FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

iamhuge · September 14, 2011, 12:13:16 PM

Quote from: amh63 on September 14, 2011, 12:03:52 PM
Looks like Midd. has 24 FY players (only made a quick count) on its preliminary roster. A number of NJ players and at least 3-4 QBs.
Amherst still has not put up its FY players on its website. Probably this weekend after the "scrimmage".....assume it will be with Williams and that it will be held at Amherst...since the fields at Williams still is a little soggy....as stated on the William's website.

My guess is a number of teams still have more than 75 kids...so some cuts will have to be made.

iamhuge · September 14, 2011, 01:21:00 PM

Looks like there will be some new faced on Tufts Defense. Some key players from last season not returning:

http://www.tuftsdaily.com/defense-moves-forward-without-three-starters-1.2627216

2sportdevil · September 14, 2011, 01:34:31 PM

Don't forget "Gunner" Gatski

creekboy · September 14, 2011, 02:06:24 PM

Hey all. Just joining the NESCAC forum. I have a freshman LB at Hamilton. Sounds like from all the posts, and from their record over 12 years, they are just not able to compete in this league. However, so far, my son loves the coaches and team, we'll see how he feels as the season goes on. It looks like if they can win 3 to 4 games in a season, it would have to be considered "progress" and a moral victory.

Anyway, I'll be chiming in from time to time. Good luck to all the teams.

iamhuge · September 14, 2011, 03:31:36 PM

Quote from: creekboy on September 14, 2011, 02:06:24 PM
Hey all. Just joining the NESCAC forum. I have a freshman LB at Hamilton. Sounds like from all the posts, and from their record over 12 years, they are just not able to compete in this league. However, so far, my son loves the coaches and team, we'll see how he feels as the season goes on. It looks like if they can win 3 to 4 games in a season, it would have to be considered "progress" and a moral victory.

Anyway, I'll be chiming in from time to time. Good luck to all the teams.

best of luck to your son. he's at a great school.

amh63 · September 14, 2011, 05:57:43 PM

Nice to have a Hamilton poster on board!......especially this season when Hamilton really joins the conference....compete for conf. titles in all its sports.
Several years ago, while watching a Hamilton vs. Amherst game in Clinton, there was a "tradition" at the game. Tall male "linesmen" dressed in "cavemen" outfits were on the sidelines working the chains and entertaining the fans. It seems the young men were members of the BB team out to support their classmates.....at least as I was told. The Hamilton BB coach at the time was a Wes graduate who was "ready" for the NESCAC....as he so stated to me. The BB coach has since departed to go to Siena as an assistant. Wonder if the new coach will carry-over the "tradition" of cavemen linesmen.
Posters at the Tufts-Hamilton game......let me know.

frank uible · September 15, 2011, 05:11:45 AM

Once more the misguided Rule of 75 engages in the annual conspiratorial raising of its ugly head to remind one and all of the undeniably suspicious and effectively hostile attitude which NESCAC has toward inter-collegiate football, irrespective of the anti-education, anti-student consequences.

nescac1 · September 15, 2011, 06:49:33 AM

Speaking of roster limits Williams has cut its roster down to close to the 75 limit. The most surprising omissions are BJ Griffin, a starting WR who had some big games but was hurt much of last year (Ephs still return two first team all league guys at WR and another solid senior, but now some sophs will have to step up to provide depth) and Hunter Lent who looked like a promising safety. One odd roster notes at least two guys who I am fairly sure are frosh are listed as class of 14.

A lot of the positions are presumably not to be trusted; for example two defensive players are supposedly being moved to fill the huge tight end void according to the D3football team preview, and i assume Tyler Cole will remain at CB after a first team all league year. Also intetesting is that weights never seem to change on the Williams roster even though its safe to guess that linemen pack on lbs over time.

In all events, with almost the entire defense and strong skill players returning, plus four olinemen with starting experience, the big unknown for the Ephs remains at QB. I know Frank once said Cleary played well at JV so hopefully that translates. Trinity sounds very tough this year, so long as they can find a go-to receive to exploit what are sure to be a lot of eight and nine man fronts.

frank uible · September 15, 2011, 09:04:51 AM

In considering Williams' WRs one should not overlook Tomas Kearney (#84) who has been sidelined much of this season so far with an ouchy hamstring. Kearney is about 6'4" and is, in track and field, a long and triple jumper He made the best catch I saw last year in a Williams game - at Hamilton. That catch was, both literally and figuratively, over and above the fine one he made in 2010 at Amherst, for which, I believe, he has been given the most credit.

iamhuge · September 15, 2011, 01:45:53 PM

Quote from: frank uible on September 15, 2011, 09:04:51 AM
In considering Williams' WRs one should not overlook Tomas Kearney (#84) who has been sidelined much of this season so far with an ouchy hamstring. Kearney is about 6'4" and is, in track and field, a long and triple jumper He made the best catch I saw last year in a Williams game - at Hamilton. That catch was, both literally and figuratively, over and above the fine one he made in 2010 at Amherst, for which, I believe, he has been given the most credit.

Tufts published their roster today:

http://www.gotuftsjumbos.com/sports/fball/2011-12/roster

AUKaz00 · September 15, 2011, 02:42:41 PM

Amherst mentioned in an article on Grantland.

nescac1 · September 15, 2011, 03:33:02 PM

I was at the amherst Williams game and I was eagerly anticipating the uber hyped blur offense, but honestly, it didn't seem particularly rapid fire watching in person. Maybe it only operates as intended versus an inferior defensive unit.

amh63 · September 15, 2011, 11:26:19 PM

For those posters interested in reading the article in Grantland mentioned by AUKaz00 and remarked on by nescac1... it can be found on the Amherst website....athletic spot/page.
Several bias editorial comments....I am not a great fan of the Amherst offensive coordinator. About 4 years ago, I could not understand why the offense was so slow in getting a play started. Two seasons ago, Amherst went 8-0....article mentioned that the offense was having problems getting plays in.....if so, I will take an 8-0 season. Last year, Amherst with a 3-year starting QB lost key games to Trinity and Williams in the second half....when the offense were stopped by great defenses. Oh yes, I agree that the 6'6" WR is a difficult player to matchup with.....however, he played last year after a season off in the 8-0 season. One of the key players in the 8-0 season that helped beat Williams at Williams is a great athletic player named Heller. He was moved to the defensive side last season and will again play defense this year. Mr. Heller came off the bench and made several receptions during key drives. Oh yes, Mr. Heller is a better baseball player than a football player.

PistachioX · September 16, 2011, 08:09:18 AM

This Weekend's Scrimmages...

Do you read anything into them; or do coaches hold most cards close to the vest - simply looking to give newbies a chance to get reps under fire, and possibly tweak plans for the start of the season?

frank uible · September 16, 2011, 10:41:19 AM

All of the NESCAC colleges participating in Saturday's scrimmages will be seeking a major improvement in chemistry first and foremost - with virtually no spring practice and a very short preseason (much of it required to be in less than full pads) none of these teams are yet playing at all well together.