FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[lumbercat]

Can't disagree on Penn State Frankie.

Grid- got a glimpse of the Cosgrove helmet at Colby......Mule head logo- looks like an old promo from the Mister Ed TV series. Should have gone with the Muleshoe.

[polbear73]

Item in Portland Press Herald after Maine Football Coaches Meeting:  "THERE'S A QUARTERBACK battle at Bowdoin.  The Polar Bears return two players, senior Noah Nelson and sophomore Griff Stalcup, who started last year.  Then there's Austin McCrum, the former Thornton Academy standout who transferred to Bowdoin after a year on scholarship at Division I Lafayette.

Wells is looking forward to the competition.  Each quarterback brings a different skill set. 'I wouldn't put it past any of them to be the man' said Wells." 

It's a nice problem for a team coming off an 0-9 season and on a 17 game losing streak.  Hopefully the offensive line will come together to make the quarterback position relevant as Bowdoin also has quality running backs and solid receivers. 

[gridiron]

Lumber--good comparison! Tend to agree. Adding mileshoes for game game performance awards

[lumbercat]

Item in Portland Press Herald after Maine Football Coaches Meeting:  "THERE'S A QUARTERBACK battle at Bowdoin.  The Polar Bears return two players, senior Noah Nelson and sophomore Griff Stalcup, who started last year.  Then there's Austin McCrum, the former Thornton Academy standout who transferred to Bowdoin after a year on scholarship at Division I Lafayette.

Wells is looking forward to the competition.  Each quarterback brings a different skill set. 'I wouldn't put it past any of them to be the man' said Wells." 

It's a nice problem for a team coming off an 0-9 season and on a 17 game losing streak.  Hopefully the offensive line will come together to make the quarterback position relevant as Bowdoin also has quality running backs and solid receivers.

I would bet on transfer McCrum.

Ironically the older Stalcup QB was usurped by D1 transfer Liebowitz at Middlebury. Now younger brother facing a tough competitive battle for his job vs. another D1 transfer at Bowdoin.

[gridiron]

Hoping Bowdoin can get its act together and be somewhat competitive. Would be good for the league--17 game losing streak is extreme. Wonder how much runway Wells will get.

[polbear73]

Hoping Bowdoin can get its act together and be somewhat competitive. Would be good for the league--17 game losing streak is extreme. Wonder how much runway Wells will get.

That's a really good question, gridiron. As we've seen from the long tenures of Vandersea and Caputi, Bowdoin is loathe to let go of coaches. Things in Brunswick may be a little different as a new board member, the major contributor to the Whittier Field renovation, made his agreement to serve conditional on "fixing football". As Lumbercat and others have noted, it's evident that concessions have been made by admissions for the last two recruiting classes. All of this makes one think that there is not a limitless period of time to turn the program around.

[gridiron]

Polarbear--Hard to believe JB Wells, heading into his fourth season in Brunswick. has the most seniority of the three NESCAC Maine schools.  Colby's Coach Michaeles ended up with six years before his own expiration date.  Based upon your comments about recent recruiting class concessions, Wells may very well have more time.  However, even though Michaeles struggled, the Mule football community never endured such a winless streak. Hoping for the best.

[lumbercat]

Good observations for sure but take Civetti at Tufts. He was 4 and 28 after 4 years. He was rumored to be on very thin ice at that point. He was also said to be the lowest paid coach in the conference. With the coming of a new AD and Administration at Tufts they decided to empower him with appropriate support and resources. Civetti responded with records of 7-1 and 6-2.

The Civetti turnaround may actually lengthen the period of judgement for Wells and others.

My point is Civetti certainly became a more experienced coach as his tenure progressed but it was the same guy losing 27 straight who proceeded to go 14-3 in the next 2 years.

The overwhelming difference is funding and resources coupled with admissions and administrative flexibility.

[PBPOP20]

Hoping Bowdoin can get its act together and be somewhat competitive. Would be good for the league--17 game losing streak is extreme. Wonder how much runway Wells will get.

Well,  considering JB's first recruiting class will be Juniors this year,  I'd say he's got an absolute minimum of 2-3 years before the ice thins...  there's been reference to QBs and good skill players with a question mark on OL...  They return 3 starters in the interion (LG, C, RG) who are Soph, Senior and Jr. respectively with a handful of others that got great game experience due to a rash of injuries to the OL during the season.... JB was down to ZERO OL subs at the end of the year which saw many players get valuable experience... with the strong core in the interior and some intriguing size incoming... we shall see.. but, I'm optimistic Bowdoin will at least challenge for the CBB again.

[polbear73]

Thanks for the update on the OL, PBPOP20, it gives Polar Bear fans cause for optimism not seen in years. I think JB has more than 2-3 years and my comments were about the long tenures of the two previous coaches (average 15 years) who produced abysmal records. These coaches were fine gentlemen, but I'm hoping that such failures will no longer be tolerated, even at Bowdoin. Hopefully the era of benign neglect is over.

[gridiron]

Great points made by all regarding Bowdoin's prospects. 

Still, I think Lumbercat nailed it with respect to the most important factors in turning any NESCAC football program around when referencing Tufts,

"The overwhelming difference is funding and resources coupled with admissions and administrative flexibility."

[PolarCat]

Nice article about Coach Hall's address to the National Football Foundation: https://www.gobatesbobcats.com/sports/fball/2018-19/releases/20180731l97ljg   It's going to be an exciting year in Lewiston, as the Garnet finally moves away from the triple option.  (Almost makes me wish my kid could have done a Gap year after high school to get a chance to play for Hall).  The Air Raid offense sounds exciting, and should suit Costa very well; the big question in my mind is whether the coaches have managed to recruit some receivers who can get separation, which was a big challenge last year.  Still, a much needed breath of fresh air for the Bobcats.

[gridiron]

Good info on the new Bobcat offense and the possibilities it could bring.

Nice to have so much buzz and optimism from our Naine member schools. Refreshing and long overdue!!

[amh63]

It will be a most interesting opening game for visiting Amherst.  Amherst wii have several  experienced QBs and the senior RB that can go inside and inside.  Key will be the interior OLs. Amherst tends to win games based on its defense and kicking game.  Young DBs could be the key if Bates wants to go with an over the top passing offense.  Hope the weather is not a factor.
Just some thoughts as I await sunny weather at the Beach with my family. 

[lumbercat]

Nice article about Coach Hall's address to the National Football Foundation: https://www.gobatesbobcats.com/sports/fball/2018-19/releases/20180731l97ljg   It's going to be an exciting year in Lewiston, as the Garnet finally moves away from the triple option.  (Almost makes me wish my kid could have done a Gap year after high school to get a chance to play for Hall).  The Air Raid offense sounds exciting, and should suit Costa very well; the big question in my mind is whether the coaches have managed to recruit some receivers who can get separation, which was a big challenge last year.  Still, a much needed breath of fresh air for the Bobcats.

The Polar Cat returns briefly from his traditional summer hiatus....... let me call the Globe and break the story!

Im not embellishing things here PC but its arguable that the strength of the Bates recruiting class is at the WR position. At least 3 good ones with good size and speed-

Sean Bryant Falmouth, Me - PG at Holderness School 6'3" 195 (he's older brother of Bates All Maine QB recruit Jack Bryant)

Derek Marino Marblehead, Ma 6'2" 195 phenomenal athlete- also excelled on the Basketball Court. Will stick to Football at Bates (younger brother of Bates  OL Dan Marino)

Liam Kelly Dexter Ma 6'2" 195 fine receiver with great hands

All three have great size and athleticism.
Additionally there were 3 very good WR recruits last year who will mature.

The Air Raid typically utilizes at least 4 receivers which will work well with the "Slot" back position players trained and utilized by Bates in the triple option
scheme. Its a no huddle set and typically up tempo but can be slowed down like the triple in certain situations. It looks like a very viable 
transition from the Triple option. The difference is its a spread offense with big splits so hoping the Bates  OL can handle it.

It should be fun to watch.