FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

creekboy · September 20, 2011, 01:06:52 PM

I was at the Yale JV vs. Hamilton scrimmage two weekend ago. It was a full game scrimmage with refs, kickoffs, punts and everything. The game itself was pretty even, but Hamilton "won", by points scored 30-12. The scoreboard was not lit. Both offensive units had some good and bad moments. I was told the Hamilton returning starting TB did not play much at all. It's not an injury, just the coaches wanted to look at the other RBs. Yes, the 60 yard run by the Freshman QB was great - right up the middle, but it was not a designed QB draw, he just saw an opening and boom! Special teams play was a little rough, but it's still early. I really liked how the Hamilton defense played. They flew around and were disruptive, causing four turnovers and scoring a defensive TD (DT Bueneman picked up a fumble and rumbled 10 yards in for the score. Ex-linemen like me loved it). DT C. Waugh is a beast.

I was told by a couple of parents that the competition in the NESCAC is much tougher than Yale's JV team. So, I am not sure how accurate a measuring stick this is regarding how good Hamilton may be. I guess we'll see this Saturday. Let the games begin!

As a side note, I was also amazed by all the Hamilton fans at the Yale scrimmage. I guess Hamilton player's home towns are closer to Yale than Clinton, NY.

quicksilver · September 20, 2011, 09:57:53 PM

Here's a write-up on Tufts' prospects from the student newspaper. Bowdoin won Friday night's scrimmage by a score of 13-3 but they only played 2 quarters, with the rest of the time being devoted to practicing particular game situations. Tufts interim coach, Civetti, has named senior Johnny Lundquist as the starting QB.

quicksilver · September 20, 2011, 10:01:09 PM

Whoops -- that's Johnny Lindquist has been named the starting QB for Tufts.

nescac1 · September 21, 2011, 10:02:04 AM

With the season approaching several teams have updated rosters / previews posted.

Williams posted its season preview, and nothing really surprising to note (the preview only mentions starting players, so no real insight into which young guys may emerge). The defense should be very strong with nine seniors (three of whom are really fifth-year seniors due to injuries or time off) and two experienced juniors starting, including five players who have been honored by NESCAC (two two-time first teamers, two other first teamers, and a former ROY). A lot of veteran depth as well. I expect the Ephs to be stouter on D than last year, when they were very strong vs. the run, but at times were vulnerable to strong passing attacks and when they didn't apply a ton of pressure to opposing QBs. Coach Kelton noted that the pass rush would be a point of emphasis. Other than possibly Trinity, I can't imagine that anyone in NESCAC will have much success running against that very big, strong, and experienced front seven.

Offense has a lot more questions, but as expected senior Chris Cleary will get the first chance to fill the big QB hole. The skill guys look like the best overall group in the NESCAC, very deep and talented, and the offensive line is very experienced. Tight end remains a big question mark with two defensive players switching over to fill a big graduation hole left by all-NESCAC Jon Carroll who excelled at both blocking and receiving. I expect the Ephs will be a bit less explosive this year and will look to pound the ball more.

I saw that Amherst posted its roster and the frosh D-1 transfer is who folks were speculating him to be. Should be interesting to see whether he makes an instant impact on the D-line after a year practicing at a higher level. Amherst already has the best pass rusher in the conference and a very talented NT returning, so D-line could be very strong unit for the Jeffs.

Bates also has a season preview up, which notes that two expected starters on the o-line are out for the year with injuries, a tough blow for the Bobcats to sustain already.

banfan · September 21, 2011, 10:49:47 AM

Just curious nescac1 who you are including in the "skill guys" who "look like the best overall in nescac"?

You have a new and inexperienced QB, your tight end is a "big question mark", you don't mention a receiver and you think the Ephs will be less explosive and will resort to pounding the ball. So that must mean the running backs are great. It would seem to me that Trinity, which returns a starting QB who may not even be the starter, and which has 3 very good returning running backs who are all sophs, as well as our number one WR might have a better overall group of "skill guys".

Now, you may be ahead in most games but not in all and I would worry about coming from behind with that passing attack.

Just saying

nescac1 · September 21, 2011, 11:22:42 AM

"Skill guys" are, as I define them, RB's, WR's, and TE's (I consider QB a different category). Williams returns TWO first team all-conference WR's, Darren Hartwell, who you may remember torched Trinity's top defensive back for three TD's (two for over 80 yards) last year, and J.C. Stickney, plus Tomas Kearney, who would start at any other NESCAC school. All three are huge (6'3-6'4) and Hartwell is maybe the fastest guy in the league. Williams has two rising sophomores who are supposed to be really good as well. As for RB's, Williams does lose Lupo, but returns the next four guys on the depth chart, three of whom were frosh last year. Scyocurka is enormously talented and looked REALLY good last year, I think he will have a break-out year, and Kris Lapoint is one to watch as well. The other two TB's have also looked good when given opportunities, I am not worried at all about that position. TE is really the only question mark but with so many big-time targets, it's not a big deal. The only reason I think Williams may be less explosive is not because of a lack of playmakers, it's just that when you lose the conference player of the year and Williams record holder for TD passes, you figure the offense will be a bit more conservative early in the year ... which is unfortuantely when the Ephs play Trinity.

Meanwhile, Trinity's top returning receiver had a paltry 131 receiving yards last year, and number two had 55. Williams THIRD best returning receiver had about as many receiving yards as Trinity's ENTIRE returning roster. Trinity does have a great group of RB's coming back, but they have a HUGE question mark at WR and TE, where they lost all of their major contributors. Trinity does have a more experienced QB, but Williams has a clear edge at the skill positions, because outside of TB Trinity has a lot of guys who (while I'm sure are talented) are unknowns at this point ...

amh63 · September 21, 2011, 12:15:02 PM

I see that nescac1 has "beaten" me to the punch.....again! Yes, Amherst's "preliminary" roster is up with the FY players listed. Over 75 players are listed so it is not the final roster....I guess and then who cares really here.
Some of my confusion over players after viewing video/slides of practices is answered by the posting. There has been some jersey number changes....RB Bunker has gone from number 14 to number 4 for his senior year. He has also put on some weight....about the same as his "baby" brother at Trinity.
The offensive line has indeed moved around and gotten bigger....averaging over 265 lbs I am guessing. One potential starter has dropped 30 lbs this year from 300 lbs to 270 lbs...FY baby fat gone. Hope it is a quicker stronger line on offense. The starting QB has lost some weight. He was always a quick option type QB. The FY TE's look big and fit.
The defensive line and linebackers have gained size and appears to have depth. Talking about the defense, the FY transfer from U of Del.....Jamal, well his number is 98, the same number as Jeff Katz'11, the fine OLB that also transferred in from Div. 1AA.
Two other trival items. Number 13 is indeed a FY QB. He is listed at 6'6". If he doesn't make it at QB, he can try out for WR next year. I am still puzzled by Iamhuge's earlier post of a very strong FY offensive lineman. There are three FY linemen that may fit the bill. Their numbers are 66, 71 and 75. Numbers 71 and 75 have been seen in video at guard and center positions.(Amherst returns a first team conference center) Only number 66 is from NJ. But I am now rambling.
Hope on Thurs or Fri., the SID will post the starting lineups for the Bates game.

banfan · September 21, 2011, 12:49:14 PM

nescac1 using capitals and REALLY HUGE adjectives does not make an argument. Trinity has the edge at QB and it is the QB that gets the ball to the receiver. Using your own words it appears that your WR is the only position that you can make an argument are better than Trin's. Our Bunker was #3 on the depth chart last year before two other freshman went down with injuries. Then he became the best running back in the league. The other two are back and healthy.

Good Luck

creekboy · September 21, 2011, 01:12:04 PM

So, is there any newspaper or online source who objectively looks as the NESCAC? We can sit here and discuss things all day, but I'd like to see or read what "official" sportswriters have to say?

iamhuge · September 21, 2011, 01:12:41 PM

Quote from: amh63 on September 21, 2011, 12:15:02 PM
I see that nescac1 has "beaten" me to the punch.....again! Yes, Amherst's "preliminary" roster is up with the FY players listed. Over 75 players are listed so it is not the final roster....I guess and then who cares really here.
Some of my confusion over players after viewing video/slides of practices is answered by the posting. There has been some jersey number changes....RB Bunker has gone from number 14 to number 4 for his senior year. He has also put on some weight....about the same as his "baby" brother at Trinity.
The offensive line has indeed moved around and gotten bigger....averaging over 265 lbs I am guessing. One potential starter has dropped 30 lbs this year from 300 lbs to 270 lbs...FY baby fat gone. Hope it is a quicker stronger line on offense. The starting QB has lost some weight. He was always a quick option type QB. The FY TE's look big and fit.
The defensive line and linebackers have gained size and appears to have depth. Talking about the defense, the FY transfer from U of Del.....Jamal, well his number is 98, the same number as Jeff Katz'11, the fine OLB that also transferred in from Div. 1AA.
Two other trival items. Number 13 is indeed a FY QB. He is listed at 6'6". If he doesn't make it at QB, he can try out for WR next year. I am still puzzled by Iamhuge's earlier post of a very strong FY offensive lineman. There are three FY linemen that may fit the bill. Their numbers are 66, 71 and 75. Numbers 71 and 75 have been seen in video at guard and center positions.(Amherst returns a first team conference center) Only number 66 is from NJ. But I am now rambling.
Hope on Thurs or Fri., the SID will post the starting lineups for the Bates game.

nope not 66,71 or 75

nescac1 · September 21, 2011, 01:45:14 PM

Banfan, I only wish the Trinity players and coaches were as dismissive of a WR who torched your secondary for 208 yards and three TD's last year (I guarantee, unfortunately, that they are not). Chris Cleary may not have a lot of experience, but I am fairly confident that he is good enough to hit WR's running wide open past the Trinity defensive backs. Remember, the last two Williams starting QB's both ended up conference players of the year, so the Ephs tend to reload at that position. It appears you are new to following NESCAC football, so I understand why you are unimpressed with Williams' talent, but I suggest you actually watch the Eph players before you make any judgments. They didn't go 8-0 by accident.

Trinity loses an all-conference tight end, an all-conference WR (who were basically the only vertical threats on the team last year), and all-conference H Back from a group of skill players that were far less impressive than the Ephs' offensive weapons last year in the aggregate. Trinity returns a QB who played half a season and was not in the top half of QB's in the league. Had he been on Williams, he certainly would not have seen any more snaps than Chris Cleary did; Cleary is more of a mystery, but is just as likely to be better than he is to be worse than the Trinity QB. Trinity returns a second-team all conference RB, whereas Williams returns two first-team all conference WR's, huge edge to Williams. And even at RB, Williams' new tailback played a lot last year and averaged more yards per carry than Bunker ... he was stuck behind a first team all conference senior, but he is going to be a star, and the Ephs have similar depth to Trinity at that spot. I think the game is a toss up because Trinity is at home, where they never lose, and returns the best defender in the league among a loaded defense and a strong offensive line, but Trinity's skill guys just don't instill the same sort of fear as Williams, not until they prove that they have ANYONE who is a reliable receiver / capable of making huge plays downfield.

nescac1 · September 21, 2011, 01:50:07 PM

creekboy, not really, at least not as far as I know of. We are all operating under very limited information until the games actually start.

AUKaz00 · September 21, 2011, 03:06:40 PM

Quote from: iamhuge on September 21, 2011, 01:12:41 PM
Quote from: amh63 on September 21, 2011, 12:15:02 PM
I see that nescac1 has "beaten" me to the punch.....again! Yes, Amherst's "preliminary" roster is up with the FY players listed. Over 75 players are listed so it is not the final roster....I guess and then who cares really here.
Some of my confusion over players after viewing video/slides of practices is answered by the posting. There has been some jersey number changes....RB Bunker has gone from number 14 to number 4 for his senior year. He has also put on some weight....about the same as his "baby" brother at Trinity.
The offensive line has indeed moved around and gotten bigger....averaging over 265 lbs I am guessing. One potential starter has dropped 30 lbs this year from 300 lbs to 270 lbs...FY baby fat gone. Hope it is a quicker stronger line on offense. The starting QB has lost some weight. He was always a quick option type QB. The FY TE's look big and fit.
The defensive line and linebackers have gained size and appears to have depth. Talking about the defense, the FY transfer from U of Del.....Jamal, well his number is 98, the same number as Jeff Katz'11, the fine OLB that also transferred in from Div. 1AA.
Two other trival items. Number 13 is indeed a FY QB. He is listed at 6'6". If he doesn't make it at QB, he can try out for WR next year. I am still puzzled by Iamhuge's earlier post of a very strong FY offensive lineman. There are three FY linemen that may fit the bill. Their numbers are 66, 71 and 75. Numbers 71 and 75 have been seen in video at guard and center positions.(Amherst returns a first team conference center) Only number 66 is from NJ. But I am now rambling.
Hope on Thurs or Fri., the SID will post the starting lineups for the Bates game.

nope not 66,71 or 75

I'm gonna guess it's #92.

quicksilver · September 21, 2011, 04:56:07 PM

Bowdoin preview of the Bowdoin v Williams game. Interesting side note: Bowdoin's starting linebacker, Joey Cleary, and Williams starting QB, Chris Cleary, are brothers and will be playing against each other for the first time ever.

amh63 · September 21, 2011, 09:47:46 PM

quicksilver.....nice bit of info. Reminds me of the case of twin sisters from Va. who both were 6'2", played WBB in the conference but one for Amherst and the other for Williams.
AUkaz00....nice guess, if only there was a#92 on the roster. You were just pulling my leg?
Banfan.....you are bringing energy to the board. There is a great deal of hot air on this board, especially early in the season. Just keep in mind that by the end of the season, we who sit in the stands now are quite civil, though touchy...and very loyal fans of our schools.....remain "friends". Oh yes, I believe in the tooth fairy and also believe a purple cow is an interesting mascot. Especially one that tells everybody should eat fighting roosters.