FB: Presidents' Athletic Conference

SaintsFAN · October 05, 2007, 01:05:01 PM

Westminster at Thomas More...

Westminster has only given up 41 first downs in the 3 PAC games thus far. Though, with the exception of Geneva....they haven't really played an above average team. They did gut out a road win against a tough Allegheny squad though. Looks like the strength of the WC defense is stopping the run. I think TMC will be OK, the offense has come under fire the past two weeks...though they should be coming into their own during this stretch of games. Bottom line, TMC needs to run the ball well to set up the pass...and continue to take the shots deep in the secondary. Offensively, WC appears to be led by their QB. Freshman LB Matt Clark (10.8 tackles per game) and the defense will need to step up and stop the run so the secondary (led by converted LB West) can focus on playing the pass.

I think this game will be close, but Thomas More is hungry. We'll see how it plays out.

PittTBCW · October 05, 2007, 01:12:18 PM

Saintsfan,

The homefield advantage will definatly help. Being hungry also helps. I think it will be a good game. I just like WC's defense against the young qb. Collier is tough but they will try to shut him down early and force the freshman to beat them. If TMC can run the ball then they will be in the ballgame and possible win.

Bob.Gregg · October 05, 2007, 02:06:37 PM

Quote from: Wes Mantooth on October 04, 2007, 07:16:16 PM
.. Wish i could be there as the atmosphere in these games is second to none.

Tune in on the wireless. I'll do my best to capture the atmosphere.

By the way, the 1987 squad is being celebrated during the festivities...what a year!

SaintsFAN · October 05, 2007, 03:05:14 PM

Pitt,

You're right...if that scenario prevails....the Saints could be in trouble. I just happen to think the staff is going to put the Saints in position to be successful this week on offense....including finding creative ways to get Collier the ball...kind of like Waynesburg did for Heller.

BTW, whats the over/under on games Heller misses due to being nicked up? He's a tremendous presence for the Waynesburg club....but appears their fortune rides with him. He's not imposing...but is a decisive "cutter" and makes things happen. Very impressed. I believe its him and then Collier in the running for top PAC RB.

Wes,

Though I think Swallow is the real deal....I don't think the Presidents have been tested on offense yet this year....outside of the MUC scrimmage, but that doesn't count. I think it will be fun to see him play in the playoffs this year. I think for this reason, you should say that he "hasn't made mistakes" but not necessarily "doesn't make mistakes"...

I'm ready to see this QB in person...

+K for everyone on the page...because I'm feeling generous

EC Warrior · October 05, 2007, 04:18:58 PM

SaintsFan,

Good point that Swallow hasn't made any mistakes because they haven't been tested. However he proved last year through 9 regular season games and 2 playoff games that he does not buckle under pressure. He definitely has played in some big games in his career (2 playoff games, and several close PAC games last year) and as a first year starter he came out looking pretty good. It will be interesting to see how he does in big games this year considering Mendel is gone and the offense rests more on his shoulders. He has been cool under fire so far in his career, its about time he takes it to the next step.

Bob,
Looking forward to hearing some good interviews during pregame.

Bob.Gregg · October 05, 2007, 05:02:10 PM

EC,

I wasn't in the studio yesterday, so I'm not sure who Mark has in the can.

The 1987 team is being honored so I'm sure I'll be telling some stories of that whacko season...

Maybe a few halftime guests will come by...

Bigernernwj69 · October 05, 2007, 05:33:57 PM

I am excited for this week of football. I am most excited about the President and Tomcat game. I think it will be a very exciting game with W&J showing the inexperience of Thiel and holding them to 110 yards rushing while forcing them to throw the ball. BOBBY will SWALLOW up the secondary of the Thiel Tomcats throwing for 286 yards and 3 TD's. He might throw his first interception off of a tip, but it will be tooo little to late.
W&J 38 THIEL 10

The Bears of St. V will fight against the yellow jackets but it will be like a seal fighting a killer whale. Shep will run the score up in this one to move up in rankings.
WC 77 SV 7

Grove City loses some swagger and gives Bethany a chance to bounce back as BC will upset the Wolverines. Miss extra point will play a factor
GCC 16 BC 17[/b

Oh when the saints come marching in, as the steam role the Titans in a battle of the front 7. I like the Saints to march up and down the field against a slow Titan defense.
TMC 35 WMC 14

This will be the quickest game played on Saturday with both teams playing a tough defensive game but in the end the better team will shine off of turnovers. The Salisbury will burn Geneva with their speed.
SC 42 GC 7

Good Luck to all the teams this weekend......KEEP ON ROLLIN DUB JAY

SaintsFAN · October 06, 2007, 06:37:07 PM

Nice win Saints!

South Willy · October 07, 2007, 10:42:07 AM

SaintsFAN...

Nice win for TMC, congratulations. My Bison lead all the stats but went 1 for 7 in the red zone and commited three turnovers. Tough loss but played much better game. Now back to BC for 4 staright home games.

Wes Mantooth · October 08, 2007, 09:49:21 AM

Good tough win for the Prez. Those games will help for the playoffs. At the same time they need to play a lot better as you cannot turn the ball over and not score in the red zone. W&J could have easily won 42-12 if they capatilized in the red zone. Thiel played tough as they always do but the lack of a QB really hurt. Saints fan you made me a beleiver and your team made my pick look good with a blow out of the titans nice win. More picks to come later in the week.

the_burghboy · October 08, 2007, 12:59:25 PM

I hate to be the wet blanket, and any win is a 'good win' in my opinion. However, I wasn't real impressed with the showing W&J gave Saturday. Give credit to the Tomcats to an extent, but if W&J wants to have a deep playoff run, they need to put teams like Thiel away by halftime.

The good news is that it's only early October, and you want to be playing better toward the end of the month. Also, I think it's a good learning tool to get into a bit of a tough game and hopefully use it to know you are going to get teams' best shot from here on out.

Bob.Gregg · October 08, 2007, 02:44:16 PM

Here's the thing most people have no idea of:

How much, and for how long, one play can impact a game.

Thiel drives to start game. Defense gets stop, forces FG. Getting set to huddle to make first adjustments when freshman fumbles kickoff.

Defense right back out, sans tweaks, and finds way to get another stop for FG.

That kept the defense on the field for 13:28 straight to start the game. HUGE impact on the whole day.

Presidents had several issues Saturday:

Swallow was not at his best, by any means.
Communication issues from sideline to offense, repeatedly.
One second half drive got to 1st & 10 at TC 35--nothing.
Another post-recess drive got toe 1st & 10 at TC 33--nothing.

That's not going to work, long term.

All in all, the Presidents won a game they had to win on a day when they weren't at their best. That's what good teams do.

Great teams do that, and figure out how to NOT be not at their best. That's what the Red & Black are working on today.

the_burghboy · October 08, 2007, 08:36:18 PM

Quote from: Bob.Gregg on October 08, 2007, 02:44:16 PM
Here's the thing most people have no idea of:

How much, and for how long, one play can impact a game.

Actually, I think most people that follow football know this.

Hey, I'm glad they won. I'm one of maybe ten people that get Versus that I know, and watched Stanford shock USC Saturday night. College football is such a wonderful game, and anything can happen.

I just thought that like USC, W&J should have put away a team they are more talented than.

I also understand that it could have been a lot worse, and glad they have time to work on things, get better, and become a great team come playoff time.

Bob.Gregg · October 09, 2007, 08:44:32 AM

Actually, burgh...

As I read different posters, more and more I get convinced that many people do not understand my original line, and much more about the game... Sometimes, what I read here is almost staggering...

I get Versus--had no idea that there was anything on there Saturday night that I could have been watching. I just know I have it 'cause that's where the hockey playoffs were last spring...

EC Warrior · October 09, 2007, 02:33:14 PM

Quote from: the_burghboy on October 08, 2007, 12:59:25 PM
I hate to be the wet blanket, and any win is a 'good win' in my opinion. However, I wasn't real impressed with the showing W&J gave Saturday. Give credit to the Tomcats to an extent, but if W&J wants to have a deep playoff run, they need to put teams like Thiel away by halftime.

The good news is that it's only early October, and you want to be playing better toward the end of the month. Also, I think it's a good learning tool to get into a bit of a tough game and hopefully use it to know you are going to get teams' best shot from here on out.

W&J knows they are going to get everyone's best every week. Obviously, Thiel is not an elite team in D3, but they are still a good football team, and this was their game of the year. I am sure the Prez are not happy with the way they played, but they are happy with the W. When the playoffs roll around, they won't be worrying about the Thiel score. But I agree as long as they play better than they did Saturday they will feel a lot better about themselves, and they need to play better like you said.