FB: Presidents' Athletic Conference

[PittTBCW]

Now onto football.

Which is the reason we are all here.

Here is what I am thinking as conference play comes into full swing.

W&J looks like a team to be wreckened with this year. They look like a complete team that can hopefully represent the PAC well into the playoffs and maybe get down to the Stagg Bowl. I think the only thing that could stop them this year in the PAC is themselves. If they come to play week in and week out the sky is the limit for this talented bunch.

Thiel dispite having Minton back this looks to be a rebuilding year at qb and O Line. Its very hard in a tough conference that is improving year after year to compete with first year starters for the conference championship. They have a tremendous head coach who puts together a solid coaching staff year in and  year out. I think they have a bright future and have turned the corner with their program and will not return to the doom days of cellar dweller.

Bethany is improving every day. They suffered some injuries this year but look like they will compete and win some games this year in the PAC. The future is bright down in WV and I think everyone will agree after this season is finished.

Thomas More had a disappointing game vs GCC but responded with a good win for a young TMC team vs the Tomcats last week on the road. They will gain alot of experience this year that will help them in the upcoming years compete for a conference championship. I think they are great for the PAC and could play spoiler this year.

Waynesburg's Heller is the real deal and will be the face of the program for the next few years. The defense is also very tough. They are a solid group that is good enough to help keep their run oriented offense in the game. I think that their matchup with W&J will be for the conference championship. They have showed that they can come from behind but will they have enough horse power to stay with the President's?

St. Vincent is in its first year and they are not doing a bad job by any means. They put together a solid staff and have some good players from around the area. They are making improvements and will get better each week. They may take their lumps this year but they are gaining alot of experience in their young players which will help them in the next few years.

Westminister is showing positive signs that they are going to be a team worth talking about again in the PAC. They have a mix between seniors and underclassmen that will make for an exciting time in the PAC this year. If they can limit their turnovers and have a few people step up they could also play spoiler this year. They will need more out of thier SR qb and wideout and this week will be a good test in their conference opener vs GCC.

GCC let a lead slip away from Waynesburg but went on to beat a young TMC team. They need to win the close ones if they want to do anything in the PAC this year. The Wolverines will need to stretch the field if they want to get their offense on track and will stand behind their defense.

Geneva is not eligible for the conference championship but they are giving the PAC a dose of what is to come for the next few years. They will shine an interesting light on the conference and will make things more competitive. I think they will be contenders in the PAC.

Good luck to all teams this week. I will have my predictions later in the week!

[Ralph Turner]

Hello PittTCBW,

Good to see you posting again.   

How many players at Geneva are NAIA Scholarship holdovers (kids that went to Geneva only because they got a "football scholarship", for however much that is worth), and how many are the type of kids that will continue to come to Geneva because of geographical placement, education quality, family tradition, etc.?

Thanks for the analysis.

If W&J gets past the northern sub-bracket, we Texas schools (and a deceptively strong Millsaps may be in that appellation) are interested to see how they will hang with UMHB or Millsaps.

The past record of W&J versus HSU (1999), Trinity (2002) and UMHB (2004, 2006)  is 0-4 by more than a 42-14 average, deep in the playoffs.

[SaintsFAN]

SaintsFAN....How in the world is your young offense going to score enough points to offset the WC running game. With only one score at Thiel it doesn't  bode well even at homecoming.
My question, does anythink BC can stay with Thiel?

Willy,

Its simple....its a VERY young offense...with a brand new staff and scheme.   These guys have been consistently inconsistent this year as far as points go.  They have a freshman QB running the offense.  They are going to get better....and as always will be able to count on Collier for 130-150 yards.   Also this Waynesburg team gave up 35 points to a very down Wooster team in week 2.  The onus is on the Saints to prove the GCC game was an abberation.  2 TO's in the final six minutes did the Saints in that day.  

GCC caught us early in the season....

I think we're (Saints Fans) going to really like the way this team plays late in the year..

[SaintsFAN]

I want to touch on what, I think, Ralph started to bring up.  I've been considering this for a few weeks. 

I also think Geneva is a good addition to the PAC, but consider Westminster as far as future play is concerned.

Westminsters first year playing a schedule with D3 team they went 8-2 (2000)...as they continued their transition into NCAA Division III in 2001, they went 4-5.  Then their first full year as PAC and NCAA members was their best at 8-2.  After that they were average in 2003, 2004, and 2005 (14-16 overall).  Why?  They weren't able to give out the partial scholarships they had with the NAIA status. 

I believe they have a good coach at Geneva, so I don't think they will have that big a drop off....but it will be interesting to see how Geneva looks once the playing field is equal as far as grant-in-aids go. 

and Pitt, you did qualify your statement when you mentioned the next few years....what I am talking about is the next class of recruits after that....

[PittTBCW]

Ralph,

Great point about Geneva. I think that they will continue to recruit quality players. They might take an early hit like Westminster did but I look for them to be at the top of the PAC.

I see your concern with W&J playing the Texas teams and Millsapps. Only time will tell if they can exercise those demons. They still have to get through the PAC and you know ever team will be looking for them each week. They are always a top team in the PAC and have targets on them each week because of this.

Saints,

I think BC is a little banged up and they are going to TC for homecoming. I think that BC can beat the struggling Tomcats if they can stop their running attack. The defense will be fired up and will be tough against BC. I think this game will be a good game that will decided by turnovers. I look for the Tomcats to prevail but it won't be easy by anymeans.

[South Willy]

PittTBCW,

I agree than the Thiel running game will be the big key. Only one injury for BC but it is a key receiver and a freshman takes his place. The Bison seemed to lay down when facing better teams last year, with the exception of TMC, but they played hard against Geneva which was a positive sign. Front seven on defense still having great difficultly in stopping any solid running game. Joyner is only completing 46% of passes (left out ST Vincent game) but has thrown minimal interceptions. Needs to be more consistent. If BC gets down early they may get run over.

I was planning on flying up for the game but with my guy out of the lineup I'll stay in dreary old Florida.

[PittTBCW]

Willy,

I think they also lost a good defensive player. Can't think of his name but heard it might even be career ending. He was a freshman I think. Linebacker maybe. Heard it through the grapevine so I am not sure how true.

I agree, if Thiel's running game is on target it could be along day for the Bison.

What part of FLA you live in? I travel to Naples for some golf every May. I love it down there!

[South Willy]

Pitt,

Not sure about the defensive player injury but my son said a DL player quit the team this week and he saw some action against Gen.

I live Naples and I agree, I love SW Florida!

[PittTBCW]

Maybe when I come down in May we can play some golf. I stay at Naples Hertiage but play all over.

[PittTBCW]

Friday is going to be a busy day for me so here are my predictions for this week:

Saturday, September 29

Bethany at Thiel* - 1 p.m.
Bethany visits Thiel on their homecoming. Alumni Stadium will be packed with former players and coaches as they look to right the ship this week. Thiel's defensive will have to be the difference if they want to win this ball game. On offense they will have to control the ball and get their run game going. Joyner and the Bison will have to try and beat them through the air as I think they will have a tough time getting the run game going vs the Tomcats. If Bethany is successful throwing the football then it could be a long day for the Tomcats. But I have come up with a simple equation for this game: Thiel = Homecoming = Win.

Tomcats 21 Bison 17

Grove City at Westminster* – 1:30 p.m.
These two colleges are only seperated by a few miles. GCC will make the trip to New Wilmington but it won't be a successful one. Led by their offense the Titans will keep the Wolverines off balance and thier defense on the field far too long. GCC can't find the knack to win. They force a few turnovers but make too many mistakes as thier in ability to run the ball on the Westminister defense makes them one dimensional. Romeo is the difference in the ballgame.

Westminster 27 GCC 21


Washington & Jefferson at Saint Vincent* - 1:30 p.m.

W&J is running on all cylinders after only a few weeks into the season. Nothing changes as they welcome PAC newcomers SVC to the cream of the crop in the PAC. Mathews and Swallows will continue to have impressive seasons and the defense led by Gitlitz will be too fast and dominent in this one. SVC playing at home will have something to strive for after getting a taste of one of the top teams in the country in D3 football.

Presidents 56 SVC 6


Waynesburg at Thomas More* – 2:30 p.m.

The Yellow Jackets take their highly touted freshman running back Heller into Kentucky looking for a road victory against a steadily improving young Saints team. The running games of both these teams rank 1 and 2 respectivly in the conference but I believe Heller is too much for the Saints but freshman QB Gauger and RB Collier make it tough on the Yellow Jacket defense.

Waynesburg 31 TMC 21 

La Salle at Geneva – 4 p.m.

Don't know too much about La Salle. Geneva is a good team that played W&J tough and won their 3 other games. I will be biased and take the Golden Tornadoes at home.

Geneva 24 to 21


Best of Luck to all teams this weekend!!

GO TOMCATS!!!

[Wes Mantooth]

Bethany at Thiel*
Possible game of two teams headed in opposite directions? I beleive Thiel will end the talk and send the Bison home with a loss. Lorber sacks Joyner twice and forces a fumble that is taken to the house. Darkside wins this game in a nail biter.

Tomcats 13 Bison 7

Grove City at Westminster*
Amish country rivalry in this one. I look for the GCC offense to have a big day passing on the Titan suspect D. I also look for some big time passing from the Titans. Two good passing teams + Not so great D = Shootout.

Westminster 24 GCC 31

Washington & Jefferson at Saint Vincent*

The prez roll onto Chuck Knoll field and right through Saint Vincent. Look out as the prez might get their old points scored in the first quarter back in this one. Swallow throws no incompletions and three Td's. Jones and Mathews both eclipse 100 yds. I think with more recruiting a couple years from now Saint Vincent will be a team to be reckoned with. Colbert is a hell of a coach and put some impressive gameplans on W&J with Bridgewater.

Presidents 72 SVC 6

La Salle at Geneva
La Salle is 1-AA or FCS now i believe. I look for the Tornados to fall in a close one. A Few injuries last week for them may hurt.

La Salle 27 Geneva 17


Game of the week
Waynesburg at Thomas More*
Heller is putting up some impressive numbers. I think if he played at USC or TJ instead of Ringgold he would be somewhere else. Hats off to the jackets for landing him. Ryan Abels rushing record may fall this year if he keeps it up. I think the Yellow Orange jackets run right through T more. New Coach and freshman QB too much to overcome. Heller has 250 on 38 carries and 4 TD's

Waynesburg 35 TMC 7

Good Luck to all!

Go W&J

[SaintsFAN]

Whoah, Wes....you "Game of the Week" is a Monkey Stomp??

Its going to be tough this week for the Saints, but I know they've been challenged to stop Heller.  We'll see...someone has to.  Might as well be us.  They stopped Thiel's Minton last week. 

What I hope is that the Saints are up by about 6,7,8 or more....our kicking game has been terrible. 

Also know this...with the two teams running like they do with Heller and Collier, the game clock is going to fly....not enough time for someone to score 35 points (especially if both teams are running it well). 

Time will tell....AND there's an old "friend" of mine from college showing up (she hates football), so its going to be a good day either way.

[MandO18]

Geneva should pound LaSalle. Although they are 1AA they have a 28-0 loss to Ursinus and a 1 point loss to TCNJ. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think LaSalle has ever beaten a DIII team.

[SaintsFAN]

I bet Pat Coleman knows...

I'm guessing you are right though...

[Wes Mantooth]

Did not know much about La Salle just put that one out there. After looking at who they have played i agree and like the Tornados but we will see. Saints sounds like you should have a entertaining weekend. Quick question about the offense for T more is their coach running spread with the new qb and talented rb or is does he have a more traditional approach to offense. Seems like the QB is mobile and can throw and would fit a spread offense as would Collier.