FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacman]

Silence is, in fact, the announcement.

Frank, I'm not so sure. According to some postings The Colby HC's contract is up fir renewal, yet nothing has been announced there, and I don't think the silence means anything.

I think the only announcement we may hear is Williams is dropping football. Honestly, what's the point based on the last 3 years.

[Nescacman]

2015 Final NESCAC Power Rankings

Congratulations to the players, coaches, parents and fans on another great NESCAC season. As far as picks, week 8 was our worst week of the year as we went 1-4 and finished 30-10 for the season. We went 5-0 last week and now stand at 29-6 for the season (92-28 over the past 3 seasons).

1.   Amherst (LW #1; Pre Season Rank: 1; Actual Season Record: 8-0; Predicted Season Record: 7-1): Congrats to the Purple Moose on their second straight NESCAC Championship and undefeated season. It was the 4th time in the last 7 years that the PM's have gone undefeated and the PM's ended the season on a 19 game winning streak. Did you know that...the PM scored on 27 of 31 trips in the red zone for an 87% success rate.
2.   Hartford State (LW #2; Pre Season Rank: 3; Actual Season Record: 7-1; Predicted Season Record: 6-2): Good bounce back from a disappointing 2014 season as the 'Staters from Hartford finished in 2nd place. Did you know that...HS only threw 5 TD passes all year (vs. 9 interceptions).
3.   Tufts (LW tie #5; Pre Season Rank: 5; Actual Season Record: 6-2; Predicted Season Record: 4-4): NESCAC surprise team of the year. Their secret sauce was a more balanced offense led by 'CAC player of the year Chance Brady. Did you know that...this was the Jumbo's best record since 2001. Tufts was second in the NESCAC in points scored.
4.   Middlebury (LW #4; Pre Season Rank: 2; Actual Season Record: 5-3; Predicted Season Record: 7-1): Disappointing year for the Panthers as they lost to Amherst, Trinity and Tufts. They need to get a more balanced offense in 2016 to take some of the pressure off of QB heir apparent, Jared "Fawn's LIL Bro" Lebowitz. Did you know that....Middlebury was nearly second to last in rushing yards per game and only averaged 2.5 yards per carry.
5.   Wesleyan (LW #5; Pre Season Rank: 3; Actual Season Record: 5-3; Predicted Season Record: 6-2): Tough loss but played well against a very good Hartford State squad. 2016 appears very bright for this young team as they return 19 starters. Did you know that...Wesleyan's offense was the most balanced in the League as they had virtually the same amount of yards rushing as they did passing.
6.   Bates (LW #6; Pre Season Rank: 6; Actual Season Record: 2-6; Predicted Season Record: 3-5): Long bus trip back to Lewiston as the Bobcats lost to Hamilton on the road. Did you know that...Bates was last in the league in sacks (11) but 2nd in interceptions (22).
7.   Williams (LW #7; Pre Season Rank: 7; Actual Season Record: 2-6; Predicted Season Record: 3-5): 5th straight loss for the Ephs as they completed their 3rd straight 2-6 season. We wish the HCOF well as more than likely heads off into the sunset. Did you know that...Williams did not have one single first team All-NESCAC performer in 2016, was second to last in scoring offense (12.9 ppg) and 2nd to last in turnover ratio.
8.   Bowdoin (LW#8; Pre Season Rank: 9; Actual Season Record: 2-6; Predicted Season Record: 1-7): Finished the season on a high note beating archrival Colby at home. The Polar Bears were 2-2 at Whittier Field this year. Did you know that...Bowdoin was last in the 'CAC in rushing yards per game (55.4), yards per carry (2.2) and rushing TD's (3).
9.   Hamilton (LW #10; Pre Season Rank: 8; Actual Season Record: 2-6; Predicted Season Record: 2-6): The Conts finished up the season with a win against Bates and won 2 of their final three games. Did you know that...Hamilton had 2 of the 6 NESCAC safeties against them this year.
10. Colby (LW#9; Pre Season Rank: 10; Actual Season Record: 1-7; Predicted Season Record: 1-7): Big question is who will be their coach will in 2016. Did you know that...Colby only scored 13 touchdowns and while allowing 28 touchdowns in 8 games.

NESCACMAN's Picks
Last week: 1-4 (2015 season: 30-10)
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8
Career: 92-28 (.767 winning percentage)

[PolarCat]

It's too soon for any announcement.  A replacement would be coming from another school, and that school may still be playing their regular season, and possibly headed to post-season.

[PolarCat]

Sad news out of Mayflower Hill today.  Colby MLAX coach (and Bates alum) Jsck Sandler died yesterday at age 35:

http://www.colby.edu/news/2015/11/20/colby-college-lacrosse-coach-jack-sandler-dies/

http://www.colby.edu/news/2015/11/20/letter-to-the-community-on-the-death-of-jack-sandler/

[Nescacman]

It's too soon for any announcement.  A replacement would be coming from another school, and that school may still be playing their regular season, and possibly headed to post-season.

Based on history, we would expect two announcements. The first would be that the HCOF is leaving the Ephs "due to personal reasons" or to "pursue other interests". They will, of course, thank him for his dedicated service and announce that they have started a national search to identify the best candidates possible for the job. We would be surprised if that announcement does not happen soon to try to salvage some sort of a recruiting class.

The second announcement will probably come down in January after interviews and negotiations announcing the new coach and possibly staff changes.

The fact that there is no announcement yet means nothing. In fact, our sources tell us that the HCOF was told even before the season ended that he would not be returning. We have no reason to think otherwise at this point that the powers that be in Ephdom will not take care of business in short order.

[NewtoNescac]

Sad news out of Mayflower Hill today.  Colby MLAX coach (and Bates alum) Jsck Sandler died yesterday at age 35:

http://www.colby.edu/news/2015/11/20/colby-college-lacrosse-coach-jack-sandler-dies/

http://www.colby.edu/news/2015/11/20/letter-to-the-community-on-the-death-of-jack-sandler/

Heartbreaking when I received the call from my son. May that young man R.I.P., and may God Bless and comfort his family and friends.

[Vandy74]

Sad news out of Mayflower Hill today.  Colby MLAX coach (and Bates alum) Jsck Sandler died yesterday at age 35:

http://www.colby.edu/news/2015/11/20/colby-college-lacrosse-coach-jack-sandler-dies/

http://www.colby.edu/news/2015/11/20/letter-to-the-community-on-the-death-of-jack-sandler/

Very sad news and obviously a shock to family, friends and both the Colby and Bates athletic communities. 

[just anotherdad]

Why post " Inside Info " and post names of kids that you " Know " are the MVP's ? Is it to show you have more insight...more connections . How do you feel about the kids that play on the teams that you say  have no players picked ? I don't get it....would you be sorry if your Mr. Baker's kid didn't make it ? I'm sure your source must be happy with sharing the info.

[Vandy74]

   Middlebury (LW #4; Pre Season Rank: 2; Actual Season Record: 5-3; Predicted Season Record: 7-1):[/b][/u] Disappointing year for the Panthers as they lost to Amherst, Trinity and Tufts. They need to get a more balanced offense in 2016 to take some of the pressure off of QB heir apparent, Jared "Fawn's LIL Bro" Lebowitz. Did you know that....Middlebury was nearly second to last in rushing yards per game and only averaged 2.5 yards per carry.

[/quote]

It was injuries more than any deficiencies in the running game that helped cost Middlebury two victories in their last three games.  Going into the Trinity contest the Panthers had amassed close to 1950 yards of offense.  Minus the services of Rizzo, Banky, Miletich and Meritus the offensive personnel on the field that day were responsible for only 668 of those yards.  Considering the Panthers were leading with 4 minutes remaining it's a bit of a stretch to simply say they needed a more balanced attack.  Of those 668 yards Matthew Minno had accounted for 435 of them and Trinity, not surprisingly, had him well covered the entire game.  Tanner Contois, an all purpose player who was also the only other Panther on the field that day besides Milano who had contributed enough to be noticed went down and out for the remainder of the season late in the 3rd Q or early in the 4th.  Rizzo and Banky also missed the rest of the season, not just the Trinity game.  Rizzo had returned all but one punt in the first 5 contests and Contois was the most explosive kick returner.  Even as a loss the Trinity game shows Dave Caputi's skill as an OC although what he accomplished in that capacity in thirteen seasons at Williams speaks for itself.  Four 8-0's and just 13 defeats.  As for the lack of a running game Middlebury was clearly developing one as the season progressed and Caputi's strategy was to run the ball on 1st down from game 1.  With a healthy corps of receivers it hardly mattered if the play went for little or no gain.  Diego Meritus had a break out performance against Williams in week 4 gaining 118 yards on 22 carries.  The Bates game saw a return to the weak running attack and he missed the Trinity game with an injury.  He closed out the season, however, with 75 and 83 yard efforts and in games 4, 7 and 8, keeping in mind he didn't play in game 6, Meritus gained 276 yards on 67 carries for a 4.1 average.  Finding a dependable secondary running threat needs to be addressed in preparation for next season but Meritus is coming along fine, as a freshman, in giving the Panther offense some balance.

Before next season kicks off it should be clarified that Jared Lebowitz is not Fawn's Lil Bro.  Even without first establishing whether she's related to Jared or ex-MC president Ron Liebowitz, in the case of the former she would have to be a great aunt.  Anyone wanting some legitimate "Animal House" trivia will be interested to know that the uncredited bassist in Otis Day's house band was blues guitarist and five-time Grammy Award winner Robert Cray.

Injuries were not an issue against Amherst.  They simply whupped us.  The Tufts team I saw play against Middlebury was a very good team.  Chance Brady is a most deserving OPOY.  Playing at home against a Panther program they hadn't beaten since 2002 (I think) I'm of the opinion that they could well have won that game against any collection of players Middlebury lined up against them that afternoon.  All in all, the NESCAC is becoming much more competitive and that's good to see. 

[Nescacman]

Why post " Inside Info " and post names of kids that you " Know " are the MVP's ? Is it to show you have more insight...more connections . How do you feel about the kids that play on the teams that you say  have no players picked ? I don't get it....would you be sorry if your Mr. Baker's kid didn't make it ? I'm sure your source must be happy with sharing the info.

You're kidding me right? Based on your post, I guess we should just not keep score and hand-out participation trophies. This is college football, not Pop Warner. In real life, there are success and failures and the sooner the kids of this generation realize that, the better off we are all going to be. If you are upset that your "little Johnny" who plays for Williams didn't win an award or get picked as an All-NESCAC player, complain to the NESCAC coaches who did not vote for him, the HCOF who did not fight hard enough for him to get selected or the NESCAC for having the awards in the first place. It's time to grow up and put your big boy pants on.

[amh63]

Vandy74.....nice to hear from you on this board!   Quality post, my friend..and educational too. plus K
Hope to see you on another board.

[NewtoNescac]

On the possible change of the Amherst unofficial mascot of Lord Jeff. Is the Town going to change it's name? What about Amherst College, and the Univ. of Mass at Amherst? None of that will be changed. Can't we just reach the point where we understand people and life is not perfect, and accept historical figures with "warts and all"? I'm tired of PC being forced down our throats by a bunch of academics, or students that obviously have too much time on their hands. Just my opinion.

[Nescacman]

On the possible change of the Amherst unofficial mascot of Lord Jeff. Is the Town going to change it's name? What about Amherst College, and the Univ. of Mass at Amherst? None of that will be changed. Can't we just reach the point where we understand people and life is not perfect, and accept historical figures with "warts and all"? I'm tired of PC being forced down our throats by a bunch of academics, or students that obviously have too much time on their hands. Just my opinion.

Amen to that...

[P'bearfan]

They need to get a more balanced offense in 2016 to take some of the pressure off of QB heir apparent, Jared "Fawn's LIL Bro" Lebowitz.

+K for the Animal House reference!!

[P'bearfan]

On the possible change of the Amherst unofficial mascot of Lord Jeff. Is the Town going to change it's name? What about Amherst College, and the Univ. of Mass at Amherst? None of that will be changed. Can't we just reach the point where we understand people and life is not perfect, and accept historical figures with "warts and all"? I'm tired of PC being forced down our throats by a bunch of academics, or students that obviously have too much time on their hands. Just my opinion.

NewtoNESCAC....you make a very interesting point.  Where should colleges draw the line? 

Some at the University of Missouri want to remove a stature of Thomas Jefferson because he was a slave owner.  That seems like a "bridge too far" to me.  As you mention we need to start with understanding that our leaders are flawed people - even the Founding Fathers.

However, what is a black student at the University of Texas supposed to make of a larger than life statue of Jefferson Davis standing on the South Mall of their campus? Hard to justify that in my mind.

This year Bowdoin decided to discontinue the Jefferson Davis award - a cash prize for a student focusing on constitutional law in the Gov't and Legal Studies department.  Given Bowdoin's strong relationship with the Civil War it stunned me that this prize ever existed.

And just for the record....yes, I'm strongly in favor of Amherst changing it's mascot, school name and town name to Purple Moose.  This change should be implemented immediately.  At least this way people won't pronounce the "H".