FB: American Southwest Conference

[crufootball]

Just to start some conversation, can anybody explan how HPU went from being one of the better teams in the conference to a team that could pretty easily go 0-10?

[Ralph Turner]

...
Ralph, If I remember right, and Kelly probably know better, Josh was a good passer in high school.  I've thought that was a side of his game that has been underused most of his career.  He usually looks a little rusty when passing, but when you only pass 10-15 times a game on a good passing week what do you expect.  I'd love to see Josh get more reps throwing the ball, and I wish he had 1 more big receiver.

That makes sense, then. 

In the 2004 offense, was Welch the "passer" of the two?

[Ralph Turner]

Just to start some conversation, can anybody explan how HPU went from being one of the better teams in the conference to a team that could pretty easily go 0-10?

Because in the ASC, the top and the bottom are too close together.

Here is my post from earlier this year.

Interesting picks, used2b.

The bottom 7 in 2006 were so balanced that we were "this close" to seeing a 7-way tie for 3rd.  Back in July, fatboy and I had this exchange.

I do agree that the rest of the conference is getting better.  But besides HSU and UMHB there was not another team in the ASC over 500 in conference.

TLU 4-4
SR 4-4
HPU 3-5
ETBU 3-5
LC 2-5
McM 2-6

I mean the conference was all over the place last year, until any of these teams win some games with any consistency.
More upsets I would say for an upset to happen in the ASC HSU or UMHB gets beat don't see that happening, I mean everybody else was tied for 3rd and 5th place last season.

Fatboy, let's take that last thought further.  Look at the parity that we have in the ASC.  HSU and UMHB beat the other 7 and then the bottom 7 beat each other up.

Will ETBU & McM be different (scheme wise) and better record wise?

For the 2006 season, change these three things and we have a 7-way tie for 3rd place at 3-5.

1)  the Inevitable -- HSU goes on to defeat LaCollege in the Thunderstorm game
2)  the What-if -- LaCollege blocks the last-second FG by TLU
3)  the Upset -- McMurry beats SRSU.

We need to evaluate the ASC by our non-conference games.  If the ASC is stronger, then we will see it in the games against Trinity, Austin College, Millsaps, etc.

[Sender]

The reason HPU has went down, is UMHB is getting there players they would have got in the past.  They use to get several players from central Texas and Houston area.   The same thing happened to McM.


The reason D1 football is so close now scholarships are limited and thus spreading the competition.  In D3, you can stack the deck.  I mean, who would want to go Brownwood vs. Belton.   

If I was coming out of hs I would go to UMHB, you will win.  HSU never dominated games like this in the late 90 or 2000's.  They won but they did not win like this.   These guys are killing people.

   

[Ron Boerger]

Just to start some conversation, can anybody explan how HPU went from being one of the better teams in the conference to a team that could pretty easily go 0-10?

I think you have to take into account that Coach Gibson left HPU 2-3 years ago and is now coaching a 4A high school in Frisco, north of Dallas. 

[roocru]

Just to start some conversation, can anybody explan how HPU went from being one of the better teams in the conference to a team that could pretty easily go 0-10?

I think you have to take into account that Coach Gibson left HPU 2-3 years ago and is now coaching a 4A high school in Frisco, north of Dallas. 

Great point, Ron.  I feel he was underappreciated as a coach while he was there!

[yessir]

I understand the concept of Karma, i guess I really don't understand how it is used.......

In 2004 Welch was a freshman. He was 2nd string all season up until I think the Trinity game where Padron was hurt. Then he stepped in and did a great job for the CRU. Ironically, the same thing happened in 2005. Welch was injured in the Trinity game and Padron had to step in a lead the charge. Both guys did a great job for the CRU.

Nice cool day in Belton today. Makes for a good day of practice. Yall don't enjoy it to much. Tomorrow it might be 90 degrees outside. GO CRU!!!

[Toby Taff]

I understand the concept of Karma, i guess I really don't understand how it is used.......

Long time posters generally use it to say well done when making a statement, but there is certainly a bit of randomness to the process.  It is, however, better than the former system.

[Major Rev]

Would anyone hazard a guess as to the size of the purple-shirted Millsaps contingent making the 10-mile drive from Jackson to Clinton this Saturday?

I don't know if a former SEC coach could resist that!

[Simba]

My fellow d3.com posters...This is for all football fans at every level...We need some grass roots help here to change the minds of the status quo elite to "right a wrong" by signing an on-line petition...If you know the story great...If not, the book has now been published...The movie script has been finalized...A Director is on-board and a Studio will be named very soon...Another Seabiscuit perhaps?...You heard it here first...Go to espn.com's page 2, scroll down to Tony Latone to click on the link to sign the petition....Also pick up a copy of the book...If you played the game, are a real fan or both, you won't be able to put it down until you complete it!...Simba

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/index

[CruAlum39]

In reply as to who was the passer for UMHB in '04 it would have had to have been Welch.  However, Padron was really coming into his own around playoff time before the injury.  While I think they both have about the same speed, Padron was quicker and shiftier and could slip through some of the nooks and crannies that a defense gave him where Welch could not.

As to whether UMHB could have gone to the Stagg without Welch or PJ, I think that is a very valid statement.  However I would like to point out two of the most under appreciated receivers of that team.  

Austin Schrader was a very good possession receiver and could catch just about anything you threw at him.  He was the leading receiver before PJ arrived, and helped to take a lot of heat of of PJ because he was a threat in himself.  The defense had to account for him as well.

Steven Thomas (#8) was one of the most effective "skinny linemen" that you could ever find in D3 football.  Countless times his man would be on his back as one of our TB's ran past for a big gain or a score.  In the Stagg Bowl, he put two men down to allow PJ to run down to the 20 yard line on the slant route to give UMHB a shot at a tie.  

It was great to see him catch 3 TD passes against ETBU that year because he deserved it.  He was one of the most unselfish players that I have ever played with.   He really knew what the game was about.  The team mattered most.  He did not have impressive stats for a receiver, but the number of pancake blocks he made could rival lineman at some schools.  When you are a running team, big play receivers can play a role, but so can a perimeter blocker who turns 8 yard runs into 20+.   Here's to a guy that got no glory, but embodied what the game is about.

[Toby Taff]

Thanks for the insight CruAlum39.  I didn't mean to suggest they were the most important players.  That would short change a lot of people that should get their due.

[Kelly Boggs]

mhb8904 mentioned Welch as a passer in high school. I followed his high school career. Josh threw the ball very well at Copperas Cove. His dad was his coach. His uncle was  his offensive coordinator and position coach. Jack Welch runs a very wide open offensive attack at Cove. Josh was able to throw quite a bit. If I recall correctly, many times from the spread. Of course one of his assets was his ability to tuck it and run.  That's what caught Fredenberg's eye.

I have always wanted UMHB to throw the ball a bit more. If for no other reason to keep the defenses honest.

[CruAlum39]

mhb8904,

I know you didn't.  I just thought I would mention a name no one ever hears, from a source that saw it everyday.  Sometimes those behind the scenes guys need to get a little mention.  Thats all it was.

I saw Welch play at Cove when I was a Junior at UMHB (his senior year at Cove).  Broke the first play of scrimmage for an 80 yard run and I remember saying to a friend that  I thought he looked pretty good.  Never thought he would have helped us as much as he did.  Funny world.

[Ralph Turner]

Wes, great South Region ATR!!!