FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

I know that the current article on North Park's football page is about the newcomers, but I'm much more excited about the veterans. After all, retention has been just as big of a problem as recruiting over the years for NPU.

The Vikings have 61 returning players on the roster, including 51 who played last season and 32 who played in at least half of NPU's 2022 games. If 61 returning players isn't an all-time high for a North Park football team, it's gotta be close to it. Among those 32 returning players who saw action in five or more of last season's Vikings games are sixteen returning starters, plus all of the special-teams specialists. Five members of NPU's 2023 roster -- defensive back Jason Adkinson, punter/kicker Carson Blatchford, WR/KR A.J. Harris, linebacker Jaydin Miller, and DB/KR/PR Juan Nieves -- were named to the All-CCIW team in either 2021 or 2022, and veteran starting QB Matt Eck is back as well.

This will not only be Kyle Rooker's most veteran squad, it'll be the most experienced team that North Park's put on the field in four decades. Whether that will count for much in the end remains to be seen, given that expectations surrounding North Park football are modest by default. But I wouldn't bet on the Vikings having nothing more than just another narrow win over Elmhurst to show for their 2023 campaign.

[USee]

WashU has a chance to be good this year and equal or improve on their 8-3 record last year. They return 8 starters on the offensive side that was #18 nationally in total offense. QB Rush (#7 completion % and #6 Efficiency nationally), TB Hamilton (869 yds 7.0 ypc), WR's Goldberg (50 rec) and Hoyhtya (42 rec) all return along with 3 of 5 starting OL. Defensively they have 5 starters back including 2nd leading tackler LB Schmal 969 T) and 4 others that played significantly in every game. LB is the biggest area of concern for the Bears. WashU was ranked #2 in total defense in the CCIW last year.

They open on the road in Arkansas against Hendrix. They do play what's likely their two toughest games on the road @NCC and @Wheaton.

[New Tradition]

Congrats to our CCIW D3.com Preseason All Americans!

Pos.    Name            School           Yr.
First team offense         
WR   DeAngelo Hardy   North Central   Sr.
T   Jeske Maples   North Central   Jr.
C   Jarod Thornton   North Central   Sr.
First team defense           
DT   Dan Lester     North Central   Sr.
CB   Antwain Walker   North Central   Sr.
Second team offense           
RB   Giovanni Weeks   Wheaton           Sr.
G   Trevor Gabriele   Wheaton           Sr.

https://d3football.com/awards/all-americans/2023-preseason

[mr_b]

Congratulations to Greg Sager on his induction into the North Park Viking Hall of Fame!  He is well deserving of this honor, given his dedication to and support of all Viking sports and his work as announcer in many of them (and at times, two different sports on the same day!).  The ceremony will take place on December 2nd.

[USee]

Congrats to our CCIW D3.com Preseason All Americans!

Pos.    Name            School           Yr.
First team offense         
WR   DeAngelo Hardy   North Central   Sr.
T   Jeske Maples   North Central   Jr.
C   Jarod Thornton   North Central   Sr.
First team defense           
DT   Dan Lester     North Central   Sr.
CB   Antwain Walker   North Central   Sr.
Second team offense           
RB   Giovanni Weeks   Wheaton           Sr.
G   Trevor Gabriele   Wheaton           Sr.

https://d3football.com/awards/all-americans/2023-preseason

I didn't know Trevor Gabriele was returning to Wheaton for a 5th year. Found out here. This is good news! Also, not a single player from UWW on the D3 Pre-Season AA list? When's the last time that happened?

[npbaseball40]

Congratulations to Greg Sager on his induction into the North Park Viking Hall of Fame!  He is well deserving of this honor, given his dedication to and support of all Viking sports and his work as announcer in many of them (and at times, two different sports on the same day!).  The ceremony will take place on December 2nd.

Congrats, Greg, and thanks for all you do to support NPU Athletics, at the mic and away from it!

Press Release:
https://athletics.northpark.edu/news/2023/8/9/baseball-north-park-athletics-announces-viking-hall-of-fame-2023-class.aspx

[Gregory Sager]

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the mention!

[emma17]

Congratulations to Greg Sager on his induction into the North Park Viking Hall of Fame!  He is well deserving of this honor, given his dedication to and support of all Viking sports and his work as announcer in many of them (and at times, two different sports on the same day!).  The ceremony will take place on December 2nd.

Congratulations Greg, this is a big deal. You always represent NP well.

[WUPHF]

WashU has a chance to be good this year and equal or improve on their 8-3 record last year. They return 8 starters on the offensive side that was #18 nationally in total offense. QB Rush (#7 completion % and #6 Efficiency nationally), TB Hamilton (869 yds 7.0 ypc), WR's Goldberg (50 rec) and Hoyhtya (42 rec) all return along with 3 of 5 starting OL. Defensively they have 5 starters back including 2nd leading tackler LB Schmal 969 T) and 4 others that played significantly in every game. LB is the biggest area of concern for the Bears. WashU was ranked #2 in total defense in the CCIW last year.

I have to think that the Bears will be picked to finish third in the CCIW with expectations for a 7-2 regular season, but I look forward to hearing about the other 5 teams.  I think we will see even more guys from the sophomore and junior classes make a name for themselves.  Kenvorris Campbell, Fred Ware, Nate Light and others.  Maybe even a freshman or two.

[WUPHF]

Congratulations, by the way, to Gregory Sager on making his way into his second Hall of Fame.  Next up: CCIW Hall of Fame.

[kiko]

Congratulations to Greg Sager on his induction into the North Park Viking Hall of Fame!  He is well deserving of this honor, given his dedication to and support of all Viking sports and his work as announcer in many of them (and at times, two different sports on the same day!).  The ceremony will take place on December 2nd.

Congratulations Gregory!

And kudos to NPU for looking at the entire athletics ecosystem when considering HOF nominees.

[Thunderdome21]

Thunder don't report until next week as they open on Sept 9th vs Oshkosh. I am more hopeful today than I was previously for Wheaton.  They have a few 5th year guys coming back in positions of need and at least 1 previously unknown transfer that will be a difference maker. I expect the Thunder to be pretty good on offense if they can sort out the QB situation. Ben Thorson is the likely starter at this point. Family has a long history with the program. 2 returning OL along with Gio Weeks at RB, a talented TE group led by Ben Juska (a frosh who should play a lot) and some young talent at WR (Ben Bonga the lone returning starter).

Defensively their secondary should be a strength with two returning corners (Wilson and Schwartz) and some talented safeties stepping in. Big question marks for me are DL and LB where I believe only 1 player returns with significant playing experience.

I think the gap between NCC and the rest of the conference widens again this year and Wheaton is the next best team with WashU in the mix. Will take a look in the next couple weeks at the other teams as rosters get posted. For now I think NCC as consensus #1 nationally is right and Wheaton is probably a bit high at #13 but has a chance to play into a spot that high if talent evolves.

Bummer they don't play sept 2 before Oshkosh, especially with a new QB.

Exciting times as we get started..........

5th year senior starter weakside LB Clayton Reeves came back and I heard from my nephew that 6th year part time starter Virgil Cannon played spring ball so is back as well at the hybrid LB that Wheaton does. Lawson Haigler has recovered from the torn ACL on the first series of the Trinity game and is looking good. He came into the season last year starting over Virgil. I think Johnny Ellers will be the starting MLB. My son Jalen was really high on him last year. He would've had more play time last year, but was injured on special teams at Carthage (along with 2 other LB).

5th year DT Starter Jaden Ferlita is back and so is 5th year DT Christian Bonacquist, who played alot of minutes last year. 

On the O-Line, there are 3 starters back (Nitz, Fay, and Gabriele) and last year's transfer from Princeton dominated spring ball. Also, Keiyon Walton, who was a backup O-line Sr in 2021 has come back this year.

When I talked to Gio and Nitz on Monday, they really were high on the receivers.

Last year's Wheaton team was a rebuilding year with a outstanding transfer QB. This year's team should be just as good or better at almost every position, especially if Ben Thorson does well. 

Can't wait!

[bleedpurple]

Congratulations to Greg Sager on his induction into the North Park Viking Hall of Fame!  He is well deserving of this honor, given his dedication to and support of all Viking sports and his work as announcer in many of them (and at times, two different sports on the same day!).  The ceremony will take place on December 2nd.

Every program needs a Greg Sager type guy, but precious few have them.  I know the type and their contributions are immeasurable.  Congratulations Greg, I have no doubt it is well deserved!!

[bleedpurple]

... not a single player from UWW on the D3 Pre-Season AA list? When's the last time that happened?

I have no idea (I don't follow the preseason AA as closely as I could). But I can tell you this: We never caught our footing and gained any consistency last year. And then we bowed out in the first round.  To the victors go the spoils. I'd imagine that a few guys (Egon Hein, Tamir Thomas, Reed Farrington) were heavily considered.  But there's lots of great players out there. We have a ton of talent in camp this year, but we have also have some questions to answer. It will be a fun year!

[iwu70]

Congrats Greg on your HOF selection.  Well-deserved. 

iwu'70