FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[NewtoNescac]

Same holds true at every level from pop warner to #26 in D1. Limited playing time for the player; options a plenty for the coaches. My NESCAC kid, a fierce competitor HS all-state and state champion, and 2 year all-NESCAC player, hated the losing. However, to this day he insists he would not do things differently if he was able to go back in time. I beg to differ that I am missing the point. Your point appears to be wins and losses. My point goes to fighting the good fight, all the fight you had in you, despite obstacles/reasons/results, with a group of guys you would be willing to do most anything for the rest of your life.

I am not talking simply wins and loses. But, I am tired of people justifying losing. Winning is not everything, but that should be the goal. An acceptance of losing, because you're having fun, and getting a great education, is unacceptable. Great efforts are important, but winners want to win. Go ask Mills and Amherst.

[westcoastDad]

Grateful says it well.  Enjoy the ride.  Win or lose hopefully the player is getting out of it what he deems important.  My son knows that once his NESCAC playing days are over....he can bronze his football cleats.  It's over. 

I disagree that most nescac kids want to go IVY.  My kid chose NESCAC over IVY!  And he's an IVY legacy.  The fit for the student has to be right.  I won't go into details on this board but there are differences, there are social advantages or preferences, logistical advantages, etc.   Amherst has a kid this year who played for Brown last year.  Go figure. 

[Nescacman]

2015 Week 8 NESCAC Weekly Power Rankings

Not much movement in the rankings this week with both Bates and the Ephs on the move.

1.   Amherst (LW #1): Impressive win for the Purple Moose as they beat Hartford State in the NESCAC Championship game. Despite HS outgaining the PM and dominating TOP, Amherst intercepted 3 Sonny Puzzo passes and held HS scoreless on 2 of their 3 chances in the red zone. Meanwhile, the PM were 3 out of 3 in the red zone. That was the difference. Did you know that...the PM has scored on 24 out of 27 trips into the RZ (an incredible 89% conversion rate).
2.   Hartford State (LW #2): Despite the loss, HS gets to play Wesleyan for second place in the NESCAC (a win and they are solo, a loss and they will be tied for second). Did you know that...HS is 4th in the NESCAC in total offense and 5th in rushing offense.
3.   Middlebury (LW #3): The Panthers played a close game against Hamilton last week, which came as a surprise to everyone, except us. 4 INTs by Middlebury was the key to the win. Did you know that...Middlebury has scored the 2nd most TD's in the 'CAC this year (25) while kicking the fewest FG's (1).
4.   Wesleyan (LW #4): Convincing win over the Ephs to put the proverbial nail in the HCOF's coffin. Wes has a shot at second place in the 'CAC (for the second year in a row) with a win over HS this week in the coup. Did you know that...Wes leads the NESCAC in 1st downs per game (22.6) and is number 1 in total offense with 411 yards per game.
5.   Tufts (LW tie #5): Big day for RB Chance Brady as he runs for 212 yards and captures NESCAC OPOFTW. Believe it or not, Tufts ran the ball 42 times and passed only 13 times. 6 sacks and 9 tackles for losses cinched it for the Jumbos as they blew out Colby. Did you know that...Tufts is first in the NESCAC in turnover ratio and Tufts can equal their best record since 2001 with a home win against Middlebury this week.
6.   Bates (LW #7): Congrats to Bates on their second CBB title in a row (for the first time since 1967) and their second straight win. They'll try to make it 3 in a row as they face the Conts this week in Clinton. Did you know that...Bates is first in the NESCAC in fourth down conversion percentage at 63% (10/16).
7.   Williams (LW #6): 4th straight loss for the Ephs as they are staring down their 3rd straight 2-6 season. Did you know that...the HCOF's career record is now 23-24 (15-24 excluding the Coach Whalen recruited team of 2010).
8.   Bowdoin (LW#8): Ugly loss last week against Bates. 54 passes by your QB is never a good thing. Did you know that...Bowdoin is the least penalized team in the NESCAC at 38.6 yards per game.
9.   Colby (LW#9): Nightmare 2015 is almost over. Did you know that....Colby is last in the NESCAC in interceptions (tied with Williams) with 3.
10. Hamilton (LW #10): After a close loss to Middlebury last week, the Conts finish up at home this week against Bates. Did you know that...Hamilton has only forced 40 punts all year and has only returned 6 of those punts.

[gridiron]

Each year at this time it is appropriate to reflect upon the senior players and what a fine run they've had at all the NESCAC schools.  Whether or not things played out the way they had hoped as eager freshmen, they've been able to continue to play the game they love for four more years.  The players and families are very fortunate to have been able to enjoy the experience together.  The players leave the game having learned much in terms of life's lessons, and the maturity they've gained in the process will benefit them for life.  Whether on the field or injured on the sidelines, enjoy the final weekend all!

[polbear73]

Each year at this time it is appropriate to reflect upon the senior players and what a fine run they've had at all the NESCAC schools.  Whether or not things played out the way they had hoped as eager freshmen, they've been able to continue to play the game they love for four more years.  The players and families are very fortunate to have been able to enjoy the experience together.  The players leave the game having learned much in terms of life's lessons, and the maturity they've gained in the process will benefit them for life.  Whether on the field or injured on the sidelines, enjoy the final weekend all!

Great post, Gridiron and I would add the lifetime friendships of teammates who have gone through the training, sacrifice, injuries, devastating losses and euphoric wins together. 

[RetiredMule]

amh63 and NewtoNescac - I posted this earlier this week about the Michaeles but it got swallowed by other comments/threads.

Jumping into the conversation because it is a topic I have been vocal about before...coaching swings. 

I believe it is time for a changing of the guards for the Ephs.  I think this sentiment has become fairly consistent across the board.  Kelton (again same mantra) is a great guy, but his staff and recruits have not been getting it done.  This has led to a precipitous drop in the level of Williams football.

In terms of Wells possibly ruffling feathers with his recruiting on campus, I hope that is not the case.  I know Bowdoin has suffered from some anti-football attitudes recently.  But I do not think I would look too much into his tweets about recruits getting in pre-deadline.  Generally, as most of us know, football and other recruits are pre-vetted by admissions to put them into bands of "help". Though they cannot disclose it to the player, coaches will have an idea/know ahead of deadlines which players are getting in or not.  I think Wells has just extended his presence some, as NewtoNescac thinks Colby should do (I agree), and he is excited about who he got.

On to my own school, I think Michaeles will be around for another 2-3 years at minimum.  I know this is a change from some of my earlier sentiments, but bear with me.  His two years were very much rebuilding and re-stabilizing years following that time in 2011 (don't speak of it).  The last two years have been thrown into a bit of a shadow by coach staff changes and rampant injuries.  Anyone staring at a Colby sideline the past two years could see a number of prominent numbers in khakis and jerseys instead of shoulder pads.  On top of that, Fogherty and some assistants used the 2014 season as a stopping point of their coaching careers.  Both of these lead to instability that not even a HC can control.  On top of this, the President, AD and Admissions director are all in their first true year that is not a transition.  I think all of these will lead to Michaeles being given a chance to show what he can do with a consistent staff, administration and healthy players he recruited. 

Does the level of play need to step up?  Yes.  Does Colby football need to win more?  Absolutely.  Can Michaeles do it?  We have yet to see what he can do without outstanding circumstances undercutting him.  Give him a couple of years with his players, the same staff and the same administration that is wholeheartedly behind him, and then pass your/our/Colby's judgment. 

[NewtoNescac]

MIGHT BE GONE
o   Colby (Michaeles): May have worn out his welcome. Looking at a 1-7 season if they lose this week (after going 2-6 last year). In the last year of his contract. Time for a change?

Is Michael's contract really up? If he has another year he's more likely to be retained. If it's up and Colby will be on the hook for another 3 year contract, they may not renew. It's easier to not renew, than it would be to fire someone. If his contract is up, Saturday's game is really BIG for him. I'm glad I don't have to make that call.

[amh63]

FYI....The Amherst preview of the 130th game with Williams is posted.  There is the podcast interview with HC Mills who discuss his group of seniors, the Trinity game ...but most of all why the upcoming game is the most important game of the year...for the seniors and his team.  He recalls, that he, unfortunately, remembers the number of times going up to Williams with a 7-0 record and losing.  He also remembers the time he went up and won...too!
I found his discussion of his seniors competitive nature most revealing.....the defense does not want to lose to the offense during practice even.

[westcoastDad]

Hail to the 3/4 year varsity seniors and their families. 

[JEFFFAN]

How about an All NESCAC class of 2016 team anyone?

[Nescacman]

2015 Week #8 NESCAC Preview

Welcome to Week 8 in the NESCAC..."the league where they pay to play". We went 5-0 last week and now stand at 29-6 for the season. This was our first undefeated week of the season. Since we didn't lose last week, we again dedicate our picks this week to former board mate, Al Davis. Al, we miss you!!!

Bates College at Hamilton College: We think this will be close, hard fought game. Bates is on a two game winning streak and is playing for respectability. Hamilton beat Williams two weeks ago and played Middlebury tough last week. We would usually go with the home team in a game like this, but something tells us that Bates will get some key turnovers and do enough on offense to get the win.

Bates 21 Hamilton 17
Weather: Cloudy and high in the high 30's (weather courtesy of the Weather Channel).

Wesleyan University at Hartford State College: Big rivalry game in the Coup. This should be a very interesting game with the #1 ranked offense (Wes) facing the #1 defense ('State) and the #1 rushing offense (Wes) versus the #1 rushing defense (HS). Trinity does not run the ball as well as they have in the past (ranked #5 in the 'CAC) and Wes is #2 in rushing defense. The question here is can QB Puzzo create enough offense with his arm to win. We think Wes' secondary steps up, they get enough pressure on the QB and super frosh QB Mark Picarillo continues his high percentage passing (80% completion percentage in 45 attempts).

Wesleyan 24 Hartford State 21
Weather: Not a factor.

Amherst College at Williams College: Last NESCAC game for the HCOF. We will miss him. Williams does not match up well with the Purple Moose. This game will be ugly. Williams will not be able to stop the run so expect Amherst to ram the ball down the Ephs throats.

Amherst 38 Williams 7
Weather: High of 40.

Colby College at Bowdoin College: Battle for last place in the NESCAC. The loser is guaranteed at least a share of the basement in the NESCAC. With Bates having already won the coveted CBB title, this game is all about pride. Colby played Bates close despite being on the road, so we'll go with the Mules.

Colby 17 Bowdoin 14
Weather: Not a factor.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Middlebury College at Tufts University: Winner has a shot at a tie for second place in the NESCAC. We think Milano will cement his second straight NESCAC offensive player of the year with a big day against the last ranked Jumbos pass defense. For Tufts to have a chance, they are going to need to get some turnovers. Tufts plays tough at home, but we think Middlebury's offense is just too much for Tufts defense.

Middlebury 28 Tufts 27
Weather: Windy.

NESCACMAN's Picks
Last week: 5-0 (2015 season to date: 29-6)
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8
Career: 91-24 (.791 winning percentage)

[westcoastDad]

Milano?!  No way!  Pump the brakes.  Middlebury showed little balance all season.  Little evidence of a running game.  Review the balance of the Amherst offense and their sophomore general.  When you have a super running game then your passing stats will suffer.  Foye was a dual threat as well.  His team is unbeaten and leads the league in scoring.  Stats are deceptive.  Foye gets my vote. 

Def POY is Fairfield-Sonn and Kleyn from Amherst.  Hands down these two led the stingy defense all season.

  These guys have won 18 straight not for their individual statistics..but for their team play.

#recognize

[PolarCat]

It's going to be WINDY tomorrow in Clinton, Hartford, Brunswick, and Medford (20 mph winds in Clinton, Hartford, and Brunswick, and a screaming 23 mph at Ellis Oval).  In those close games, give the advantage to the offense that can pound it out on the ground.  And give the win to the team with the better kicker, particularly if a field goal is needed to win it.

So my picks based on the wind factor:

Bates over Hamilton 17-14. Bates defense can stop the run, Lyons is making a habit of pick 6's, and they have the better kicker.  (Hamilton's 2 kickers are a combined 1 of 6 on the year on FG's).

Wes over Trinity 24-21.  This one comes down to a last minute FG.  Last year's All NESCAC kicker Fuchs struggled at the start of this season, but he steps it up in this one.  The Bants go into another winter blaming it on the kicker.

Colby over Bowdoin 20-0.  Bowdoin has no running game, while the Mules have Hurdle-Price.  And Baron has a miss but it's meaningless, since the Polar Bear's fine kicker Sisti never takes the field.

Tufts over Midd 27-20.  Brady has a monster game, and fans are deprived of the chance to watch Milano and Minno reprise their aerial ballet.  And the Panthers' FY kicker has struggled with accuracy all year, while Holmquist has been steady (and at times, spectacular).

Yes, it will be windy in Willytown, too, but so what?  Unless we have a tornado, a plague of locusts, volleyball-sized hail and a tsunami, the weather can't save the Ephs.  In fact, the kindest thing that could happen would be if Dorothy, Toto and their house landed on the Wicked HCOF of The East and put the program out of its misery.  Amherst wins 42-7.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[P'bearfan]

Colby over Bowdoin 20-0.  Bowdoin has no running game, while the Mules have Hurdle-Price

A running back named Hurdle-Price???  That's almost too good to be true. 

I'd laugh except for the fact that you're spot on with your assessment: Bowdoin lacks a running game and is likely to be in trouble tomorrow.

[polbear73]

Colby over Bowdoin 20-0.  Bowdoin has no running game, while the Mules have Hurdle-Price

A running back named Hurdle-Price???  That's almost too good to be true. 

I'd laugh except for the fact that you're spot on with your assessment: Bowdoin lacks a running game and is likely to be in trouble tomorrow.

I am unfortunately with you, P'bearfan.  No laughing matter.