FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[banfan]

One Trin player that I know felt good about how the team played after the scrimmage.  Also, Devanney dislikes this forced format a lot.  And one of the things he dislikes is that opposing coaches have everything to gain and Trin has a lot to loose.  By the way, the "Super Bowl" approach that Wes takes really does not help them when week 8 roles around.  Last year's scrimmage was very similar and I expect that week 8 will be similar too.  IMHO

I am glad to hear that Caputi is playing other spots on the field.  Bowdoin can use good football players.

[lumbercat]

I see Devanny's logic and find no fault with it. Trinity has the luxury of opening against Bates at home which I'm sure they can treat like a tuneup game thus negating the importance of the Wesleyan scrimmage. Bates is an improving program which may surprise this year but realistically they proabably don't have much of a chance of upsetting Trinity at home but heres betting that they will keep closer than in past.
My point is that if Trinity were opening with Amherst or Williams they would treat the Wesleyan scrimmage differently.

Some bad luck for the Polar Bears who have lost one of their tri-captains WR Sean O'Malley to injury- maybe that creates an opening for a good athlete like Caputi. They have some good athletes at skill positions but as previosly stated on this board they are a young, smallish team.

Interesting to see who will be the starting QB at Colby. Will know later this week when the Mules finally relaease their roster and hopefully they will put together some kind of season preview. Colby and Hamilton notorius for their shortcomings on the web page and PR in general--I think they may be a little thin in the SID office.

[nescac1]

Williams-Colby preview posted:

http://williams.prestosports.com/sports/fball/2012-13/releases/2012091732mqbz

The most surprising starter named for the Ephs is Jeff Riemann, who is a senior and has zero catches in his career.  I believe that he is fast, and along with Hartwell, will give the Ephs a lot of speed on the outside, a different look than the past few years when the Ephs have featured very big targets.  As Frank U. has noted, Coach Kelton, in his comments, seems to really be emphasizing speed this year, with several key players losing weight in an effort to get quicker.  Overall, the starting lineup looks smaller, across the board, than it has in quite some time.

With the caveat that this is largely guess work and not based on much first-hand observation (aka, barely educated guesses), these are the five first years and five sophomores who I am curious to follow this year.  The first years, of course, will probably play very little as a group, in all events, especially at deep positions like WR. 

First Years:
Adam Vining, WR -- led state of Florida in receptions as a junior, played in small school league but even so it's Florida.  Hurt much of his senior year.  On video a man among boys with great size and ability to run after catch, and adequate (not stellar) speed.  Great athlete as also a good HS kicker.  May need time to adjust after dominating small school competition.

Darrias Sime -- enormous, very strong and athletic WR, also plays hoops, could develop into a mismatch nightmare for NESCAC defenses, especially in the red zone.  Probably lacks top-end speed, or would be playing at a higher level. 

Charlie Grossnickle, OL -- enormous OL from Georgia, excellent high school credentials, I posted about him once before

James Howe, DL -- only first year listed in season preview, all-state DL in North Carolina, ideal size for a DE

Jack Ryan, LB -- all-state QB from Rhode Island who seems to be focusing on defense at Williams

Other names to watch: DB Graeme Black (another converted QB) and OL Patrick McLaughlin (another OL with ideal size and good HS credentials)

Sophomores:

Mike Flynn, DL -- undersized DE who is starting as a Soph, so must be very quick.  All-state N.H. in high school.  One of three scout team MVPs last year. 

Antonio Blanco, LB -- another Soph defensive starter, smallish so another guy who presumably is very quick

Steve Kiesel, WR -- along with Flynn and FB Qadir Forbes (who I don't think is on the team any more), the third scout team MVP.  Storied high school career in Minnesota, and also plays lacrosse.  Due to veteran depth at receiver may not see a ton of time this year. 

Tom Cabarle, DB -- player of the year in a very strong conference in high school, played well on specials as a frosh, which is usually a sign of bigger things ahead. 

Alan Felix, OL -- played a lot as a frosh.  Starting at center, where Williams often puts its best lineman.  Strong H.S. credentials.  Lost 35 pounds in off season, unusual for a young lineman!

Other names to watch: OL A.J. Walsh (another soph starter), DL Adam Datema (interior lineman who will likely start eventually but it behind two seniors, also a strong wrestler). 

[lumbercat]

NESCAC 1- Wohlwender not starting for Ephs?

[iamhuge]

http://www.gotuftsjumbos.com/sports/fball/2012-13/releases/preview

September 19, 2012
Jumbo Football Looks to be Much-Improved as 2012 Season Starts on Saturday
A new-look Tufts University football team debuts on Saturday afternoon against Wesleyan University at Ellis Oval/Zimman Field. With experience returning at some key positions and promising new faces ready to take on bigger roles, head coach Jay Civetti's Jumbos are looking to be one of the most improved teams in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) this season.


Senior tri-captain Dylan Haas is a Jumbo weapon at receiver and returning kicks
The Tufts offense hopes to surprise people this fall. Some key players returning from injury join some of last year's leaders to bolster the attack, which will be directed by a new starting quarterback. On defense, veterans on the line and in the secondary sandwich a young and talented group of linebackers on a unit that will look to be better against the run. Players who helped the Jumbo special teams rank among the league leaders in kickoff returns and punting last year are back as the main features of that group.

Here is a closer look at the 2012 Jumbos by position.

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK – Tufts will have a new starter at quarterback for 2012 as sophomore Jack Doll takes over. A prized recruit last season, Doll blends competitiveness with a cerebral approach. Senior John Dodds is a veteran back-up who has played in 11 games over the past two seasons. Drew Burnett and Matt Cahill are freshmen QBs.

RUNNING BACK – Junior Ryan Pollock quietly had a very solid season as a workhorse last fall. He rushed for a team-high 438 yards and three touchdowns while finishing second on the squad with 22 receptions for 139 yards. Juniors Jon Sobo and Marcel Pitre are both promising backs who had their seasons cut short by injury last fall. Sophomore Zack Trause is also a strong candidate to get carries. Junior Robert Ofoedu adds to the good depth at the position, while freshman Justin Weaver is a top recruit.

WIDE RECEIVER – The Jumbos are experienced and deep at wide-out. Senior tri-captain Dylan Haas (38 receptions for 436 yards and a TD in 2011) should be one of the league leaders at the position. Junior Pat Nee, who has 511 receiving yards and three touchdowns combined in his first two seasons, appears poised to make even bigger contributions this season. Likewise, Marty Finnegan (10-119 last year) and Mike Howell (8-113 and a TD) are veteran pass-catchers who could produce strong senior seasons. Greg Lanzillo is an up-and-coming sophomore.

TIGHT END – Senior Nick Kenyon has battled injuries during his career, but when healthy he has the potential to be one of the best in the league. Last season he caught 15 balls for 132 yards and two touchdowns, while he also takes care of his blocking responsibilities. Sophomore Will Hewitt and freshman Xavier Frey are the back-ups. Between the receivers and tight ends, Jumbo quarterbacks should have no shortage of reliable targets.

OFFENSIVE LINE – Senior tri-captain Andrew Rayner, a 6'6", 270-pound tackle who has seen a lot of playing time during his career, leads this potentially under-rated group. Senior Sam Stone has experience and intelligence at the center position, while juniors James Collins and Connor Glazier both played a fair amount of snaps last season. Sophomores Kyle Duke and Landon Davis will look to step into key roles, while Akene Farmer-Michos (6'4", 290), Kyle Knopp, and Justin Roberts are freshmen who could contribute as the season progresses.

FULLBACK – The Jumbos will feature a new face at fullback, where sophomores Robert Costa and Jack Docal are joined by freshman Sam Tawa as the top candidates.

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINE – Three senior starters from last year return with tri-captain and tackle Chris Toole, and ends Curtis Yancy and Zak Kline. Sophomore James Brao has break-out potential at tackle, while classmate Trevor Barsamian and junior Nash Simpson should be a part of the tackle rotation. The defensive line group includes several freshmen - Patrick Williams, Ife Adebayo, Corey Burns, Evan Anthony, Fernando Silva – as the team builds for the future.

LINEBACKER – A new, young group of linebackers will get the chance to prove themselves, whereas the only returning starter – senior Kyle Weller - is out with an injury. Sophomore Tommy Meade gained valuable experience last season and will be counted on to make plays. Junior Sean Harrington (6'3", 220) has good size and athleticism, while sophomores Joseph Natale, Colby Wilkinson, and Christian Proctor will look to contribute. Freshmen Matt McCormack and Wes Hartmann lead a talented group of newcomers at the position.

DEFENSIVE BACKS – With five seniors who have all played significantly in the secondary, this could be the strongest position on the team. They ranked fourth in the league for passing yards allowed last season, and will aspire to be better this fall. Senior safety Sam Diss is a two-time All-Conference selection who is the top returning tackler with his 52 stops last fall. Classmates Tommy Castle, Austin Crittenden (team-high five pass break-ups last year), Vincent Lee and Evan Parker are battled-tested and have all performed at a high level previously. Junior Nate Marchand and sophomores Patrick Glose, Michael DeFeo, and Greg Cohen are at the front of a deep group of reserves in the secondary.

SPECIAL TEAMS – Hass and Diss were two of the league's top return men in 2011, with Haas earning an All-Conference second team nod. He led NESCAC with a 22.4 kickoff return average last year, while Diss handled more kicks and finished at 21.7 yards per return. Diss was also the punt return man a year ago. Marty Finnegan is a veteran punter, entering his fourth season with the job. Tufts' 32.0 net average on punts last fall was third-best in NESCAC. Talented sophomore kicker Connor McDavitt will take over for career field goals record-holder Adam Auerbach, who graduated.

[nescac1]

Lumbercat -- the Ephs, like Trinity, have an abundance of talent at the TB position.  Wohlwender is a physical, strong, bowling ball of a runner, but he was behind Scyocurka, a key recruit who has star potential, on the depth chart last year until Scyocurka got hurt after his first two carries.  I think that Wohlwender could really punish tired defenses this year late in games.  Hernandez is also a quality back, very fluid, who would start at many NESCAC schools.   Even Kris Lapoint is very talented and could earn some playing time as either a third down back or a slot receiver. 

Iamhuge -- very interesting, especially re: Jack Doll.  He played for Mater Dei, so he didn't really get a chance to play QB since he was behind two future USC QBs at one of the best high school programs in the country.  He could have flown under the radar, accordingly. 

[lumbercat]

Thanks NESCAC1- Williams must have some good depth as usual. I was impressed with Wohlwender last year.

[banfan]

I see Devanny's logic and find no fault with it. Trinity has the luxury of opening against Bates at home which I'm sure they can treat like a tuneup game thus negating the importance of the Wesleyan scrimmage. Bates is an improving program which may surprise this year but realistically they proabably don't have much of a chance of upsetting Trinity at home but heres betting that they will keep closer than in past.
My point is that if Trinity were opening with Amherst or Williams they would treat the Wesleyan scrimmage differently.

L'cat I think it is always good to open at home but nobody is taking Bates lightly.  And, no, I do not think the approach would be any different if we were opening with Williams.  The Wes scrimmage is partially bad for Trin because it is our big year end game which makes both teams approach it differently.  If we played different teams in the scrimmage each year, each team might get more out of it.  I also think that you can run the scoreboard clock but no scores should be posted.  They are meaningless.

By the way, I certainly understand the final game significance in the schedule, but why are all the other weeks basically the same? 

[nescac1]

So, now that season previews are out, what are folks' predictions for NESCAC this year?  Here is one shot:

1. Trinity 8-0 ... Trinity's offense should be dominant this year, with the best group of RBs in the league, a dominant, veteran OL, an experienced senior QB, and a top receiving threat in A.J. Jones.  Teams will have to load up vs. the run which should allow for the Bantams to open up the offense a bit and make big plays down field.  An all-NESCAC kicker returns from injury to bolster the special teams.  The Trinity D loses a lot of talent, but Goniprow / Gau / Cde Baca form the fastest and most athletic group of interior linebackers and in the league, and Trinity has a strong veteran secondary.  The D-line is the only question mark, but Trinity always has guys waiting in the wings at those positions.  This would be the fifth year in a row for an undefeated NESCAC champion, and after three straight second-place finishes, Trinity is due. 

2. Williams 6-2 ... I think the Ephs will be hungry and motivated after last year's performance, and the Ephs have tons of weapons on offense.  Ephs almost have to better than last year on D despite all the losses to graduation.  But Trinity is too deep and talented this year, and the top echelon of the league is balanced enough that I expect each team to stumble against each other one other time. Still, if any team poses a threat to Trinity, it is Williams, who gets the Bantams at home.  Could see them finishing anywhere from 5-3 to 8-0, depending on how fast the defensive front seven gells.

3.  Amherst 6-2 ... Lord Jeffs of late have been alternating dominant and mediocre seasons of late, so I wouldn't be surprised to see the trend continue and for them to end up at 5-3 or 4-4.  Still, they seem to have good talent at QB, the O-line will be dominant, and the D is always very strong. WR and K are the big question marks. 

4.  Middlebury 5-3 ... every game will be a shoot-out.  The offense is good enough to surprise one or two teams, a virtual lock to lead the league in points allowed, though. 

5.  Wesleyan 5-3 ... the opposite of Midd, will rely on a grind-it-out defense and running game.  Could be anywhere from 2-6 to 6-2 depending on what they get out of the QB spot, but with a D-1 transfer in the mix, I imagine they will be at least as productive as last year. 

6.  Bates 3-5 ... offense should be in the top echelon of the league, but like Midd, they will give up a lot of points.

7. Bowdoin 3-5 ... return of QB will help a lot, but lost some key pieces at WR so still won't be explosive on offense, and they overachieved a bit last year I felt like. 

8.  Hamilton 2-6 ... don't have a great feel for this team but they don't really have the talent or depth yet to compete with the top half of the league

9. Tufts 1-7 ... a lot of ground to make up, but a new attitude and some added talent should allow them to avoid another bagel.

10. Colby 1-7 ... like Tufts, a team in transition, small roster, few experienced skill guys, and a new coach means that they will need time to adjust.

[amh63]

The Amherst preview of the Hamilton game is out with the probable starters for both teams listed.  The actual 2012 roster is NOT out yet.  The interesting items for me are:  Last year's starting RG moves to RT and new RG...rest if the OL is the same with two 1st team "CAC" selection the same.  QB starter is Max Lippe, the 6'6" player from the Silicon Valley area.  On the defensive side, there are changes in the OLB(injuries?..the ones listed are taller and bigger) but Amherst is deep in that area and returns two all conference selectees at ILB positions.  One new DT listed....maybe due to an early season hamstring injury to a returning starter.  The backfield has three new starters with a great deal of experience....as the Coach pointed out in the preseason video.  Two of the WRs have little experience....but the TE and the other WR does have game experience.  Oh yes, the returning CB starter, L. Lewis is a 1st team conference selectee.  Inexperience in the kicking game, as noted in earlier posts.
I agree that it will be an interesting season.  The fact that Amherst listed 3 WRs is also of interest to me.  Expect an shotgun QB and a passing game....setting up a running game.....vice the reverse approach that I thought.
No FY players listed.  The pre-season list does have new pictures....hairy facial pictures!  New RG may have won the position for the best facial hair style.

Too early and dangerous to predict how the season will go.

[lumbercat]

The season opens on Saturday and all schools have their rosters posted with the exception of the Elite 2--Amherst and Williams.
Maybe someone will be willing to scan the rosters from the game programs sold at Saturday's games and post them on the board so we know who the heck is playing for these prestigious institutions. Even Colby and Hamilton with sports information departments that are manned by volunteers have posted rosters.     AMH63-- you must be going nuts.

[PistachioX]

The Trinity Roster I am viewing is still titled, "Pre-Season Veteran Roster."  There are no FY players listed yet.  If an updated roster is published somewhere other than the Trinity Football Website - please share it here, with a link.

[FourMoreYears]

Bowdoin - Middlebury preview from Bowdoin website:

http://athletics.bowdoin.edu/sports/fball/2012-13/releases/201209202zwhdm

[nescac1]

Trinity, Williams, and Amherst, unlike most of the rest of NESCAC, all have to make substantial cuts to get down to 75 guys.  That, I imagine, is why their final rosters are posted later than most. 

Williams-Colby will be broadcast on NESN this Saturday.  Past NESN broadcasts of Eph sporting events have led to a very high quality video feed online, and I hope that is the case on Saturday, as well. 

[frank uible]

It is believed that Time Warner Cable Sports will carry this coming Saturday's Colby-Williams game, not NESN.