FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[thewaterboy]

A nine game schedule with an "exhibition" in the middle for Wesley. Yuck. Same story different year. Oh well.

Heres my early preview for Wesley. On offense, obviously Callahan is returning as well as Jamar Baynard. I don't see backup tailback Ben Martin on the roster, so looks like we are lacking a little depth there. Losing Koudossou (and Bundy) hurts too. Bryce Shade, Andrew Monaghan, and James Okike return. Not really any superstars there but Bryce Shade could step up as a playmaker. Robert Wiggs is listed as "INJ." Kyle George returns at tight end which definitely helps as far as receiving threats go. Tory Robinson proved a solid backup at TE as well. I think almost all of the O-linemen are returning this year as well, so beyond having to make up some ground at WR and some depth at tailback it shouldnt be too bad.

On the d-line, you lose Terrance Gavin and Aamir Petrose. But Roderick Caine, Dan Laguerre, Brenton Barnes, Dylan Cohill, and Isiah Ingram return. I'm kind of high on Ingram, who missed last season with a torn ACL. All the starting LBs are gone (Kapepula, Wescott and Maginnis). But hopefully Julian Jones and Ben Robinson can come in and take two of those spots. Brandon Bennett is a senior LB at 6'4" 242 lbs. It'd be nice if he could be able to contribute especially with his size. If I'm not mistaken, he played DE early in his career and transitioned to LB. In the secondary it looks like Andre Connally, Craig Pettit, and Leroy Cheatham are the only name I recognize on the roster at the moment. Leon Jones graduated. Zane Campbell is missing.

If the O line remains intact, that will be a boon for the offense.  If any squad has been the traditional linchpin at Wesley, it has been the offensive line.  They did play pretty well last season in comparison to the past.  I have little doubt in the depth that Wesley will show even with the losses of star players at key positions.  One thing I was really surprised was the lack of presence by Kyle George last year.  The year prior, he was killing the secondary with his size.  Last year, not so much.  I hope he returns to form this season.  I really hope we didn't lose Ben Martin.  When he was hot last year, he was burning it up.  He was a stupid-fast cut runner that really wowed me watching him at Menlo.  He would get a wide pitch, reach the sidelines and just burn it up the edge of the field.  Even the Menlo announcers were stunned at his speed. 

It will be a historic year for sure.  I have never seen Wesley play in a conference with the talent that the NJAC has.  This should be interesting.

-Ski

Wesley has always had a knack for reloading at the receiver position with big time players. Ellis Krout and Sean McAndrew followed Larry Beavers and Michael Clarke. And Koudossou and Jeremiah Howe followed them.

I think George will return to form this season so long as he has been working hard in the offseason. If I recall correctly, it seemed Callahan tried to go to George a lot earlier in games but with little success, then he kind of became an afterthought the rest of the game.

[jete2]

The "exhibition" game with Virginia-Lynchburg has been canceled.  Look for a quality D3 team to fill that slot. I expect an announcement in the near future as soon as all the T's are crossed and the I's are dotted on the contract.  And thank goodness.  I didn't want to see that bloodbath with VA Lynchburg. 

[Teamski]

The "exhibition" game with Virginia-Lynchburg has been canceled.  Look for a quality D3 team to fill that slot. I expect an announcement in the near future as soon as all the T's are crossed and the I's are dotted on the contract.  And thank goodness.  I didn't want to see that bloodbath with VA Lynchburg.

Excelllent!

[bleedpurple]

North Central?

[D3MAFAN]

Heard Wesley is playing North Central on 9/26, that's an awesome matchup...just got really excited again. Can't wait for the season to start.

[thewaterboy]

Heard Wesley is playing North Central on 9/26, that's an awesome matchup...just got really excited again. Can't wait for the season to start.

If that's true then that is really good news for both squads, and another premier D3 matchup. This is something I have wanted to see for a long time, and the UMHB series left a bad taste in my mouth as a Wesley fan. I expected us to get at least a split out of that one.

[CNU85]

Since we are new to the conference this year...here is 90 seconds of the CNU campus...hope to see some of you in the next 2 years as the games cycle through. Enjoy!

https://vimeo.com/101089912

[jete2]

Since we are new to the conference this year...here is 90 seconds of the CNU campus...hope to see some of you in the next 2 years as the games cycle through. Enjoy!

https://vimeo.com/101089912

CNU has a beautiful campus with modern amenities.  They also have nice athletic facilities and a very good academic profile.  I think folks will enjoy their visits to CNU.  While I haven't seen every school in the NJAC, I can't imagine there is a nicer looking campus in the conference.  CNU is a real up and comer in the Commonwealth.  You have a lot to proud of with your school, CNU85.

[jete2]

Heard Wesley is playing North Central on 9/26, that's an awesome matchup...just got really excited again. Can't wait for the season to start.

If that's true then that is really good news for both squads, and another premier D3 matchup. This is something I have wanted to see for a long time, and the UMHB series left a bad taste in my mouth as a Wesley fan. I expected us to get at least a split out of that one.

Yep, it's true. Playing at North Cental on 9/26. North Central will come to Dover in 2016.

[@d3jason]

I was looking at plane tickets for that weekend from Philly to Chicago and saw some as low as $99. Cheaper than driving.

[CNU85]

Since we are new to the conference this year...here is 90 seconds of the CNU campus...hope to see some of you in the next 2 years as the games cycle through. Enjoy!

https://vimeo.com/101089912

CNU has a beautiful campus with modern amenities.  They also have nice athletic facilities and a very good academic profile.  I think folks will enjoy their visits to CNU.  While I haven't seen every school in the NJAC, I can't imagine there is a nicer looking campus in the conference.  CNU is a real up and comer in the Commonwealth.  You have a lot to proud of with your school, CNU85.

Thanks for the kind words. Sounds like you know a bit more than the average bear about CNU. I'm looking forward to possibly making some road trips in the next few years. I've been to Wesley and Salisbury. Might not make any NJ schools this year but am thinking about making the short trip to Southern Va (3 hrs).

[CNU85]

Heard Wesley is playing North Central on 9/26, that's an awesome matchup...just got really excited again. Can't wait for the season to start.

If that's true then that is really good news for both squads, and another premier D3 matchup. This is something I have wanted to see for a long time, and the UMHB series left a bad taste in my mouth as a Wesley fan. I expected us to get at least a split out of that one.

Yep, it's true. Playing at North Cental on 9/26. North Central will come to Dover in 2016.

I was reading the game recap from the 2013 game between North Central and Mt Union. North Central wins that game had it not been for some serious kicking issues.

[thewaterboy]

Heard Wesley is playing North Central on 9/26, that's an awesome matchup...just got really excited again. Can't wait for the season to start.

If that's true then that is really good news for both squads, and another premier D3 matchup. This is something I have wanted to see for a long time, and the UMHB series left a bad taste in my mouth as a Wesley fan. I expected us to get at least a split out of that one.

Yep, it's true. Playing at North Cental on 9/26. North Central will come to Dover in 2016.

I was reading the game recap from the 2013 game between North Central and Mt Union. North Central wins that game had it not been for some serious kicking issues.

And Wesley wins in Mount Union the week before if you take away the atrocious first quarter. Came down to an onside kick with 1:30 left.

[jete2]

Since we are new to the conference this year...here is 90 seconds of the CNU campus...hope to see some of you in the next 2 years as the games cycle through. Enjoy!

https://vimeo.com/101089912

CNU has a beautiful campus with modern amenities.  They also have nice athletic facilities and a very good academic profile.  I think folks will enjoy their visits to CNU.  While I haven't seen every school in the NJAC, I can't imagine there is a nicer looking campus in the conference.  CNU is a real up and comer in the Commonwealth.  You have a lot to proud of with your school, CNU85.

Thanks for the kind words. Sounds like you know a bit more than the average bear about CNU. I'm looking forward to possibly making some road trips in the next few years. I've been to Wesley and Salisbury. Might not make any NJ schools this year but am thinking about making the short trip to Southern Va (3 hrs).

My daughter played in several field hockey tournaments at CNU that I attended.   I also know a couple of kids who go to CNU.  They absolutely love the place.  IMO, they have built in recruiting advantages with their location in the 757 and being in close proximity to Richmond, Northern Virginia, and North Carolina.  Throw in the fact CNU is close to the beach with a beautiful campus that offers a large variety of majors and you can have something special.  I truly believe the sky is the limit for CNU considering they haven't played football all that long.

[CNU85]

Since we are new to the conference this year...here is 90 seconds of the CNU campus...hope to see some of you in the next 2 years as the games cycle through. Enjoy!

https://vimeo.com/101089912

CNU has a beautiful campus with modern amenities.  They also have nice athletic facilities and a very good academic profile.  I think folks will enjoy their visits to CNU.  While I haven't seen every school in the NJAC, I can't imagine there is a nicer looking campus in the conference.  CNU is a real up and comer in the Commonwealth.  You have a lot to proud of with your school, CNU85.

Thanks for the kind words. Sounds like you know a bit more than the average bear about CNU. I'm looking forward to possibly making some road trips in the next few years. I've been to Wesley and Salisbury. Might not make any NJ schools this year but am thinking about making the short trip to Southern Va (3 hrs).

My daughter played in several field hockey tournaments at CNU that I attended.   I also know a couple of kids who go to CNU.  They absolutely love the place.  IMO, they have built in recruiting advantages with their location in the 757 and being in close proximity to Richmond, Northern Virginia, and North Carolina.  Throw in the fact CNU is close to the beach with a beautiful campus that offers a large variety of majors and you can have something special.  I truly believe the sky is the limit for CNU considering they haven't played football all that long.

It took a while, and a President who had a vision. When I went there (hence the '85 part of name), the buildings were nasty, there were no dorms, no football, no baseball, campus life was practically non-existent. (Although drinking age was 18 and we had a campus pub!!). We had just cut ties with our parent William & Mary and went on our own. Academics were still tough from that history. Everything you see now has happened since 1996 when the current president took over and put his vision into reality. Football has been around since 2001. We had some really good runs in the beginning (ranked in top 15 several times in those first 4 years or so). Then, as the CNU rep grew, it became more competitive to get accepted. Now, we are 3rd in state for Avg SAT scores behind W&M and UVA. It keeps getting tougher and tougher to recruit. But our coach knows how to recruit the type of player that can also be successful in the classroom at CNU - he was at W&M for 15 years as an assistant. (Trivia: He recruited Mike Tomlin to go to W&M).

I'm really excited about CNU being a part of the NJAC in football. I have seen games against Wesley and Rowan and Salisbury. Salisbury has pretty much become our rival in just about every sport now that we are in the same conferences for all sports. I'm looking forward to seeing new teams, players, coaches. Maybe a few new road trips. Have to check the early part of the road trip schedules and combine a few trips to go watch the Yankees! This is going to be a fun year. The target is off our back as the expected conference champion. First time ever!

It can only help having to play with the bigger boys every week! would be nice to continue the .821 winning percentage in conference play....but......I think those days are gone (for now!). Cheers to all!!! Let's get this party started!! (Everyone should find the time to meet Wesleydad - great guy!)