FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mr. Ypsi]

OPOY-
I think Fanthorpe has the lead right now, and really dont see that changing in the final week..unless Ceisel busts out for 10 catches, 150 yards and a touchdown and IWU gets the automatic bid

Especially since Ceisel would (probably) be doing it against Ittersagen!

Battle of the POYs??

[usee]

Ok, I'll start the debate....... I say Sulo and Fanthorpe are a two horse race for OPOY in the conference with Fanthorpe leading.   Any other possibilities?   Which other players are First team locks?  I will say that Wenger has had a great year at LB for the Cards and should be 1st team.   I don't know what the injuries to the Wheaton studs(Studebaker, Ittersagen) will do to their support among the coaches.  Ceisel is a lock at WR.  Moore from Carthage is a lock for D 1st team and punter probably.  Can't wait to see him graduate!  What an impact player he has been!  Coach of the year?  If Wheaton wins on Saturday, it should be Swider again with all of the injuries they have had.  Thorne should get some consideration and Eash(much as it pains me) as well.  Let the debate begin! 

I'd put Ittersagen up for DPOY.

I would be pretty surprised if it wasn't him. There isn't another player in this league that has consistently made the impact he has made. Other players have been dominant at times and had very productive seasons--wenger, donavan moore, several players on IWU's defense, even maple from elmhurst, but Ittersage is in another league in my opinion.

As a Wheaton fan this is an obvious choice, but if you havent seen Ittersagen play on a consistent basis, you might be inclined to think otherwise.  Most NC followers and fans after watching Wenger make all the plays he has this year would lobby for him.  I have seen them both play a few games, probably a toss up with Ittersagen getting the nod because of the impact he has on special teams AND assuming the Thunder makes the playoffs, he becomes the Best player on the Best team.

I like to think I keep my Orange and Blue glasses on the table while wearing my CCIW hat. If you check with your NCC coaches I am pretty sure they audibled/gameplanned away from ittersagen on almost every pass play against NCC. Plus his two punt returns set up the win. Wenger is a stud and would certainly be on my 1st team ballot but there are some other very studly linebackers in the CCIW this year. I am willing to bet most coaches game plan away from ittersagen. His pass breakups are almost double any other db in the conference with people rarely throwing at him. He is the leading tackler on the team. Just like I (and everyone else) thought Kam Kniss was a runaway last year as OPOY I don' think its close with ittersagen. but I don't have a vote so who knows.

[formerd3db]

In addition to what tjcf, 79jb and "The Sage" have mentioned, some people forget (or perhaps are not aware) that despite being a former DI assistant, Pethtel is a "DIII guy" from the beginning having played at Adrian College in the MIAA.

[Tailgater]

With a win over NCC this weekend, I believe Tim Rucks deserves Coach of the Year. He has had as many if not more personnel difficulties as Swider and Rucks did beat him head-to-head. Dare I say.....if IWU beats Wheaton and wins or shares the CCIW title, Norm Eash has to be considered as well for COY being they were picked 7th pre-season?

Matt Denny would be my pick for Special Teams player of the year. He is a lock 1st team All-CCIW and could get an All-America nod. He has been lights out kicking especially from 40+ yards out.

Donavan Moore should be a 1st team Defensive back and Punter, but not DPY. Definite impact player.

Bryan Bergman may pick-up a 1st team All-CCIW at TE

Franko Shenault should be considered for 1st team All-CCIW CB. Recorded 28 tackles in one game earlier this year (14 solo, 14 assists) and has played solid and steady all season.

Nick Merchut has had a very solid year at WR. There may be too many choices at this position for 1st team All-CCIW, but he deserves at least 2nd team recognition.

Not many others have had a full season to judge from for CCIW consideration such as QB Brennan O'Boyle and LB Danny Hernandez. Both would be deserving of some recognition

[RedmenFB44]

What is going on with the Redmen?

I have been so busy with work and fire training that I haven't had a chance to be on this post page. Sorry about that but I miss all of you!

I saw that the Redmen lost their first two conference games to Elmhurst and IWU. I was worried that it was going to be a tough season. Then next thing I know, the Redmen have won 4 in a row (North Park, Millikin, Augie, and Wheaton). The last two I couldn't believe. I mean I don't know the last time we beat Augie and I know Wheaton was ranked in the top 10.

Congrats to the Redmen, coach Rucks, and the entire coaching staff. They really got this team on the right track after a slow start in conference play.

I see that the Redmen are ranked #41 and are 7-2. If they beat #25 North Central, will Carthage have a chance at making the playoffs?

[Mr. Ypsi]

IF enough one-loss teams get beat (and no zero-loss teams get beat to take pool C slots), they have a slight chance.  The newest regional rankings (and newest OWP and OOWP numbers) are not out yet to really judge, but Carthage would be pretty high on the 2-loss teams list - I'm just not sure ANY 2-loss teams will get pool C bids.

[thunderdog]

How about the fantastic article about Randolph-Macon and Head Coach (and Wheaton College's favorite son) Pedro Arruza!   Great stuff...

Does anyone happen to have insight on the upcoming game for RMC vs. Hampden-Sydney???

I know the last 3 meetings have not been close (all in favor of Hampden-Sydney), so I'm guessing that RMC is "expected" to lose... however, this is a home game for the YellowJackets... and most of all, they've got the MOJO baby!  Go Jackets!

[Pat Coleman]

Check the ODAC board, in the South Region.

[usee]

With a win over NCC this weekend, I believe Tim Rucks deserves Coach of the Year. He has had as many if not more personnel difficulties as Swider and Rucks did beat him head-to-head. Dare I say.....if IWU beats Wheaton and wins or shares the CCIW title, Norm Eash has to be considered as well for COY being they were picked 7th pre-season?

tailgater,

How would you quantify the personnel difficulties of carthage this year? I have heard about them but have no idea what they are. I would be surprised if they surpassed the level of injuries the Thunder have had but I don't know.

I think if Carthage beats NCC Rucks may indeed be a COY candidate. Eash will certainly get it with a win over wheaton. And Swider deserves it with a win in Btown Saturday.

[rome]

What happen to Augie this year? I see that their run game is #1 in the conference but they have lost a # of close games--what gives?

[CardinalAlum]

What happen to Augie this year? I see that their run game is #1 in the conference but they have lost a # of close games--what gives?

Augie was not very good this year.  I really believe that they are losing some key recruits that they used to get.  NCC, Carthage and IWU have really stepped up the recruiting and are beating Augie for kids in their own backyard!  That never happened in year's past.  Augie would keep all of their local kids and then come into the Chicago area and bring those back too.  I think recruits see the chance to play in offenses that are new and exciting as opposed to the old wing-T.  Why would any decent QB, WR go to Augie?  It would seem to be a wakeup for Augie.

[FormerCard]

Ok, I'll start the debate....... I say Sulo and Fanthorpe are a two horse race for OPOY in the conference with Fanthorpe leading.   Any other possibilities?   Which other players are First team locks?  I will say that Wenger has had a great year at LB for the Cards and should be 1st team.   I don't know what the injuries to the Wheaton studs(Studebaker, Ittersagen) will do to their support among the coaches.  Ceisel is a lock at WR.  Moore from Carthage is a lock for D 1st team and punter probably.  Can't wait to see him graduate!  What an impact player he has been!  Coach of the year?  If Wheaton wins on Saturday, it should be Swider again with all of the injuries they have had.  Thorne should get some consideration and Eash(much as it pains me) as well.  Let the debate begin! 

I'd put Ittersagen up for DPOY.

I would be pretty surprised if it wasn't him. There isn't another player in this league that has consistently made the impact he has made. Other players have been dominant at times and had very productive seasons--wenger, donavan moore, several players on IWU's defense, even maple from elmhurst, but Ittersage is in another league in my opinion.

As a Wheaton fan this is an obvious choice, but if you havent seen Ittersagen play on a consistent basis, you might be inclined to think otherwise.  Most NC followers and fans after watching Wenger make all the plays he has this year would lobby for him.  I have seen them both play a few games, probably a toss up with Ittersagen getting the nod because of the impact he has on special teams AND assuming the Thunder makes the playoffs, he becomes the Best player on the Best team.

I like to think I keep my Orange and Blue glasses on the table while wearing my CCIW hat. If you check with your NCC coaches I am pretty sure they audibled/gameplanned away from ittersagen on almost every pass play against NCC. Plus his two punt returns set up the win. Wenger is a stud and would certainly be on my 1st team ballot but there are some other very studly linebackers in the CCIW this year. I am willing to bet most coaches game plan away from ittersagen. His pass breakups are almost double any other db in the conference with people rarely throwing at him. He is the leading tackler on the team. Just like I (and everyone else) thought Kam Kniss was a runaway last year as OPOY I don' think its close with ittersagen. but I don't have a vote so who knows.

Just as I said...Ittersagen is the choice...I might not use the word "Runaway", but he is definitely the leader.
He is hands down the best athlete I have seen in the conference

[New Tradition]

IMHO:

COY - Eash gets this one with the incredible job he has done taking a team that was picked to finish 7th in conference and doing the damage that he has done in the CCIW

DPOY - Ittersagen really impressed me in the game against North Central.  He was calm, collected, and flat out made plays.  He made things happen when they needed to.

OPOY - Fanthorpe should get this one.  Kam left some big shoes to fill, and he has done a nice job stepping into that difficult role.  A threat both with his arm and legs, he did a very nice job in a spot that everyone agreed was a huge question mark at the start of the season.

[FormerCard]

IMHO:

COY - Eash gets this one with the incredible job he has done taking a team that was picked to finish 7th in conference and doing the damage that he has done in the CCIW

DPOY - Ittersagen really impressed me in the game against North Central.  He was calm, collected, and flat out made plays.  He made things happen when they needed to.

OPOY - Fanthorpe should get this one.  Kam left some big shoes to fill, and he has done a nice job stepping into that difficult role.  A threat both with his arm and legs, he did a very nice job in a spot that everyone agreed was a huge question mark at the start of the season.

I agree with you on every one of those choices

[matblake]

COY - Eash gets this one with the incredible job he has done taking a team that was picked to finish 7th in conference and doing the damage that he has done in the CCIW

I think that if Wheaton wins Swider and Eash might share COY honors.  Eash should win it outright if IWU wins.  Depending on how things work out Rucks and Thorne could play a factor as well.  I took a look at the CCIW Football Guide and couldn't find anything preventing a coach from voting for themselves as COY, it just says the coaches vote on the COY.  Depending on the year, it might be interesting to see that ballot! 

For All Conference, the coach nominates and can vote for their own players.  DPOY and OPOY must be First Team All Conference Selections.