FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[sjusection105]

Tmert, thought that I was the only victim of the "midnight smite"  last weekend and last night I got hit good.

+K to all the usual suspects to counter the "Smite Stalker"

[sjusection105]

Game story and recap up at www.JohnnieFootball.com

Nice job.

Thanks Flash. You know that we (JohnnieFootball.com staff) will call a spade a spade. It's tough to put lipstick on a pig. The team got out played and there is no way to sugarcoat or spin the facts of the game.
On the road of life, this is just a small pothole for these kids. They are fortunate to have played for John, an experience they'll never forget.

[DutchHawk]

Game story and recap up at www.JohnnieFootball.com

Great article! It would be awesome if Central alumni could get a page up like that!

One question for the Johnnie fans...Why were your starters in at the end of the game? I realize some are seniors and so forth but one of Gagliardis principles is that everyone plays in a blowout right? We had called off the dogs, even though I know DeWaard would have wanted a shut out worse than anything, but we have the utmost respect for the SJU program as Im sure you guys have for us. I thought that it would have been a good time to get some younger Johnnies, next years team, some playing time in a playoff atomsphere. Either way Ill take the de-facto shut out in my mind. Good luck in the off season and next year!

[sjusection105]

One question for the Johnnie fans...Why were your starters in at the end of the game? I realize some are seniors and so forth but one of Gagliardis principles is that everyone plays in a blowout right?

DutchHawk,
None of us know the answer to that question. I would suspect that the milestones I mentioned in the article have something to do with why many (not all) of the starters were in the game at that point.

[repete]

Congrats and thanks to the Johnnie seniors as they move on to another chapter. Bittersweet thanks to Bethel and Central for giving the returning players a point of reference about getting things done. There are some great young SJU players coming back and many good things are ahead.

[sju56321]

105-gotta love the smiters that get you after midnight-what lack of balls. +K to the good guys to also counter the smiters.
Senior-nice four years and was a pleasure to cheer for you guys. Now SJU has a newer group to cheer for-let's hope we have pleanty to cheer in 2008!

[chewey]

I agree that the Johnnies this year were not as talented as in years past.  I suppose the exception to that would be Brian Weber.  Koefed was a very good, not great, QB who, with the people around him, was able to keep us at the top and give us some playoff enjoyment.  It's very unfortunate that he was inconsistent and had such a confidence problem.  When he was on, he was unstoppable and he's a great kid.  I don't see any justification for a confidence issue inhibiting him but sports is a tricky area with its superstitions and all.  As fans, we owe him a lot of thanks for what he did do while he was our QB.  He did not have a truly tough O-line, in my opinion, and he was hurried much more than I've seen in the past with other O-lines/QB's.  We did not have near the running game this year that we should have had and that we've had in years past.  We sure could have used Mike Waring and Luberts (sp?) both of whom left the team before the season started.
Let's hope that next year we can win the conference outright and get in to the playoffs and do more damage.  I think the only reason Gagliardi left the starters in there is because they are seniors and they were playing their last game together.  Next year, we'll need a better O-line, better D-backs and, overall, better receivers.  I think the next QB will be pretty darn good. 

Dutch:  Bethel is a very good team.  They have a good running back with a good, big, physical O-line that blocks for him really well.  Their QB can throw the ball pretty well when he must; he reminds me a lot of your QB.  He's good but not great.  I don't know how they lost to BV but, then again, they got kind of lucky with SJU at the end.  Their D-line is very physical and rushes the QB well.  I don't think you'll be able to rush against them like you did against us.  Their D-line and O-line are better than ours were this year, in my opinion.  Good luck against them and thanks for the hospitality yesterday.  I always like coming to Pella.  Bethel's biggest weakness is a history of kind of choking in the playoffs even though they've had really good teams (See Bethel vs. PLU in 2000). 

Bethel:  Go and support your team.  You won't forget the experiences and you'll enjoy all of the great people you meet.  It's always good to see other stadiums/schools.  You have a very good team and it should be a nail biter against a very good Central team. 

[Buffer65]

Game story and recap up at www.JohnnieFootball.com

Great article! It would be awesome if Central alumni could get a page up like that!

One question for the Johnnie fans...Why were your starters in at the end of the game? I realize some are seniors and so forth but one of Gagliardis principles is that everyone plays in a blowout right? We had called off the dogs, even though I know DeWaard would have wanted a shut out worse than anything, but we have the utmost respect for the SJU program as Im sure you guys have for us. I thought that it would have been a good time to get some younger Johnnies, next years team, some playing time in a playoff atomsphere. Either way Ill take the de-facto shut out in my mind. Good luck in the off season and next year!

Typically, I'd say yes getting younger players in is what happens.  However, having watching/listening to SJU football for the better part of 15 years, when the final game of the year ends this way (read: no hope for a future game) John will put his seniors into the game.  Radio broadcast said seniors Solt and Walsh were in at WR, along with senior Weber (TD reception) and senior backup OL Schleper was in, as were Senior QB Kofed, senior backup RB Blackmore.  Although not exactly a 2nd team, I'd be surprised if there were anyone but seniors ont he field for that last drive.  That's John showing respect, admiration and gratitude for those guys who are finishing four years of dedication to Johnnie football.

Great showing by the Dutch, most certainly deserved the W on Sat!  Congrats and good luck moving forward!

[DutchHawk]

Thats what I figured was going on which is respectable in my mind. Its always a must to play the seniors, especially the guys that have given 4 years and werent starters or major players. Leaving one in to reach a milestone however I would disagree with, I dont want to sound bitter but just a question. Thanks for your answers!

As for Bethel I played against them in Arden Hills in 05, they were very physical and tough up front on defense. We were able to beat them over the top with our speed (which is much faster now than it was then) and Connell started that game as well but he has matured and improved 10 fold since then. They will definitely be a tough team to beat, although I think the Johnnies would agree had a softer side of the bracket so far. Without UWEC having a QB in the game, they started a WR at QB and it was still tight, either that says a ton of UWEC or maybe Bethel struggles more than we think. Either way it will be a good game and hopefully another Dutch victory.

Side note...any chance the IIAC can start getting more respect out of you guys? I dont think were the weak sister that you make us out to be. Central didnt win a game in the conference all year by that wide of margin and now have done it 2 times in the playoffs....

[Freebird]

DutchHawk,

I remember that game in 05 pretty well and I was wondering if you guys thought you got away with one?  Bethel dominated the stats but Central found a way to win.  Knowing the small amount I do about this Central team it sounds like they are the same way?

[chewey]

I think the IIAC is a pretty good conference.  There were a few years where the IIAC champs would go play linfield or SJU and get pounded.  The IIAC had a couple of down years but Wartburg was pretty good a couple of years ago too.  That Central team of 2000 was damn tough.  They had a pretty good team in 1999 too.  I don't think the IIAC has anything to be ashamed of or disrespected for.  It's done pretty well against the MIAC this year. 

[The White Silly]

DutchHawk,

Hello there.  Hi, my name is THE WHITE SILLY.  I generally like your posts.  First off, what position did you play?  Secondly, I respect your program greatly.  Thirdly, as much as Connell has improved, Wetzell has done the same (and then some)..he is an ABSOLUTE BEAST...a true cross between Brady Quinn and Tim Tebow.   Fourthly, Bethel has, without question, had the softer side of the bracket.  You are correct in that statement.  Fifthly, I will not guarentee a Bethel victory...but, in my biased opinion I think how they match up with ya'll, will bode well and give them a close, hard fought, victory in Pella (although I don't know your team in great detail, so this is, for all intents and purposes, a solid guesstimation, but I love guesstimations and largely base my everyday life off of them, this is the way I live my life = an unstable way to live life...but I find it to work for me as an individual...every person is different...but, i just prefer this unstable way of living, as I like to live with the Silly and unpredictable way of life here on planet earth...TO ME, STABLE = PREDICTABLE, AND THUS...NO FUN!!!...UNSTABLE = UNPREDICTABLE, AND THUS FUN!!!..."life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get -Forrest Gump(someofyoumighthaveheardofhim) a2 + b2 = c2 "knowwhati'msayin?") they are a different style of football as compared to the Johnnies (who I have much respect for having lost to them EVERY YEAR I PLAYED FOR BETHEL)...but, styles make matchups...this Bethel team will match up SEVERELY different than the Johnnies matched up against you guys... and I think will = a hard "CLOSE" game with BEN "timtebowbradyquinn" scoring the game winning touchdown as TIME EXPIRES!!! who's with me??? TC??? are ya with me?...TDT, are ya with me?...Mighty Royal (you're my boy and seeing you on Sat. was one of my highlights of 2007 (cause YOU"RE MY BOY), Cheese are ya with me???...CARL SPACKLER...SETH, are ya with ME?...either way, I hope, whoever wins this coming Sat. (Bethel will win by 3 points DUTCHAWKinator)...serves Mt. Union...........YOU GOT SERVED

[bgbacker]

just wanted to drop in to say good luck to the Royals against Central. I also want to say on this board how proud we all are of UW-EC's season. Every team deals with adversity and yes it builds character, but it usually doesn't lead to a 9-win season and a 2nd Round playoff game. Would the outcome have been different if EC's 4th-string QB had been healthy? Maybe, but it doesn't matter. Bethel did what they had to do to win the game. And their fans and players were awesome in terms of sportsmanship. Again, good luck next week.

[Warren Thompson]

DutchHawk,

Hello there.  Hi, my name is THE WHITE SILLY.  I generally like your posts.  First off, what position did you play?  Secondly, I respect your program greatly.  Thirdly, as much as Connell has improved, Wetzell has done the same (and then some)..he is an ABSOLUTE BEAST...a true cross between Brady Quinn and Tim Tebow.   Fourthly, Bethel has, without question, had the softer side of the bracket.  You are correct in that statement.  Fifthly, I will not guarentee a Bethel victory...but, in my biased opinion I think how they match up with ya'll, will bode well and give them a close, hard fought, victory in Pella (although I don't know your team in great detail, so this is, for all intents and purposes, a solid guesstimation, but I love guesstimations and largely base my everyday life off of them, this is the way I live my life = an unstable way to live life...but I find it to work for me as an individual...every person is different...but, i just prefer this unstable way of living, as I like to live with the Silly and unpredictable way of life here on planet earth...TO ME, STABLE = PREDICTABLE, AND THUS...NO FUN!!!...UNSTABLE = UNPREDICTABLE, AND THUS FUN!!!..."life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get -Forrest Gump(someofyoumighthaveheardofhim) a2 + b2 = c2 "knowwhati'msayin?") they are a different style of football as compared to the Johnnies (who I have much respect for having lost to them EVERY YEAR I PLAYED FOR BETHEL)...but, styles make matchups...this Bethel team will match up SEVERELY different than the Johnnies matched up against you guys... and I think will = a hard "CLOSE" game with BEN "timtebowbradyquinn" scoring the game winning touchdown as TIME EXPIRES!!! who's with me??? TC??? are ya with me?...TDT, are ya with me?...Mighty Royal (you're my boy and seeing you on Sat. was one of my highlights of 2007 (cause YOU"RE MY BOY), Cheese are ya with me???...CARL SPACKLER...SETH, are ya with ME?...either way, I hope, whoever wins this coming Sat. (Bethel will win by 3 points DUTCHAWKinator)...serves Mt. Union...........YOU GOT SERVED

Per the above, what a waste of 'Net space. 

[Johnnie Red]

My congrats to the Dutch! Very tough game to watch from the Johnnie side. Congrats to all the Johnnie seniors for everything you have given us the last four years. Excellent run and keeping the tradition of very high expectations.

Once again the stay in Pella was wonderful. Jaarsma's Bakery and the Dutch letters are classic. Hopefully I can make it back for the Tulip Festival this coming May. Most authentic celebration I have ever been to. And this is coming from someone who has been to the Stiftungsfest almost every year of my life.

My thanks to everyone who helped make the Stiftungsfestivities a great tailgate and gathering for Johnnie and visiting fans. Veek and Dusty, your contributions are much appreciated, along with many of the other posters on this board. Special thanks to Troy Fritz of SJU for the grill, porta potty and the table.

Bethel, go get `em in Pella! Should be a classic game. If you are a Royals fan, make the trip to Pella. You will not regret it. Get there early and tour downtown Pella. Jaarsma's Bakery opens at 6:00 a.m. on Saturdays.

Good Lord, what should I do this next Saturday?