FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[PolarCat]

For all the Eph fans, here's another article about recruit Bobby Maimaron.  Another game, another state record: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/2016/11/duxbury_dominates_beverly_in_division_2_state_semifinal_football_game

[lumbercat]

NFO

There were at least 4 or 5 great players or more on the dominant Trinity defense that went 8-0 this year. Like you, many are inclined to be pick someone from that great defense as the player of the year.

I understand that, but there was no single defensive player as dominant as Upton in the NESCAC this year. Similarly Chiporis was a fantastic player on the Bantams 8-0 offense but Brady was a better player and will get OPOY.

The easy call on the OPOY and DPOY is simply to take the best player on the offense and defense from the league Champions but I don't believe that is the spirit of the awards.

The all league selections should/will be more reflective of your mindset.

[NESCAC.Football.Observer]

NFO

There were at least 4 or 5 great players or more on the dominant Trinity defense that went 8-0 this year. Like you, many are inclined to be pick someone from that great defense as the player of the year.

I understand that, but there was no single defensive player as dominant as Upton in the NESCAC this year. Similarly Chiporis was a fantastic player on the Bantams 8-0 offense but Brady was a better player and will get OPOY.

The easy call on the OPOY and DPOY is simply to take the best player on the offense and defense from the league Champions but I don't believe that is the spirit of the awards.

The all league selections should/will be more reflective of your mindset.

I'm a firm believer in "to the victors go the spoils", and I don't apologize for that.

It's easier to be a dominant player on a mediocre D vs being the best player on a great D.

No doubt in my opinion the Trinity kid wins the DPOY award.......

Especially given how the NESCAC POTY politics have gone the last few years...:::

[PurplePaul]

I suspect that those hoping that the spoils won't go to the victor won't be thrilled with the All-NESCAC 1st team. Or the Defensive Player of the Year.  Or Coach of the Year. 

Donahue is a worthy winner.  There are other excellent players but he made huge plays in the biggest games.  And whoever said he benefitted from a dominant D-line doesn't really know what they are watching. Trinity's line is good.  But it's the LB's and DB's that made that a great defense. I expect that will be reflected on the teams when they're announced.

Brady will be Player of the Year.  Donahue defense.  And Puzzo will eke out 1st team QB in a tight vote.

[Nescacman]

NFO

There were at least 4 or 5 great players or more on the dominant Trinity defense that went 8-0 this year. Like you, many are inclined to be pick someone from that great defense as the player of the year.

I understand that, but there was no single defensive player as dominant as Upton in the NESCAC this year. Similarly Chiporis was a fantastic player on the Bantams 8-0 offense but Brady was a better player and will get OPOY.

The easy call on the OPOY and DPOY is simply to take the best player on the offense and defense from the league Champions but I don't believe that is the spirit of the awards.

The all league selections should/will be more reflective of your mindset.

Regardless of what you think, the winners as picked by the coaches are Brady and Donahue. And the 1st team qb is Puzzo with Lebowitz and Piccarilo both 2nd team.

[Nescacman]

I suspect that those hoping that the spoils won't go to the victor won't be thrilled with the All-NESCAC 1st team. Or the Defensive Player of the Year.  Or Coach of the Year. 

Donahue is a worthy winner.  There are other excellent players but he made huge plays in the biggest games.  And whoever said he benefitted from a dominant D-line doesn't really know what they are watching. Trinity's line is good.  But it's the LB's and DB's that made that a great defense. I expect that will be reflected on the teams when they're announced.

Brady will be Player of the Year.  Donahue defense.  And Puzzo will eke out 1st team QB in a tight vote.

Correct...and on the flip side don't expect any Ephs or Polar Bears to be found on any all-league lists.

[mariner75]

From the Jumbos site....Civetti and Brady awards:

http://www.gotuftsjumbos.com/sports/fball/2016-17/releases/gridclub_awards

[PurplePaul]

Williams and Bowdoin shut out of 1st and 2nd teams.  Colby shut out other than Baron who grabbed 1/2 of a second team slot. 

All-NESCAC  representation basically mirrors the conference standings,  no surprise.

[nescac1]

Well, the great Donahue-Upton debate has been resolved (at least in the coaches' eyes!).  I sincerely hope this is the last year that no Williams players are included in the post-season awards ...

Another Massachusetts commitment for the Ephs: https://twitter.com/BishopStangAD/status/801116084032020480

[JustAFan]

Nick Landry, the Eph "commit" mentioned by nescac1, had his high school career come to a premature end when he suffered a broken tibula in a game 3 weeks ago. Hopefully his ED admission letter from Williams will bring a smile to his face for a job well done on and off the football field during his high school years. He's a 6 foot, 200 lb fullback who also played linebacker for his high school team but earned most of his accolades from his work in the backfield. His twin brother was the teams QB.

[Nescacman]

Williams and Bowdoin shut out of 1st and 2nd teams.  Colby shut out other than Baron who grabbed 1/2 of a second team slot. 

All-NESCAC  representation basically mirrors the conference standings,  no surprise.

As we said...

[Nescacman]

Well, the great Donahue-Upton debate has been resolved (at least in the coaches' eyes!).  I sincerely hope this is the last year that no Williams players are included in the post-season awards ...

Another Massachusetts commitment for the Ephs: https://twitter.com/BishopStangAD/status/801116084032020480

Told you so...shows you how much the coaches look at tackles as a stat. Tackles are perhaps the most subjective statistic in all of the major sports. Can not be used to determine anything. Stay tuned for a post on potential coaching changes...

[PurplePaul]

I see but one potential firing.  And I see one potential coach leaving on his own accord, but don't
expect it this year.

[nescac1]

The overall NESCAC coaching situation seems better than it's been anytime in recent memory.  Trinity, Amherst, Wesleyan, Middlebury, Tufts, all obviously rock-solid.  Bates as well, all things considered.  Bowdoin, Williams, and Hamilton all have new staffs that seem like they will get those programs moving in the right direction in the relatively near future.  I think in 2-3 years we could see a lot fewer blowouts and a very, very competitive league.   

[NESCAC.Football.Observer]

The overall NESCAC coaching situation seems better than it's been anytime in recent memory.  Trinity, Amherst, Wesleyan, Middlebury, Tufts, all obviously rock-solid.  Bates as well, all things considered.  Bowdoin, Williams, and Hamilton all have new staffs that seem like they will get those programs moving in the right direction in the relatively near future.  I think in 2-3 years we could see a lot fewer blowouts and a very, very competitive league.

IMO..... the coaches at risk for being fired are:

Colby (Micheles)
Bates (Harriman)

But.... let's face it..... this is the NESCAC..... noone is being fired.... teams would rather go winless for 2 years vs actually firing a coach.

If I were an independent AD, Harriman would be fired and Micheles (despite all the Colby protests) would stay..........

Point 2.......  IMO only...........At risk of leaving for greener pastures:

Bowdoin (Wells)
Williams (Raymond)

Wells never signed up for the crummy academic support he's received.....

And Raymond and his staff are TOTALLY DISGUSTED with the state of the Eph team.  And that Raymond's SLU team was ranked in the D3 top 25.... well.... he's reevaluting his NESCAC move.

GOOD LUCK, Coach Raymond.