FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[CardiacEphs]

better than a punter who was 9th in the league in yards per punt making first team 

A punter who split punting duties didn't make all-conference? Shocker.

Congratulations to all of the all-conf and season award recipients. Some very interesting choices were made, but there were some very obvious ones as well. I think the most notable and obvious omission is Donovan Wood not being a first team WR. Frankly it's embarrassing that Wood and Jamin were both left off of the first team, in particular when the likes of Fahey and Wilson were chosen over them. As well, leaving Eden and Fischetti off of the list was interesting. Particularly because the league seems to have typically given all conference nods to 2 backs on both the first and second team. I get that Fischetti was hurt, but he was clearly one of the best backs in the league prior to his injury. Reece and Dinapoli could have shared the first team honors, and Eden and Fischetti could have split second team honors. I'm surprised to see only one of the Tufts OL make first team, and only two overall. Didn't they have one of the top OLs in the country? How did OL from Bowdoin and Wesleyan make it on the list at all over guys from Tufts? Both Bowdoin and Wesleyan had absolute sieves up front.

Finally, why doesn't the league do an MVP and an OPOTY award. Wouldn't that solve the problem of splitting the offensive award? I think it would be easy to say Fetter as MVP and Richardson as OPOTY if that were the case.

Just took a look at the All NESCAC teams, very happy with the list and much of it makes sense but the hill that I will die on is that Williams punter Tim Brown has had an impact on games that is unrivaled against the league's other punters. Despite splitting reps with Maiuolo, Brown had the far greater average and was among the league leaders in yards per punt and punts inside the 20. His greatest impact comes from his ability to draw roughing the punter calls like no other. Brown's slow rhythm and quick release draws defends into thinking they can get the block. This ability led him to secure 5 roughing the punter penalties and first downs for a struggling Williams offense. From what I hear he is a first in last out type of team player.

[nescac1]

Lumbercat, I believe that Johansen suffered a season-ending injury over the summer.  He was listed on the Williams preliminary roster but then was removed, so I assume wanted to preserve that year of eligibility going forward.  I suspect he will be in the mix on the QB depth chart next year along with McHugh, Renzella, and maybe the incoming FY recruit who looks talented as well. McHugh will obviously have a leg up heading into the season but it would be great if one of the other young QBs can at least challenge him in pre-season and maybe earn some situational snaps. 

It does seem like outside of that group the other former H.S. QBs on the roster have generally switched positions.  Will Baker played late in the season as a FY at tight end.  Brady Carroll has been converted to DB and played on special teams as a FY.  Jack Wallace was starting at safety, due to injuries at the position, late in the year and made some bone-rattling tackles.  Riley O'Connell, like his brother before him, converted to HB and scored a TD from that spot against Bates. Those are a good group of versatile athletes who will play significant roles on the team going forward.  Not sure about Bobo, but he also seems like someone who can switch to DB, and I suspect that McHugh, Renzella and hopefully Johansen will be the only returning players at QB next year. 

[lumbercat]

Thanks N1

Joahansen one of the more impressive prospects I've seen in recent years- on both sides of the ball.

In the preseason I was also touting Gehring and he certainly turned out as an outstanding talent and playmaker as predicted. That kid is going to be explosive no matter where he plays. They will put 5-10 lbs on him in the offseason and watch out.
Despite of the criticism on the board of Raymonds recruiting prowess and this years Ephs recruiting class I projected it as very good recruiting class for Williams which I believe it was.

Contrary to opinions of others I won't fault a coach for recruiting QBs heavily as they long as the kids understand and accept the fact they could be moved to another position.

Many NESCAC rosters are populated with players who were recruited as QBs and moved to other positions with great success.
Current examples- Fahey/Bowdoin  Beltran/Bates along with the Williams group and countless others over the years.

[MapleBBQChicken]

I have to totally agree with you John Freeman from Williams one of the best OL have seen in NESCAC in a long time. Had a great career with Williams College. I have to say one of the top lineman in last 10 years next to Clyde Simmons from Trinity and Kyle Woodring from Trinity. We should compile decade teams and he would be on it for sure.

I agree with these names for OL, assuming you meant Chris Simmons for Trinity. Anyway, I'd like to add a couple Panthers to the list... Kevin Woodring (Kyle's older brother) was a three-time All-NESCAC player (two first team selections), and Thomas Perry has been named first team All-NESCAC two years in a row and still has his senior season left.

[Charlie]

I have to totally agree with you John Freeman from Williams one of the best OL have seen in NESCAC in a long time. Had a great career with Williams College. I have to say one of the top lineman in last 10 years next to Clyde Simmons from Trinity and Kyle Woodring from Trinity. We should compile decade teams and he would be on it for sure.

I agree with these names for OL, assuming you meant Chris Simmons for Trinity. Anyway, I'd like to add a couple Panthers to the list... Kevin Woodring (Kyle's older brother) was a three-time All-NESCAC player (two first team selections), and Thomas Perry has been named first team All-NESCAC two years in a row and still has his senior season left.

I would agree with Kevin Woodring definitely but will have to see his senior season. My criteria is dominating at the position as much as Perry had a great career up to this point dont know if i put him in the dominant category yet

[Charlie]

Thanks N1

Joahansen one of the more impressive prospects I've seen in recent years- on both sides of the ball.

In the preseason I was also touting Gehring and he certainly turned out as an outstanding talent and playmaker as predicted. That kid is going to be explosive no matter where he plays. They will put 5-10 lbs on him in the offseason and watch out.
Despite of the criticism on the board of Raymonds recruiting prowess and this years Ephs recruiting class I projected it as very good recruiting class for Williams which I believe it was.

Contrary to opinions of others I won't fault a coach for recruiting QBs heavily as they long as the kids understand and accept the fact they could be moved to another position.

Many NESCAC rosters are populated with players who were recruited as QBs and moved to other positions with great success.
Current examples- Fahey/Bowdoin  Beltran/Bates along with the Williams group and countless others over the years.

While I think the jury is still out on this years class. Marvan was hurt all year , and Renzella had ankle for most part. Both players very injury prone. So large questions remain on this years class. I do think taking an over abundance of QB is detrimental to a recruiting class.

You are asking athletes at the QB position to move to another position and expect them to excel. Meanwhile they are playing other College kids who have played the position all through high school bulked up and asking them to compete against these players is not a smart play. I understand that many kids have to choose to do this to play just seems like Williams does it more than any other team. It is hard to take a kid who has played QB his entire career bulk up and play another position. Williams at QB position needs to do a better job of evaluating. It is not like moving a WR to DB or a LB to DL.

[Nescacman]

Thanks N1

Joahansen one of the more impressive prospects I've seen in recent years- on both sides of the ball.

In the preseason I was also touting Gehring and he certainly turned out as an outstanding talent and playmaker as predicted. That kid is going to be explosive no matter where he plays. They will put 5-10 lbs on him in the offseason and watch out.
Despite of the criticism on the board of Raymonds recruiting prowess and this years Ephs recruiting class I projected it as very good recruiting class for Williams which I believe it was.

Contrary to opinions of others I won't fault a coach for recruiting QBs heavily as they long as the kids understand and accept the fact they could be moved to another position.

Many NESCAC rosters are populated with players who were recruited as QBs and moved to other positions with great success.
Current examples- Fahey/Bowdoin  Beltran/Bates along with the Williams group and countless others over the years.

Logan Tomlinson, who just made 3rd Team All-CAA as a WR, was recruited as a QB for Wes, to further prove your point.

[Ephmen]

...
While I think the jury is still out on this years class. Marvan was hurt all year , and Renzella had ankle for most part. Both players very injury prone. So large questions remain on this years class. I do think taking an over abundance of QB is detrimental to a recruiting class. ...

I don't know about Renzella, but Marvan was out all year due to an injury suffered before coming to Williams.  An injury doesn't make a guy "injury prone."

Are you aware of a track record of injuries for Marvan (and Renzella, for that matter) prior to the one that kept him out?

[lumbercat]

Logan Tomlinson, who just made 3rd Team All-CAA as a WR, was recruited as a QB for Wes, to further prove your point.

Wow- had no idea on Tomlinson.

Great athletes gravitate or are drawn into the QB position early on. I always beleive some back up QBs who are signaling plays in from the sidelines might be better than many skill position players on the field.

Can never blame a QB who wants to compete for that starting job refusing to change positions but at the end of the day I think some great athletes at the High School and small college football level die a slow death waiting for their shot at the QB position. It's a fine line to tread. Good coaches define the parameters to every recruit.

[BigKat]

Chaz and cardiacEph should host a nescac podcast-some real innovative football minds there guessing neither played a lick of meaningful football.

Interesting coaching news forthcoming from the Liberty league to an Ivy opening. Will be interesting to see if any nescac coordinators will be in mix for that LL opening.

[Charlie]

...
While I think the jury is still out on this years class. Marvan was hurt all year , and Renzella had ankle for most part. Both players very injury prone. So large questions remain on this years class. I do think taking an over abundance of QB is detrimental to a recruiting class. ...

I don't know about Renzella, but Marvan was out all year due to an injury suffered before coming to Williams.  An injury doesn't make a guy "injury prone."

Are you aware of a track record of injuries for Marvan (and Renzella, for that matter) prior to the one that kept him out?

Marvan since his Wellesley playing days has had rotator Cuff problems , Knee problems and now ankle problems. Has never finished a season either Football or Lax not hurt. Same for Renzella. It should be noted that both players  best sports are actually Lacrosse and baseball

[Charlie]

I have to totally agree with you John Freeman from Williams one of the best OL have seen in NESCAC in a long time. Had a great career with Williams College. I have to say one of the top lineman in last 10 years next to Clyde Simmons from Trinity and Kyle Woodring from Trinity. We should compile decade teams and he would be on it for sure.

I agree with these names for OL, assuming you meant Chris Simmons for Trinity. Anyway, I'd like to add a couple Panthers to the list... Kevin Woodring (Kyle's older brother) was a three-time All-NESCAC player (two first team selections), and Thomas Perry has been named first team All-NESCAC two years in a row and still has his senior season left.

I want to add cannot be coincidental that the great OL play of Trinity is attributed to the fact that Simmons is Coaching this unit. Only let up a ridiculous number like three sacks all year.

[GroundandPound]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3ER_P5TEww
Chris Simmons Nov. 2017 Highlights from youtube - his senior year.

[lumbercat]

Just took a look at the All NESCAC teams, very happy with the list and much of it makes sense but the hill that I will die on is that Williams punter Tim Brown has had an impact on games that is unrivaled against the league's other punters. Despite splitting reps with Maiuolo, Brown had the far greater average and was among the league leaders in yards per punt and punts inside the 20. His greatest impact comes from his ability to draw roughing the punter calls like no other. Brown's slow rhythm and quick release draws defends into thinking they can get the block. This ability led him to secure 5 roughing the punter penalties and first downs for a struggling Williams offense. From what I hear he is a first in last out type of team player.

Let's make everybody all conference especially if they are good team players. Doesn't everybody get a trophy?

[GroundandPound]

https://nescacfootballreport.com/weekly-previews/
see his season ending power rankings