FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mugsy]

Yes, it will be difficult to replace Chaz Black & Brad Thorton.  But over the past 4-5 years, Wheaton has done a great job of filling the backfield position year after year with solid players.

I don't have a ton of information, but I do know some of the leading candidates include:

Andrew Hershey: 5-11 185 Jr. - filled in very well when Chaz Black was injured, including several 100 yard games

Walker Smith: 5-10 210 Jr. - was 2nd on the depth chart (ahead of Hershey) until a season ending injury

One bit of new information I do have is that Brett Jackson will be moved from WR to RB.  Brett is the 2nd or 3rd fastest player on the team, so he'd be a good compliment to a more physical runner like Walker Smith.

The fullback position seems to be more open to competition.  Returning players who didn't see a ton of action you have:

Jamie Aucutt: 6-0 224 Sr.
Daniel Sunday: 5-11 220 Jr.

There is always a possibility one of the underclassmen will move up into this slot, or one of the TE's could be moved as well.

Interesting....do you know why it is that they are moving the WR to RB?

3 primary reasons:
1. With exception to Joe Chupp (and one of the TE's) Wheaton returns their entire receiving corp, so Brett would continue to see a few series a game and a few receptions
2. He played RB in high school, so it is his natural position
3. You want to get the ball into the hands of your most gifted athletes - the most speed, agility, quickness.  If Brett is one of the faster players, then you want to get the ball to him more often.

[Comet 14]

Great post Mugsy. I feel the exact same way. If he is one of your better athlete, find ways to get him the ball. He will also still be a huge recieving threat out of the backfield matched up on linebackers. I had a Highschool coach that did just the opposite. We ran an option offense and my senior year he took our fullback who had allready earned all-conference at fullback his Soph and Junior years and moved him to tight-end to " Get him the balll down field more". We lost our first six games moved him back to fullback and won our next 3. He stopped coaching there shortly after.

[79jaybird]

Both Elmhurst and Augustana were victorious and won big in Europe.  I believe Elmhurst won 55-0  and Augie 41-14  in Italy/Austria respectively. 
You can watch the video from the Elmhurst game on their website.  Poor guys looked like they were playing in a rain soaked monsoon, similar to that 2001 Elmhurst/IWU game.

[NCC_alum62]

Both Elmhurst and Augustana were victorious and won big in Europe.  I believe Elmhurst won 55-0  and Augie 41-14  in Italy/Austria respectively. 
You can watch the video from the Elmhurst game on their website.  Poor guys looked like they were playing in a rain soaked monsoon, similar to that 2001 Elmhurst/IWU game.

WOW...I just watched the first few series of the Elmhurst vs Italy (Trieste Mustangs) game.  I don't know what to think or say.  When the other team has 3 different jerseys going. The best play for the Italian team in the first half was drawing Elmhurst offsides for a 5 yard gain.

But it looks like good sportsmanship, and a fun game in the slosh of whatever surface that is...The Italian team had some nice size, but not very coordinated or skilled but they played hard.  Lots of missing fundamentals, but its nice to see the game being played in other countries (I'm trying to say some nice things here).

OK I'm watching while I'm typing the Italian QB thre up a two handed lob like he was shooting a basketball...intercepted. I am done with this.

[79jaybird]

NCCAlum 62-  I had to catch myself laughing watching the game too.  The video reminded me of "The Repalcements" as the Italian team was certainly less talented than Elmhurst.  However, I think Elmhurst was focusing on just making the right reads, being in the right positions, executing effectively, etc.  rather than looking at it as a Win/Loss type of encounter. 
yes, the Trieste Mustangs had 2-3 Italian Teams, plus some adjuncts from a nearby US Air Force Base.  It was funny as on 1 play,  there were 2 Mustangs making a tackle on an EC running back, 1 had a red helmet and 1 had a blue helmet?? 

Perhaps in the future, the CCIW should put together an All-Star team and go take on a European Team? 
"And Leonardo Bacci is taken down by ____ from Augustana and _____ from Elmhurst for a loss of 5 yards"   

[NCC_alum62]

NCCAlum 62-  I had to catch myself laughing watching the game too.  The video reminded me of "The Repalcements" as the Italian team was certainly less talented than Elmhurst.  However, I think Elmhurst was focusing on just making the right reads, being in the right positions, executing effectively, etc.  rather than looking at it as a Win/Loss type of encounter. 
yes, the Trieste Mustangs had 2-3 Italian Teams, plus some adjuncts from a nearby US Air Force Base.  It was funny as on 1 play,  there were 2 Mustangs making a tackle on an EC running back, 1 had a red helmet and 1 had a blue helmet?? 

Perhaps in the future, the CCIW should put together an All-Star team and go take on a European Team? 
"And Leonardo Bacci is taken down by ____ from Augustana and _____ from Elmhurst for a loss of 5 yards"   

The right reads? What was there to read?  Half the snaps were fumbled, they didn't complete a single pass (except to Elmhurst defenders), no blocking, and poor tackling.  What was there like 3 defensive TD's.

I think CCIW teams should do a little more research on who they're playing over there.  I think a halfway decent H.S. team would have won this game.  Its tough because american football isn't as developed over there.  But that was worse than the scout team.  I get no sense of how good Elmhurst could be based on that video.   What is there to grade out or analyze when the other teams QB can't throw past 15 yards?  Less talented is an understatement.

I'm not sure if an all star team is the answer.  It wouldn't make much sense unless it were graduating seniors (what coach wants to sacrifice thier limited spring practices for some of thier best players to learn a different system to play a game that doesn't matter)  but a senior team against a euro team, that would be really cool.  Just spend a month in June getting a CCIW allstar team together and scheduling a game against a half-way decent Euro team.  That would be cool, but I think CCIW coaches that want to play a euro team should bolster the competition a bit.

[Comet 14]

I got hammered a month ago for posting that these trips are nice but from a football standpoint the games don't mean very much. I think the teams benefit from the extra padded practices far more than from the trip itself. Elmhurst had many players playing out of position, even some on the defense that normally play offense. I also saw some seniors playing who won't even be on the team next year. I hope they had a great trip and enjoyed the culture and I am sure they had a great time,  but I think if coaches could find a way to have the extra padded practices and not go on the trip they would do it.

[football2007]

Saw an interesting post on another site.  How would you rate your team this year by positions.
ex. QB-A, B, C
      RB-A, B, C
      WR, OL, DL, LB, S

[Comet 14]

It would be interesting to see how everybody grades there team pre-season then post season and see how close they were.

[devildog29]

I got hammered a month ago for posting that these trips are nice but from a football standpoint the games don't mean very much. I think the teams benefit from the extra padded practices far more than from the trip itself. Elmhurst had many players playing out of position, even some on the defense that normally play offense. I also saw some seniors playing who won't even be on the team next year. I hope they had a great trip and enjoyed the culture and I am sure they had a great time,  but I think if coaches could find a way to have the extra padded practices and not go on the trip they would do it.

Again, as someone who went on one of these trips, I agree that the padded practices are the big advantage they give the team heading into the season.  However, even if a coach could get padded spring practices similar to D1, they still wouldn't be able to build the chemistry that happens on the international trip.  Just having padded practices on campus isn't going to force anyone to come together and rely on each other both socially and athletically.  Again, I agree that the biggest thing is the extra practice, but don't discount the chemistry aspect even if the competition is subpar.

[79jaybird]

Again, the trip to Italy was not about winning or losing.  The goal of the trip was A) To enjoy the country, the foreign culture/way of life, and to experience a special outing with your peers B) Build carmaraderie with each other and get a bit of "gel" going because you are going to be spending the Fall lining up next to each other  C) Playing a fun "bonus" game in a sport that you love.

Yes, even though Trieste had trouble getting any offensive plays going,  Elmhurst did have to be lined up the right way. 

My own opinion, I think the Euro Trips are a good idea.  Why not?  Why not let other countries experience some of our finest men  competing in a friendly (unpaid!!!)  sport.  These are young men that are not signed to major contracts having fun.  I wish we had the opportunity at Elmhurst when I played.

On another note, I think it is going to be interesting how Tim Lester influences the CCIW this year.  He has already been introduced to our league at EC and now he's (taken a step back  ) to North Central.  I know Cardinal Alum might call that a promotion 
Anyway, the thing I remember most about Lester's calls was that they were gutsy, and if executed 100% led to some pretty exciting outcomes. 

[NCC_alum62]

I'm not trying to knock Emlhurst for doing this. I think its great for the game.  Great for relations with other countries, good will, and all that.  It must have been a phenominal trip.

Nough said

North Central:

QB: (B-) if Kam's brother comes in with good knowledge and hard work in the offseason maybe we bump this grade up to B/B+, I'm hoping he can perform like his brother, but chemistry takes time to develop.

RB: (B+/A-) Sulo is an A, but they will need to find a solid number 2 guy to spell him while they break in a new QB.  Also they only use one back most of the time so its hard for me to grade them higher or lower based on FB's.  I love the Maryland I on goaline and short yardage, but I haven't seen enough to give them the solid A. We'll see how the QB runs the option.

WR: (C+/B-) some returning talent, not altogether proven talent across the board. Perry Welch is good and we'll see what kind of talent the young guys (Fr/Soph) bring to the table.

OL: (A) they return one starting tackle, starting center, and four guys that started in the interior at times.  The return of Wes at full strength has me thinking they move Palmer to LT and Don Kasper to RT.  Of course they have some nicely framed young guys that play tackle so we'll see. Great Depth, but they must play well to keep the new QB protected especially against Wheaton.  Coach Ponx will have this group ready to go.

Defense: I don't really follow the D as well so I will differ to some of the others from NCC on them until I can actually ponder them some more.

[AndOne]

RE: The above post

alum 62-----

OB---Is it presumed Kyle Kniss will automatically be the starter? What about the chances of Knapczyk & Fanthorpe?

WR--Seems like you could also put MacIntosh in the "good" category?----42 receptions and 5 tds after, I believe, converting from a QB his freshman season.

[CardinalAlum]

RE: The above post

alum 62-----

OB---Is it presumed Kyle Kniss will automatically be the starter? What about the chances of Knapczyk & Fanthorpe?

WR--Seems like you could also put MacIntosh in the "good" category?----42 receptions and 5 tds after, I believe, converting from a QB his freshman season.

AndOne,

I'm with you on Macintosh.  I also believe Hank Johnston will be a very capable WR as well.  As far as the QB position, I heard that Knapczyk didn't have a great Spring and Fanthorpe was ahead after Spring workouts.  K. Kniss is supposed to have a stronger arm then Kam, although Kam was one of the smartest QB's I have seen.  I'd be very surprised if Kniss isn't the guy come August.  Also, Fanthorpe is a great athlete and could easily start on defense if he is not the man at QB.

[usee]

Wheaton grades (the views of this Wheaton fan are certainly not representative of other Wheaton fans)

QB: A ullrich coming back with a year of experience, a d1 arm and plenty of talent around him. poised for a MOP type year
RB: C not a clear picture. Hershey not fast but serviceable back. If Walker Smith or Brett jackson work out it could be a good group. Thornton will be really hard to replace. no clear cut Iso-blocking type FB. too many questions for a good grade here
WR: A-   Fossum is a 1st team guy coming back. Noah Dryer returns with plenty of experience. TE's jordan kemper and sundberg are athletic, can stretch the middle of the field and will catch some passes. Mark Bradley and 1 other guy (whose name escapes me but is fastet kid on the team) will provide plenty of depth for this talented group.
OL: B only because of Rowson. He is a 1st teamer coming back. 1 other returning starter w 3 spots up for competiton. many questions here.

DL: A    Best defensive lineman in the country is not alone. this front should be dominant.
LB: A    2 of 3 all conference players. all 3 return w toal coming back for his final year. these guys are playmakers
DB A-    could be one of the strengths of this team but uncertainty around ittersagen's injury. if he comes back strong this will be one dominant defensive football team. mckenney and woodward should be all conference type safeties.

Overall this team has holes at runningback and OLine. if underclassmen step up this team should have little problem running the regular season conference table and earning yet another visit to Alliance.