FB: Northwest Conference

[wildcat11]

OK...I don't have ALL of the details but enough to give you the gist of the story.

2000 and 2001 Menlo and Linfield had two really close games that could have gone either way.  Needless to say the returning Menlo players thought Linfield shouldn't have won in 2001 because they were playing without their Sr. star QB Zamir Amin and future NFL WR Nate Jackson. 

Somehow both teams wound up in Dillon Hall (school cafeteria) during breakfast.  I don't have quotes but I know that a select few of the Menlo players started to talk some LOUD smack at the 'Cats in Dillon about what the Oaks were going to do later that day.

As we found out later that day the only think the Oaks were good for was a scratching post for the 'Cats.  That 2002 team had enough motivation already...Menlo just tossed a gas can on top of the blaze.

[Cut City]

Congrats to The Reverand Jake Lucey on his all-american status. I wasn't aware that he made the transition to guard however.  Anyone else think another cat or two could have made it on the list? Or even any of the other nwc guys.

[Pat Coleman]

He was nominated as a guard last year and named All-American and All-Region as a guard. He would have made the team either way.

[D O.C.]

Pat...on the board...a moderating...takin' the temperature....

Redlands and LINFIELD look like they'll get tested by a bunch of All Americans this season.

Any breakdown by regions? First perusing of the list I see many southerners. If I took more time would it all even out?

[Pat Coleman]

The South cleans up in the specialists, so take the numbers as you will.

First team: West 8, South 8, East 7, North 2.
Second team: South 10, East 7, West 4, North 4.

We definitely do not attempt to even the teams across regions. That seems too NCAA-like, with a set number of bids per group.

[Wildcat'64]

Pre-Season and Post-Season All American QB lists usually do not appear consistent (except in 2005 when BE headed both lists).  Here's the last couple of years for those who may have forgotten:

                       Pre-Season           Post-Season
2003    Eli Grant - Case West.      Scott Krause - Stevens Pt.
2004    Adam King - Howard Pay  Brett Elliott - Linfield
2005    Brett Elliott - Linfield         Brett Elliott - Linfield
2006    Andy Collins - Oxy             ?****

****I'm betting Tim Benzel (Linfield) will be in the running by the end of the season  for the All-American QB in Division III.  Wouldn't that be sweet - the Cats sweep the QB honors three years in a row not too mention the fine All-American Tyler Matthews who preceded BE!!!

Go Tim Go --- Show The Nation!!!

[Sabretooth Tiger]

I'm sure that Mr. Benzel will be able to replace Mike Orihel, Sr., Rowan as the second team All America QB by season end to establish the left coast dominance at that position.   

tooth

[beancounter]

Wildcat '64....since you're doing some research, when was the last time that (excluding transfers) somebody had just a handful of snaps in his first three years (more or less just carrying a clipboard on the sidelines) had come in to become an All American in one season?

Pulling for a guy like Tim Benzel is one thing, which all Linfield fans are in favor of.  Talking about Benzel being an All American is another when he hasn't even won the starting job at QB yet.   Trevor Scharar might be interesting in winning the job at QB, don't you think?    It is a disservice to have ridiculous expectations of players who haven't had that much playing time in meaningful game situations.   All american??   Good grief.

[Eye of da TIGER]

I think this the first time I have seen Linfield posters disagree about Linfield football!!! I like it!!!

[rockcat]

I think this the first time I have seen Linfield posters disagree about Linfield football!!! I like it!!!

What you might think is funnier is that I'm sure they both agree with Benzel and Sharer are better than Collins.  

The Cats will be fine regardless of who wins the starting job.  Beancounter is right though, it is quite a bit to assume that either are All American candidates.  They have big enough shoes to fill as it is.  At this point I think Collins is clearly the best QB in DIII.  That doesn't mean Oxy is going to make a big playoff run but he is a special athlete.

[swede]

WC 11-I think I know what you're hinting at but throw it out there for everybody!

I remember leaving to go to the bathroom with about 2 minutes to go in the first half when I ran into HD Waddell.  While we're standing there the Cats scored twice in about 45 seconds.  We both thought maybe somebody was trying to make a statement.

With H.D. now in Bend. Who will be leading the team in prayer?

[Wildcat'64]

Bean,
You're absolutely correct....no sense in hyping any expectations on Benzel...however, Benzel is already in the Wildcat record books with his limited action in the past two years.

#1 in Pass Completion Ratio 72.7% - all time record

#7 162.9 Pass Efficiency between 2 Wildcat All Americans (#6 Schmidlin and #8 Matthews).

So the season is almost upon us, maybe he will win the job, maybe he won't we will see.  He had an impressive career leading his High School into the playoffs in High School and has been impressive in the records he has set behind back to back All American Quarterbacks......55 days from now the suspense will come to an end.

[RedandPurple]

"...At this point I think Collins is clearly the best QB in DIII."

To quote Beancounter, "Good Grief." 

[rockcat]

WC 11-I think I know what you're hinting at but throw it out there for everybody!

I remember leaving to go to the bathroom with about 2 minutes to go in the first half when I ran into HD Waddell.  While we're standing there the Cats scored twice in about 45 seconds.  We both thought maybe somebody was trying to make a statement.

With H.D. now in Bend. Who will be leading the team in prayer?

I think Ty Matthews.

[rockcat]

"...At this point I think Collins is clearly the best QB in DIII."

To quote Beancounter, "Good Grief."

Who's better?

Don't let your bias get too much in the way.  I'm a huge Linfield fan but can recognize when others are talented.  Surround Collins with the talent that the Cats have had the last few years.  I'm not saying he would throw 61 touchdowns but he'd put up some impressive numbers throwing and running.  Occidental is probably a .500 team without him.

I know Benzel and Scharer are good but at this point they are still unproven.  I'm fully confident that one of them will emerge and have a great season but nobody outside of McMinnville knows anything about them yet.