FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[nescac1]

Looks like a very soggy forecast for Williamstown.  Generally that favors the running team, of course, but also just creates chaos on the field with more fumbles, slips, drops, etc likely.  Trinity and Williams haven't faced anyone remotely as talented on either side of the ball so this game was already impossible to handicap.  Toss bad weather into the mix to further muck things up and it just seems like a pick 'em.

So, in light of Fetter's ridiculous stats, I looked up his his HS career and supposedly he had offers from Harvard, Cornell, and Brown, among others?  Is that right?  Trinity clearly got a major steal with him, I'd be curious to hear the story.  And he certainly came into the perfect situation, throwing to Reid, Girard and Barrett.  I wonder if he will try to use his extra year after graduating to play D1.  Nescac really is featuring some historically good QB play this year.  Maimaron, Estevez and Fetter are all rare talents for this level and Costa is fun too. 

For the Ephs, matching up with Trinity's size at receiver will definitely be the biggest challenge.  Despite losing top CB Wax to a tough injury early in the year, the Eph secondary has been locking teams down the past few weeks.  But they've faced quite anemic passing attacks for the most part (other than Bates, very impressive secondary play in that game).  The unit hits hard but is quite small overall - 5'10, 5'10, 5'11, and 6'0.   Those guys will certainly be put to the test especially in the red zone against those big Trinity receivers and TEs. 

One other note for the NJ HS football fans on this board ... Red Kossick, yes, son of Eph legend Mark Kossick, had a huge game last week in Ridgewood's win over Ramapo.  Maybe we will see him in purple and gold in two years!  Now I feel reaaalllly old:

https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/high-school/athlete-of-the-week/2021/10/28/bergen-record-male-athlete-week-red-kossick-ridgewood/6160596001/

[BigKat]

Nice analysis per usual Nescac1. A few observations though: given the Eph's turf field, the weather wont be that huge of a deal-just depends on the wind for the Qbs, special teams etc. I don't know about your comment of playing anyone as talented but Williams was outplayed by a beat up Tufts squad and were extremely lucky to sneak out of there with a W. Make Bobby M beat you in the air and you have a very realistic shot of taking bus back to Hartford with a comfortable W. I'll take Hartford State 28-20

[VoodooDoc]

Twitter recruiting and the use of social media in recruiting is a result of the pandemic.  The players being recruited are comfortable with social media.  Many schools have limited or barred non-students being on campus.  So players and their families are flying blind to a degree.  A key to recruiting is keeping in contact and responding to questions from recruits and their families. The recruiting process is as much about selling the family as it is about the recruit himself.

Social media offers a convenient way to stay in touch.  Phone calls are pretty well limited to early evening.  The coaching staff have to move from practice, grab a quick bite, and then get on the phone.  Social media allows the coaches to reach out in the morning and afternoon, and then to target a limited number of phone calls in the evening.  They can stay in touch almost daily with all their recruits this way.  Like other forms of marketing or selling, staying in a good contact is an important part of the process.

[The Mole]

Twitter/social media recruiting accelerated in the pandemic, but it has been a huge part of the process for the last several years.

Like an online "dating" site to meet recruits and coaches and if you are interested, you will get a DM or request to talk

Twitter recruiting and the use of social media in recruiting is a result of the pandemic.  The players being recruited are comfortable with social media.  Many schools have limited or barred non-students being on campus.  So players and their families are flying blind to a degree.  A key to recruiting is keeping in contact and responding to questions from recruits and their families. The recruiting process is as much about selling the family as it is about the recruit himself.

Social media offers a convenient way to stay in touch.  Phone calls are pretty well limited to early evening.  The coaching staff have to move from practice, grab a quick bite, and then get on the phone.  Social media allows the coaches to reach out in the morning and afternoon, and then to target a limited number of phone calls in the evening.  They can stay in touch almost daily with all their recruits this way.  Like other forms of marketing or selling, staying in a good contact is an important part of the process.

[SpringSt7]

I agree that Trinity's WRs will be an issue for the smaller Eph DBs but that has been the case for years now, as I mentioned mid week, it hasn't been an issue for Raymond. There will be times where Girard et al. are competing for jump balls with much smaller players but Williams' best pass defense is going to come from the front 7 staying on Fetter and making things tough for him in passing lanes and speeding him up in the pocket.

[Charlie]

I agree that Trinity's WRs will be an issue for the smaller Eph DBs but that has been the case for years now, as I mentioned mid week, it hasn't been an issue for Raymond. There will be times where Girard et al. are competing for jump balls with much smaller players but Williams' best pass defense is going to come from the front 7 staying on Fetter and making things tough for him in passing lanes and speeding him up in the pocket.

Concern I have is that Colby in first half dropped 8 into coverage and rushed three and were able to force Fetter off his spot and make him uncomfortable. I think Raymond is going to use combo of Blitz and dropping 8 back. In the end I feel Trinity has better Coaching. Some of the play calling this year by Williams leaves you head scratching. Especially game at Tufts. In that game fourth and one they throw a bomb incomplete. They will not be able to make these same mistakes against Trinity. I think Trinity calls a screen pass for TD at the right moment and they win by TD

[SpringSt7]

In 2019, Williams was missing I believe Jarrett Wesner and replaced him for the Trinity game with Ed Manzella, who at the time was still considered a safety. Raymond repeatedly blitzed from Manzella's side at LOLB (Lambert's right side) to A. Force Lambert to roll to his opposite side B. Force the run towards Apuzzi and Rothmann and C. Keep things simple for Manzella filling in in a big spot.

Devanney made no adjustments. When Trinity came out at halftime it was pretty obvious they were going to be too stubborn to make any changes and it was clear they were not going to score doing what they were doing. A miracle heave to Schoffer (I think) got the Bantams over midfield but Lambert got hit in the pocket and threw a duck to Williams S Ben Anthony to ice the game.

I say all this to say, again, Raymond has proven that he has had the upper hand over Devanney. Does that mean they'll win tomorrow? Of course not. The players will decide the games but Trinity does not have a coaching advantage in this game.

[Charlie]

In 2019, Williams was missing I believe Jarrett Wesner and replaced him for the Trinity game with Ed Manzella, who at the time was still considered a safety. Raymond repeatedly blitzed from Manzella's side at LOLB (Lambert's right side) to A. Force Lambert to roll to his opposite side B. Force the run towards Apuzzi and Rothmann and C. Keep things simple for Manzella filling in in a big spot.

Devanney made no adjustments. When Trinity came out at halftime it was pretty obvious they were going to be too stubborn to make any changes and it was clear they were not going to score doing what they were doing. A miracle heave to Schoffer (I think) got the Bantams over midfield but Lambert got hit in the pocket and threw a duck to Williams S Ben Anthony to ice the game.

I say all this to say, again, Raymond has proven that he has had the upper hand over Devanney. Does that mean they'll win tomorrow? Of course not. The players will decide the games but Trinity does not have a coaching advantage in this game.

If you read my comments I stated that Trinity has some weaknesses and if Fetter is taken off his spot could be problematic. I am only going by one game that I witnessed and Tufts out coached Williams in that game hands down. I know score and statistics may not show this but Tufts controlled the tenure of the game. Williams made multiple coaching blunders. So I would not say Belichek is coaching Williams. Trinity has a few flaws but I have never seen them on 4 th and one throw a bomb. In addition having one of the best running QB in the game and he cant sneak for one yard. This and other glaring coaching blunders is why I give the Coaching edge to Trinity. Like Herman Edwards said. " This is Why We Play The Games "

[SpringSt7]

I read your comments and they said "In the end I feel Trinity has better Coaching".

Tufts outplayed Williams in that game but I don't think electing to throw the ball 15 yards (not a bomb) downfield to arguably the best WR in the league and certainly the best jump ball WR in Frank Stola is some sort of fatal flaw that means the Williams staff can't coach. That's just me. I would watch more than one Williams game before jumping to any conclusions.

[Charlie]

I think it is unfair to say Trinity pushes the envelope. Trinity is a very mediocre school by NESCAC academic standards. Why is everyone shocked they get the lowest academic kids? I applaud them for retaining/graduating these players.     

I would not classify it as mediocre at all. If we are talking strictly football Every NESCAC school has its own merits desires and football direction. Depends what the student wants. If you want to go to a Maine school get a great education and win a few football games great. Frankly if you are going to put in the time in the off season , study hard academically why would you not want to go to a program where you have a 50/50 shot at being a champion. These kids put in 20 + hours per week. Now some may not be able to play at a football powerhouse so thats where these schools come into play. Education aside it is what the student does when he is in school  , grades connections and how he projects himself to an employer when he gets out. The school does no give him a job or get him to graduate school. I think each school has its own merits Pros & Cons I would not say at all one is better than another. It is like saying Dartmouth is better than Cornell or Yale they all have there pros/cons

[The Mole]

Frank and JB split on the Trinity vs Williams game this week on In the Huddle podcast (around 1:10 and 20)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-d3fb-huddle/id1464734010?i=1000540076042

[BigKat]

Williams has "arguably" best WR in the league? Please, stop the nonsense. Had some great numbers two years ago no doubt and he's a special WR but........Report back after watching the two Trinity dudes.

[Charlie]

I read your comments and they said "In the end I feel Trinity has better Coaching".

I don't think electing to throw the ball 15 yards (not a bomb) downfield to arguably the best WR in the league and certainly the best jump ball WR in Frank Stola is some sort of fatal flaw that means the Williams staff can't coach. That's just me. I would watch more than one Williams game before jumping to any conclusions.

Okay a tight game you have arguably the best running QB and you throw the ball 15 yards when you need one yard. This is just bad play calling. Go for the percentages. It is easy to coach in a 28-0 blowout your mistakes are hidden. In crunch time what type of decisions will you make. I think Trinity has good front 4 and if they stunt and run blitz could be a long day. All I am saying is that Raymond will not have luxury of making mistakes Trinity's team and coaching staff who has been there will exploit your mistakes.

[Nescacman]

One other note for the NJ HS football fans on this board ... Red Kossick, yes, son of Eph legend Mark Kossick, had a huge game last week in Ridgewood's win over Ramapo.  Maybe we will see him in purple and gold in two years!  Now I feel reaaalllly old:

https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/high-school/athlete-of-the-week/2021/10/28/bergen-record-male-athlete-week-red-kossick-ridgewood/6160596001/

Eph1, we were at the game and have seen Red play before...Kossick is no secret...he'd look good in red and black as well....

[SpringSt7]

Williams has "arguably" best WR in the league? Please, stop the nonsense. Had some great numbers two years ago no doubt and he's a special WR but........Report back after watching the two Trinity dudes.

First of all I said arguably...and yes I think there is an argument to be made that the guy who has rewritten almost every possible record at Williams deserves to be in that conversation. More importantly, while he obviously hasn't had the season he's wanted to have, we're talking about a play calling decision that was made in Week 2, well before any lack of production in the last 4 weeks.