FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[nescac1]

Returning to football, Williams has posted its season preview and the first weekly football show, and its pre-season roster is also available.  Much is left unsaid, so a lot of this is educated guess-work, but thoughts on the Ephs' on-paper strengths and question marks headed into the season:

Offense:
Strengths ... QB, when Maimaron is healthy Williams will scare anyone, the guy just makes big plays in key situations, and big-armed Jackson Bischoping showed enough as a frosh to feel far more confident in him as a back-up this year.  I could even see him coming in occasionally to give defenses a change-of-pace look.  That's a great duo to have around for the next two years.  TB, a position that has been very thin in recent years, is suddenly quite deep: T.J. Dozier is one of the best in the league, Carter Begel is now a proven solid back-up, and talented athlete Dan Vaughn is apparently working at the position as well.  The Ephs can also feature a nasty jumbo package with some combo of Ryan Pruss (who adds a physical element as a blocker or runner after, I believe, missing last year due to injury), physical senior Steve Bohling, and do-it-all captain Kyle Horihan in the backfield.  Plus, the Ephs added four frosh TBs to the mix.  Justin Burke is in my view the best all-around TE in the league, and will again be a key player on offense.  The offensive line, which is now a more veteran group, should also be improved with four starters returning and six frosh added to the mix, three of whom are massive (Tallon Garelli, John Freeman, and Terry Zapf, none under 290) and who seem poised to make an early impact. 

Question marks ... WR is really the only question mark on offense if other key guys stay healthy.  Frank Stola is a star, but Justin Nelson and Rashad Morrison were in and out of the lineup last year (I think banged up) and didn't catch many ball, and strangely, three rising sophomore WRs, all of whom looked likely to make a bigger impact this year, are not on the roster (which is either a weird coincidence or something is going on).  Williams has only FIVE listed WRs on the entire roster, only one underclassman total - a frosh who I think is a converted TB.  One name to maybe watch is Mark Byrne, who was projected to start as a frosh in Raymond's first season, I think he may have gotten injured early that year, and hasn't been seen for a few years.   I imagine that a few guys (maybe Dan Vaughn, maybe a frosh or two listed at another position such as running QB Braden O'Connell) will be plugged into WR to help out, as there is no way that Williams can rely on only five receivers for an offense that typically runs three-receiver sets.  But to succeed, someone has to step up in a big way at the position to help Stola out.  Or maybe with capable H-backs like Horihan and Pruss in the mix, Williams will mix things up more and play more two-receiver sets. 

Defense

Strengths ... the strongest unit on the team is clearly linebacker.  All four guys who ended the season as starters (two of whom were all-league players) return, and all are extremely capable, with Rothmann a top DPOY candidate if he stays healthy and Wesner a top-notch NESCAC 'backer as well.  Apuzzi, the third-best LB on the team, is only a four-year starter who is all over the field.  Coleston Smith looked really good as a frosh, too.  There is some high-quality depth at the inside LB position as well with Horihan and O'Mahoney.   Safety is also really strong with three veterans who have played a ton all returning, led by Ben Anthony, who deserves some all-league attention this year. 

Question marks ... Williams lost two long-time starting CBs to graduation.  Giandomenico, who was an injury replacement as a frosh, seems likely to be one starter.  But as for the second starter and depth, that seems wide open.   There are a slew of underclass corners on the roster so expect to see some new faces there.  Starting with Midd week one puts a ton of pressure on the whoever wins the corner and nickleback jobs, that is for sure.   

Defensive line was definitely the greenest position on the team last year, with lots of different guys, including a bunch of frosh, rotating in and out.  Even though the DL is by design more about holding gaps so the LBs can make plays, it would really help the D out if the team generated more push and pressure out of the position this year.  Too much reliance last year on bend-but-don't-break.  Williams generated only 8 sacks all of last year, only two of them from the DL unit (from a senior now graduated).  That very young unit especially struggled against Amherst's nasty veteran OL last season.  Senior Unobsky is the only sure thing to see a lot of PT... but, there are six other guys returning who saw snaps last year, plus one sophomore added to the mix who saw some time on the OL last year.  If 2-3 of those guys had big off-seasons and can really emerge as more than just gap-pluggers this season (especially at the nose tackle, which was manned by committee last year) and generate more of a pass rush / push into the backfield, the D can go up to another level.  If not, the pressure will remain on the speedy LB core and veteran safeties to make plays all over the field. 

Oh, and the kicking game should of course be strong with the all-league P/K back.  All of the added depth (Williams now has 71 guys on the roster, about ten more than last season's thin group) should help the special teams units, as well. 

Overall, I think anywhere between 5 and 8 wins is a reasonable projection for the Ephs this year.  Hopefully, they will realize their considerable upside and be in the 7-8 range.  The Ephs are really set up to peak next season, when for the first time in many years I expect they will actually need to make cuts in the pre-season.  But the time for gazing into the distant future is over, this team can finally focus on the here and now ...   

[lumbercat]

Football Luv

FL: "Nothing they do is out of the reach of any of the other programs"..........

You are way off here.


FL: "NESCAC investment in football is overall very limited. Trinity does more with the small investments that NESCAC schools nvest in football"............

You don't know what you are talking about here. The top program in the NESCAC, Trinity spends in excess of 800,000. The bottom end of the condference is closer to 450,000
Maybe these expenditures are "limited" in your estimation but when the top programs are spending a lot more than others it reflects a big difference in the commitment to Football among NESCAC schools.

I don't know why, at the end of the day the Trinity contingent can't say---we're good because we take pride in our commitment to winning football and doing what we need to do to win. I credit them for that but some Bants seem uncomfortable with it. I say they do a great job.

Are you saying that all the other programs need to do to win is spend $350,000 more a year on football? Again the spending on football in this league is "limited" and all sports in this league are essentially non revenue generating and the students are paying tuition.  I don't believe and we went thru the recruiting process with Trinity Tufts, Wesleyan, Bowdoin, and Colby.  I repeat they are NOT doing anything  that is "Out of the reach" of the other programs.  Your numbers are proof of that. I am not in the "Trinity contingent". Last year it was the Hartford State BS and previous posts about Trinity's academic standards and on field demeanor etc etc.  Sour grapes in disguise as objectivity. Beat em and shut up and Williams beat them last season. Finally the Trinity contingent does say "we're good because we take pride in our commitment to winning football and doing what we need to do to win". They did not call themselves "Hartford State".

I'm saying Trinity makes the strongest commitment to Football in the NESACAC and spending is one part of that. To assume it's basically the same from school to school in the NESCAC in terms of Football commitment and support is a mistake.

[footballluv]

The recruits that Trinity can get into their school are most definitely "out of the reach" of the other schools in their league. Their pool of prospective students is much larger due to lower academic standards.

Bull$$$$

[Hawk196]

When I was at Ivy camps my son did OK on his SATs (1300) and I had this feeling "what if his SATs are not good enough" (I went through this with my other son, with the "bands"). I started to panic a bit, his goal was Ivy/NESCAC. The panic subsided when I spoke to the Trinity coach at a Yale camp and I learned they didn't use SAT scores(you could, but not necessary). He managed to up his score to the point of not worrying and the target was a sub 20% acceptance rate....mission accomplished!

I bring this up and I know it's a sore spot for the Trinity fans, but 34% acceptance(and no SAT scores) vs 15% acceptance rate definitely has something to do with Trinity's dominance and the talent they attract

[amh63]

Finished my house chores and reading the WSJ.  Will try to "carve" some time to watch the Babson vs Amherst men's soccer game online.  Guess you can call it "futball" of sorts.
Interesting post by Pat C.  How would you put the money provided by alums for facilities and/or programs...coaches salary/bonus....from Friends of Athletics that all Nescac schools have?  Two examples.  When the Amherst present Prez arrived and Amherst started its former Capital Campaign for money....Amherst wanted to build/upgrade the football/sports facilities.  The Prez said not in the school's plans.  Amherst alums, many former football players funded a study and plan. After a go ahead...the new Facilities at Pratt Field was built.  Primary donation made by the father of a player from Md./DC.  The Stadium is named for the father...son was a heck of a player.   A special tree had to be moved that costed about a 100 grand to be moved about a 100 feet. Check the tree out if you visit Pratt Field.  It has a chain fence around it.  Second example...Amherst is presently in its' 2nd year of a new Capital Campaign for more money.  One gift was an "endownment" for the soccer program named after the donor...who was a scholarship student from the Pioneer Valley who played sports.
Side comment from a former Class Agent.  Amherst and Williams also "compete" for funds.  Amherst started its present fund raising as Williams' fund raising was winding down.  Williams sought 650 plus million and raised 700 million plus!  Amherst, a smaller school with fewer alums is seeking 625 million.
In the 2nd year of a 5 year Campaign....over 400 plus collected to date.

[bantamweight]

I bring this up and I know it's a sore spot for the Trinity fans, but 34% acceptance(and no SAT scores) vs 15% acceptance rate definitely has something to do with Trinity's dominance and the talent they attract

Wesleyan is test-optional. Stop making excuses for whatever program you like that doesn't win.

[Hawk196]

I bring this up and I know it's a sore spot for the Trinity fans, but 34% acceptance(and no SAT scores) vs 15% acceptance rate definitely has something to do with Trinity's dominance and the talent they attract

Wesleyan is test-optional. Stop making excuses for whatever program you like that doesn't win.

No excuses...its pretty black & white. It's OK, but don't act like it has no effect.....and Wesleyan has a sub 20% acceptance rate

[amh63]

Finished Lunch.....thinking about Saturday's game....it's Bates at Amherst at 1 pm.  Checked the other games broadcast times.  It's becoming a new thing to do in today's world of technology.  Watching a game and checking online on the progress of other games.  Will have the Bates' game on the big screen.  During halftime will be checking in on two other matchups.  The Trinity vs Tufts game that starts at 1:30PM and the 2:00PM game between Williams and Middlebury.  Hope all games will have Fall weather.
Any posters picks on what games you will be "checking" in on?

[PBPOP20]

Where is Nescacman??

[PBPOP20]

I bring this up and I know it's a sore spot for the Trinity fans, but 34% acceptance(and no SAT scores) vs 15% acceptance rate definitely has something to do with Trinity's dominance and the talent they attract

Wesleyan is test-optional. Stop making excuses for whatever program you like that doesn't win.

Bowdoin is also test optional....

[Heftylefty]

Trinity`s acceptance rate is higher than Bowdoin`s and Wesleyan`s combined. They can dip lower, it is a fact. They can get in some recruits that higher-tier academic schools cannot even touch. Yes this is an advantage, but is also just a small piece to the puzzle in how successful Trinity has been the past decade.

[nescac1]

Come on, folks, anything to talk about OTHER than Trinity's admissions? 

Here's a guess at how I'd tier teams heading into the season:

1. Trinity
2. Amherst/Williams
3. Tufts/Colby/Wesleyan/Middlebury
4. Hamilton
5. Bates/Bowdoin

[bantamweight]

Trinity`s acceptance rate is higher than Bowdoin`s and Wesleyan`s combined. They can dip lower, it is a fact. They can get in some recruits that higher-tier academic schools cannot even touch. Yes this is an advantage, but is also just a small piece to the puzzle in how successful Trinity has been the past decade.

Doesn't sound like you understand the nitty-gritty reality of football recruiting. I know how Wesleyan works their system to get in who they want and test-optional is a huge key for them.

[footballluv]

Come on, folks, anything to talk about OTHER than Trinity's admissions? 

Here's a guess at how I'd tier teams heading into the season:

1. Trinity
2. Amherst/Williams
3. Tufts/Colby/Wesleyan/Middlebury
4. Hamilton
5. Bates/Bowdoin

I would make a few significant changes. Unless the Tufts has lost significant talent and size along the offensive and defensive lines due to graduation they remain ahead of the rest. If TJ remains healthy and Williams can run the ball they just might beat Trinity a 2nd year in a row and i predict they beat Amherst.

1.0  Trinity
1.5  Williams
2.0  Amherst
2.5  Tufts
3.0  Wesleyan/Middlebury/Colby
4.0  Hamilton
5.0  Bates/Bowdoin

[nescac1]

footballuv we are roughly on the same page.  The reason I knocked Tufts down a bit is because (I believe) they lost their entire offensive line to graduation, as well as everyone who attempted a pass (and McDonald was a beast at QB the last two years, hard to imagine his replacement can be nearly as productive right away).  There are no senior o-linemen on the roster so the unit looks pretty green.  Tufts also graduated its two leading receivers.  There is still a lot of talent there, especially on defense, but the OL and QB situation are a big question mark ... in good news for Tufts, however, two important players return for a fifth year: TB Dom Borelli and WR Frank Roche, so they will have three starters returning on O instead of only 1.  Still, it's a very tough year for a team in transition to have such a front-loaded schedule (Trinity, at Williams, Amherst to start, at Wesleyan in week five, so probably 4/5 games Tufts will be at least a slight underdog in).