FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Desertraider]

Seaman had every chance to secure the starting spot once camp started.  From all reports, he played/practiced well, and the decision wasn't made to go with Burke until a few days before the Franklin game. 

I think if Neal would have remained healthy the last few years, things would have been dramatically different for Neal, and for Mount. 

Fortunately for Mount (and unfortunately for Seaman), the decision to go with Burke appears to be the correct one, but of course that litmus test won't come until the post-season, and maybe not until LATE in the post-season.  The minute that Burke agreed to attend Mount I became a huge fan.  What he did in the DI state title game as a senior was all I needed to see to know this kid is a smart, tough, winner.

skunks_sidekick,

Agree, IMHO, the Raiders with Burke are now in a position to solve the piece of the puzzle that
may have cost them the national title over the last 3 years. While each year is different, Burke
can bring that missing ingredient to the playoffs. The question remaining, is Mount a better team
now than they were in 2009-11 even with Cecil? I think so, but there are some key games in the
conference to be played before the playoffs develop. A team we all remember could stand in
the way and they upset the Raiders in the semi-finals 2004.We'll see!

I think the Raiders are better now than 09-11. Cecil was GREAT - but Cecil was IT. By that I mean he was the best QB on the team, best WR on the team, best Retrun man....Mount didn 't really have a second option to take over the game. So if you could shut down Cecil you had a good shot. Prior to Cecil the Mount teams had the luxury of Pierre with Kmic and Micheli (3 guys that could take over a game) or Smeck, Marino and Moore, etc.. Now what Mount has is:
1. Solid QB play - this kid is good, but he is smart. Watch the STO replay of last week. He can run which makes this offense work but avoids getting hit (that nasty sack being the exception), steps out bounds, knows when to slide.
2. A stable of solid backs - by my count 3 (Lattimore, Skilliter, Simon)
3. 3 WRs that can stretch the field and are all weapons (Denton. Moore, Collins)
And as always a very solid D. Mount may not have the Micheli/Kmic/Garcon thing going - but on any play they have Burke/Lattimore/Moore/Denton/Collins and maybe Simon on the field - where do you focus if your on D?

[bleedpurple]

Seaman had every chance to secure the starting spot once camp started.  From all reports, he played/practiced well, and the decision wasn't made to go with Burke until a few days before the Franklin game. 

I think if Neal would have remained healthy the last few years, things would have been dramatically different for Neal, and for Mount. 

Fortunately for Mount (and unfortunately for Seaman), the decision to go with Burke appears to be the correct one, but of course that litmus test won't come until the post-season, and maybe not until LATE in the post-season.  The minute that Burke agreed to attend Mount I became a huge fan.  What he did in the DI state title game as a senior was all I needed to see to know this kid is a smart, tough, winner.

skunks_sidekick,

Agree, IMHO, the Raiders with Burke are now in a position to solve the piece of the puzzle that
may have cost them the national title over the last 3 years. While each year is different, Burke
can bring that missing ingredient to the playoffs. The question remaining, is Mount a better team
now than they were in 2009-11 even with Cecil? I think so, but there are some key games in the
conference to be played before the playoffs develop. A team we all remember could stand in
the way and they upset the Raiders in the semi-finals 2004.We'll see!

I think the Raiders are better now than 09-11. Cecil was GREAT - but Cecil was IT. By that I mean he was the best QB on the team, best WR on the team, best Retrun man....Mount didn 't really have a second option to take over the game. So if you could shut down Cecil you had a good shot. Prior to Cecil the Mount teams had the luxury of Pierre with Kmic and Micheli (3 guys that could take over a game) or Smeck, Marino and Moore, etc.. Now what Mount has is:
1. Solid QB play - this kid is good, but he is smart. Watch the STO replay of last week. He can run which makes this offense work but avoids getting hit (that nasty sack being the exception), steps out bounds, knows when to slide.
2. A stable of solid backs - by my count 3 (Lattimore, Skilliter, Simon)
3. 3 WRs that can stretch the field and are all weapons (Denton. Moore, Collins)
And as always a very solid D. Mount may not have the Micheli/Kmic/Garcon thing going - but on any play they have Burke/Lattimore/Moore/Denton/Collins and maybe Simon on the field - where do you focus if your on D?

Hitting Burke as hard and as often as possible.  It is the only way I've ever seen to disrupt the way an exceptional QB plays.  Which probably means that the Raiders have few worries until very deep in the playoffs, if then.

[mr_mom]

• Don't forget your wife's birthday.
• Don't forget the Alamo.
• Don't forget to get your Pick-Ems selections.

[raiderpa]

My final comment on Seaman..he was 14-0 as a starter, and injuries took him out until a better QB took over,. (Burke) I don't see that as a recruiting bust...or failure on Neil's part.

[PurpleSuit]

How many Mount QB's could have went 14-0  against the competition  Neal started against?  I would say nearly all of the starters and half of the backups.  Piloto picked up all the tough starts due to injuries.  I wonder if Neal would be so highly regarded if he was from further away?  If Neal went to some SW Ohio school, say Roger Bacon, would we still clamour about what could have been?  I'd say not

Guess i'm just a cold dude, right emma?

[bushman]

nice to know that Mt. has a stable of good QB's.  Look what happened to wisc. pioneers, lost 2 Qb's in one game. Injuries at the d3 level to key players are big.  I do believe a healthy Neal would have made a  big difference in the last two stagg bowls.  WWW would have had trouble with his scrambling ability.  Oh well water over the dam, this year should be exciting.  I do believe Burke will do well when tested by a good defense. 

[emma17]

How many Mount QB's could have went 14-0  against the competition  Neal started against?  I would say nearly all of the starters and half of the backups.  Piloto picked up all the tough starts due to injuries.  I wonder if Neal would be so highly regarded if he was from further away?  If Neal went to some SW Ohio school, say Roger Bacon, would we still clamour about what could have been?  I'd say not

Guess i'm just a cold dude, right emma?

Yep.

[bushman]

Canton rep. calls Mt. vs Wilma a mismatch of epic proportions. 

[umhb2001]

Mt. Union folks, who has been y'alls stiffest opponent this year? I know y'all are formidable and crazy good, but who have y'all played?

Have you played your toughest game yet?

[Desertraider]

Mt. Union folks, who has been y'alls stiffest opponent this year? I know y'all are formidable and crazy good, but who have y'all played?

Have you played your toughest game yet?

I believe you meant to type: "Have y'all played y'alls toughest game yet?" Regardless, I would have to say the stiffest opponent yet would be Franklin (afterall they are the one that scored). And Franklin is not a bad team. They are 2-2 and were manhandled by Mount and FCSButler. We all know that Mount's toughest game is the one they play NEXT. However, I am curious.........what is your point?

[Desertraider]

Wow. I am listening to the Mount/Wilma game and it could not be going worse for Wilma if they had cancelled the game. It's hard to play Mount tough when your O can't move, your D can't stop, and your special teams can't execute a punt. Mount is on their 3rd drive - all three TDs - and I believe they said all 3 have started in Wilma territory. Wilma just had an 11 yard punt. Not good for the Quakers.

[Desertraider]

OK. I am out - Driskell is lighting up Wilma's O and Mount up 21-0 in 1st QTR. Wilma is punting again......and OMG they drove the punt beyond the 50!!! Mount has to start in their own territory...maybe the game is turning. Doubt it - but Namdar is at QB in the 1st QTR. All I ask is that Mount NOT BEAT THE SPREAD since I took Wilma in pick-ems. Have a good one Raider fans!

[mr_mom]

Mt. Union folks, who has been y'alls stiffest opponent this year? I know y'all are formidable and crazy good, but who have y'all played?

Isn't it supposed to be a possessive: y'all's opponent ?   

[Desertraider]

Mt. Union folks, who has been y'alls stiffest opponent this year? I know y'all are formidable and crazy good, but who have y'all played?

Isn't it supposed to be a possessive: y'all's opponent ?   

Well I lived in Mississippi for a year and a half but am from Central Ohio - so I am not a pro at the southern vernacular. I'll take y'all's word for it. 

[Desertraider]

Of course as I typed that last comment Blair Skilliter took it to the house for Mount score 35-0 with like 10mins left in 2nd QTR. Out of curiosity has Skilliter been tackled yet? I swear every time I hear his name with the ball he scores.