FB: American Southwest Conference

[Etchglow]

My understanding is that the team reports to camp on August 3rd and that a scrimmage is likely to be held against a team from Mexico.I am excited about this offense. All signs point to a balanced but more sophisticated game plan than what we have seen in the past. The defense will have some very big shoes to fill but I think it will be more of a reload rather than rebuild on that side of the ball.

Me too!  In some of Coach Padron's interviews it sounds like he has taken some things from the air raid style of offense but with some runs thrown in.  That sounds really exciting with this group of kids we have.

[ksclegal]

https://www.d3football.com/top25/2022/preseason
Preseason poll is out!

[Riley Zayas]

We had some very talented LBs that were freshman last season, and several on the JV that were improving due to the spring season and being behind a great group of seniors. We had some injuries in the secondary also, so I think we will be ok.

We'll find out pretty quickly.

True 2 The Cru, any preliminary 2 Deep predictions based on probable/confirmed returners and spring practice observations?

Yeah, several positions on both sides of the ball are completely TBD right now. It is still unclear on who is coming back and who is not, something that I'll be able to figure out once fall practice begins. Just from my perspective, offensively, they'll need to replace a TE and WR. I'd expect Connor Mullins to start at TE, though that is a 50-50 for me, as Will McClintock is transferring in. I'd give Mullins the nod to start based on his performance in limited action last season and the fact that he's already learned the playbook. WR is another complete toss-up, since they have a handful of transfers coming in. Offense should look very similar to last season though.

Overall, it seemed the spring was more about development and meshing with the new coaches than anything. Personnel will be something determined  once players report in August I'd expect.

Are these seniors presumably back?

Sante Parker, Anthony Avila, Jeff Sims, Lance Jones, John Kazmierski, Adam Dobbins, Cameron Williams, Kyle King, Alex Acuna, Brenton Martin, K. J. Miller, D. J. Weaver, Brandon Jordan

Parker, Sims, King, Miller, and Jordan are coming back. 

Heck, 4 of those are captains this year lol. 

https://twitter.com/CoachJohnsonFB/status/1549824805981093889/photo/1

Avila, Jones, Kazmierski, Williams, and Weaver all have a year left.  I think

Dobbins has eligibility, but I don't think he'll be back. 

Brenton Martin is out of eligibility

Thanks!

No problem, Riley probably has more insight than I do, but that is what I managed to glean from social media and such. 

That would be cool.  I wonder if JV will be broadcast too?  Heck, I'd settle for a rewind of last year's Hardin-Simmons game.
I wonder if the Crusaders will have any full scrimmages that are broadcast online, like they've had with those teams from Mexico in the past.

Yeah...we should find out about the roster pretty soon. Avila was not there in the spring, and everyone I've spoken to has inferred that the kicking position is open...again, things can always change, but I know Avila graduated already, so he may have decided, like quite a few others, to not use that extra year of eligibility. It's often forgotten that D3 guys still have to pay for a full year of school in order to use that last year. It certainly isn't a "free" year of eligibility. But Kazmierski and Williams are expected to be back for the O-Line.

Defense has the most question marks as I previously said. But we should know very soon who is slotted to start at those positions, especially LB.

I know they are back in about a week. Though I am not sure when the first official practice is scheduled for. Working on confirming the scrimmage with the team from Mexico but haven't heard anything yet. I talked with the team from Mexico (that they'd played in the past) last year and Covid policies had prevented them from scheduling a scrimmage during the preseason. If Covid policies have been lifted for them, it's very likely they resume the scrimmages, which would be awesome.

[umhb2001]

We had some very talented LBs that were freshman last season, and several on the JV that were improving due to the spring season and being behind a great group of seniors. We had some injuries in the secondary also, so I think we will be ok.

We'll find out pretty quickly.

True 2 The Cru, any preliminary 2 Deep predictions based on probable/confirmed returners and spring practice observations?

Yeah, several positions on both sides of the ball are completely TBD right now. It is still unclear on who is coming back and who is not, something that I'll be able to figure out once fall practice begins. Just from my perspective, offensively, they'll need to replace a TE and WR. I'd expect Connor Mullins to start at TE, though that is a 50-50 for me, as Will McClintock is transferring in. I'd give Mullins the nod to start based on his performance in limited action last season and the fact that he's already learned the playbook. WR is another complete toss-up, since they have a handful of transfers coming in. Offense should look very similar to last season though.

Overall, it seemed the spring was more about development and meshing with the new coaches than anything. Personnel will be something determined  once players report in August I'd expect.

Are these seniors presumably back?

Sante Parker, Anthony Avila, Jeff Sims, Lance Jones, John Kazmierski, Adam Dobbins, Cameron Williams, Kyle King, Alex Acuna, Brenton Martin, K. J. Miller, D. J. Weaver, Brandon Jordan

Parker, Sims, King, Miller, and Jordan are coming back. 

Heck, 4 of those are captains this year lol. 

https://twitter.com/CoachJohnsonFB/status/1549824805981093889/photo/1

Avila, Jones, Kazmierski, Williams, and Weaver all have a year left.  I think

Dobbins has eligibility, but I don't think he'll be back. 

Brenton Martin is out of eligibility

Thanks!

No problem, Riley probably has more insight than I do, but that is what I managed to glean from social media and such. 

That would be cool.  I wonder if JV will be broadcast too?  Heck, I'd settle for a rewind of last year's Hardin-Simmons game.
I wonder if the Crusaders will have any full scrimmages that are broadcast online, like they've had with those teams from Mexico in the past.

Yeah...we should find out about the roster pretty soon. Avila was not there in the spring, and everyone I've spoken to has inferred that the kicking position is open...again, things can always change, but I know Avila graduated already, so he may have decided, like quite a few others, to not use that extra year of eligibility. It's often forgotten that D3 guys still have to pay for a full year of school in order to use that last year. It certainly isn't a "free" year of eligibility. But Kazmierski and Williams are expected to be back for the O-Line.

Defense has the most question marks as I previously said. But we should know very soon who is slotted to start at those positions, especially LB.

I know they are back in about a week. Though I am not sure when the first official practice is scheduled for. Working on confirming the scrimmage with the team from Mexico but haven't heard anything yet. I talked with the team from Mexico (that they'd played in the past) last year and Covid policies had prevented them from scheduling a scrimmage during the preseason. If Covid policies have been lifted for them, it's very likely they resume the scrimmages, which would be awesome.

Seems like we had a kicker or two commit on social media to UMHB. Can you confirm that?

[Riley Zayas]

We had some very talented LBs that were freshman last season, and several on the JV that were improving due to the spring season and being behind a great group of seniors. We had some injuries in the secondary also, so I think we will be ok.

We'll find out pretty quickly.

True 2 The Cru, any preliminary 2 Deep predictions based on probable/confirmed returners and spring practice observations?

Yeah, several positions on both sides of the ball are completely TBD right now. It is still unclear on who is coming back and who is not, something that I'll be able to figure out once fall practice begins. Just from my perspective, offensively, they'll need to replace a TE and WR. I'd expect Connor Mullins to start at TE, though that is a 50-50 for me, as Will McClintock is transferring in. I'd give Mullins the nod to start based on his performance in limited action last season and the fact that he's already learned the playbook. WR is another complete toss-up, since they have a handful of transfers coming in. Offense should look very similar to last season though.

Overall, it seemed the spring was more about development and meshing with the new coaches than anything. Personnel will be something determined  once players report in August I'd expect.

Are these seniors presumably back?

Sante Parker, Anthony Avila, Jeff Sims, Lance Jones, John Kazmierski, Adam Dobbins, Cameron Williams, Kyle King, Alex Acuna, Brenton Martin, K. J. Miller, D. J. Weaver, Brandon Jordan

Parker, Sims, King, Miller, and Jordan are coming back. 

Heck, 4 of those are captains this year lol. 

https://twitter.com/CoachJohnsonFB/status/1549824805981093889/photo/1

Avila, Jones, Kazmierski, Williams, and Weaver all have a year left.  I think

Dobbins has eligibility, but I don't think he'll be back. 

Brenton Martin is out of eligibility

Thanks!

No problem, Riley probably has more insight than I do, but that is what I managed to glean from social media and such. 

That would be cool.  I wonder if JV will be broadcast too?  Heck, I'd settle for a rewind of last year's Hardin-Simmons game.
I wonder if the Crusaders will have any full scrimmages that are broadcast online, like they've had with those teams from Mexico in the past.

Yeah...we should find out about the roster pretty soon. Avila was not there in the spring, and everyone I've spoken to has inferred that the kicking position is open...again, things can always change, but I know Avila graduated already, so he may have decided, like quite a few others, to not use that extra year of eligibility. It's often forgotten that D3 guys still have to pay for a full year of school in order to use that last year. It certainly isn't a "free" year of eligibility. But Kazmierski and Williams are expected to be back for the O-Line.

Defense has the most question marks as I previously said. But we should know very soon who is slotted to start at those positions, especially LB.

I know they are back in about a week. Though I am not sure when the first official practice is scheduled for. Working on confirming the scrimmage with the team from Mexico but haven't heard anything yet. I talked with the team from Mexico (that they'd played in the past) last year and Covid policies had prevented them from scheduling a scrimmage during the preseason. If Covid policies have been lifted for them, it's very likely they resume the scrimmages, which would be awesome.

Seems like we had a kicker or two commit on social media to UMHB. Can you confirm that?

Yep. Already talked with Jack Bruner from Wimberly HS. Really solid kicker who has some range and was the TSWA 4A Kicker of the Year in 2021. Was also on Kicking World's All-America team as a junior before switching to working with One-on-One kicking. Nick de las Alas is the second commit. Also has a great chance to make the varsity roster. Regularly is connecting on attempts of 50+ yds. Andrew Cunningham also comes back for his sophomore year this yr and was exceptional for the JV team last season. Wouldn't be surprised to see him starting come week 1.

[CruFrenzy]

It's actually laughable that any self respecting media member (voter) gave Mount Union 2 first place votes. North Central beat them in the semis and didn't get any first place votes for reference, neither did UWW. UMHB only returns the entire offense after winning the national title by FIVE TOUCHDOWNS

But I guess I'm not surprised lol.

[crufootball]

It's actually laughable that any self respecting media member (voter) gave Mount Union 2 first place votes. North Central beat them in the semis and didn't get any first place votes for reference, neither did UWW. UMHB only returns the entire offense after winning the national title by FIVE TOUCHDOWNS

But I guess I'm not surprised lol.

When we get 23 out of 25 first place votes and will be the run away favorite if we are undefeated come October I am not going to be too worried about the poll.

I do have to wonder though about the 2 voters that did vote Mount Union first as they also didn't place us 2nd or even 3rd. If you do some quick math we have 44 points coming from those 2 votes meaning an average of 4th place.

I understand we don't have Coach Pete and our defense will have to do some reloading but I would love to hear the logic of placing us behind some teams we beat by good margins.

[umhb2001]

We had some very talented LBs that were freshman last season, and several on the JV that were improving due to the spring season and being behind a great group of seniors. We had some injuries in the secondary also, so I think we will be ok.

We'll find out pretty quickly.

True 2 The Cru, any preliminary 2 Deep predictions based on probable/confirmed returners and spring practice observations?

Yeah, several positions on both sides of the ball are completely TBD right now. It is still unclear on who is coming back and who is not, something that I'll be able to figure out once fall practice begins. Just from my perspective, offensively, they'll need to replace a TE and WR. I'd expect Connor Mullins to start at TE, though that is a 50-50 for me, as Will McClintock is transferring in. I'd give Mullins the nod to start based on his performance in limited action last season and the fact that he's already learned the playbook. WR is another complete toss-up, since they have a handful of transfers coming in. Offense should look very similar to last season though.

Overall, it seemed the spring was more about development and meshing with the new coaches than anything. Personnel will be something determined  once players report in August I'd expect.

Are these seniors presumably back?

Sante Parker, Anthony Avila, Jeff Sims, Lance Jones, John Kazmierski, Adam Dobbins, Cameron Williams, Kyle King, Alex Acuna, Brenton Martin, K. J. Miller, D. J. Weaver, Brandon Jordan

Parker, Sims, King, Miller, and Jordan are coming back. 

Heck, 4 of those are captains this year lol. 

https://twitter.com/CoachJohnsonFB/status/1549824805981093889/photo/1

Avila, Jones, Kazmierski, Williams, and Weaver all have a year left.  I think

Dobbins has eligibility, but I don't think he'll be back. 

Brenton Martin is out of eligibility

Thanks!

No problem, Riley probably has more insight than I do, but that is what I managed to glean from social media and such. 

That would be cool.  I wonder if JV will be broadcast too?  Heck, I'd settle for a rewind of last year's Hardin-Simmons game.
I wonder if the Crusaders will have any full scrimmages that are broadcast online, like they've had with those teams from Mexico in the past.

Yeah...we should find out about the roster pretty soon. Avila was not there in the spring, and everyone I've spoken to has inferred that the kicking position is open...again, things can always change, but I know Avila graduated already, so he may have decided, like quite a few others, to not use that extra year of eligibility. It's often forgotten that D3 guys still have to pay for a full year of school in order to use that last year. It certainly isn't a "free" year of eligibility. But Kazmierski and Williams are expected to be back for the O-Line.

Defense has the most question marks as I previously said. But we should know very soon who is slotted to start at those positions, especially LB.

I know they are back in about a week. Though I am not sure when the first official practice is scheduled for. Working on confirming the scrimmage with the team from Mexico but haven't heard anything yet. I talked with the team from Mexico (that they'd played in the past) last year and Covid policies had prevented them from scheduling a scrimmage during the preseason. If Covid policies have been lifted for them, it's very likely they resume the scrimmages, which would be awesome.

Based on a reply to my tweet. Avila will be back and he will be healthy.

[umhb2001]

It's actually laughable that any self respecting media member (voter) gave Mount Union 2 first place votes. North Central beat them in the semis and didn't get any first place votes for reference, neither did UWW. UMHB only returns the entire offense after winning the national title by FIVE TOUCHDOWNS

But I guess I'm not surprised lol.

When we get 23 out of 25 first place votes and will be the run away favorite if we are undefeated come October I am not going to be too worried about the poll.

I do have to wonder though about the 2 voters that did vote Mount Union first as they also didn't place us 2nd or even 3rd. If you do some quick math we have 44 points coming from those 2 votes meaning an average of 4th place.

I understand we don't have Coach Pete and our defense will have to do some reloading but I would love to hear the logic of placing us behind some teams we beat by good margins.

UMHB will not get the credit or respect from northern voters who are in love with UWW and Mount. Thankfully, we settled it on the field. Mount even got the credit last year when the committee suddenly changed their own system and gave them the edge over NCC in the playoffs and allowed them to host.

Oh well. Go Cru!

[Riley Zayas]

We had some very talented LBs that were freshman last season, and several on the JV that were improving due to the spring season and being behind a great group of seniors. We had some injuries in the secondary also, so I think we will be ok.

We'll find out pretty quickly.

True 2 The Cru, any preliminary 2 Deep predictions based on probable/confirmed returners and spring practice observations?

Yeah, several positions on both sides of the ball are completely TBD right now. It is still unclear on who is coming back and who is not, something that I'll be able to figure out once fall practice begins. Just from my perspective, offensively, they'll need to replace a TE and WR. I'd expect Connor Mullins to start at TE, though that is a 50-50 for me, as Will McClintock is transferring in. I'd give Mullins the nod to start based on his performance in limited action last season and the fact that he's already learned the playbook. WR is another complete toss-up, since they have a handful of transfers coming in. Offense should look very similar to last season though.

Overall, it seemed the spring was more about development and meshing with the new coaches than anything. Personnel will be something determined  once players report in August I'd expect.

Are these seniors presumably back?

Sante Parker, Anthony Avila, Jeff Sims, Lance Jones, John Kazmierski, Adam Dobbins, Cameron Williams, Kyle King, Alex Acuna, Brenton Martin, K. J. Miller, D. J. Weaver, Brandon Jordan

Parker, Sims, King, Miller, and Jordan are coming back. 

Heck, 4 of those are captains this year lol. 

https://twitter.com/CoachJohnsonFB/status/1549824805981093889/photo/1

Avila, Jones, Kazmierski, Williams, and Weaver all have a year left.  I think

Dobbins has eligibility, but I don't think he'll be back. 

Brenton Martin is out of eligibility

Thanks!

No problem, Riley probably has more insight than I do, but that is what I managed to glean from social media and such. 

That would be cool.  I wonder if JV will be broadcast too?  Heck, I'd settle for a rewind of last year's Hardin-Simmons game.
I wonder if the Crusaders will have any full scrimmages that are broadcast online, like they've had with those teams from Mexico in the past.

Yeah...we should find out about the roster pretty soon. Avila was not there in the spring, and everyone I've spoken to has inferred that the kicking position is open...again, things can always change, but I know Avila graduated already, so he may have decided, like quite a few others, to not use that extra year of eligibility. It's often forgotten that D3 guys still have to pay for a full year of school in order to use that last year. It certainly isn't a "free" year of eligibility. But Kazmierski and Williams are expected to be back for the O-Line.

Defense has the most question marks as I previously said. But we should know very soon who is slotted to start at those positions, especially LB.

I know they are back in about a week. Though I am not sure when the first official practice is scheduled for. Working on confirming the scrimmage with the team from Mexico but haven't heard anything yet. I talked with the team from Mexico (that they'd played in the past) last year and Covid policies had prevented them from scheduling a scrimmage during the preseason. If Covid policies have been lifted for them, it's very likely they resume the scrimmages, which would be awesome.

Based on a reply to my tweet. Avila will be back and he will be healthy.

Just saw that. Wow. This is news to all of us on the UMHB beat. The general feeling after last season was that he, Redding and Cunningham were just going to graduate and not use that last semester of eligibility. Great news for UMHB's special teams unit.

[zipmac22]

In the D3 Football Podcast #306 there was talk about another bowl game the Cousins Subs, Lakefront Bowl. This second bowl game would between the ASC and SAA and was dubbed the Whataburger Bowl. I'm not sure if it was just tongue and cheek or it it's a real possibility? Has anyone heard anything more about it?

[Hawks88]

They were doing hypotheticals and naming the games for regional burger places.

[Etchglow]

They were doing hypotheticals and naming the games for regional burger places.

I'd rather see the bluebell bowl

[Ralph Turner]

They were doing hypotheticals and naming the games for regional burger places.

I'd rather see the bluebell bowl

Ehhh... Etchglow,
Respectfully, we capitalize any reference to Blue Bell.



I wish that they would bring back Tin Roof into the rotation.

[Etchglow]

They were doing hypotheticals and naming the games for regional burger places.

I'd rather see the bluebell bowl

Ehhh... Etchglow,
Respectfully, we capitalize any reference to Blue Bell.



I wish that they would bring back Tin Roof into the rotation.

I'm going to blame autocorrect .  My favorite has to be vanilla bean...