FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Go Continentals!]

Thanks for letting us know about the video, article and podcast.  The video was nicely done.  Now, I'm really looking forward to the game!

[lumbercat]

Amherst and Tufts have finally broken radio silence by posting their rosters....I think some of the speculation on the board about timing of roster releases may be over thought ....all visiting teams send their rosters to opponent SIDs well in advance of games so the home team can get their programs printed. Thus rosters have been disclosed well in advance of this late date.

I believe the timing of rosters posted on team websites is primarily a function of the workload of the SID's in updating their website as opposed to tactical or manipulative reasons for "withholding" information.

Another thought...If there is truly a 75 man roster limit why do a number of teams list rosters in excess of 75?  Many rosters in excess of 75 and some are 80+.......I can't figure it nor can I can find the actual guidelines relating to this rule....gotta love the NESCAC....so rigid and structured on some guidelines like number of games and post season play yet  so vague and ambiguous on others.

[quicksilver]

Each school has to submit its 75-person roster to the NESCAC offices before its first game.

[Jonny Utah]

Amherst and Tufts have finally broken radio silence by posting their rosters....I think some of the speculation on the board about timing of roster releases may be over thought ....all visiting teams send their rosters to opponent SIDs well in advance of games so the home team can get their programs printed. Thus rosters have been disclosed well in advance of this late date.

I believe the timing of rosters posted on team websites is primarily a function of the workload of the SID's in updating their website as opposed to tactical or manipulative reasons for "withholding" information.

Another thought...If there is truly a 75 man roster limit why do a number of teams list rosters in excess of 75?  Many rosters in excess of 75 and some are 80+.......I can't figure it nor can I can find the actual guidelines relating to this rule....gotta love the NESCAC....so rigid and structured on some guidelines like number of games and post season play yet  so vague and ambiguous on others.

Can you practice but not dress?

[frank uible]

Gentlemen, start your engines!

[nescac1]

Picks for final standings:

1. Trinity 7-1
2. Middlebury 7-1
3. Williams 6-2
4. Amherst 5-3
5. Wesleyan 5-3
6. Bates 3-5
7. Bowdoin 3-5
8. Colby 2-6
9. Tufts 1-7
10. Hamilton 1-7

Picks for POY (ROY is almost impossible to project in football, although the much-hyped Bates QB seems like a contender, as does the frosh QB at Trinity in the unlikely event he manages to beat out Foye)

OPY: 1. McCallum Foote, 2. Evan Bunker, 3. Alex Scyocurka, 4. James Stanell, 5. Max Lippe  / LaDarius Drew
Others to watch: Luke Dunklee, Zach Donarumma, Justin Ciero. (I'd say Rob Wasielewski but no chance than a linemen ever wins, and I'd say Ben Crick but he's stuck behind Bunker). 

DPY: 1. Andrew Kukesh, 2. Brett Cde Baca, 3. Nik Powers, 4. Tom Syzmanski, 5. Tim Patricia / Danny Chun
Others to watch: Tom Cabarle, Griff Cardew, Jake Bussani, James Howe, Landrus Lewis

[nescac1]

Williams has its final roster posted: 

http://ephsports.williams.edu/sports/fball/2013-14/roster

A note on the roster: Williams rarely or maybe never changes positions or heights and weights from year to year.  Hence, a lot of the offensive and defensive linemen, for example, are almost certainly bigger than their listed weights.  And position changes are not necessarily reflected (Helmkamp, listed at WR, is a starting CB, for example). 

20 frosh make the roster and they appear to be an intriguing group as many are already reported to be on the two-deep or otherwise have warranted mention by coaches: offensive linemen Wertz, Fish, and Allen (who average 275 lbs!), DL Hanson Koota, very small but presumably extremely quick DBs Mike Davis and Taysean Scott, and tight end-sized WR Lewis Hayes.  Williams in general brought in a lot of size this year. 

Best frosh name in NESCAC has to be Luvin De Leon, a RB who looks like a promising player to boot. 

A lot of very strong sophomore players on Williams as well: Howe, Grossnickle, McLaughlin, Jewett, Ryan, Bond, O'Grady, Eaton, Sime and Black are all likely to play key roles on the team.  Could be the youngest Williams line-up we've seen in quite some time, but some of the currently unknown players may well surprise some teams.  Hopefully the growing pains don't last too long, especially for the very green offensive line. 

[Trin9-0]

Season preview video for Bowdoin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKUdFMWJqJw&feature=c4-overview&list=UUBKrwdP_vTRJGx-iLsNcrrw

Trinity's student run TSN posted a preview of the Trinity-Bates game:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NZY_gjkIHQ

Article from a local Middletown paper previewing Wesleyan:
http://www.middletownpress.com/sports/20130918/wesleyan-football-ready-for-season-to-begin

Picks for final standings:

1. Trinity 7-1
2. Middlebury 7-1
3. Williams 6-2
4. Amherst 5-3
5. Wesleyan 5-3
6. Bates 3-5
7. Bowdoin 3-5
8. Colby 2-6
9. Tufts 1-7
10. Hamilton 1-7

Picks for POY (ROY is almost impossible to project in football, although the much-hyped Bates QB seems like a contender, as does the frosh QB at Trinity in the unlikely event he manages to beat out Foye)

OPY: 1. McCallum Foote, 2. Evan Bunker, 3. Alex Scyocurka, 4. James Stanell, 5. Max Lippe  / LaDarius Drew
Others to watch: Luke Dunklee, Zach Donarumma, Justin Ciero. (I'd say Rob Wasielewski but no chance than a linemen ever wins, and I'd say Ben Crick but he's stuck behind Bunker). 

DPY: 1. Andrew Kukesh, 2. Brett Cde Baca, 3. Nik Powers, 4. Tom Syzmanski, 5. Tim Patricia / Danny Chun
Others to watch: Tom Cabarle, Griff Cardew, Jake Bussani, James Howe, Landrus Lewis

I think you're pretty spot-on with your predictions nescac1. I'm not sure if any team in the league is good enough for an 8-0 season. However, I do think Hamilton and Tufts could end up 0-8. It's a shame they don't play one another. Also, I like Wesleyan to win at least one of their games against Williams, Amherst or (hopefully not) Trinity. My season predictions:

1. Trinity 7-1
1. Middlebury 7-1
3. Amherst 6-2
3. Wesleyan 6-2
5. Williams 5-3
6. Bates 4-4
7. Bowdoin 2-6
7. Colby 2-6
9. Hamilton 1-7
10. Tufts 0-8

[ExTartanPlayer]

20 frosh make the roster and they appear to be an intriguing group as many are already reported to be on the two-deep or otherwise have warranted mention by coaches: offensive linemen Wertz, Fish, and Allen (who average 275 lbs!), DL Hanson Koota, very small but presumably extremely quick DBs Mike Davis and Taysean Scott, and tight end-sized WR Lewis Hayes.  Williams in general brought in a lot of size this year. 

High school success doesn't always translate and everyone always thinks their kid/league is special, but I would expect good things from Wertz, although I'm not sure he'll crack the lineup this year (since I don't know much about Williams' team needs and returning OL this season).  Last year, he was the best two-way lineman on a state championship team from a traditionally strong PA high-school program (my alma mater ).  I've known the family for several years and he's a great kid.  Good size, good footwork, good attitude.  He could be in the mix for playing time as an upperclassman if he works hard.

[nescac1]

Thanks for sharing that, ExTartanPlayer.  It seems that the Ephs are high on Wertz as he is the primary back-up at center, where Williams often puts its best or at least one of its best offensive linemen (he is behind a very good, experienced Junior center).  That is high praise for a first year player. Pennsylvania high school football is no joke, always happy to see recruits from PA or Ohio ...

[ExTartanPlayer]

Thanks for sharing that, ExTartanPlayer.  It seems that the Ephs are high on Wertz as he is the primary back-up at center, where Williams often puts its best or at least one of its best offensive linemen (he is behind a very good, experienced Junior center).  That is high praise for a first year player. Pennsylvania high school football is no joke, always happy to see recruits from PA or Ohio ...

No worries, glad to offer a bit of input.  I will likely be following the Williams team (and by extension the NESCAC) a bit for the next four years because Wertz and another Wyomissing product (Connor Reedy, listed as a DE) are both freshmen on the team and our families are close.  Perhaps embarrassing to the kids, but I babysat both of them in their pre-teen years

Each started both ways for the high school team last year (Wertz at C/DT; Reedy at G/DE).  Neat fact, they were 2 of the top 3 students in their high school class, and the third was also a starter on the football team.  Good kids, good players.  Hope they have some success at Williams.

[nescac1]

Sounds great!  Very cool that they could continue their football career in college together, and also glad they helped defy some of the football academic stereotypes.  I'll keep an eye out for them as they move up the depth chart over their careers. 

[mullethead]

Trinit final roster posted. That was down to the wire. I hear there were several difficult choices made here.

[amh63]

Reporting from Ithaca NY...going to watch homecoming fireworks at Cornell's stadium.  It is free...no connection to Cornell...daughter lives in the area.
Finally reviewed the roster.   25 freshmen listed...many offensive players...big and small...big  WRs, small RBs. Much talent from NJ's feeder schools that have sent Amherst impact players in many sports in past years.  Interesting that the HFC cited  a number of FYs that are challenging to start...to possibly make impacts.
Can not wait to see a live game in Clinton on  Sat. in the rain even.

[newyorkCACfan]

Hey, everyone. I'm new to the boards -- recent Tufts grad from New York living in Boston who follows NESCAC football pretty closely.

First question: Will the Jumbos win a game? I think Bowdoin in Week 3 is their best shot. As someone mentioned before, it's a shame they don't play Hamilton.

Thoughts?