FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Jonny Utah]

Couldn't disagree more with Maimaron's decision to bench his starters. His team was 10-0 playing their rivals who are a very good Football team.
Play to win every time you have the opportunity- don't try to turn it on or off. They should have played for the undefeated season and go into the Super Bowl on a high note. If they are that good Maimaron could have taken the starters out early after building a healthy lead but it didn't shape up that way. While Duxbury was the favorite this was a matchup with a team very capable of beating Duxbury. It was a game that shaped up as dogfight with a well  coached, physical Marshfield team........and Maimaron turtled. Awful.

I don't blame Lou Silva for being ticked off.

Marshfield had a legit chance to beat Duxbury but the Dragons chose to sit this one out.

Jonny Utes-
Great point about the "coaches' kids" QBs in Ma. But don't forget the Columbo kids at Brockton which go back a little further. Peter in the 70's went on to a good career at Holy Cross where he was the QB in the last HC win over BC. Younger brother Tommy, who held the Ma HS QB record for a number of years went on to have a good career in the 80's at Villanova.

I think Maimaron will have a fine career at Williams.

In the back of my mind I think Duxbury knew they would have serious trouble with Marshfield.  Duxbury beat B-R in week 1, but after that they really hadn't played anyone that great, and even B-R isn't your regular B-R team this year.

[lumbercat]

No question Jonny.

[PolarCat]

Kinda sucks to just capitulate though.  I can see sitting 3 or 4 banged up kids, but at least pretend to make an effort.  Sitting 25 is a different matter.  Going to be pretty brutal for the next 12 months, whenever a Duxbury kid runs into a Marshfield kid.  I expect the term "p*ssy" may be tossed around, and they'd certainly have a point. 

On a more upbeat note:  I hope I wasn't the only one who caught Ohio State Michigan.  What a game!  Hats off to Urban Myer for sticking with his struggling K at the end of regulation.  Good to see the karma wheel rewarded him.

[amh63]

Thought I was through posting here but came upon an interesting article in the Bowdoin Orient..one of two daily papers...for posters here.  There is an feature article on the state of the Polar Bear football program after the 0-8 season.  In particular there are quotes from the HFC on the recruiting...as to get better and bigger players for the program.  Was amused when the HC in comparing Bowdoin and Amherst..two schools that are academically in the same position...in the recruiting of players.  Big puzzle to him and wants help figuring it out...my interpretation.

[Jonny Utah]

Thought I was through posting here but came upon an interesting article in the Bowdoin Orient..one of two daily papers...for posters here.  There is an feature article on the state of the Polar Bear football program after the 0-8 season.  In particular there are quotes from the HFC on the recruiting...as to get better and bigger players for the program.  Was amused when the HC in comparing Bowdoin and Amherst..two schools that are academically in the same position...in the recruiting of players.  Big puzzle to him and wants help figuring it out...my interpretation.

He would know more than us.  Are there kids that Amherst is getting that he can't get in at Bowdoin?  I assume he is recruiting at least some of the same players now.  Let me ask you this though, is there anything wrong with him just coming out and saying something like that?  Like we wanted players that couldn't get in here but wanted to come to Bowdoin but had to go to Amherst instead.  I don't think that is the case because his quote was somewhat harmless.

The campus visit comment baffled me more.  Why would you visit Endicott 3-4 times?  I didn't get that part. 

[lumbercat]

That was puzzling to me also Jonny. Does Endicott bring in recruits for 3-4 visits?

At higher levels I know multiple visits are often the norm but the NESCAC recruiting scenario is different.  It usually involves kids who are recruited by multiple NESCAC schools. Unusual for a good prospect to be recruited by 1 NESCAC school.....if that happens a CAC coach may hope to catch  kids under the radar like the old days as a potential steal.  That scenario is unlikely these days.

They all attend the same camps and access the same internet data. From there it boils down to 3 variables: 1- The recruiting ability and tenacity of the coaching staff.  2- The attraction/desirability of the school 3- Admissions-Admissions-Admissions

In the old days the academic reputation and football success of Amherst and Williams made it easy for them to recruit. Good prospects typically approached Amherst and Williams and "applied' for admission.

Not sure if it was Ostendarp or Farley when asked about his recruiting techniques in the 70's made this response.......I try to make sure I am in the office when the recruits call...... and I try to help them form there..........

As we enter the peak of the recruiting season I make the same observation every year at this time. At this point, many kids who were listed as D1, IVY or Patriot recruits can fall back substantially when the offers don't materialize. Unfortunately many of these kids are overrated by coaches, trainers, consultants who command a nice stipend from the parents to guide their kids through the IVY or NESCAC process.

When reality sets in for overrated prospects they often fall to the NESCAC which can be a score for NECAC coaches,

[lumbercat]

As the board enters it's perennial off season hibernation period I'm throwing out a question just to see if anyone is out there.

There are 12 FCS programs in New England---which has the most Ma athletes (25) on their roster and which has the fewest (1).
The answer may be surprising-as it was to me.

And Frank U- don't give me the needle, I know many will not give a hoot- but thought I would throw it out as the recruiting season progresses to break the radio silence on the board.

[PolarCat]

Alex, What are Bryant and Yale?

[frank uible]

lumbercat: Would love to needle you but what subject do you have in mind?

[lumbercat]

lumbercat: Would love to needle you but what subject do you have in mind?

Frank-
Thought my somewhat irrelevant trivia question may give you some ammo.

Of all FCS teams in New England I was surprised to see 25 Ma kids on the Bryant roster and only 1 on the Yale roster.

[PolarCat]

 :DHey!  What did I win?

[lumbercat]

Colby's having the end of season banquet today. No sign of Michaeles being let go. Maybe after EDI announcements. Anyone have any information?

From my memory I think many past coaching changes have occurred later in the recruiting cycle-- Feb/March/April timeframe but I'd pose the question to other seasoned posters on the board who may have better recollection.

[lumbercat]

:DHey!  What did I win?

PC-
I should have known you would snipe that question. The prize is a Bobcat Brunch followed by unlimited beverage sevice from my cooler in the Bates tailgate at a game to be determined next year.

[meadowdale]

Colby's having the end of season banquet today. No sign of Michaeles being let go. Maybe after EDI announcements. Anyone have any information?

Heading back to look at Colby next week is there something we need to know?

[PolarCat]

It's a deal.