FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Neverwas]

FYI, this story has been released by NCC.

http://northcentralcardinals.com/news/2011/10/25/FB_1025112055.aspx

i was wondering when this story would be released. when i heard about what the team did before the first scrimmage, i was overwhelmed. amazing.

Sending all support and good wishes to Kathie and Coach Thorne.  Wonderful story of the solidarity of the North Central football community.  John and Kathie Thorne are Titans too. 

As much as we compete hard against each other on the field, we also stand together.  I send my prayers to the Thornes and hope they know the CCIW stands with them.

Very difficult news to hear, but amazing story on how the Thornes and the NCC community are moving forward together.

I too will add this to my list of prayers and will be diligent in praying for the Thornes.

i missed this as i glanced through the posts...very neat to see the community stick together.  thank you for sharing.

[footballfan413]

FYI, this story has been released by NCC.

http://northcentralcardinals.com/news/2011/10/25/FB_1025112055.aspx

My thoughts and prayers go out to Coach Thorne, his wife and his family as they take on this newest opponent. They sound like an amazing family with a wonderfully positive attitude and I know, all too well, how far that can take you when you are fighting a bitch like cancer. The love and support of others has healing powers. God be with all of them.     

[Titan Q]

IWU sophomore RB T.J. Stinde is officially done for the year...

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/football/article_d9447ed6-001d-11e1-9145-001cc4c03286.html


Stinde had 2 good games before getting hurt early in the 1st Q vs Aurora...

vs Hope: 21 carries, 165 yards, 1 TD
@ Alma: 29 carries, 111 yards, 1 TD


Stinde has not played in 4 (basically 5) games...and is still IWU's leading rusher by 20 yards.  As a senior at Lexington H.S. he set Illinois state single season records for rushing yards (3,325) and touchdowns (46).  I know a lot of people around the IWU program who thought he was poised for a big season in the CCIW.

Hopefully Stinde will be healthy and ready to go in August 2012. 

For the remainder of 2011, sounds like IWU's offense will be as it's been since Stinde went down -- completely built around the passing game.

[Gregory Sager]

FYI, this story has been released by NCC.

http://northcentralcardinals.com/news/2011/10/25/FB_1025112055.aspx

i was wondering when this story would be released. when i heard about what the team did before the first scrimmage, i was overwhelmed. amazing.

Sending all support and good wishes to Kathie and Coach Thorne.  Wonderful story of the solidarity of the North Central football community.  John and Kathie Thorne are Titans too. 

As much as we compete hard against each other on the field, we also stand together.  I send my prayers to the Thornes and hope they know the CCIW stands with them.

My sentiments exactly, MB.

[Gregory Sager]

I was impressed with Wheaton WR #4, Hiben after watching the Wheaton/Carthage game last weekend.  I did a bit of digging on him over the past few games, excluding NPU...sorry GS, Lakeshore and other NPU supporters.

No need to apologize. We neither noticed nor cared.

[Always.A.Titan]

FYI, this story has been released by NCC.

http://northcentralcardinals.com/news/2011/10/25/FB_1025112055.aspx

i was wondering when this story would be released. when i heard about what the team did before the first scrimmage, i was overwhelmed. amazing.

Sending all support and good wishes to Kathie and Coach Thorne.  Wonderful story of the solidarity of the North Central football community.  John and Kathie Thorne are Titans too. 

As much as we compete hard against each other on the field, we also stand together.  I send my prayers to the Thornes and hope they know the CCIW stands with them.

Very difficult news to hear, but amazing story on how the Thornes and the NCC community are moving forward together.

I too will add this to my list of prayers and will be diligent in praying for the Thornes.

Thoughts and prayers are with the Thorne family and friends.

[Always.A.Titan]

I was impressed with Wheaton WR #4, Hiben after watching the Wheaton/Carthage game last weekend.  I did a bit of digging on him over the past few games, excluding NPU...sorry GS, Lakeshore and other NPU supporters.  He was targeted 11 times against both Carthage and Elmhurst.  Both games were more targets than Watkins...their number one WR who is senior.  Watkins is also involved in the run game, increasing his touches.  What has been most interesting, to me, is the way they use Hiben.  On Saturday he was both the possession WR and the big play guy.  He had 5 catches on 3rd down, all for first downs I believe and good for 5 of Wheaton's 8 3rd down conversions.  They also ran a few sets to get him isolated and took deep shots and ran a few double moves for big gainers.  It seems him and Meador have a good connection on the timing routes to the outside.  He has been very dependable.  Interesting to see him get so many targets but, in the two games I looked at, he has been very productive.  I hope Wheaton can keep this up.

Wheaton has a tendency to maximize its players' abilities as well as game plan to their strengths. Sometimes, the #1 receiver gets all the attention leaving the other receivers to get the one on one matchups and be the after thoughts, especially if the player is a freshman and didn't show up on scouting reports to start the year. Also, Hiben and Meador might have had a connection during preseason camp when Roberts was still healthy. All QBs have their favorite targets and as an up and coming varsity player, Hiben's best asset might have been the senior QB in getting him into the offense and up to speed. On a side note, there is a nice picture of Hiben making a play over #5 from Elmhurst on the Wheaton website. As a former receiver, you appreciate plays like that when the receiver wins the jump balls.

[NCF]

I was impressed with Wheaton WR #4, Hiben after watching the Wheaton/Carthage game last weekend.  I did a bit of digging on him over the past few games, excluding NPU...sorry GS, Lakeshore and other NPU supporters.  He was targeted 11 times against both Carthage and Elmhurst.  Both games were more targets than Watkins...their number one WR who is senior.  Watkins is also involved in the run game, increasing his touches.  What has been most interesting, to me, is the way they use Hiben.  On Saturday he was both the possession WR and the big play guy.  He had 5 catches on 3rd down, all for first downs I believe and good for 5 of Wheaton's 8 3rd down conversions.  They also ran a few sets to get him isolated and took deep shots and ran a few double moves for big gainers.  It seems him and Meador have a good connection on the timing routes to the outside.  He has been very dependable.  Interesting to see him get so many targets but, in the two games I looked at, he has been very productive.  I hope Wheaton can keep this up.

Wheaton has a tendency to maximize its players' abilities as well as game plan to their strengths. Sometimes, the #1 receiver gets all the attention leaving the other receivers to get the one on one matchups and be the after thoughts, especially if the player is a freshman and didn't show up on scouting reports to start the year. Also, Hiben and Meador might have had a connection during preseason camp when Roberts was still healthy. All QBs have their favorite targets and as an up and coming varsity player, Hiben's best asset might have been the senior QB in getting him into the offense and up to speed. On a side note, there is a nice picture of Hiben making a play over #5 from Elmhurst on the Wheaton website. As a former receiver, you appreciate plays like that when the receiver wins the jump balls.

  WOW! no new posts in over 24 hours. this board needs some excitement. hopefully wheatie week will bring some much needed "good-natured" fun. 

[USee]

If Wheaton figures out a way to finish 9-1 I don't see a way they don't make the playoffs along with IWU. The Titans should get into the field early in the process and, as long as there is a spot left when the Thunder get to the table, I don't see a team that would have better credentials than a 9-1 Wheaton. That's a big IF with November 5 looming but it is a point worth making.

[Raider 68]

If Wheaton figures out a way to finish 9-1 I don't see a way they don't make the playoffs along with IWU. The Titans should get into the field early in the process and, as long as there is a spot left when the Thunder get to the table, I don't see a team that would have better credentials than a 9-1 Wheaton. That's a big IF with November 5 looming but it is a point worth making.

Is this the original USee who left the boards for awhile or a "new" one? In either case. welcome!

[NCF]

If Wheaton figures out a way to finish 9-1 I don't see a way they don't make the playoffs along with IWU. The Titans should get into the field early in the process and, as long as there is a spot left when the Thunder get to the table, I don't see a team that would have better credentials than a 9-1 Wheaton. That's a big IF with November 5 looming but it is a point worth making.

as long as nc takes care of business tonight-next week is HUGE. the team that wants to take home the little brass bell better play with some big brass ones.

[USee]

The reality is next week is huge for Wheaton more so than Naperville. The Thornebirds get the AQ to the playoffs as long as they don't lose to Wheaton by more than 14 points. That is due the tiebreaker scenarios. IWU cannot win the AQ and Wheaton can only win if they beat Naperville by 15. I know they don't plan on losing to Wheaton, but I think most people would take NCC +14 in that game to win the AQ. So Wheaton is playing it as a playoff game and Naperville has a little wiggle room to take it easy next week and relax.

[NCF]

The reality is next week is huge for Wheaton more so than Naperville. The Thornebirds get the AQ to the playoffs as long as they don't lose to Wheaton by more than 14 points. That is due the tiebreaker scenarios. IWU cannot win the AQ and Wheaton can only win if they beat Naperville by 15. I know they don't plan on losing to Wheaton, but I think most people would take NCC +14 in that game to win the AQ. So Wheaton is playing it as a playoff game and Naperville has a little wiggle room to take it easy next week and relax.

I am pretty sure the head "Thornebird" will not let the cards relax and take it easy. this will be a great game to watch (as long as the red team wins-LOL)

[Gregory Sager]

Just a reminder that, as always, I'll be on the call and Rob Dubicz will be providing the color as NPU hosts Carthage today at 1 pm. You can find the audio feed from either the NPU football webpage or the CCIW football webpage.

[Mugsy]

Looks like a dominant win over Augie at McCully Field today.  Wheaton leads 36-0 with 8 minutes left.

Wheaton with 454 yards of offense thus far to 119 for Augie.  Another huge day for Garrett Meador, who is looking more and more like a OPOY.

26 of 36 for 368 yards, 5 TD's, 1 INT

Hiben and Watkins with big receiving days (5 and 9 catches respectively for 93 and 114 yards).  I believe all of Watkins catches were in the 1st half.

Unfortunately another lackluster rushing day for the Thunder - 24 carries for only 86 yards, 3.6 yards per carry.  The inability to pound the ball will hurt next week.