FB: Presidents' Athletic Conference

Cleveland Cartel · September 17, 2006, 07:51:42 PM

Old Phart,

Thanks for that update from the game...

I did not realize those 3 big miscues and it is tough to win games when you have 3 mistakes or bad calls go against you. whatever the case may be.

Does anyone believe this is a sign to come for this years Thiel squad?

I will be honest and say I was one of two who picked them in the poll to go 1-2 for the first three games. Not because of how I felt they would do overall, but those are 3 tough first tests and i believe Thiel can focus on the PAC and punish their foes with their aggressive play like they did last year.

I am not tryign to take anythign away from this years Squad, but Albion is an upgrade over blufton (Who was an oppenent for the last 5 years), and alfred is a big upgrade compared to an OWU team (Ohio Wesleyan there was a two year deal that expired) who was beat by bethany this weekend after being down 21-0 at halftime in Delaware, Ohio.

It tells me that these three games tested the will and mental toughness of the Tomcats and having these two losses hurts but i believe it will make them stronger and ready for conference play. They start next week against a tough Tmoore team in beautiful Kentucky!

Congrats To bethany on the huge comeback win and back to back wins in a long time!
TJ Parker first team all PAC WR!! He has my vote!
His stats for the first three games are best in conference...shown below...

T.J. Parker.... BET SR 3 22 273 3 12.4 7.33 30

Was anyone at the Bethany vs OWU game? How did they change their strategy to make the 2nd half comeback?

WJ with a solid performance against Hanover in Indiana 35-0. Any comments from anyone at the game? Sounds like they played sound football and mistake free for the most part and also being well balanced on offense with plenty of yards on the ground and through the air.

Poor Waynesburg what is going on in southern PA? Losing to a winless shenandoah at the time and the Yellow Jackets QB threw 4 interceptions and that will never keep you in games. Any thoughts on that game and what Waynesburgh should do differently? Also, Abels their top running back from the last 2 years isn't even in the top 10 PAC rushing, but Eric Daniels their other RB is. Not to have your soon to be all time leading rusher not even in the top 10 in rushing in the PAC is disturbing. ANy thoughts?

??

orangecrushed · September 17, 2006, 10:41:22 PM

Maybe what Waynesburg needs to do is take a mulligan and admit it made a mistake with Shepas. Hiring a high school coach is never a good idea. It's a blueprint for having a program go from two postseason apperances to this in less than two years. Saturday's game was unbelievably bad. How do you lose a game when you give up only four first downs?

the_burghboy · September 18, 2006, 12:28:51 AM

Waynesburg having their coach leave them late in their offseason last year had a bit to do with it. I don't know about the current coach, but remember a few Jacket fans chiming in on it at the time as a good move.

That said, let's face it: Waynesburg's run was like the Pirates of the early 90's. Short and unlikely to happen unless the planets align perfectly.

Pat Coleman · September 18, 2006, 01:18:49 AM

Quote from: orangecrushed on September 17, 2006, 10:41:22 PM
Maybe what Waynesburg needs to do is take a mulligan and admit it made a mistake with Shepas. Hiring a high school coach is never a good idea.

Never a good idea? That's a pretty broad brush.

Matt Barnhart (kid) · September 18, 2006, 08:49:56 AM

Congrats to the two people who voted correctly.

Previous Question: How will Thiel fare given a schedule which starts against 3 teams with postseason appearances last year (Geneva - away, Alfred - away, and Albion - home)?

3-0 - 3 (16.7%)
3-0 but at least one going to OT) - 1 (5.6%)
2-1 - 11 (61.1%)
1-2 - 2 (11.1%)
0-3 - 1 (5.6%)

Total Voters: 18

Cleveland Cartel · September 18, 2006, 09:28:31 AM

Kid,

I wish i would of done this well on my tests while i was still at college!

South Willy · September 18, 2006, 10:27:33 AM

CC

I wasn't at the Bethany-OWU game but watched it via a video feed. Bethany fumbled twice early in the first half and couldn't seem to get untracked. Held OWU to 3 and out after the second half kickoff and got the passing game going with a 48 toss to FR Cruse. Momentum changed completely after BC scored. At 21-14, OWU had a 4th and 3 at their own 34 and went for it!!! Did get it and BC scored but missed PAT (21-20).
OWU score again but suddenly could stop BC's run or pass and BC scored with 46 seconds to play but missed two point conversion (28-26). BC recovered the on side kick and drove to the 9 where they hit the final pass in the right corner with 1 second on the clock. Was surprised they didn't try a field goal.
TJ Parker had a career day and SR QB Owens was on target throughout the 2nd half. BC backs even ran for over 100 yards in second half. I think the coaches really have the players feeling that they can compete in the upcoming PAC schedule after some tough years. Time will tell as they have two week to prepare for Thiel.

Pat Coleman · September 18, 2006, 10:49:47 AM

The Top 25 poll was right on top of Thiel's slide. Prescient, in fact.

AC24#724 · September 18, 2006, 01:03:38 PM

CC AND All
Your comments very well taken and mind boggling?
Bethany showing great sign of improvement with offense this year, d still giving up lots of points but a W is a Win no matter which way you look at it.
Conference starts to heat up more as weeks come into play now.
Down in Poor Waynesburg, some turmoil talk in stands as I hear from some Alumni friends. Do they even want to Win??Not sure why you would throw ball when your up 10-0 at half time but that was same as Denison game last year up 17-0 at halftime. Then, having your Feature Tailback Abels wrip 10, 12, and 8 yard runs get sent to bench on 4th down and 4 yards (and the fans wondering why)only to have QB sacked for 12 yards loss and possession. Yep, play calling . Hang in there Ryan, your stats prove a great career at Waynesburg . The last 3 years speak for itself.
W&J impressive, tuning up for bigger games down the schedule.
Thiel TMC , Interesting match-up waiting to happen
Grove City may be too much to handle, they can at least score 2 TD's, Waynesburg gets the normal 7-10 pts.
Westminny and Waynesburg battle at end of season could and will be for bottom seat in PAC, this one will be for bragging rights.

Cleveland Cartel · September 18, 2006, 05:22:32 PM

AC24 and south willy,

Great insight to both games and i respect both of those observations.

South Willy,

When you say Bethany came back against OWU to pull it out in the second half it reminds me of a Thiel team back in 04 (AT OWU) that was down 14-0 at half i believe and came back and in the second half to win 23-21. I am proud of what Bethany has done so far in the early going, but we will all be watching carefully to see how they play against the PAC. I believe they can make a move this year with the players they have in place, and if the coaching is able to make second half adjustments as shown against OWU they will be even harder to close out games against.

Cleveland Cartel · September 18, 2006, 05:42:54 PM

AC24,

I forgot to add your part, but I cant figure out why Abels seems to be in the doghouse this year? The kid is a stud runningback and has been unbelievable ever since his freshmen year. Orange Crush had a great point earlier about highschool coaches making the jump to College.

I'll say this in defense of Shepas coaching at Massillon is like coaching at a small College. With the amount of players they have goign out every year, talent, and with the whole town shutting down on friday nights to travel for away games and be at the home games its honestly a huge deal and like a small college. But at the same token it really isn't.

I thought this could be a big year for Waynesburg with most of their Defense in intact, two solid runningbacks, quarterback, and having one year of shepas coaching under their belts. I believed this team would challenge this year instead of later, but PAC play hasn't started so maybe they can iron out the wrinkles early, and play well in league play.

If Ryan Ables carrys the ball 20- 25 times a game Waynesburg will be in most games they play and have an excellent in chance at winning in the end of games. Abel's is a Solid runner, with better than average speed, low to the ground, good leg strength, and does not fumble very often, and he isn't getting the ball in key situations. Thats a mystery to me.

Code Select

Wes Mantooth · September 18, 2006, 05:58:20 PM

From my playing days @ W&J and being close to Waynesburgh and talking with people who know Abels. I hear that he is not very coachable and has quite an attitude. In 2004 he supposedly quit the team in the middle of a game and was going to transfer. He did not play against us the game after as Daniels was the leading ground gainer. I dont know if these rumors are true about him or not but that is what i have heard.

Cleveland Cartel · September 18, 2006, 06:04:50 PM

Wes,

Appreciate the info that is the first that i have ever heard of Abels being uncoachable, but could be a reason of why the amount of plays called his way and his playing time have been cut by the new coaching staff. Deciding to quit on your team in the middle of a game, if anyone has any actual truth to that statement it would never knock his play on the field and what he has accomplished but the way he his portrayed by the public could change.

AC24#724 · September 18, 2006, 07:56:03 PM

CC and Wes
CC, Yep, all goid points on Abels running ability. 1299 yards in season is awesome feat. Eveb if numbers don't get near any of that.
Wes.....Interesting observation and sounding like some hard feelings when Waynesburg upset WJ three years ago for PAC. . Will be a long season and staYng healtthy is big part of what teams makes run at PAC Championship. First I heard about the uncoachable item, Coach from this year and previous years had good things to say about him in articles. like all tams in the PAC...., the Hread Coach makes all decsions on what goes on and you are only as good as your last game. Head Coach at W&J stated last year that Abels was head and shoulder's above any running back in PAC. Daniels is good back and is pushing Abels for more reps.
Topsy tervy PAC.....TMC wins on last seconds/minutes heroics the last few weeks, they have magic in TMC country there though. Look out Thiel???Bethany program on an up swing. Grove City freshman QB getting playing time could make for more intersting offense up in Red Country!

Wes Mantooth · September 19, 2006, 12:28:05 AM

AC never said he wasnt talented and like i said i dont know if they are true as those were rumors. But you do have to questions what is going on this season and why he didnt get a bunch of carries in the 2004 W&J game when he is there most talented player. We will see how it plays out this year Mendel is looking pretty solid though and he had more yards in the wpial than Abels his senior year. I beleive W&J is the team to beat although TMC is going to challenge them but common opponent wise so far W&J looks to be better as they beat a good Hanover team by 35 and TMC needed a last second gasp to beat them.