FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Crutches McGee 87]

It might be too early but I am already talking about all-conference selections. I have to admit that I have not looked into or followed any other players except those at Carthage this year but here would be my players to put into the hat for this years selections:

Evan Jones QB - 1st Team - 2,400 yards 20 TD's
Nick Merchut WR - 1st Team - 762 yards 7 TD's
Jeff Koeneman WR - 1st Team - 661 yards 8 TD's
Chris Schultz WR - 2nd Team - 220 yards receiving 1TD: 2 passing TD's; 7.8 yard punt return average and a 15.7 kick return average

Joe Busse DL - 2nd Team - 47 tackles 33 solo, 1 sack, 1 int

SoT, you're probably pretty right on.  You can't really argue with numbers like that.

I completely agree.  Although, throwing the ball 84 times a game will have that effect on a QB's numbers   .  Completely kidding, those numbers are extremely impressive.

[Stagg Again!!]

Being in the top 5 would be nice, but the Regional Rankings are more important. The focus should be winning the next three games and the CCIW title. That should secure a 2nd or 3rd ranking in the Regional Rankings and a first round home game.

Thanks midwestfb for focusing us back on the Regional Rankings.  After I read your post, I spent some time trying to figure out who the potential players are in the North Region.  I think I have them all below, but may have missed one or two.  I listed all of the Top 25 teams in the North Region (based on the current D3Football.com rankings); the current conference leaders for the HCAC, MIAA, and NATHC which get automatic bids; some other teams that either may get put into the North Region if there is a shift by the NCAA (UWW and Thomas More); and three other teams that have a legitimate shot at making the tournament (Franklin, IWU, and Concordia (IL)).  Lastly, I noted some key matchups that each of those teams have remaining.  I think the eight North Region teams will come from this list.  Am I missing anyone?

D3   Team                  Overall            Key Matchups Remaining
#1   Mount Union      (7-0) OAC        Otterbein
#7   Otterbein           (7-0) OAC        Mount Union
#9   North Central     (6-1) CCIW       IWU, AC, EC
#12 Case Western    (7-0) UAA
#14 Wheaton           (6-1) CCIW      EC, IWU, CC
#16 Capital               (5-2) OAC         Ohio Northern
#17 Wittenberg        (7-0) NCAC
#18 Wabash             (6-1) NCAC        DePauw
#20 Ohio Northern    (5-2) OAC          Capital

#29 Mt. St. Joseph     (7-0) HCAC        Thomas More
#31 Trine                   (6-1) MIAA
U.R. Concordia (WI)    (4-3) NATHC      Concordia (IL)

#2   UW-Whitewater   (7-0) WIAC       UW-Stevens Point, UW-Lacrosse
#20 Thomas More       (7-0) PAC          Wash. & Jeff., Mt. St. Joseph
#42 Franklin               (5-2) HCAC
U.R. Illinois Wesleyan  (6-1) CCIW       NCC, WC, NP
U.R. Concordia (IL)      (6-1) NATHC     Concordia (WI)

[Mugsy]

CCIW players of the week announced:

NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- North Central's Aaron Fanthorpe, Augustana's Aaron Setchell and North Central's Shaun Wild were named College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Football Players of the Week Monday.

Fanthorpe, a senior quarterback from Naperville, Ill., and Naperville North High School, got the job done on the ground and through the air in a 27-7 victory over nationally-ranked Wheaton on Saturday, giving the Cardinals sole possession of first place in the CCIW. He completed 16-of-28 passes for 218 yards and four touchdowns, and rushed for 88 yards on 12 carries in the win. It was the fourth-straight game with at least three touchdown passes for Fanthorpe. He is an Accounting major.

Setchell, a senior defensive back from Amboy, Ill., and Amboy High School, recorded a team-high 19 tackles with eight solos and 11 assists in a 42-20 win over Carthage on Saturday. He also knocked down three passes and recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown with less than a minute to go before halftime to make the score 28-6. Carthage had been averaging 463 yards of total offense and Augustana held the Red Men to 80 yards (382 total) under that figure. Setchell is a Business Administration major.

Wild, a junior punter from Brown Deer, Wis., and Brown Deer High School, punted six times for a 36.7-yard average, landing two kicks inside the 20-yard line during North Central's win over Wheaton on Saturday. He also kicked off five times, averaging 58.6 yards per kick and allowing Wheaton just 16.8 yards per kickoff return. Wild is an Elementary Education major.

[lakeshore]

It might be too early but I am already talking about all-conference selections. I have to admit that I have not looked into or followed any other players except those at Carthage this year but here would be my players to put into the hat for this years selections:

Evan Jones QB - 1st Team - 2,400 yards 20 TD's
Nick Merchut WR - 1st Team - 762 yards 7 TD's
Jeff Koeneman WR - 1st Team - 661 yards 8 TD's
Chris Schultz WR - 2nd Team - 220 yards receiving 1TD: 2 passing TD's; 7.8 yard punt return average and a 15.7 kick return average

Joe Busse DL - 2nd Team - 47 tackles 33 solo, 1 sack, 1 int

SoT, you're probably pretty right on.  You can't really argue with numbers like that.

I completely agree.  Although, throwing the ball 84 times a game will have that effect on a QB's numbers   .  Completely kidding, those numbers are extremely impressive.

disagree
1st Team QB = Fanthorpe
2nd Team QB (as there are traditionally 2 QB's on 2nd team) = Jones & Norris

[Son of Tailgater]

It might be too early but I am already talking about all-conference selections. I have to admit that I have not looked into or followed any other players except those at Carthage this year but here would be my players to put into the hat for this years selections:

Evan Jones QB - 1st Team - 2,400 yards 20 TD's
Nick Merchut WR - 1st Team - 762 yards 7 TD's
Jeff Koeneman WR - 1st Team - 661 yards 8 TD's
Chris Schultz WR - 2nd Team - 220 yards receiving 1TD: 2 passing TD's; 7.8 yard punt return average and a 15.7 kick return average

Joe Busse DL - 2nd Team - 47 tackles 33 solo, 1 sack, 1 int

SoT, you're probably pretty right on.  You can't really argue with numbers like that.

I completely agree.  Although, throwing the ball 84 times a game will have that effect on a QB's numbers   .  Completely kidding, those numbers are extremely impressive.

disagree
1st Team QB = Fanthorpe
2nd Team QB (as there are traditionally 2 QB's on 2nd team) = Jones & Norris

You could be right. Fanthorpe has 1,445 yards with 21 TD's. If I was voting I would tend to favor the team with the better record or the team who won the head to head match-up if both were close contenders. Also, you would have to factor in that NCC actually has a running game where Carthage really does not.

I did give myself a disclaimer by saying that I had not reviewed anyone other teams stats prior to posting  

[ncc58]

It's way too early to be talking about All Conference selections. There is still 42% of the conference schedule to play. But ...

The way I read SOT's post was that he was throwing out names of players who have had very good years. And I would say yes, Evans has had a very good year. But the 1st Team QB and OPOY awards are Fanthorpes to lose. His performance against Millikin was sensational, he was perfect against North Park, and he played very well against Wheaton. Now, he's playing without his All American RB. If NCC wins out, Fanthorpe is the man.

[Mugsy]

It's way too early to be talking about All Conference selections. There is still 42% of the conference schedule to play. But ...

The way I read SOT's post was that he was throwing out names of players who have had very good years. And I would say yes, Evans has had a very good year. But the 1st Team QB and OPOY awards are Fanthorpes to lose. His performance against Millikin was sensational, he was perfect against North Park, and he played very well against Wheaton. Now, he's playing without his All American RB. If NCC wins out, Fanthorpe is the man.

I've heard 2nd hand that some Wheaton coaches rate Fanthrope as one of the best they've ever seen (in CCIW if not D3) - even better than Kniss in terms of what he brings to the table as a "complete QB" (passing, running, leadership, intangibles).  

That praise came before he dismanteled Wheaton on Saturday.

[robertgoulet]

A few comments and questions regarding the WC/NCC tilt:

1) The Wheaton fans seemed alot louder than our (NCC) fans, even though they were outnumbered by a large amount. I was pretty disappointed in the energy, especially considering the atmosphere outside the stadium prior to kickoff.

2) I thought the injury bug bit NCC again early when Rossberg went down with either a twisted ankle or knee (looked like knee from out vantage point), but he returned later in the game. The injuries aren't limited to the football players, as one of the NCC cheerleaders was wandering around with a very large knee brace (ACL?) during the game.

3) I was very very surprised with NCC's defense. After the Carthage game last weekend I was expecting a shootout. The tackling was very good, and the pressure on Norris seemed to be very consistent.

I am hesitant to say NCC will roll IWU, just because you're always a little wary of a let down after a big victory like this, but I expect a big NCC victory this weekend. 42-14.

[New Tradition]

I'll say NCC 34, Weenies 7

[Mr. Flynn]

I wouldnt place too much value in the top 25.  Last week undefeated Wittenberg beat Wabash 10-7 and moved up to the 21 position while Wabash moved down to 18, so even though Wittenberg beat Wabash they still weren't the better team apparently.

On another note, despite Evan Jones's ability to throw for a million yards I think his interceptions and Carthage's record will keep him from winning offensive player of the year.

[FormerCard]

It's way too early to be talking about All Conference selections. There is still 42% of the conference schedule to play. But ...

The way I read SOT's post was that he was throwing out names of players who have had very good years. And I would say yes, Evans has had a very good year. But the 1st Team QB and OPOY awards are Fanthorpes to lose. His performance against Millikin was sensational, he was perfect against North Park, and he played very well against Wheaton. Now, he's playing without his All American RB. If NCC wins out, Fanthorpe is the man.

Agreed

[RadioNotes]

Shouldn't worry about standings either....with the playoff system in D3, its not really that big of a deal anyways!  Hopefully if your anywhere in the top 25 you would get in....the AQ is prime of course!

[Pat Coleman]

I wouldnt place too much value in the top 25.  Last week undefeated Wittenberg beat Wabash 10-7 and moved up to the 21 position while Wabash moved down to 18, so even though Wittenberg beat Wabash they still weren't the better team apparently.

If Matt Hudson comes back and plays (since he was only the 2008 conference MVP and didn't play in that game) then I would say that yes, perhaps there is indeed room for doubt as to whether Wittenberg is the better team.

[Crutches McGee 87]

It's way too early to be talking about All Conference selections. There is still 42% of the conference schedule to play. But ...

The way I read SOT's post was that he was throwing out names of players who have had very good years. And I would say yes, Evans has had a very good year. But the 1st Team QB and OPOY awards are Fanthorpes to lose. His performance against Millikin was sensational, he was perfect against North Park, and he played very well against Wheaton. Now, he's playing without his All American RB. If NCC wins out, Fanthorpe is the man.

Also a very valid point.  My response to SoT was simply that the numbers were impressive.  I would like to see Fanthorpe get first team and OPOY (i know i have red and white tinted glasses).  And I agree that if NCC wins out, he's got it.

[Son of Tailgater]

The top 25 rankings would only hold more merit if we did something dumb like had bowl games or something else that didn't make much sense 

The regional rankings should be of more concern at this point.