FB: Northwest Conference

[MonroviaCat]

4 whole home games.
The NWC away games are set up to be brutal.

Interesting that we are actually playing in week 1 this coming season. 

[bluenote]

Interesting that we are actually playing in week 1 this coming season.

2 byes again though.....

[George Thompson]

Mary Hardin-Baylor's great coach has retired.   
https://www.d3football.com/notables/2022/01/fred-calls-it-a-career

What a record and legacy he has left.

GT

[Andy Jamison - Walla Walla Wildcat]

I was down at Linfield last night watching the men's team beat UPS in a game that they almost managed to give away... Good to see the Men's program playing well these past few years!

In speaking with a couple of Linfield football players, there was absolutely fantastic news on the guys who have eligibility left and are returning.  From the sounds of it, the entire O-line is coming back as both Sears and Metcalf are using their final year of eligibility.  This bodes extremely well for the offense.  On the defensive side, Lydig is coming back as is Travis Swanson, who was a surprise. But, in looking at his bio, he played 3 games at Occidental in 2017 before they shut down their season so that wouldn't count.. 2018, 2019, pandemic 2020 no season... 2021... and final year of 2022.  If Vinny comes back and Severson continues to play at the level he appeared to do in the playoffs, that is a great front four.  I sure hope that any player with eligibility returns to use it, with the understanding that they are going to play meaningful snaps.  Every player that I know who left eligibility on the table ends up really regretting it in life.  You will work for 30+ years but only have a small window of time to play football.  Of course, some guys are really banged up and it is time for them to move on from a physical point of view.

Personally, I'd like to see a lot more of Aaron Martinez at running back next year as he looked to be a beast. That, or bulk him up to 220 and put him at DE.  Perhaps we can move Morton to DB as he'd be a stud there.  I don't know what to do with the logjam at WR as for whatever reason the coaching staff hasn't rotated the players like I'd expect.  The Big 3 of Smith, Valadez, and Murray got the majority of the snaps even though Chance Sparks and Isaac Hoidal sure looked like they deserved more playing time.  I'd sure want to see better blocking results from 2 of the 3 Big 3 as that seemed to be an issue all season.  Maybe Sparks can move to DB and Hoidal to TE to get them on the field.  Maclain Stoneking showed some quick feet as punt returner.

Of course, the big question is who is going to replace Wyatt at QB?  Maybe the game will slow down for Jackson Lowery as he sure looks the part at 6'3' 225 with a good arm.  Perhaps we can get a transfer from a higher division?

We need a punter and a kicker as we were spoiled with the 2 guys that we had there for the past few years.

Let's go Cats!

[D O.C.]

Lookit Andy fleshing out the January board!

[wildcat11]

Shout Out to my former Head Coach, Jay Locey, who is retiring from the HC job at Lewis & Clark.  Locey did a great job in building a solid foundation at a place with nothing going on football wise for decades.

https://www.lcpioneers.com/sports/fball/2021-22/releases/20220204bnhyj1

[Bearcat Press]

Speaking of retirements, Mike Allegre, the "Voice of the Bearcats" for the last 29 years, announced last weekend that he'll be stepping down at the end of this basketball season.  Mike has been a relentless source of positivity and optimism through a ton of on-field ups and downs, and Willamette athletics won't be the same without him.

[wildcat11]

Speaking of retirements, Mike Allegre, the "Voice of the Bearcats" for the last 29 years, announced last weekend that he'll be stepping down at the end of this basketball season.  Mike has been a relentless source of positivity and optimism through a ton of on-field ups and downs, and Willamette athletics won't be the same without him.

Agreed. Mike has been a fantastic voice for Willamette.  Congrats to a nearly 3 decade run for Mike.

[Bearcat Press]

Interesting hire in Salem, as Trey Shimabukuro makes the short trip from Monmouth (where he was WOU's quarterbacks coach) to take over as Willamette's offensive coordinator:

https://wubearcats.com/sports/fball/2021-22/releases/20220225lpwicr

It looks like the Willamette's defensive coordinator position may be open too, since Aaron McGinty is no longer listed on the coaches page of WU's athletics website.

[D O.C.]

RIP Tom McFadden.
The WILDCAT FAMILY loses a fine one.

[wildcat11]

Rest in Peace, Tom.  A true Wildcat.  Faithful to the Red and Purple to his core.

[Andy Jamison - Walla Walla Wildcat]

Damn! What happened to Tom?

[MonroviaCat]

Damn! What happened to Tom?

Long battle with cancer.   

[D O.C.]

I'm confident no receiver will get wide open 20 yards behind our defense this year.

Which brings us to the quarterback this year. . .

[Andy Jamison - Walla Walla Wildcat]

Any news on the QB position for the Wildcats??

What about our 2022 recruiting class?