Bill McCabe]

In my experience, almost every player will get a chance to perform at some point in their career.  They need to be ready to take advantage of the opportunity.  There may not be a second chance.  You never know when or where that opportunity will come.

[roocru]

The UMHB roster is online at the Cru website.  There are 76 varsity players (numbered) and 89 JV players (no numbers).  Total of 165 made it to the first week of games. I think there were 167 at the Cru's first practice.  That is a pretty good job of keeping players out for the team.  I am sure the JV schedule helps a lot. 

Furthermore there are 16 frosh, 21 sophs, 22 juniors and 13 seniors that have numbers.  For those without numbers there are 65 frosh, 17 sophs and 7 juniors.  Out of 81 total frosh, 19.7% made the varsity. Out of 38 total sophs,  55% made the varsity. Out of 29 total juniors, 76% made the varsity.  Out of 76 varsity players, 47 made the two deep squad (including kickers) so 38% of those who make the varsity and 72% of the total players who reported will probably "ride the pine" on the varsity sidelines a lot this year.  Maybe these numbers alone will show those doubting their coaches how hard it is to make the two deep squad 

[WLCALUM83]

Bill McCabe:

Christopher Newport was projected to finish second behind Ferrum in their conference this season.

[Zmotion10 out on 2]

Found this game story on the Sul Ross website.

http://www.sulross.edu/pages/5904.asp

The Lobos played Cisco Jr College.  This game did not count for Sul Ross but did for Cisco.  Anyway just a tidbit on the 2006 Lobos.

[Ralph Turner]

Found this game story on the Sul Ross website.

http://www.sulross.edu/pages/5904.asp

The Lobos played Cisco Jr College.  This game did not count for Sul Ross but did for Cisco.  Anyway just a tidbit on the 2006 Lobos.

+1 karma, Z!  Thanks for finding it!

[roocru]

The UMHB website is now posting a .pdf copy of their game preview for this week.  Lots of good info on both teams!!

http://www.umhb.edu/athletics/news/3470

[Warren Thompson]

The Lobos played Cisco Jr College.  This game did not count for Sul Ross but did for Cisco. 

As a native Texan, I'm fully aware that high strangeness commonly rules in the Lone Star State. But now we have this: a four-year venue "loses" a scrimmage to a JC, but, at the same time, said JC wins a regular-season game.

Even for Texas, that's just plain ol' bizarre .... 

[roocru]

Warren, same thing happened a few years with UMHB and Trinity Valley JC (I think).  JC rules do not allow for scrimmages, any contest counts as a game.  The JC's are always trying to find contests close to home and do this arrangement with D3 teams early in the season only.  UMHB usually played their third and fourths for almost all the second half.

[Olinemom]

The UMHB website is now posting a .pdf copy of their game preview for this week.  Lots of good info on both teams!!

http://www.umhb.edu/athletics/news/3470

Here's hoping that UMHB plays well.  I certainly enjoyed meeting you all the last time you came to VA. 
Sending e-brownies to bring them good luck!!