FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[SpringSt7]

As for this Williams team and the seniors:

-In my opinion, the greatest single class of football players that has gone through this school. Some stars have burned brighter and some classes have accomplished more, but to do what they did and how they did it deserves all the credit in the world, committing to Mark Raymond and his staff during an 0-8 season, immediately coming in and making a massive impact, and then putting their lives on hold for a year to come back and win a league championship. Not to mention the sheer talent this class possessed. Consider the fact that Bobby Maimaron is arguably the 4th best player in his class---TJ Rothmann being the best LB I've seen, Stola certainly the best WR to come through the 413 and Patrick Watson being an absolute force up front when healthy. Just a surreal collection of talent.

-But that doesn't include the sheer depth this class had---Jarrett Wesner was Rothmann's equal at LB for long stretches of his career and would've finished his career as the school's all-time leading tackler if he played 9 games this year---he finishes 3rd with 224, with Rothmann 2nd at 248. Wesner was the best player on the field against Middlebury and if not for a nagging hamstring injury would've had a chance to be in the DPOY conversation. John Rooney struggled to stay healthy at times but the team was night and and day improved when he was on the field---the epitome of Raymond's ethos---smart, tough, disciplined, nothing flashy. A well deserved all-league nod coming his way this week. Edward Manzella was the odd man out in the secondary for large stretches of his career as a SS and occasional CB, but made an appearance at LB against Trinity in 2019 and never looked back, capping off his superb senior season with 2 INTs and a massive potentially game saving tackle on the penultimate drive of the game. I don't see awards up yet but he should have a chance at DPOW and should also be seeing his name on the All-League team this week. WR Justin Nelson was a dynamic slot receiver who chose not to return for a 5th year and SS/CB Jake Kastenhuber was an impact freshman and 3 year starter who held the secondary together for long stretches but was forced to end his career a year short due to concussions. They deserve to be mentioned as well.

-The foundation for this season was laid in 2019, when the Ephs were 7-2 with two heartbreaking losses to Middlebury and Wesleyan despite finishing the season as the #1 total offense and #1 total defense. This team would not have gone 9-0 without the development of the Class of 2020, a group that included 1 Mark Raymond recruit (Ben Anthony), the rest of whom were either recruited by Aaron Kelton or a skeleton staff of part time assistants that were let go the day Raymond was hired. All that group did was produce 6 all-league players and in tandem with Maimaron's class, create the culture that you see today, a 9-0 team that is stocked to the brim with the talent for the future. A massive hats off to them.

-Maimaron. What a player. Coming into Williams as the all-time leading in passing TDs in Massachusetts, he turned into the premier QB in the league by transforming into a lethal runner. His football IQ and discipline combined with his agility and vision made him as good of a QB as you could ask for to build a running offense around. The result was 227 rushing yards per game as a team. Oh, and he graduates as the all time school leader in passing TDs with 55, 10 more than any other Eph QB. His 79 total TDs are I believe the second most in NESCAC history.

[lumbercat]

On the Ephs I don't know if I can go as  far as their followers here relative to some of the "all time" references but this was truly a great Williams team.

To me, Maimoronm was the key. In what sport do you not want to have a coach's son. He was the consummate "Field General", always totally in control running that offense almost since day 1. Fortunately for the Ephs his deal at Harvard fell apart.

At the end of the day a great team built by the HC very patiently with cooperation from the Williams administration- the best coached team in the NESCAC.

The Ephs have all the pieces in place to continue their run. Not sure about returning personnel or recruiting.

(I do know that recruiting at Williams and Amherst is like selling Apple lap tops and cell phones).

The administration in Williamstown seems to be totally on board with enabling winning athletics while their rivals in Amherst seem to be entangled in a number of different political, social, non football struggles.

Congratulations to the Ephs on a great Championship.

All this occurs while down in Hartford they may well be starting to scratch their heads a little bit. At Trinity, somebody's got to be saying......Hey, wait a minute.......we're way less selective in terms of recruits we admit......we are spending more money on Football than anyone in the conference, but we can't beat these these bookworms??

[jmcozenlaw]

On the Ephs I don't know if I can go as  far as their followers here relative to some of the "all time" references but this was truly a great Williams team.

To me, Maimoronm was the key. In what sport do you not want to have a coach's son. He was the consummate "Field General", always totally in control running that offense almost since day 1. Fortunately for the Ephs his deal at Harvard fell apart.

At the end of the day a great team built by the HC very patiently with cooperation from the Williams administration- the best coached team in the NESCAC.

The Ephs have all the pieces in place to continue their run. Not sure about returning personnel or recruiting.

(I do know that recruiting at Williams and Amherst is like selling Apple lap tops and cell phones).

The administration in Williamstown seems to be totally on board with enabling winning athletics while their rivals in Amherst seem to be entangled in a number of different political, social, non football struggles.

Congratulations to the Ephs on a great Championship.

All this occurs while down in Hartford they may well be starting to scratch their heads a little bit. At Trinity, somebody's got to be saying......Hey, wait a minute.......we're way less selective in terms of recruits we admit......we are spending more money on Football than anyone in the conference, but we can't beat these these bookworms??

Trinity went 8-1 against their fellow "bookworms", which many of my friends who went to NESCAC schools downplayed the idea of being a "bookworm".........and that the hardest thing was getting in. Remember, a debit is a debit........a credit is a credit........and the Periodic Table of Elements is the same regardless of whether you attend a NESCAC school or Whatsamatter U.

But I do love a good NESCAC on NESCAC fight. It's like a pillow fight at a sorority!!

[nescac1]

Great thoughts on Williams, SpringSt7. 

Despite Amherst's gutty second-half performance vs. the Ephs, I am a bit less rosy on its future than you.  I do think the Breckenridge / Peterson duo should improve into next season, but it will take a LOT of improvement to put them into the top half of NESCAC QB play.  And they actually have, barring a stellar recruiting class, fewer weapons around them ... Field, by far their best TB, graduates.  While the Amherst stats are STILL so screwed up that it's hard to get a handle on who is responsible for which statistic (how is that possible after NINE games?), I am pretty sure Amherst graduates 3 of its top 4 receivers (returning only Oshenshirt from that group) as well as its top tight end.  So, whoever wins the QB job will have a pretty green group of skill guys around them.  (Amherst does return 4/5 offensive linemen, so that unit at least should be a strength).  And unlike in past Williams-Amherst games, when first year players typically announce themselves as big forces for the future (e.g. Nicholas last year and Fischetti this year for Williams), I don't think Amherst had any first years making a major impact signaling a huge break-out as sophomores. 

Amherst will always be tough on defense, but Amherst does lose three of its four probable all-league guys on D (Kelly, who is a massive loss, Goodson, and Duborow), along with i think 4-5 other defensive starters.  Amherst's talent base overall seemed, with a few notable exceptions, quite senior-heavy overall.  Williams, as stellar as its senior class was, still returns its entire secondary and defensive line (including three starters from those units who were injured for the Amherst game), its three stellar TBs, three guys who got multiple starts at LB, 4/5 offensive linemen who started vs. Amherst, and its second-leading receiver.  The big questions for the Ephs remain at QB, WR, and TE, but that's still fewer questions than Amherst, for whom I'd still say QB is a question mark heading into next year along with WR, TE, TB, and DB. 

On another note, one way to make SOME sense of some of the weird results in NESCAC this year is that home field advantage seemed to matter a lot this year.  At least for Williams ... which was historically dominant at home (destroying Trinity, Wesleyan, Midd and Colby) while being a bit inconsistent on the road (struggling in parts of the Amherst, Tufts, and Bowdoin games, despite having a much more talented team in all three of those games).  Amherst had some very bad performances on the road (the near-loss to Bates, the loss to Bowdoin, the Trinity debacle), and some really strong games at home (beating Tufts, hanging tight with Williams, shutting out Hamilton, losing to Colby being the outlier).  Amherst mostly struggled on the road, other than the Wesleyan game where weather was a huge factor.  Wesleyan's season is the one I really can't make sense of because it started out great on offense and horrific on D and finished very strong on D and terrible offensively. 

Speaking of Wesleyan, what a late collapse on offense, after a spectacular start to the year.  21 points over three games plus four OTs is pretty rough.  Is it that they could beat up on lesser defenses just through sheer athletic dominance but the lack of a deep passing game doomed them vs. teams that had equal athletes on D?  It really did seem the offense was very one-dimensional down the stretch and smart teams with good athletes could shut them down ... with Austin Scott having a strange drop-off from his awesome sophomore year, and without any sort of big playmaker to turn to at TB (and no depth there at all), Wesleyan had to rely almost totally on Estevez, who couldn't get the ball deep down the field vs. the better defensive backfields, so basically the offense was Estevez runs, short passes, and gadget plays.  Without the threat of the deep ball and without a dominant tailback to share the load, Wesleyan just seemed too limited in what it could do offensively.  If Austin Scott can return to his sophomore form, allowing Estevez to thrive in more of a slash role, with Simco, Estevez and Tomlinson as elite playmakers, they could be really dynamic next year.  But that's a big if!  Would also help if they could find an above-average TB, which has been a weird hole on the roster full of talented athletes. 

[lumbercat]

On the Ephs I don't know if I can go as  far as their followers here relative to some of the "all time" references but this was truly a great Williams team.

To me, Maimoronm was the key. In what sport do you not want to have a coach's son. He was the consummate "Field General", always totally in control running that offense almost since day 1. Fortunately for the Ephs his deal at Harvard fell apart.

At the end of the day a great team built by the HC very patiently with cooperation from the Williams administration- the best coached team in the NESCAC.

The Ephs have all the pieces in place to continue their run. Not sure about returning personnel or recruiting.

(I do know that recruiting at Williams and Amherst is like selling Apple lap tops and cell phones).

The administration in Williamstown seems to be totally on board with enabling winning athletics while their rivals in Amherst seem to be entangled in a number of different political, social, non football struggles.

Congratulations to the Ephs on a great Championship.

All this occurs while down in Hartford they may well be starting to scratch their heads a little bit. At Trinity, somebody's got to be saying......Hey, wait a minute.......we're way less selective in terms of recruits we admit......we are spending more money on Football than anyone in the conference, but we can't beat these these bookworms??

Trinity went 8-1 against their fellow "bookworms", which many of my friends who went to NESCAC schools downplayed the idea of being a "bookworm".........and that the hardest thing was getting in. Remember, a debit is a debit........a credit is a credit........and the Periodic Table of Elements is the same regardless of whether you attend a NESCAC school or Whatsamatter U.

But I do love a good NESCAC on NESCAC fight. It's like a pillow fight at a sorority!!

I'll bet the pillow fights staged by that Swarthmore Flag Football team are entertaining as well.

[maineman]

So is anyone willing to hazard a guess as to what the pecking order will be in 2022?

[BigKat]

Yes, I will. Trinity and Tufts have to be considered the favorites knowing what's in the cabinets. Both have flaws for sure but more weapons than the others IMO.

Not to ignite the post season firestorm but I just saw the New England Bowl Series games were announced. Wouldn't this be a nice prize for the Nescac winner to get an automatic bid vs dare we say the D3 playoffs which will never be blessed?

[nescac1]

I think Williams, Trinity and Wesleyan again go into the season as a clear top tier. Then Tufts in a tier of its own, great offense but questions on defense.  Bates (which loses a lot) and Hamilton look like the bottom of the league next year.  Amherst, Midd, Bowdoin and Colby as a middle tier, with Amherst probably the best of that group.   

[The Mole]

hard to determine with 5th year coming back, etc. However, best guess:

Trinity was the most physically impressive team, have to believe with returning QB and strong line play they will be in the mix again.
Williams loses a great class but cupboard is not bare, most physical team in the trenches, can they continue that trend ?
Wesleyan brings back a strong contingent, must get better upfront, agree with nescac1 assessment below.
Tufts has to find some answers on D, impressive rally to finish 4-5 after 0-5 start.
Amherst needs to get better on offense, D was admirable and kept them in all games but one, had negative PF/PA at -16
Colby had worst scoring offense in league, to go 4-5 and win CBB was a good step, can they take another one up?
Middlebury did not pass they eyeball test and has to get tougher. Surprising drop
Bates was a surprise--had 5 one score games, can they get over the hump for a winning slate?
Hamilton lost two games on the last play, anemic on offense--worst point differential of -98, still long way to go
Bowdoin certainly better on the field but not the Win column. Did not pass the eye ball test. Can they build around RB and QB? Beat a team with a winning record (Amherst) though.

QB play was the key this past season and of course, line play. Those two factors plus injuries and what 5th years return can change things in a hurry. That is driving the hierarchy.

So is anyone willing to hazard a guess as to what the pecking order will be in 2022?

[PolarCat]

So is anyone willing to hazard a guess as to what the pecking order will be in 2022?

The 2022 Bobcats with their QB with the golden arm steal a page from the ca. 2016 Jumbos and surprise a bunch of regulars here.  5-4 maybe even 6-3, knocking off Bowdoin in OT, Hamilton, Midd, Tufts and either Amherst or Colby.  One star waning, the other waxing.

Williams repeats as CAC champs with Wes in 2nd.  Amherst has an even more Biddy-ful season (see what I did there?)

For the first time in ages, parents of Conts and Panther players find this board.  At least one NESCAC school replaces its visitor tailgate area with an EV charging facility.

NESCAC sees its first female and nin-binary football players.  My Crystal ball is unsure whether Wes or Amherst leads the charge here.

And the game day broadcasts still suck.  You read it here first.

[Nescacman]

Lot's of stuff to unpack here...for better or worse, we'll give our thoughts on '21 and give our unique perspective as far as what's in store for '22 over the course of the next few days, plus look all-league and players of the year...

First, we have to get one thing off of our chest, how in the world does "#2 in your program" for Wes, Danny Banks (part of Jersey Cards Mafia), not earn at least a share of the DPOTW in the NESCAC?!? WOW, WOW, WOW....3 INTs, 1 pass break-up and 5 tackles lining up in single man-to-man coverage against the best WR in Hartford State history (and only giving up 4 catches for 86 yards and no TDs...33 yards were on a pass play when Danny fell down btw)...

We're sure the kid from TTUN had a great day, and yes they won, but come on, the league has done the "co" winner thing before....just egregious IOO...   

The good news is Banks will be first team all-league so that is at least something and should be in the discussion for DPOTY...although we think Rothman will win it...

[nescac1]

The league has been pretty reluctant to give co-POTW awards it seems.  Wesner didn't get one for his huge game vs Midd.  Nicholas didn't get one for either of his two ridiculous games vs Trinity and Wesleyan.  And Manzella was spectacular vs Amherst, two INTs and 12 tackles, including a huge stick on a critical 3rd and 1 play late in the game, def the defensive play of the game for the Ephs.  He was all over the field to help the Ephs compensate for their starting safety and top pass rusher being out with injuries.  Not saying Banks wasn't also deserving, but Nicholas likewise got robbed twice ....

[SpringSt7]

I can't remember a player on a losing team getting POTW since Justin Harris racked up 17 tackles to kick off the Mark Raymond era in Week of 2016, a heartbreaking 9-7 loss to Colby, when we all thought Jansen Durham was the future at QB for the Ephs. Sure came a long way.

Anyways, morale of the story is that it's really hard to lose and get POTW.

[Nescacman]

I can't remember a player on a losing team getting POTW since Justin Harris racked up 17 tackles to kick off the Mark Raymond era in Week of 2016, a heartbreaking 9-7 loss to Colby, when we all thought Jansen Durham was the future at QB for the Ephs. Sure came a long way.

Anyways, morale of the story is that it's really hard to lose and get POTW.

With all due respect Spring, that is complete nonsense. In fact, the "Special Teams Player of the Week" played on a losing Hamilton team THIS WEEK.

We could go back and look at each and every week this week, but we are sure there are other examples. Let's call it like it is, the NESCAC f'ed up big time.

[Nescacman]

So let's talk a little about the Wes/Hartford State game:

1. Wes loses 14-7 despite creating 5 turnovers (4 interceptions, 1 fumble). Not sure we've ever seen a game where a team wins the turnover battle 5-0 and loses.
2. We've watched Fetter a number of times this year, and we have to say, 2 of the last 3 weeks, he looked like a mere mortal. We think Wes and the Purple Cows definitely figured out a way to beat him...get a decent pass rush and hit him as much as you can. He is the epitome of a pocket passer which we thought went out of style around 1990. 
3. Speaking of Fetter, we would say his week 9 performance pretty much knocked him out of the discussion for OPOTY. You might as well just give the award to Maimaron tonight. 
4. Congrats to Wes for stopping both Reid and Girard. Not an easy task.
5. Wes had a chance to go up at the half, didn't punch it in from inside the 5 and then missed a chip shot field goal.
6. Wes offense was ravaged by injury, missing key players for much of the latter part of the season. Definitely had an impact on their explosiveness the last few games. Loss of weapons for sure had an impact on the effectiveness of Estevez against Hartford State. Tomlinson missed almost the entire second half. They will be happy to have Tomlinson, Simco, Estevez, Elkhoury & Co all back in '22 (and at least 8 of 11 starters on offense).
7. Meanwhile, Wes defense looked great over the last 4 weeks. Looks like they will have 10 of 11 starters back next year which should put them in a good position to compete.in '22.
8. Kirby had a nice day running the ball for Hartford State. We weren't big fans of the Bants running game coming into the game but it was impressive on Saturday.
9. Meanwhile, Bants rushing defense was very stout (58 yards on 32 attempts for Wes).
10. Although the Bants recorded 5 sacks to Wes' 2, most of the HS sacks were coverage sacks and were recorded when Estevez was running around trying to create a big play.
11. Speaking of big plays, Estevez just missed several long completions to an open Tomlinson and Elhoury that would have changed the outcome of the game.
12. Hard fought game played between two evenly matched teams. Fun to watch.
13. Another big crowd on a perfect day for football on Andrus. Looking forward to the '22 season already!!!