FB: Northwest Conference

[bluenote]

Pat...thx for the capsules. Here's what I noticed:

How far can they go?   It's not the ideal road, but there could be a semifinal trip. But each step of the way is a toss-up, including the opener.

OK.... ....are the eggs and pumpkins ready?       

[D O.C.]

Here's what the Bluenote is talking about...

http://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2011/bracket-umhb

[Kingsmen4]

Pat ,the way i remember it was no one picked PLU at the start of the playoffs..  "Plu who", "what is a Lute"...

Nobody picked PLU because they didn't even win the NWC that year.

A couple of random thoughts after I finally shook off the lethargy from last Saturday ...

Disappointing end to a disappointing season for Willamette fans.  A lot like 2007, the whole never seemed to equal the sum of the parts, especially on offense.  The most damning stat: if the Bearcats had scored just 14 points in every game they lost, they go 8-2 (7-1 against D-III opponents), and we'd be arguing with Pat about our playoff snub.

The offense desperately needs a playmaker: somebody who can turn those 15 yard runs into 30 yard runs.  Whether that person is on the team now or whether we need to find a dynamic guy from elsewhere who can come in and play right away (see Woo, Merben) remains to be seen.  But I trust Speck and Fowles to come up with a solution.

OTOH, this year's defense was phenomenal.  Losing so many bodies on the defensive line is going to hurt, and somebody has to replace Harmon Bruno at outside linebacker, but there are some talented young inside linebackers coming back and the secondary has the potential to be pretty deep.

Special teams will have to replace Mitch Rowan, and considering how well he played this year (first team All-NWC, IMO) that's not going to be easy.

Finally, what a tough draw for Linfield in the playoffs.  I'm definitely intrigued by the potential matchup with Wesley, though.  It's not often that a West Coast team gets to go back east and show off the brand of football we play out here.  Good luck to the Wildcats.

Merben went to CLU for a spring and fall camp... Little known fact... Good dude and left because of injuries and the need to run the fly ... Think it worked out for him!

Ended up torching us back to back years.

- go lu

[D O.C.]

TRUE.
Interesting.

[Las Vegas Wildcards]

Here's what the Bluenote is talking about...

http://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2011/bracket-umhb

The Cru look similar to the team Linfield faced back in 2004, at least offensively. Still run the option, and this year average nearly 300 yards per game.

[George Thompson]

Front page:
"November 17, 2011
Playoff picks, surprises, disappointments"

The D3 staff doesn't give Linfield much of a chance in this bracket.    We will see.  Beating this very, very good Cal Lutheran will give the Wildcats a boost.

And, I can't believe the NWC coaches left Deidre Wiersma off of the first team.   Arguably our best receiver!

George

GO CATS! GO!

[Pat Coleman]

Yeah, it's just that there are two teams that are just as good, maybe three, so it's hard to make a call in that bracket. You see how I hedged.

[D O.C.]

A fair hedge though. The bounce of the ball could be the difference between UMU, Wesley, UMHB, CLU, and LINFIELD if they played each other.

[Teamski]

Front page:
"November 17, 2011
Playoff picks, surprises, disappointments"

The D3 staff doesn't give Linfield much of a chance in this bracket.    We will see.  Beating this very, very good Cal Lutheran will give the Wildcats a boost.


GO CATS! GO!

I don't know about that.  I think all of our teams in the bracket are subject to immediate termination at any time considering the competition.  I am certainly interested in seeing how all of the cards drop! 

-Ski

[RedandPurple]

Congratulations to Welch, Fisher, Rowan, and Coach Smith. Awesome job this year!

http://www.nwcsports.com/sports/fball/2011-12/releases/allnwc

Offensive Player of the Year: Keith Welch, Lewis & Clark
Defensive Player of the Year: Drew Fisher, Linfield
Special Teams Player of the Year: Mitch Rowan, Willamette
Coach of the Year: Joseph Smith, Linfield

[RedandPurple]

Front page:
"November 17, 2011
Playoff picks, surprises, disappointments"

The D3 staff doesn't give Linfield much of a chance in this bracket.    We will see.  Beating this very, very good Cal Lutheran will give the Wildcats a boost.


GO CATS! GO!

I don't know about that.  I think all of our teams in the bracket are subject to immediate termination at any time considering the competition.  I am certainly interested in seeing how all of the cards drop! 

-Ski

There are only two things guaranteed in this world and neither of them have anything to do with football. 
The team that protects the ball, makes fewer mistakes, and tackles and blocks correctly will win. With that said I'll take Linfield any Saturday of the month and twice on Sunday. Go Cats! 

[RedandPurple]

Anonymous photos, videos question eligibility of top team's QB
By Cameron Smith

One of the nation's top-ranked teams finds itself embroiled in an eligibility controversy surrounding its star quarterback after anonymous tips were sent in to a newspaper and state association that suggest the player has been living at a hotel to play for his current school.
As first reported by the Miami Herald, Miami (Fla.) Central quarterback Austin Stock suddenly finds himself under fire for allegedly making his permanent residence outside of Central's designated boundary area, and living at a hotel during the week while attending the school. Before the start of the season, Stock transferred to the school from Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) Marjory Stoneman Douglas High and has been allowed to compete throughout the Rockets' season after he filed proper documentation about his address with Miami-Dade County Public School officials.

Read more here:   http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/blog/prep_rally/post/Anonymous-photos-videos-question-eligibility-of?urn=highschool-wp8693

[cludad]

Im getting jazzed,Pat made a point about CLUs run defense in the three highest scoring games.The one thing 2 of the 3 teams have is a qb that could pull it down and run.I dont know if the cats qb is a big runner(stats say no),but rbs have not hurt us "cept" for the 1st game.I hope this trend will continue on sat...GO CLU

[RedandPurple]

Video of the game on Sat?

Jack:
I read the following on the Linfield Football home page: 

COVERAGE
•The game will be broadcast locally on McMinnville radio station KLYC (1260 AM).
•Internet users can hear the game simulcast at www.linfield.edu/sports. Click on "Listen Live."
•A live video feed will be available free of charge.
•The game can also be heard outside the radio reception area by calling TEAMLINE, a pay-per-listen telephone service, at 1-800-846-4700. When prompted, enter access code 9712.

[LuavilleCat]

Hey cludad -

I've seen all the in-state Wildcat games this year and my observation of Linfield's qb is that he hasn't had the need to tuck the ball and run. For the most part his offensive line has done a tremendous job in protecting him. That said, he is a skilled athlete and if the need to run is an option, it probably won't be his first choice, but don't count him out.

Simply put, very rarely have I seen a team go undefeated without a skilled quarterback. Both Inns and Yoder are very capable of leading the Cats to either quick strike or smash mouth touchdowns.

With our quick, well-disciplined, and fundamentally sound defense to compliment our high octane offense, I am very optomistic.

GO CATS