FB: Northwest Conference

[wildcat11]

Tackles: return Randall.. need guys to step up

Ends: Hoff is back as is Asa Schwartz... beyond them we need guys to step up

I don't know how much experience we have coming back on the D-line aside from those 3 guys. 

Linebacker: return a whole bunch of now sophomores plus Eli Biondine - I'm excited about the LBs over the next 3 years. 

Secondary: Should be very solid in the secondary with all sorts of guys coming back... Corners seem to be 2 deep as do both safety positions - Lewis brothers, Elgarico, Arkans, Kennedy, Belcher, etc.

There is a lot of talent on Defense but it might take awhile for the new players to adjust.

I think we're going to be 2-deep at Defensive End.  Hoff looks great as does Asa but look for Marcus McGovern and Jake Handran to have big impacts this year.  McGovern could be really good.

DT is the big question mark for me.  We have some young talent, a few solid vets, and an influx of potential studs but there is no warm up for them with Chap and Redlands. 

LB...love the potential and talent.  However, I don't think folks truly appreciated how much impact Mike Nardoni had at Will last season for the 'Cats.  His speed and ability to cover was huge for the defense.  Jake Reimer might not have Nardoni's speed but this kid could be special over the next 3 seasons.

DBs...you already covered that ground...Yamamoto will be a big part of that group as well at Rover.  Have to see who takes that safety spot over for Giza. 

This defense/team might not be hitting on all cylinders to start the season but if they can survive the first two games and start building, it could be a monster when October rolls around.

[OldCatProf]

Thank goodness!!!! The Wildcat footballers arrive today. It's been a long, dry spell for dedicated Cat fans everywhere. Let's get this party started. Will be good to see the guys again and get a look at the huge rookie class. There might be (probably are) some early contributors among them.

GO CATS!!!

[gren]

LB...love the potential and talent.  However, I don't think folks truly appreciated how much impact Mike Nardoni had at Will last season for the 'Cats.  His speed and ability to cover was huge for the defense.  Jake Reimer might not have Nardoni's speed but this kid could be special over the next 3 seasons.
Agreed 11 Mike did some wonderful things last year, that guy was always around the ball.

[OldCatProf]

Great day at the Catdome today with typical August weather for McMinnville. It gave immense pleasure to this old Wildcat fan to see the usual 140-150 young men on hand for the first day of practice...including a LARGE group of rookies and transfers. Lots of guys from a lot of different places.

I was able to attend several events and meetings over the last two days and came away impressed (again) as the history, culture and expectations of our program were explained and reinforced to the entire group. Especially noteworthy was the repeated emphasis on high expectations in the classroom and the community. It made me proud (again) to be a fan of this excellent program.

Go Cats!!!!

[Pat Coleman]

I wanted to take a moment here as we go into our final crunch time on Kickoff 2015 to thank the NWC fans for their support of Kickoff 2015. You guys and the MIAC have supported the site and our ongoing coverage of Division III football very nicely so far this season and Keith and Ryan Tipps and I really appreciate it. If you haven't subscribed yet, earlier is always better than later!
http://www.d3football.com/notables/2015/08/time-to-get-kickoff-2015
Publication set for 9 a.m. PT on Tuesday.

[Andy Jamison - Walla Walla Wildcat]

RE: Nardoni

I wonder if UWW would have made that last drive with a healthy Nardoni on the field. We had them bottled up the entire 2nd half until his injury.  He was always around the ball.

I was disappointed to hear that one of our DL guys hung up the cleats with eligibility remaining.  It has been my experience that guys who leave eligibility on the table end up really regretting it later in life.  However, health issues are a big deal and playing with pain is no fun... he was a lot of fun to watch!

Don't know when the last time the Wildcats had 8 games with McMinnville being the furthest drive?

Go Cats!

Andy Jamison
Wildcat Letterwinner 1990-91-92-93

[olddog]

Great day at the Catdome today with typical August weather for McMinnville. It gave immense pleasure to this old Wildcat fan to see the usual 140-150 young men on hand for the first day of practice...including a LARGE group of rookies and transfers. Lots of guys from a lot of different places.

I was able to attend several events and meetings over the last two days and came away impressed (again) as the history, culture and expectations of our program were explained and reinforced to the entire group. Especially noteworthy was the repeated emphasis on high expectations in the classroom and the community. It made me proud (again) to be a fan of this excellent program.


I hear UR maybe north of 150, I am not sure if over subscribing is the right thing for a team to do to a young hopeful player...
Every year I hear schools with such large numbers, and as time goes on I have started to wonder it is right. I know the school want males and football is a great draw.

Go Cats!!!!

[swede]

Time to check in so Tully will be running the offense...but this time at George Fox. 2nd team selection from last years Bruin team Charles Riga is at Portland State. Might be old news, just thought I'd mention.

[Westside]

I am trying to decide which Linfield game would be better to drive down to.

Redlands or Chapman? Chapman is homecoming... but Redlands has a family rivalry, as my brother went to UR.

Any thoughts on which game will be more worth checking out?

[swede]

REDLANDS

[Andy Jamison - Walla Walla Wildcat]

Whitworth and UPS are picked to finish much higher in the NWC then I would have expected.  My rankings would be:

Linfield - Pacific - PLU - Whitworth or Willamette - UPS or George Fox - Lewis & Clark

[RFB]

I am trying to decide which Linfield game would be better to drive down to.

Redlands or Chapman? Chapman is homecoming... but Redlands has a family rivalry, as my brother went to UR.

Any thoughts on which game will be more worth checking out?

Well, we know one thing for sure, your brother is the smarter one in the family.

[D O.C.]

Both of them and you'll never forget it.

I picked homecoming to fly from SoCal.
Wife's birthday or I'd have stayed a week.

[MonroviaCat]

Whitworth and UPS are picked to finish much higher in the NWC then I would have expected.  My rankings would be:

Linfield - Pacific - PLU - Whitworth or Willamette - UPS or George Fox - Lewis & Clark

The NWC coaches have similar thoughts. 

[RFB]

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