FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[amh63]

Nescac1....agreed with your assessment and acknowledge that your one expected win  among the Trinity, Midd, Wes and Amherst pack is Amherst! .  It is always a challenge against the Ephs in Willytown....though, in the infamous "mud bowl" TIE against the undefeated Williams team in 1995 is considered a win among many Amherst fans. 
Background info on that game that led Williams on the long road to build their new football/athletic facility.  The NYTimes covered the rivalry game over 3 plus days and afterwords had the headline..."Amherst wins 0-0  tie from Williams in mud". The football was actually floating about in the end zone....leading EPH supporters to announce efforts to replace the field SOON.
Got side tracked a little here....could not help myself.  Attended an Amherst event yesterday.  Sent off event for new students in the D.C. Area.....met up with several alums from my era, including one former football player.  we sat together last season in the cold, cold Homecoming Night game win at Pratt.   
Did find out that new students are expected up at Amherst at the end of August.  No new football players seen in the crowd.

[lumbercat]

QB  Nelson looks like a good one for Bowdoin but he may not be their best QB recruit.
They will also be bringing in a very promising QB in Devon Kennedy 6'2" 185 coming off a PG year at The Hill School in Pottstown, Pa.

[gridiron]

Amh63--would think your observation regarding the younger brother recruit at Amherst will probably settle the QB selection at Amherst.  Likely the plan all along, when some were surprised the older sibling was getting playing time as a FY?  You are probably closest to the program, so your opinion may be most relevant.

[lumbercat]

Looking over the Colby prospectus their well publicized QB situation shows a couple of talented underdogs (other than Ecke and Harrington).
Joe Anile from a great program at Chaminade on Long Island. The Anile bloodlines on the island are notable - Joe will be a contender.
Hunter Riehle former All State QB in Vt could also be the guy.
The early season workouts in Waterville will be competitive.......Colby looks thin at WR so assume Michaeles will have some of these guys running pass routes at some point in the preseason with his famous end around pass play on page 1 of the Mule play book. Who will be the next Dunklee.

[NewtoNescac]

LumberCat, Anile was 4th or 5th string and Riehle moved to DB last year. So, Unless sonething changes dramatically they won't be major factors in the QB situation.

[lumbercat]

Newtonescac-
4th string QB at Colby means he may have a shot - there is another QB on the roster.... Sparacio- but I have little info on him- do you?

[frank uible]

Re Williams possibly going 5-3 in 2015, when was the last time a NESCAC college improved in football by at least 3 wins from year to year? Williams did it from 2000 (5-3, Farley's second least productive year) to 2001 (8-0). Has it happened more recently?

[NewtoNescac]

Frank, Tufts won 4 games last year, and I think they were winless the year before. I've seen very little difference between the top and bottom teams, so big improvement is possible.

[NewtoNescac]

LumberCat, I looked up Sparacio's stats. No pass attempts last year, 2 runs for 23 yards. Nothing else on the Colby site. Maybe you can find out more.

[amh63]

I must be missing something in all the discussion recently wrt to Colby and the QB situation...not unusual for me I must add.  I enjoy the chatter here....but...where do posters expect Colby to climb in the CAC when the QB is picked?  Not clear which posters except maybe RetiredMule is a Colby poster.
Aside from the CCB title as a goal, is there a serious chance that Colby will improve over last season...or hope to improve to the 4-4 record of two seasons ago. 
I did notice that the program has hired a new assist coach on the defensive side...Sean Conorly.  Reviewing last season's games with only wins over Bowdoin and Hamilton and not playing Williams...the other school with a 2-6 record...I feel the hiring of a new DL coach is a fine move.
I expect Hamilton with its new HFC's first recruiting Class to improve and the same for Bowdoin.  Other than discussion on the QB selection at Colby, are there other indications that the Mules will start "kicking" again with vigor?

[gridiron]

Love the fresh NESCAC northeast (Maine schools) buzz on the board.  With respect to Colby, shame for them Williams was not on the schedule last season or this upcoming season.  Oh, how times have changed.  Of course, if there was a nine game schedule...

As for the Mule QB status, prediction here is it will take an injury for Harrington not to be at the helm this season.

[NewtoNescac]

Amh63, you are absolutely right. You cannot appoint a QB, and you certainly can't compound the mistake by naming him captain.

Gridiron, you are 100% correct, as well. Harrington will be the starter, and based on last year it will not be good for Colby.

[PolarCat]

NewToNescac, I am going to come right out and say what I have been thinking for weeks now.

I don't know why you carry such a grudge against Harrington, but I for one am sick of hearing about it.  I don't know if he is a great kid or a mass murderer, and I don't know what your personal relationship is to him (or to someone else vying for the position), but enough is enough.  Please stop.  The Colby players and coaching staff have spoken; give the kid a chance and let's see how it plays out without all the online character assassination.  It's really, really tiring.

And no, I don't have a horse (or a mule) in this race.  Last year's "Kelton watch" was one thing.  HCOF Kelton is a paid professional, and therefor somewhat fair game.  But Harrington is a 20-year-old kid, paying to play in NESCAC.  Please stop.

[NewtoNescac]

PolarCat, I honestly don't get your problem, but you have a problem with me. I did not bring this up, I was responding to the posts of two other people.  I guess I should have ignored them because you don't want to hear from me. By the way, I have been critical of the Hamilton QB situation, and to a lesser extent Williams, as well. That's because it's the single most important position on the team, and can turn a team around. If the Hamilton transfer is the real deal, watch how that team changes.

[amh63]

PolarCat....talking about "kicking"....I must be honest with you here...I'm am a bit worried about Amherst's kicking game and the Bates opener in Maine.....and your lack of input wrt Bates' QB situation.
First, Amherst loses its top notch field goal and extra point kicker to graduation....D.C. Area recruit. Yes, the player whose kicks help win the Wes game in the rain.  No idea who will replace him wrt to his duties.  Second, Bates has become a tough opponent for Amherst to open the season recently.  I expect a tight game again.  Amherst needs to replace some stout OL and DL players...key starters for many years that happened to be from MD. Two star LBs also have graduated. I fear that the Bates' game will come down to some unusual event.
I do have confidence that Amherst's coaches will find the defensive replacement needed to avoid the above scenario.  It must be pointed out that Amherst won against the Bantams in the Coop last season due in part to a blocked extra point..final score 7-6!...and it was a wet day.
Come to think of it, Amherst beat Trinity, Midd and Wes last season in wet weather, in away games and in tight close games.
Best option maybe for me to convince your son to transfer to Amherst ...any chance?