FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

nescac1 · August 02, 2012, 07:21:14 AM

Ummm, Billy Chapman over Darren Hartwell? Sorry, the latter is clearly the best returning WR talent in NESCAC. If Hartwell had played in Middlebury's system, with Foote (who deserves recognition) throwing to him, his numbers would break all sorts of NESCAC records, as it was, he still had better stats than Chapman last season.

Middlebury should have the top returning offense in NESCAC, with Trinity (who returns essentially its entire offense, including the top stable of RB's the league has seen for some time) and Williams (who, in addition to Hartwell, now has an experienced QB manning the ship, and returns all of its RB's, plus last year's projected starter, Alex Scyocurka, returns from injury) not far behind. Amherst, despite last year's excellent offensive performance, has a ton of question marks on offense, as they lose both QB's, the conference player-of-the-year at RB, and virtually all of its receiving yards to graduation.

Amherst does, however, seem to have the most defensive talent returning in NESCAC, even with the loss of someone as dominating at Ferber. A lot of teams lost a ton of defensive star power, especially Trinity and Williams (the latter of whom wasn't that great on D last year to begin with), so get ready for a lot of shoot-outs in NESCAC this fall. Trinity always reloads on defense and will still be great on that side of the ball. As a result, because of all that it returns on offense and its always stingy defense, I think Trinity will be the overwhelming favorite in NESCAC this fall, and may have the sort of dominating year it used to have in the middle portion of last decade unless (1) Amherst has a ton of young offensive firepower that develops by the end of the season in time for the Trinity and Williams games, (2) Williams has a lot of young defensive talent (especially on the defensive line, which was decimated by graduation) ready to step up and surprise, and Scyocurka makes a huge impact on the offense, or (3) Middlebury's offense is so powerful that it can just outscore teams who they have trouble stopping. But on paper, Trinity looks like the overwhelming favorite this season.

amh63 · August 02, 2012, 02:42:53 PM

It is August now and I see the posts have increased a bit, in spite of the Games across the Pond. The preseason picks posted here are interesting and as usual they are questionable......L. Lewis of Amherst is and has been a star cornerback for three years....not a linebacker.
Amherst needs to replace the QB and top runners and WRs' for sure. Last year, Amherst found a solid two QBs after losing a record-breaking QB....so I am hopeful in this area. There are excellent running backs available and best of all, the offensive line returns two starters that were selected 1st team conference players and have talented players on hand. The bad news is the lost of experience WRs and TE. On the defensive side, Amherst "on paper" should have the strongest defense in the conf., IMO. Top linebackers and linemen and two top CB. They need to replace the safeties. The most glaring lost for Amherst is in the special teams. Amherst loses its starters in the kicking game. I believe the defense will hold while the offense comes around. It is the punting, field goals and kick-offs that I am worried about.
At this time in August, I will just take a wait and see approach.....as usual.
Did see on TV, an interesting discussion on the NCAA rules changes in college football.....primarily in coaches contact with recruits and players (out of season). IMO, non will impact the NESCAC schools.

nescac1 · August 02, 2012, 03:13:01 PM

amh63, I know Amherst lost its all-conference placekicker and punter, but I thought they had an underclassman (maybe even a frosh) last year who had some ridiculous booming kickoffs, the type you rarely see in NESCAC (different player than the placekicker). Isn't he back this year? If so they would still have a strong kicking game.

I would not however underestimate the loss at QB. Last year's Williams team wasn't all that different on paper from the team that went 8-0 the prior year, the biggest difference was at QB, where Williams lost the record-setting NESCAC POY. Even though last year's QB's put up pretty solid numbers, the drop-off from the conference player of the year to guys who were merely solid really was apparent in the offense. Brian McMahon, while never previously a starter, was a guy who had shown a lot in his previous time on the field, and he was a senior, so QB wasn't quite as big a mystery for Amherst last year as it looks to be this fall. Amherst's QB's this year have basically zero experience, and that combined with the inexperience at WR presents just an enormous question mark. But Amherst is fortunate that its schedule tends to be back-loaded, so the team has plenty of time to acclimate and improve. Bunker is also a huge loss for Amherst, he was very, very difficult to tackle last year, and there was a BIG drop-off when he left the game. Amherst does have some young talent at RB, no doubt, but Bunker was a special player. And Amherst's perpetually strong D will keep them in any game. But I'd be stunned if they had another 8-0 season, especially with Trinity looking very, very strong, and Williams and Midd also likely to improve.

lumbercat · August 02, 2012, 07:09:49 PM

Rick Murphy: record setting Amherst QB in the early 70's- threw to Freddie Scott among others--don't know if his records still stand but he was a very good one at the time.

banfan · August 03, 2012, 08:14:03 AM

I appreciate nescac1's favorable comments about Trinity and I will make a comment or two but first a comment about Chapman vs Hartwell. This is a little apples to oranges because of the positions but Hartwell scares me and Chapman does not. Does Chapman scare anyone out there? Hartwell is all over the field. He plays a lot and can hurt yo in so many ways. Trinity has a kid who is Hartwell like. He has to prove it on the field and he was only a FY last season. Will Herbert is listed at 6'3" 195lbs on last year's roster and I am pretty sure he is the fastest kid on the team. When Williams came to Hartford last year they had a lot of problems but Hartwell scared me throughout the game.

Now, regarding Trinity, until camp opens and I see the team and hear from my son, I really am shooting in the dark. But, whereas the Defense was the best in conference up front and good at LB and OK at DB, this year I see them as Good up front excellent at LB and very good at DB. Now, there has been a lot of talk about Middlebury, naturally. I think the Trinity D is better suited to stopping a Midd type O then last year. Of course, Midd has to get the ball and they will not stop our O at all. If we score quickly, Midd gets the ball but, everyone at the field knows they need to throw and they will probably be behind. The line can tee off and coverage can be tight. We can win 45-28 or we can keep the ball and win 24-10.

Overall, I think Trinity is better this year but I also think the conference overall, is better this year. There just may not be as much strength at the top as past years.

Ciao

frank uible · August 03, 2012, 09:22:28 AM

Last year Wes was 3-5. This year your correspondent forecasts 5-3 or 6-2, depending on the play from their QB position, whoever their QB(s) may be.

nescac1 · August 03, 2012, 09:47:16 AM

Wes done indeed seem to be on the ascent (and what a coaching staff they have assembled!), and Ladarius Drew may do down as one of the best RB's NESCAC has seen (certainly in recent memory) when all is said and done. Of course as Frank notes, QB is a big question mark. Who else, Frank, do you see as legitimate challengers in NESCAC this year?

frank uible · August 03, 2012, 10:22:33 AM

Only the usual (and heretofore covered hereunder) suspects.

amh63 · August 05, 2012, 04:17:58 PM

nescac1.....the kicker you are thinking of is a local MD boy from Bulis Prep. He boomed the ball as a FY, but seemed to change his kicks as a soph. He is not listed on the prel. Amherst roster.
There was a story about a newer HS football program in northern Va. It's coach ran the "single wing" offense with great success and the stars were the linemen. He now has a very talented QB and is changing his offense a bit. I have not seen a single wing offense anywhere since the late 50's in the D.C. HS football league. Now, with the talent that Amherst has at the offensive line, maybe, Amherst will turn to a modified single wing game....or even a wing T with the running game being spotlighted. Just crazy summer time thinking.
I agreed that the conference is going to be tough. Trinity should be tough, as well as Bates and the other Maine schools. However, the Cardinals in Middletown are still questionable, IMO. I plan to attend the game in CT....Wes.'s homecoming...and expect a good game with Amherst prevailing. I think Frank's take on Wes. is interesting. Has Frank joined the coaching staff too?

lumbercat · August 06, 2012, 12:22:07 PM

D3.com preseason All American team announced.
Only one NESCAC player included. Middlebury WR Billy Chapman selected to the first team.
Chapman's recognition in these pre season polls seem to relflect 2 factors--
Chapman will have a great QB in Foote throwing to him and a maybe good job by Middlebury SID.
Personally I think Hartwell is a good one but Chapman is in his class. It will be fun to see how things play out this year.

amh63 · August 06, 2012, 05:47:11 PM

Lumbercat....your question about Amherst QB Murphy is most interesting. The record books do not show any records that he still holds. However, classmate Freddie Scott '73, still holds all the career touchdowns, catches, yardage in the record book.....over a three year period. F. Scott was inducted into the college hall of fame and had a fine NFL career primarily in Detroit, I believe. What is your connection/interest in Mr. Murphy? He is still involved heavily with Amherst activities/sports. I have met him several times and had dinner with him at a BB event in Salem Va.

lumbercat · August 06, 2012, 11:58:33 PM

Rick Murphy was a fine QB at Boston College High in the late 60's. He was pretty he heavily recruited by the Ivies and the old Yankee Conference. He was a very bright kid who I believe was close to Ivy commitments but he chose Amherst.

I was also an Ostendarp recruit with Amherst at that time,, it didn't work out for me at Amherst but I followed Murphy's conquests with the Jeffs. If memeory serves me correctly he was an All New England selection and maybe the old "Little All American". In 72 0r 73 he was a celebrated QB and well known in New England Football. I remember a story by Tim Horgan in one of the old Boston papers saying that the Amherst team could compete with Harvard and Dartmouth and that really ruffled some feathers in Cambridge.

While he had established some passing records, the way they throw the ball today would make it difficult for his exploits to stand, his records may have been blown away. If you look a little closer I think Murphy would show a place somewhere in the Jeffs record books but my memory may not be on the mark.

One thing I do remember vividly is the old Princeton striped jerseys with the multiplepurple stripes down the arms- not sure why they did away with that classic look that was a signature for those great Jeffs teams.

On another note when comparing old school QB's with those of today I like to look at "Attempts"- it's a telling stat when comparing QB's over the years. For the most part they throw it a lot more today.

lumbercat · August 07, 2012, 12:50:29 AM

Amh 63-
Double check your research- Rick Murphy still shares the Amherst record for most TD's in a season- I had to double check to be sure I didnt lose track all together but just to set the record straight I will re- state that he had other passing records which have been broken in recent years.
The Jeffs had another great QB on the 77 team - he is referred to in the Amherst record book as "Mike" Newman but he was well known in New England as Hank Newman. First team all New England that year- threw to a 6'7'' tight end Bill Swiacki who was drafted by the NY Football Giants and the LA Dodgers. Newman was drafted or signed a pro contract and the Jeffs also had a linbacker named Sean Clancy who was drafted and played in the NFL for 2 or 3 years with the Cardinals and Miami Dolphins. Pretty impressive for the Jeffs in those days and among the best in New England at that time- as an Amherst guy you gotta remember those great teams under Ostendarp.

banfan · August 07, 2012, 06:45:35 AM

regarding lumbercat's comment about Hartwell and Chapman and the Midd sid: I went back and looked at the stats for both, last year. Personally I cannot give the nod to Chapman on any level. Hartwell has better stats at receiver, he is a kick and punt returner and may be the best in conference at both. Hartwell even had an interception I think. Beyond all of that, Chapman has the best QB in nescac throwing to him. Just swap the teams. Have Hartwell play for Midd and Chapman play for Williams. Records would be broken.

Good pub for Midd but Chapman would never be my choice head to head. If Williams has a qb, he may touch the ball more this year than any Eph in history

amh63 · August 07, 2012, 05:50:07 PM

Thanks for the response and correction Lumbercat! Mr Murphy'73 indeed shared the TD single season record. Of his 16 TDs, F. Scott caught 12 of them in 1972...for a record that he still holds.
I too like/remember the jersey you mentioned.
There are many reasons that QB Murphy came to Amherst.....but I believe he came because he had an Uncle/family ties to Amherst.
I had dinner with him and several of his classmates in 2008 in Salem Va. after the lost of the Amherst BB team in the National Championship game to Wash. U. We were joined later by Coach Nixon for stories. etc. Mr. Murphy asked the BB team members to sign a t-shirt for his Uncle who had a heart attack while following the Amherst game. Brian Baskauskas, a star G/F, on the team got the signatures.....in part at the request of his father, a HS classmate of Murphy, I believe, and a star BB player at Yale.
If you want to get in touch with Murphy, we can talk about it later.