FB: Northwest Conference

[Josh Bowerman]

(Also posted in ASC thread)

I'll do my best for you, with the caveat that BBQ down here is a very personal thing.     

*  I personally partial to Joe Allen's BBQ, and I think I made a believer out of Ron Boerger during our descent on Abilene last season.  Harold's Pit BBQ is pretty good stuff, too--but he's not open in the evening and I'm not sure about lunch on the weekends.  If I were you, I'd stay away from Harold's Damn Hot Relish.

*  Mapquest says its about 2,000 from McMinnville to Abilene.  30 hours by car--whew!  (I think I'd look into flying)  Southwest flies out of Portland and into Love Field in Dallas, which is about a 3.5 hour, easy drive from Abilene (easy because it's all Interstate 20, and the speed limit is 70 mph).

*  There's no such thing as an expensive hotel room in Abilene.  All the establishments should be well under $100/night.  There is a Hampton, a Fairfield, a Courtyard, a bunch of Best Western/Holiday Inn/Motel 6/Super 8 kind of places, and a place called the McM Elegante Suites, which used to be an Embassy Suites.  Many of these hotels are very close to the mall, so dining and entertainment options for Friday night are easily accessible.

*  I know a couple of oil barons, but the only one with a private plane is committed elsewhere. 

*  Texas Women's University is located in Denton, which is about an hour north of Ft. Worth. 


Hope that this is helpful.

[Tuxguy]

 Josh, FBF413 and others have hit on the problem of getting those out of conference games and either getting a quality apponent or a Duck.
I see 2 theories being used, 1, get the best possible opponents that will challenge your team and get it ready for a long conference and playoff run.
2nd, pick up a patsy so your win loss record looks good for the selection committee and go 1 and out in the playoffs.
I realize $ come into play, but as a fan of the game, I prefer the great preseason match-ups. I'm looking forward to the Hardin-simmons vs. Linfield match up . Just wish we were at home this year! As always IMHO
                                 LEAVE NO DOUBT '06

[Gig Harbor Cat]

On Benzel--  When he did get in last year he looked exceptional.  It was obvious to this Cat Backer that our #2 was better than everyone elses #1. 

Cats  are reloaded

Phone it in, its in the bank boys

   Gig Harbor Cat

[wildcat11]

Linfield 2006 Season Outlook is up!!!

"Where Do The Wildcats Go From Here?"

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[cawcdad]

Thanks for the link 11. Answered my question about Masters.
Let's get this season going!!

[shane falco]

Good stuff Wildcat 11,

I hope the Cat's go out on the field against WOU and just explode Sept. 10.

[shane falco]

I meant the 9th

[footballfan413]

Josh, FBF413 and others have hit on the problem of getting those out of conference games and either getting a quality apponent or a Duck.
I see 2 theories being used, 1, get the best possible opponents that will challenge your team and get it ready for a long conference and playoff run.
2nd, pick up a patsy so your win loss record looks good for the selection committee and go 1 and out in the playoffs.
I realize $ come into play, but as a fan of the game, I prefer the great preseason match-ups. I'm looking forward to the Hardin-simmons vs. Linfield match up . Just wish we were at home this year! As always IMHO
                                 LEAVE NO DOUBT '06

Hey Tuxguy, hope all is well,

I agree with your breakdown of the 2 preseason theories regarding the scheduling of non-conference games.  I would just add that the reality of scheduling might make it hard for programs to subscribe to one theory and stick to it.  My main concern with "great pre-season match-ups," is the tougher toll it takes on the players from a physical and emotional stand point.  For example, last season UW-Steven's Point had a very tough pre-season playing their first 2 games against Hardin-Simmons and the Cats, getting creamed both games.  They then played most of the season with several key starters with injuries.  Couldn't have helped their confidence level much either.  UWW on the other hand,  played 2 out of the 3 games against cupcakes, (as we like to call them on the WIAC board,  ) and came into the WIAC with very healthy, well rested starters, (out by half-time) and feeling pretty good about themselves.  It will be interesting to see how the Hawks handle this year using the other theory playing 2 of the 3 games against AP and MHB with practically the same team, (only lost 6 starters.)   No right answer here.....advantages and disadvantages to both.  I also think that the quality of conference opponents plays a role in deciding whether to seek out ducks or not. A program that plays in a weak conference has a greater need to go out and seek quality teams and challenge themselves with their non-conference schedule to prepare for post-season.   Just my opinion, I could be wrong!

[footballfan413]

"a program that has won six consecutive Northwest Conference championships and boasts a national-record 50 consecutive winning seasons. Riding the greatest wave of success in program history, Linfield is 60-6 over the past six years, the second-highest winning percentage over that span in the country."

Of, course with a program with a history like this........it really doesn't matter who you play, now does it?   It is all good.......

[rockcat]

"The NWC is expected to be tough, as always. Whitworth looks to make a move following an up-and-down 5-3 season. Willamette, which finished second behind the Wildcats last season, could challenge again and Puget Sound should show continued improvement. Lewis & Clark hopes to resurrect its program after halting play in mid-season last year due to a lack of participation. Menlo joins the conference this fall, creating a six-game league schedule for all teams."

No mention of PLU?  Where are the Lutes?     Lets hope PLU gets things back on track so that rivalry can be what it should be.

[Cut City]

Anyone have any inside info on the lutes. Their offense looks like it should have all the top performers back from last year.  What about the line? Last years roster shows they're losing their top 2, and 4 of their 7 leading tacklers from last year. The other three, Hamilton, Brown, and Frank would be 5th years. Anyone know if they are coming back?

[swede]

Wildcat #11

Didn't check your list but came upon another former 'cat in coaching. Joe Wade, a '91 graduate of Linfield who was a QB. Joe is now the running back coach at Eastern Washington University.

[wildcat11]

Linfield Video: Special edition!

Coach Jay Locey Tribute

***Next week: 2002 Menlo***

***Big "thank you" to Mike Rhodes and Dan Kielty for the great sideline footage and to Linfield SID Kelly Bird for supplying the use of the photos in Coach Locey's tribute. 

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Great job 11

[Tuxguy]

I second that GHC, great Job!!

Dang, I got goose bumps.......I BELIEVE!!!!!!

             LEAVE NO DOUBT '06