FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Brady12]

I would like to tip my hat to all the hard working players who don't win the awards. A player on Williams that comes to mind is Jack Dickinson. He never was quite able to lock down the starting quarterback job after Bobby left but continued to be a strong presence on the sidelines and the number one cheerleader for McHugh. He ended up being the long snapper and in one memorable sequence he subbed in at quarterback on third down and then on fourth down was the long snapper and downed the ball on the one yard line. It was really nice to see him end his career with a victory as the starting quarterback against Amherst, of course he still doubled as the long snapper!

JD is the definition of a leader. He may not have won an individual award, but he will he winning in life with his positive attitude and leadership skills.

I am sure every team has guys like JD and the younger guys should learn as much as they can from guys like them.

[Charlie]

Congratulations to all those named all-league. A great honor for all these young men. Obviously disagree with the Berluti over Zebrowski first-team pick. We thought Zebrowski should have been Offensive Player of the year as well but congrats to Wilson, he was the best player on the best team. That usually satisfies the criteria for the award. Back to the first team QB debate. Not sure how you can confidently say that Berluti (while a fine player who had an amazing career) had anywhere the caliber season as Zebrowski or even Candido for that matter. Zebrowski was statistically much better in every aspect and we felt that Berluti had been better in previous seasons. Feels like this award was maybe given out as a career recognition award instead of a 2024 season award.

I think you have to look at the entire season to access the Trinity QB yes statistically he did well. However I would have gone with Candido not only did he beat the top teams but arguably single handily won the Trinity game. His stats were good bit simply he played well in the big games where the Trinity QB did not. I think a barometer of this award should be how you played in the big games. Candid showed up in the big games and deserved this honor in my opinion rather than Berluti who really only beat Middlebury this year as his big game accomplishment.

[lumbercat]

Charlie-

Agree totally. Zander was the more consistent guy but as I opined previously Candido can be a bit erratic at times but at the end of the day he was as good a playmaker as Ive ever seen in the NESAC. He made several huge plays that decided game outcomes. He is the reason Wesleyan was in the title game and he went out and won that too...in Hartford.

Berluti and Zander both exceptional QBs but If I need a clutch guy in a crucial situation to win a game give me Candido.

By leaps and bounds this kid was clearly the league MVP.

[NESCAC BULLY]

Bantams snubbed out of a OPOTY for the second year in a row...

[NESCACFball24/7]

At what point do we accept alot of the voting is just a popularity contest. Berluti had his worst year of his career and was proably the 3rd best QB in the league and got first team. Clapp wasnt even the best receiver on his team and was 5th in most categories. The whole idea that guys teams get slots based on standings makes no sense in my opinion. If you are an all league guy you should stand out as an all league guy no matter what school you are at and the coaches should be objective enough to vote accordingly.

[NESCACFball24/7]

Bantams snubbed out of a OPOTY for the second year in a row...

Fetter won OPOY last year, what are you talking about..

[BantChamps]

Bantams snubbed out of a OPOTY for the second year in a row...

Fetter won OPOY last year, what are you talking about..

The coaches did not like Fetter so they had him split it with Richardson. NESCAC coaches are spiteful & get butthurt when they get blown out haha.

[Nescacman]

Charlie-

Agree totally. Zander was the more consistent guy but as I opined previously Candido can be a bit erratic at times but at the end of the day he was as good a playmaker as Ive ever seen in the NESAC. He made several huge plays that decided game outcomes. He is the reason Wesleyan was in the title game and he went out and won that too...in Hartford.

Berluti and Zander both exceptional QBs but If I need a clutch guy in a crucial situation to win a game give me Candido.

By leaps and bounds this kid was clearly the league MVP.

Amen Lumber. We agree with you...and Charlie (that might be a first).

We think Chase was a good choice and we are supportive of him being selected, but we would not have had a problem if Niko was selected either, as evidenced by our end of season awards.

Niko's stats may not have stacked up to some of the other Q's in the league, but the ultimate stat is wins and losses and Niko got it done when it counted. Similar to Bobby Maimaron in 2021, winning and leadership always deserves to be recognized. At a minimum, maybe Niko and Zander should have been 1st team and Berluti should have been 2nd Team.

Congrats to Chase, Zander, Niko and Michael on great seasons and careers (and hoping that Chase continues to build on his tremendous 2024 in 2025).

NM

[BigKat]

A lot of boo hooing about Berluti and a lifetime achievement 1st team nod this year. I will agree it wasn't his best season statistically ...but..let's not forget him getting absolutely hosed his sophomore year for OPOY when his numbers were other worldly 26 td's/3ints. At a bare minimum he should have been co OPOY with Lutz.


Countless examples of kids being overlooked or more importantly not being championed hard enough by their coach. Was this a make up penalty for the egregious mistake in '22? maybe.

[GroundandPound]

He was "hosed" by his own coach then.

[BigKat]

Totally possible, don't have a lot of insight to how POY decisions are made. Votes, back room conversations etc..NM probably knows more.

[LochNescac]

Enough of this "awards babble"...

On to the WAAAY too early prognostication!!

How 'bout some Pre-Pre Season thoughts from those in the "know".

(non-binding of course)

[GroundandPound]

Way too early top 3 foe 2025:
1. Trinity
2. Wesleyan
3. Williams

[Brady12]

Way too early top 3 foe 2025:
1. Trinity
2. Wesleyan
3. Williams

Who will be the QB for all three?

[nescac1]

Yeah. I think Midd has to be in the mix with those three, just because we know they have a QB with some good weapons returning.  They lose on a ton on both lines but have earned the benefit of the doubt. 

Trinity surely has someone big time in the QB hopper.