FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[lumbercat]

Trin 8-0

Sorry for the delayed response- I've been enjoying the Maine coast and some golf for the last couple of weeks. Back home today so I wanted to post my response.

By the way, the post of 4 more years that occurred in the interim may be the best account of the basic differences that exist among NESCAC Football programs- one of the best posts I have ever read on this board- couldn't agree more and $ more years has experienced it first hand. Good luck to each of his sons.

Let me make it clear that I was not making any implication of any foul play on the part of the Trinity Football program. I have many friends past an present in that program. I have the utmost respect for the way they run the program and the support they provide for their student athletes.

The point was I was trying to make is in reference to the changes in Middletown that have challenged a long period of domination by the Bantams. It seems logical that Trinity may, or could, extend their recruiting flexibility just a bit further. Winning is important at Trinity and I admire the value they place on excellence and winning. If they were to broaden some of their admission standards just a bit does not imply foul play.

Trinity has had an outstanding recruiting year- those of you in the Coop will be impressed with the incoming class- its very impressive.

I don't know for a fact that Trinity dialed it up a bit in recruiting this year but it is food for thought given what is going on at Wesleyan where the Cardinals are the favorite to run the table in the NESCAC this year.

Believe Trinity will unfortunately lose at least one key underclassman this year while the word is uncertain of any key losses in Middletown. As we know Wesleyan returns almost everyone who contributed to their run last year.

As we all know the ultimate test of the Cardinal resurgence will be game 8 where the Red and Black face the Trinity machine.

[frank uible]

So it's settled - the entire NESCAC football schedule will be cancelled except for the Trinity-Wesleyan game on 11/8/14.

[nescac1]

Wesleyan has its pre-season roster posted.  The Cardinals are going to be the OVERWHELMING favorite in NESCAC next year:

http://www.wesleyan.edu/athletics/football/roster/index.html

Trinity will be loaded on defense, but loses a lot of big-time weapons on offense in Bunker, Crick, and A.J. Jones.  Wesleyan, on the other hand, brings back essentially all its key players, including three fifth-year seniors (most notably two-time first-team all NESCAC DB Bussani).  Wesleyan returns, I believe, nine guys who have been all-NESCAC guys at least once, that is just a huge crew of returning talent.  And Wesleyan has a particularly loaded senior class: Bussani, Warren, Drew (who with Foote and Bunker gone is now the favorite for OPOY in NESCAC), Gibson, Powers, Cimino, Fabien, Siciliano, Day, Ricciardi, Dimase, Khadar, Otis, Bishop, Scanell, Hurwitz -- Wesleyan is loaded with seniors who are likely to start or play key roles, and this was the recruiting class that turned the program around.  They will be very hungry to go out on top and I have a feeling will face very few challenges this season.  Midd won't be the same without Foote.  Amherst will always be in the mix, and I think overachieved a bit last year (kudos to E.J. Mills who doesn't get enough credit but is a heck of a coach), but doesn't seem to have the firepower returning that Wesleyan does (only four returning all-NESCAC guys).  No one else other than Trinity or Amherst seems likely to be competitive with Wesleyan, if the Cards stay healthy and focused.

I do think Williams will be back in the mix as a team to deal with in NESCAC, especially if Lommen (or someone else) is for real at QB, but Williams has to first focus on just returning to an above .500 team before they can credibly be considered to be in the mix.  But they are a dark horse.  Colby I think is another dark horse which has some really elite talent, but not enough depth.  And Bates will continue to grow as a program, but again, don't have nearly the depth of talent of Wesleyan or Trinity. 

[lumbercat]

Nothing is ever settled with 8 games to play Frank but I don't see your Purple gang in the mix again this year.
Needless to say I look forward to your inciteful comments on the Williams Football Show and wish the Efs the very best.

[amh63]

Looked over the Wes preseason roster....about 90 candidates in a quick count.  A number of FY players from my neck of the woods.  See an impressive number of large linemen in the freshmen class.
Agree that the Cardinals defense last season stepped up and led the team.  However, the thrashing by Trinity to Wes in Hartford was quite telling. It raises questions in my mind...whether Wes was over achiving.
I think that the home and away schedule of games will be key to many games this season for any contender.  Last season, Amherst won barely at home against Trinity.  The previous year, they lost in the last quarter at Trinity.  Amherst crushed Middlebury at home, but lost badly in VT the previous year.  Amherst lost to Wes in a close game at home.  I posted last season that a parent who saw both the Trinity win and the Wes lost predicted a BIG win for the Bantams over the Cardinals.  A bias but perceptive parent of players at Amherst and Trinity.  Believe the word used was "crush".

Anyway, Amherst's schedule shows away games for Trinity and Wesleyan..not good.  However, I feel a bit positive about the upcoming season.  Not even knowing anything about the recruits...I believe that the talent on hand will produce a winning season.  The defense should be strong again.  The offense has fine talented receivers returning and experienced QBs.  Amherst needs to replace key offensive linemen and improve the running game.  Last season saw a lack of the "long ball" game....and a consistent running game.  There is talent on hand to overcome such shortcomings
Just some preseason thoughts...and hopes.

[banfan]

Since the Wes Cardinal are considered the team to beat and the last game of the year looks to be vital, what happened last year?

I did not have a dog in the fight last year but I did attend the game. It was very one sided from start to finish. I do not remember why folks thought the season ended for Wes the way it did. Posting after the last game of the season tends to drop off. Are there Wes people or Trin or more interestingly neutral NESCAC followers who have an opinion as to why Trin dominated that game.

Was it just match ups, or Wes not playing in as many big games as the Trinity players over the years? I am pretty sure it wasn't the long drive to Hartford. Curious what Wes might have to be working on to avoid a similar game number 8.

[frank uible]

The difference in the qualities of the respective senior leaderships made all the difference in 2013.

[fulbakdad]

Love it!  And Al isn't even here yet!!!!!

[Trin9-0]

I agree that Wes is the favorite to win the NESCAC this year. Whalen has done a tremendous job turning around their program in short order. Last year's Cardinal squad reminds me of the '02 Trinity team who also finished 7-1 and was trounced in their one loss (a 30-13 beating at Williams). Like Wesleyan last year, that Trin squad tied for a league title and marked the turn-around of a dormant program.

It remains to be seen if the Cards can match the subsequent success that Trinity saw under Chuck Priore (three consecutive undefeated seasons), but they certainly have the talent to run the table this year. The Wes schedule plays out nicely for them as well; getting Middlebury early in the season before the (now Foote-less) Panthers have a chance to settle in behind a new quarterback. They also face both Amherst and Trinity at home. I agree with nescac1 that the Ephs will rebound this year and could knock-off the Cards in Williamstown if they can catch a 6-0 Wesleyan looking forward to a revenge game against Trinity.

I'm looking forward to the season getting underway so we can see how it all plays out! On a different note, please take a moment to check out the foundation started by 2012 All-NESCAC Trinity linebacker Brett Cde Baca: http://www.onehitaway.org/, a non-profit organization working to provide awareness, education, support and resources for healing sports-related brain injuries and concussions.

[gridiron]

Excited for the new season like everyone else...

Thought it worth noting the latest Forbes college rankings again reflect very positively on the NESCAC. Along with the Ivies I believe no other conferences have all members represented in the top 100 institutions. 

Even though rankings are very controversial and still subjective in many respects, I do think it is fair to suggest in broad terms they show commitment to academics first.

Nice to keep it all in perspective as we head into the competitive football season ahead.

[Trin9-0]

Trinity has posted their season preview:
http://athletics.trincoll.edu/sports/fball/2014-15/releases/Football_21415

17 returning starters but big losses with the graduation of playmakers Bunker, Crick and Jones.

[nescac1]

No mention of Sonny Puzzo, last year's NESCAC ROY, in the Trinity preview.  He seized the reigns at QB late in the season for Trinity, and if he is no longer at the program, that is another big loss on offense along with the three graduated skill position stars.  Trinity is going to really have to rely on defense this fall, especially early in the season (something it is, of course, accustomed to). 

[Trin9-0]

I've heard Puzzo won't be at Trinity for the fall semester. Big opportunity for Foye. Linebacker will be an interesting group to watch as well. Trin returns three starters but I've heard the incoming freshman linebackers are scary good.

[lumbercat]

Trin 8-0 and NESCAC 1-

Back in July I alluded to a very important Trinity underclassmen who would not be returning to Trinity this year- at that point in time it's simply not appropriate to identify a D3 athlete who is headed in a different direction for a number of possible reasons.

Puzzo showed great promise- let's hope that whatever transpired will end as a positive for a fine young student athlete.

As a testament to the great Trinity recruiting arsenal they knew they were losing Sonny relatively early in the recruiting cycle so in their inimitable style they are bringing in a strong potential replacement- you may be impressed by this kid:

Spencer Aukamp QB St. Josephs NJ- 6'1- 195

Aukamp may make an impact this year but Trinity not doing badly with very capable Henry Foye. Certainly you young Coopsters are aware of The Foye - Bantam legacy. Henry's old man, one of the great Bantam QBs of all time in the late 70's when the Blue and Gold domination began.

Here is a sampling some of the prime recruits coming to Hartford this year- I will state again that it looks like the Bants really torqued it up this year with Whalen pushing them hard in Middletown- please, Coopsters, don't grow rabbit ears on that, I make no allegation of foul play.

Matt Morin LB Milton Academy, Ma 6'2" 220
Joe Farrah LB Hall HS, Ct LB 6'2" 230
Jack Racoczy LB Stamford, Ct 6'3" 230
John Spears RB Pingree, Ma 5'8" 185
Andrew Crane DL Lawrence Academy, Ma 6'2" 280
Brian Viera WR Suffield, Ct 6'4" 200
Colin Geier LB Benet Academy, Il 6'1" 220
Andrew Meoli RB Xavier, Ct 6'0" 205

These is just the tip of the iceberg- inordinate amount go incoming LBs coming in that are all on the big side by NESCAC standards.

[nescac1]

Wow, quite a haul for Trinity, indeed.  With three all-NESCAC level seniors playing LB for Trinity, those guys will probably be limited to special teams and depth this year, but there will obviously be plenty of opportunities to make a bigger impact as sophomores. 

Spencer Aukamp sounds like a major steal -- with a few extra inches (he's actually 5'11) he surely would have been playing in D1. 

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-6204958331093719657/football-spencer-aukamp-of-st-joseph-mont-commits-to-trinity-college/. 

First team all-state in New Jersey, which produces some pretty stellar football talent, is no joke.  I imagine he will compete with and probably share time with Foye, much like Puzzo did last year. 

Spears is another guy who could play right away with Trinity's losses at the TB position.