FB: Presidents' Athletic Conference

[Wes Mantooth]

Its that time of the week again for predictions. Some answers will begin to unfold in the conference race.

Lets start in Waynesburg

GCC-23 @ Waynesburg - 14

Coaching and player distractions abound in this game. Waynesburg fans start a Firerickshepas website after the game. GCC is showing somewhat of a passing game with Freshman Phenom DiDinonato from South Fayette look for them to scrap it out after a Jacket turnover.

W&J - 42 @ Oberlin- 7

W&J cruises past Oberlin as Mendel churns out 130 and two TD's and Swallow throws two more. W&J O looks to be coming together just in time for the showdown in greenville in two weeks.

Adrian-28 @ Westminster - 0

Adrian wallops the Titans on there homefield as they are easily the worst team in the conference. Jeff Hand needs some of his Waynesburg Magic for this sinking ship.

And The Game Of The Week

Thiel- 7 @ TMC - 10

Neither teams have much on O but do have dominating Defenses. Minton Scores and early TD and they hold the lead until the fourth when the Stellman and Weber Combo hook up for another game winner.

Good Luck to All

Go W&J

[AC24#724]

Let the swammy try some picks, starting in big game of week.
Thiel 14   
TMC 10
Defensive battle but the team that runs the ball best will win and that would be Thiel but then again if the flags start flying down there as I've seen happen before and more than once TMC gets win and goes into Waynesburg on a roll. Carlisle and Minton will be the difference. Willis make big pick could also be difference.
WJ 21
Oberlin 17
WJ can't look ahead, Oberlin put up some big offensive stats in last weeks game against a less formiddable opponent but WJ as good offense and caught Hanover in big rollover. Running game with different weapons, Mendel and Mathews, MCCafferty from the air strike again.
Adrian 21
Westminny 3
Lopside affair and could be worse, Maybe Coach Hand should of stayed at Waynesburg to keep in a proper perspective with player selection and play calling. But wished to be closer to hometown, they do have motor homes out there???
Waynesburg 21
GC 10
Possibly this is week where things get back on the run-way in Burnt Orange country. Defense will need to be up to snuff on Wing T and Running game with Abels and Daniels will move ball. Possibly "history" in makings there if Offense gives RB #7 a chance to showcase his talents which has been not the case this year. Coaching could part of outcome this week but turnover's have been numerous and protecting the ball is critical. This will be a big lift for Jackets with win and must be ready for TMC next week which will be stiff test.

[SaintsFAN]

Magical flags?

I don't see what you guys are saying.....they will be PAC referees right?   The Saints homefield advantage does NOT include the referees being on their side.   Sounds like you guys think the refs live around Thomas More and are TMC grads or something. 

[AC24#724]

Saints Fan

All I am saying when I read and heard how things were so out of perspective last year when 15 flags were called in one game against a team that visited KY last year and when the QB who was running out of bounds got hit 5 yards out of bounds and season ending injury cost him on that late hit and nothing was called. I heard even the ref even almost got hit on the same play as well out of bounds. What more to the truth was that some Saints Fan in parking lot saying the game got out of control Ref wise. Maybe these guys are the same guys that ref'd the Oklahoma and Oregon game last weekend.
Oh well, hopefully a hard fought and fair contest this week will be in store.

[Cleveland Cartel]

Nice Prediction Boys....

Good Games scheduled but there should also be some lobsided games if teams continue to play the way they have in the early weeks so far.

The Cartel predicts....

Thiel 13

Tmore 10

Minton typical TD to get the game rolling and then the defensive stalemate starts up.  Carslile will have his typical 15 tackle or more game.  My man from Benedictine high Sammy Koyl puts through a 31 yard field goal with 15 seconds left to play leaving Tmore not enough time to move the ball down the field to deliver some last second magic.
Thiel gets back on track and control of the PAC with a solid league victory.

WJ 49

Oberlin 14

Oberlin is performing at a higher level as opposed to years in the past when they were the doormat of Division 3 football.  Mendel solid game due to the rainy weather predicted in the area throughout the day saturday.  The passing game will have their moments but this one belongs on the ground and WJ will rack up 300 yards plus of yardage on the ground.  Mendle 3 touchdowns and a swallow touchdown pass will be good enough!

Adrian 28

WEstMin 10

Adrian a tough team out of the MIAA will be too much for WEsmin to handle.  And like AC24 posted Jeff hand should of stayed at Waynesburg and watch that taleneted group of players that are seniors now dominate like they should be doing.

Waynesburg 21

GCC 14

Tough battle up front ultimately one by the Yellow Jackets.  Abels gets back on track with a solid 2 touchdown day and over 100 yards rushing against a stingy GCC defense. 

[Cleveland Cartel]

Thiel with a tough overtime victory in Kentucky today!!!  17-14....

Sammy Koyl hitting the final points for the victory in OT!!!!

Close to my prediction.....

Solid work Tomcats!!!

[AC24#724]

CC
You wrote a near perfect script for the Thiel/TMC game, if you were there to witness the kick could of made it perfect. Great Call. By looking at the box score, running games could not appear to get off the ground. Any OT games are exciting.
It appears we were all of target up in Westminny country where QB had a solid gane throwing for big yards.
Who dey? Who he?  The he is down in Waynesburg where Rushing Record was broken by Ryan Abels in what I must say was the most electrifying run to witness to put the drama to end in his quest to break record in mid-late 4th quarter where a 57 yard run was more like a 100 yard run going from one side line to the other and then back where great down field blocks were key to run being successful.  QB Tres Cobb return good added touch to getting offense in synch.
The win was very needed there which sets up showdown with TMC this week.
Will Bethany be ready to get into PAC play and be prepared with WJ?
All new stories to unfold in upcoming week.

[Cleveland Cartel]

AC,

Thanks for the call on the Thiel/TMC game... Sounded like a tremendous football game and from hearing it on the radio it seemed like Tmore was going to run away with it after the first quarter.  The tomcats battled back with their special teams and their offense was able to pull a trick out of Tmores playbook and score wtih seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.  Thiel showed why they are the PAC defending champs, but concern has to be boiling over as their offense has not yet been able to get on track and is averaging over 9 points per game.  That will catch up to you later on in PAC play.

WJ stayed on the victory path against a well schooled Oberlin team 33-13.  I have friends who are coaches there and one being the D coordinator for Oberlin.  Oberlin is a good team well tooled but does not have the talent like WJ.  Mendle and swallow with solid games and a great victory for WJ. 

Ryan Ables again congrats on the accomplishment of becoming the all time leading rusher at Waynesburg.  It has been a long time coming so far this season, but finally Shepas and crew figured it out.  RUN THE BALL! and they did with Abels and Daniels with 2 TD's a piece and each had 100 yards rushing in a vcitory at home over GCC.

Westmin a solid game against a tough Adrian team from Michigan!  I picked Adrian and Westmin had me eat my words!  The young guns from WEstmin worked as a team and pull this game out in OT.  Special teams played a huge roll as WEstmins Freshmen kicker Romeo booted through two field goals, and three extra points in being perfect on the day.

Big Games next week

Tmore at Waynesburg:

It will be a treat to check this game out.  Two stud running backs which are dual threats against a solid up front defense  of TMORE.  How will Tmore respond after a tough fought loss against Thiel.  Carslisle and company will have their hands full all day in a tough place to play.

Were there any injuries from that game last weekend for Thiel or Tmore?

Thiel at Bethany:

Is Bethany ready to take their game to the next level and knock of the defending PAC champs on their own turf?  It could very well happen with the explosive offense that Bethany is providng right now and the lack there of at Thiel.  In fact I saw in the post game write up that Thiel had another QB Ault take some snaps.   I do not know if this is a sign to come, but you can tell Thiel was trying to put a pulse into their offense. 

Key Questions this week:

Will Thiel's offense get back on track this week against an improving Bisons Team?

Who will win the battle upfront in the Tmore vs Wayensburg game?


Key Point:

Special teams has already had an affect on two games this week and a few already in this early season.  Thiel had the blocked punt and the field goal in OT, and Westmin the game winner and the perfect day which preserved the victory.  With talent becoming more and more even with PAC teams it is evident, that  Whoever wins the special teams battle will have the advantage going down the stretch in Conference play.

[AC24#724]

CC
Nice segway into this week's upcoming games
Let's start in Green Country with Bethany who have opened some eyes up so far this year on offense. But yet they have played not top notch competition and yet to have faced much of a defense. Their I can see Thiel taking over game and pressuring QB into some pick plays that could make game get out of control. They will try and also play smash mouth running to with Hess and Minton. Alot of this game will fall on Bethany QB getting ball in play maker's hands of Bethany skilled players.
Secondly let's move to Waynesburg/TMC.
First season win for Jackets gives some momentum for team that was on 0-3 skid but against good competition 2 of the 3 games. TMC has been in opportunity to win or lose all 3 of its first games. Being 2-1 still may give them a slight edge mentally. We know they will be hungry and also knowing losing 2nd PAC game will be  crucial for PAC play this year. On the other side will Waynesburg having a chance to go 2-0 into bye week to set big showdown up with Bethany on Homecoming day. Battle of trenches will be a deciding factor. O Line played better last week in giving scat backs some room to run. QB, Cobb  will need to make some big plays this week against a stingy defense on pass. Some good wideouts that are ready to make some big plays, TMC QB also will play big part this week too. This should be a good game to watch with some season pictures in perspective for  both teams as we get deeper into PAC play.
GC vs Westminny.............toss up here but slight edge will got GC with good running game and wing t. QB at Westminni had big game and if he gets protection could also swing the table.

WJ sits backs and waits it's trip to Thiel with bye week but wouldn't be suprised to see some Red making trip down 79 to scout TMC.Waynebsurg game for their upcoming games against them.

[South Willy]

AC...

The Bison will play at home in Brooke County, WV but I agree that they haven't faced a team of this level. A competitve game will depend on which Bison team shows up Sat. The squad that played the 2nd half at OWU can compete with Thiel but if they get down early as they did at OWU, Thiel's defense won't let them back in the game. On defense, I hear a Bison top linebacker is out this week which doesn't bode well against Thiel's running game. Bethany will need the turnover edge and a couple big plays by their QBs to have a chance in the 4th quarter.

[AC24#724]

South Willy
Thanks for the reply....still putting  some good yards on offense does give you firepower to strike quickly with skilled players. Linebacker loss not good news when it comes down to stopping run game of Thiel where they will try and control clock, get first downs and move the sticks and also keep Bethany O on side line.
Playing on regular grass also could help too on the Bethany side. This should be an interesting battle too with turnover's possibly lurking in what could decide game.

[Ralph Turner]

Props to Grove City College, #4 in this survey of 50 campuses.

Click this hyperlink to the Wall Street Journal's,  opinionjournal.com

[Cleveland Cartel]

South Willy and AC,

Linebacker loss is going to hurt Bethany in this game because Thiel will need to run the ball in order to open up the passing game.  This could lead to big play strikes down the field for Van Horn and LaScola if Bethany is forced to put another man up front in the box. 

I will say this as opposed to past years will Thiel was dominant on both sides of the ball as opposed to Bethany.  This year their offense seems to be a catalysts and in sync as opposed to Thiel so far this year.  Bethany is not only averaging more yards a game than Thiel, but also more points.  Thiel has made a living on defense and special teams this year.  If and if Thiel gets their offense going the final outcome should go in Thiel's favor, but if not it will be a close game.

Too bad Bethany doesn't have the PAC version of Christian Okeye with big ole Will Anderson!!!! 

[South Willy]

CC....

Being new to D3 football with a freshman at BC, its really hard to look at stats and predict how teams will play. There seems to be such a tremendous span in talent levels in D3 from top to bottom. BC looked great against Hiram and for a half at OWU but was totally outplayed by an average Muskingum in the opener.  Thiel is down a little this year but would seem to be much to strong for a young BC squad.

BC does have a bunch of speed and some size at receiver with a senior QB so points can come in bunches if and only if the Oline can give him some time and open a hole for the occassional run. But is a Bison win actually possible...

[Cleveland Cartel]

South Willy,

Completely Agree a Bison win could very well happen this year, but the competeiton that Thiel has played is playoff caliber, but their offense is not producing still.  Could be problems for Thiel as they go up against an explosive offense.