FB: Presidents' Athletic Conference

SaintsFAN · October 01, 2007, 01:48:52 PM

I really don't think, based on what I saw Saturday, that Waynesburg will challenge W&J a whole lot. Lets face it...its Division III football....travel budgets aren't there. Who could have predicted Hanover's fall from grace? I'm sure its difficult for the Presidents to schedule a full 10 game season.

You guys are right though, they'll earn their stripes in the playoffs.

By the way, I DO like what is going on at Thomas More. Coach Hilvert has the kids playing hard. They've been hit by injuries, no excuse though. I think this team will be a worth opponent for teams in the 2nd half of the season. The Saints are two years away from being right there with W&J and Thiel (contending for the conference title and playoff berth). They're building the new stadium....the sight of the bulldozers on campus is great. Its really openned up the campus....if some of you remember the old stadium...the trees behind the press box are gone....all the way to the dorms.

bigern,

if Notre Dame does not win a game before Nov 3rd....I'll be at the W&J/Thomas More game...keep that in mind..

Wes Mantooth · October 02, 2007, 11:12:06 AM

Big Ern i will not be able to make it on Saturday. I have a high school game Saturday night in E town at the stadium. I however will be in attendance the following week in New Wilmington we will have to meet up then. I plan on attending one home game as well and any playoff games.

PittTBCW · October 02, 2007, 01:09:16 PM

Who are your mid-season players of the year and coach?

Offensive: W&J QB Swallows...starting to think he is making me eat my words about Dawson being better

Defensive: Waynesburg DL: Mike Czerwien he doesn't just rush the passer for sacks he also plays solid defense.

Coach: Waynesburg's Rick Shepas has the Yellow Jackets undefeted at 5-0

South Willy · October 02, 2007, 03:05:17 PM

Hello All...Keeping quiet after BC's terrible play at Thiel. Didn't expect to upset them but the Bison didn't show up at all. We made the offensive and defensive players of the week look spectacular. 425 rushing yards for Thiel.

Bison QB 3-18-3 for 26 yds. One receiver injured but that's embarrassing and backup never touched the field. It seems like we make some progress and then slide right back down to the basement.

SaintsFAN · October 02, 2007, 04:19:36 PM

Jesus....no offense...but that IS bad. 425 yards on the ground?

Things will turn around from that....

PittTBCW · October 03, 2007, 08:59:44 AM

South Willy,

They did not look very good on Saturday but they did face two good RB's. Minton holds numerous rushing records at Thiel and is a 4 yr starter while Hess is a great back that would be the starter if it weren't for Minton. The bad thing for you guys is that you will see Hess for another year or two. Thiel's offensive line also got some continuity or however you spell it and the young guys are starting to gel.

Don't get frustrated. The Bison are definatly making strides with their football program. The PAC is getting better and more competitive and with the addition of SVC and Geneva they get the automatic qualifier which makes the teams in the PAC more appealing to high school athletes. They remind me of Thiel when Leip came in. It was a struggle early but the football program had the full support of the college and the coaches were making the kids buy into what they are trying to do. In a few short years the Tomcats were PAC champions and playoff bound.

EC Warrior · October 03, 2007, 10:24:33 AM

Quote from: PittTBCW on October 02, 2007, 01:09:16 PM
Who are your mid-season players of the year and coach?

Offensive: W&J QB Swallows...starting to think he is making me eat my words about Dawson being better

Defensive: Waynesburg DL: Mike Czerwien he doesn't just rush the passer for sacks he also plays solid defense.

Coach: Waynesburg's Rick Shepas has the Yellow Jackets undefeted at 5-0

I had a great QB when I was there in Edwards, but I would definitely like to play with Bob Swallow while he is in his prime. His season so far is obviously off the charts, so he he def MVP so far. Runner up has to be Bob Heller. He has quite a few carries, but you can't argue with 227 yards/game, and more importantly a 5-0 record.

EC Warrior · October 03, 2007, 10:28:07 AM

oops: 4-0

South Willy · October 03, 2007, 10:47:49 AM

PItt,

The new coaching staff at BC is determined to make the Bison competitive in the PAC and the administration is 100% behind them. Their recruiting classes have been better but since many of the starters are first or second year guys, the consistency just isn't there. Our facilituies need to improve which would make recruiting more positive.
In a loss to Geneva they played hard and were in the game in the 4th qtr but the Bison just folded at Thiel. Hopefully the Bison will show up to play at GC this weekend as injured players are back.

PittTBCW · October 03, 2007, 11:39:01 AM

EC,

Edwards was a good qb at W&J but he did not perform well in the big games. I think he is behind Swallow and Dawson for sure. I will get to see Swallow play for the first time this weekend vs a formidable foe. I saw him last year and he was good but I would not put him ahead of Dawson dispite the off the chart numbers. I know Bigern is high on him so I am looking forward to see him in action. You are 100% right about Heller. If not for Swallow he would be the POY thus far. It also helps that Swallow has some good players around them including Matthews and McCafferty.

South Willy,

Sounds exactly what went on at Thiel in the early 2000's. Alot of young starters who will gain experience that will pay off when they are juniors and seniors. Part of rebuilding a program is learning how to win. Thiel had trouble early on as well but if they stick with their plan they will be fine.

EC Warrior · October 03, 2007, 02:02:57 PM

Pitt,

I agree that Edwards is behind Dawson and Swallow, I think he had a combined 10 ints. in the 2 loses in 2005 (Thiel and Bridgewater-playoffs). That obviously backs up your big game arguement no doubt. Swallow already has me convinced he is better than Dawson, because I have seen them both play. I think it will take a few big games this year and next in order to make people see that. If you remember back in 2000 I believe, he threw 6 ints in playoff against Bridgewater, and never came close to the Texas teams. Enjoy watching Bob, he will be talked about for a long time.

PittTBCW · October 03, 2007, 02:16:35 PM

EC Warrior,

I think you are going to be right about Swallow. I just need to see him first hand a year later. QB's grow alot between years and once I see him I think I will probably think he is better then Dawson. Just want to see it before I say it thats all. If this is going to be a special season for the Presidents it will rest with Swallow for sure.

PittTBCW · October 04, 2007, 09:22:47 AM

Predictions:

Saint Vincent at Waynesburg* - 1:30 p.m.

SVC will get a taste of the trains running by the sidelines and blowing their horns at one of the biggest homefield advantages in the PAC. Hopefully their defense can stop the Heller Train on the football field. I think not. Another learning experience for SVC as Heller as 257 on the ground with 4 scores in a runaway.

Waynesburg 42 SVC 7

Bethany at Grove City* - 2 p.m.

Bethany is back on the road trying to rebound from Thiel rolling up 400+ rushing yards against a gritty and frustrated GCC team. GCC played Westminster tough but came away with the loss. GCC is at home where they seem to play better and injuries are the big question at Bethany. I think the Bison will struggle once again on the road stopping the run. GCC finally wins a close one behind DiDonato's performance in the air and on the ground.

GCC 28 Bethany 21

Westminster at Thomas More*^ - 2:30 p.m.

Westminster is 3-1 so far this year lead mostly by thier defense. Thomas More last lost week to Waynesburg and only managed 14 pts in thier last two games. Yards will be hard to come by this week as they face the top defense in ypg in the PAC. TMC is young and getting better but the Titans defense will be the difference. Collier will have trouble getting on track while Franz will do enough to win.

Westminster 24 TMC 7

Salisbury at Geneva – 6 p.m

Geneva is playing well. They beat La Salle last week handedly and will look to keep winning this week at they play host to Salisbury. Bondi is a duel threat running and throwing the ball and will cause problems for the Salisbury defense. The defense is stingy only giving up 28 pts to a high powered W&J team in week 2 and averaging only 13pts against through their first 5 games. Look for a simliar result this week.

Geneva 28 Salisbury 13

PAC Game of the Week:

Thiel at Washington & Jefferson* - 2 p.m.

Both teams are coming off record breaking performances from last week. Thiel rolled up 400+ rushing yards in a win vs Bethany while W&J put up nearly 900 yards of total offense setting two DIII records. Minton and the Thiel offensive line will need to have a good game on the ground and allow the Tomcats to control the ball and keep the high powered President offense off the field if they want to keep this game close and have a chance to win the game. Swallow and his crew will look to keep their well oiled maching against a hot and cold defense. W&J is balanced and good at running and throwing the ball which could be difficult for the Tomcats to defend. If the Darkside can take away the run game and make them one dimensional they can be successful. It will be no easy task.

Thiel 21 W&J 20

Good Luck to all teams this week!

GO TOMCATS!!!

I will be watching in Washington this week don't let me down!

Wes Mantooth · October 04, 2007, 07:16:16 PM

PREDICTION TIME OF THE WEEK

Saint Vincent at Waynesburg*
Waynesburg train continues to roll with 350 and 5 td's from Heller. Saint Vincent days are ahead of them.

Waynesburg 49 SVC 0

Bethany at Grove City*

Bethany goes into GCC and continues to struggle. GCC piles up 400 yards of total offense and cruises. Didinato runs for 80 and throws for 175 with 4 total TD's.

GCC 28 Bethany 10

Westminster at Thomas More*

Westminster is playing tough D and winning some games. In this one i look for them to take a step back and the young team from Kentucky to take a step up. Young QB throws for two and Collier runs for 120.

Westminster 14 TMC 24

Salisbury at Geneva – 6 p.m

Geneva is playing well and gave W&J all it could handle. This week i look for them to get pounded. Salisbury is a very talented team that submitted W&J last year. Geneva is no match for their option game. Salisbury runs for 350 plus. Pitt i cant beleive you picked Geneva that big but i guess that is the fun of it.

Salisbury 42 Geneva 10

PAC Game of the Week:

Thiel at Washington & Jefferson*

The yearly battle is upon us. The unstoppable juggernaut against the immovable object. I look for the juggernaut to throw over the immovable object to victory. Mad Mike Sirrani will have a great gameplan and Swallow does not make mistakes. He is the difference with a couple of screen passes to Mathews for six to stop that aggresive pass rush. I look for Minton and Hess to be held in check as this is one of the best and most athletic defences the prez have had in a while. Wish i could be there as the atmosphere in these games is second to none.

Thiel 10 W&J 27

Good luck to all

Go W&J

Congrats to all

PittTBCW · October 05, 2007, 09:59:03 AM

Wes,

Glad to see someone else do some predictions on the board!

I know the Geneva game is a strecth but thats why they play the game. They could lose big but I took the home team playing at night who is playing pretty good football who played one of the best teams in D3 tough (W&J).