FB: Northwest Conference

[OregonCityCat99]

For those of you in the Portland area, BE will be doing radio color commentary for the 4A Championship game on Saturday, 215pm.  I'm sure there's a audio link on oregonlive.com.

[D O.C.]

All Region team
and PC says we had 8 nominated

LINFIELD 8

QB Brett Elliott         WR Casey Allen

G Jake Lucey            DT Mike Ketler

LB Brandon Olson          S Josh Ort



LB Brandon Tom



WR Brandon Hazenberg   


   

[pdawg]

MCAT and Bubs FYI
Both the O line and D line will be fine. We return a lot of experience and some depth in both. There are a couple of young guys that will help out immediately, if not challenge for a starting spot. We will be strong at WR. We have a stable full of running backs (including Lasswell who had shoulder surgery) but currectly lack the break away threat aspect of the running game. I am sure that will be a recruiting focus. We return some experience (but no real "stars" at TE and DE). I think we should be good to go at those spots. A couple of new or younger players will provide some depth at those spots. We lose our top LB but return 4-5 others will a lot of playing time. Replacing Ort and the two corners will be one of the biggest challenges. The QBs can throw the ball very well and have some experience. The personality of the team will definetly change and our schedule will be very tough, especially the NWC with most every team stronger next year than this year.  It should be a real battle for the automatic bid that the conference receives next year. The CATS definitely have a chance of being that team.

[d-train]

I'm not sure we get an auto. bid yet. Even with Menlo as an official affiliate member, I believe we still have a waiting period.

[Bubs1856]

Thanks PDwawg...as a former Tigard guy (much older the Laswell) and Wildcat I always like seeing those guys succeed.  I really like what he did early in the year prior to injury...I think he has the opportunity to be pretty effective next year.

[cawcdad]

I believe it is a two year waiting period for the auto bid. So still a couple of pool B years.

Some names that jumped to mind that I was impressed with and will be back, Josh Vierra-WR, Tyler Kaluza-WR, Pete Cruickshank with Laswell in the backfield. Nik Soo back at a DE. And in the short 4 years I've been following the Cats, someone always seems to step up and fill the shoes quite admirably for the seniors that have graduated.

Best of luck in whatever endeavors the graduating seniors undertake and thanks for some wonderful football!! I'm looking forward to what the future has in store.

[rbaikie]

I believe  waiting period -

Even more so, dependent on LC having football next year because if they don't play a league schedule, the clock won't start.

I would think that with them dropping league this past year, the NCAA might look at the NWC very closely

[swede]

My thoughts0n next year

Benz will win the QB position.

With Cruickshank and Laswell returing I would think they'd share the RB position but I wouldn't be surprised to see Montalvo get a big chunk of the playing time.

Seems to be plenty of WR's. Kaluza, Vierra, Masters, Nelson
and Warner to name a few. Vierra the Haze type while Warner kinda reminds me of an Allen, just needs more work in the gym. 

Should be fine at Center with Kemper taking over from Donaldson.

TE will be one of the strongest and deepest positions with Smedley, Ackerman and Seifert. Seifert may be the best of them all.

Vierra will take over the punt returning duties although Masters also may spend time there.

Kickoff returns handled by Vierra and Masters. If Masters is healthy he could be one of the best.

Interior line- Will give my thoughts on that this weekend.

[Pat Coleman]

I believe  waiting period -

Even more so, dependent on LC having football next year because if they don't play a league schedule, the clock won't start.

I would think that with them dropping league this past year, the NCAA might look at the NWC very closely

The clock *might* start even if L&C doesn't play a full NWC schedule. We don't have any precedent to state otherwise.

Also, keep in mind, if Pacific starts football, there is no waiting period. If seven full members have football you are eligible for the automatic bid the first year Pacific plays NWC football.

[coco]

Pat,

So there is no waiting period due to Menlo's being an affiliate member?

This gets confusing! It looks as if there are 3 variables in there, with Menlo, Pacific, and L&C.

[Pat Coleman]

Yes, if you have seven of your own full members playing football then the fact that Menlo is only an affiliate member is not a problem.

[Foss]

I think getting to another West Region final next year would be a huge accomplishment, maybe even an overaccomplishment. The conference could be back to its old form next year with Willamette and PLU not nearly as young as this season. And I am really glad we get Whitworth at home next year with a lot of their key players coming back. I believe this year's seniors were 35-0 against NWC teams, which is insane. How badly do you think conference foes are going to want to get a win against the 'Cats after we've thumped on them the last few years and they finally don't have to deal with Elliott, Haze, Allen, Keck, etc.? The game against a perennial top 10 team Hardin-Simmons on the road in Texas in the first week or two of the season might tell us a lot about this group of 'Cats.

[coco]

But if we have only 6 full members, and Menlo is an affiliate, then there IS a two-year waiting period? Is that how it works?

[Pat Coleman]

Correct. If you need to add an affiliate to get to seven teams then that will incur a waiting period. If one of your existing members adds the sport to get you to seven teams, no waiting period.

[coco]

Thanks.