FB: USA South Athletic Conference

[Ryan Tipps]

Also, I'm kinda interested/stunned/intrigued that CNU had scored only 7 points this weekend by halftime...at home. I didn't hear all the details, but I kind of feel like there might actually be a chink in that armor. It just makes the Nov. 4 showdown all that much more exciting.

legacy - what makes this a "chink" in the cnu armor?  averett only scored 14 first half points against mc, and honestly hardly moved the ball other than the first and last drive of the half (and needed a PERFECT pass from todd parsons into triple coverage on third and 13 to the best wr in the conference to make the last score happen) - not bashing au, because they are a very solid team, but honestly i don't think that their first half performance against mc was any more impressive (other than the fact that they had one more score and were playing on the road...not sure, but i'd be willing to bet they had much less yardage at 1/2 time than cnu did) - if anything, the defensive performance by cnu this weekend and the offensive balance they exhibited (throwing for 250+ and running for 100+...the first team to do that to the monarch defense this year) lead me to believe that they are legit and may be the best team in the conference

Oh, narch, you're overanalyzing my comment a bit. I meant that as a testiment to how solid Methodist's defense played on the road. As everyone knows, Pomoco Stadium is a brutal place to play for USA South teams. CNU has a tendency to play very well against the conference teams at home, and that's shown by the fact that the Captains haven't lost a home game to a conference team since 2001.

I wasn't trying to draw a direct comparison between CNU, AU or MC. Each game is going to be different. But, although you say that CNU showed an impressive balance in offense this past week, my comment about a "chink in the armor" is based on CNU's history against conference opponents at home.

This year has been the first time since October of 2003 that CNU has scored fewer than 10 points in the first half against a conference opponent at Pomoco. And this year, both Methodist and Greensboro have held the Captains to only 7 first-half points. I understand that the conditions were crummy for the Gboro game, but the only real point I'm trying to make is that there are a lot of teams in this conference that are looking pretty evenly matched on many given Saturdays. And especially, when the AU-CNU game rolls around in two weeks, the aura of Pomoco might not be as intimidating as in past years. But then again, it still might... 

[hasanova]

The four NC classifications (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A) are based on quartiles of official enrolment, so schools can be reclassified every few years.  If there are 400 HS's in the state, for example, the 100 with the lowest number of students are 1A and the 100 with the largest number of students 4A.  2A and 3A have the two quartiles in between.  There is some room for appeal for natural rivalries and geographic location (travel concerns, etc.).  It is possible, therefore, for the smallest 2A school to only have one more student than the largest 1A school (and likewise in other classifications).  I'm not sure why they split each division in two for football, but there are eight public HS state football champions each season.  There have been two state championships games on the same day at each of the four venues (UNC-CH, NCSU, WFU and Duke).

[abnrgr]

Yea like Hasanova said..............I know that......now.

I was close in a crayon journalistic version sort of way

[PrideSportBBallGuy]

I just don't know, I guess having 64 teams out 90 from each classifcations seems to be alot.  It looks like MD is understating the playoffs based on that number.  3A level has 46 teams so 32 should be the cutoff then.  if you compare the two on ratios.  I think having 24 would be enough.  Top two seeds in each region having first round byes.

Of note the other sports they used to alternate Home and Away from playoff games.  Very likely that a higher seed would have to go on the road in the first game.  (They counted first round byes as home games)  Man things are so much simplier down here in NC.  I might have to e-mail the sports group that runs the playoffs in MD.

[abnrgr]

Remember one thing Pride.

The state gets a cut of all the playoff games so it helps to have alot of playoffs. They get alot at the state championship games too.

What Hasa mentioned also blows having games at the colleges. it just ruins the night time atmosphere at home when you stuff 8000 people in a stadium made for 4000. Night, cold, loud as hell..........

I saw my high school go 9-1 and sit more than once.

East Carteret (Papi's school) in the 70's would lose one game to Havelock. They sat. I will admit MD does need a overhaul.

[narch]

abnrgr hit the nail precisely on the head...it's about revenue generation and participation...so many more kids (and their ticket purchasing parents/friends/family) get to experience playoff football now

having said that, there are too many playoff teams...no team should be allowed to participate in a playoff system with a losing record unless they win their conference

wclegacy...thanks for the clarification - the first time i read it, it bothered me, so i went back and re-read today before responding...i understand what you meant, now

[CNU85]

Also, I'm kinda interested/stunned/intrigued that CNU had scored only 7 points this weekend by halftime...at home. I didn't hear all the details, but I kind of feel like there might actually be a chink in that armor. It just makes the Nov. 4 showdown all that much more exciting.

First 3 CNU possessions ended up in turnovers....2 in the red zone......So, the 7-0 halftime score was not indicative of the way CNU was dominating the game. I was not worried at all at halftime. Narch is right...the 250 yds in the air and Hilliard rushing for 125 more....the Defense was stifling! I knew it was a metter of time before the miscues stopped and CNU started scoring. I also had a strong feeling at halftime that CNU was going to post another shutout......I'm starting to forget about the 3 LBs thqat graduated last year!!! Justin Who??? Thomas Horan is a beast!!

[CNU85]

Good research Legacy...I didn't realize about the 7 points at halftime stats. Like I said in an earlier post, 3 turnovers on the first 3 drives sometimes kill teams and if CNU was playing a top 20 team, those turnovers produce the L.

Let's hope they have it straight now....these next 3 games make me nervous. UNCW...4 losses by a combined 10 points!!! And we play in their house.

AU - tough team...glad we're at home

FC - was picked to win the conference, not doing so well right now....what a way to end a disappointing season, by going into POMOCO and beating CNU!!!

nervous nervous nervous!!!!!!

[CNULifer]

I was not worried at all at halftime. I knew it was a metter of time before the miscues stopped and CNU started scoring. I also had a strong feeling at halftime that CNU was going to post another shutout.

I looked up definition of Sleepwalking in dictionary and saw a picture of CNU's football team.

We played great in first half of maryville and then set the autopilot in the third quarter.

We played great in the first three possessions against Methodist.  Multiple formations and good chunks of yards on each play.  The Methodist D had to be wondering what was going to happen from play to play.  Definitely on their heals.  BUT we turned the ball over 3 times instead of scoring.  It seemed that the result of the game was a foregone conclusion in the first quarter.  Everyone even the CNU team just kind of relaxed.  Yes CNU won and that is all that matters short term.  I hope they get there heads on straight and keep fired up for the whole game at NCWC.  3 scary games left.

[CNULifer]

On the bright side, Faison looked really good.  He threw 2 beautiful bombs right over the receivers shoulder.  One of which went a good 45 yards in the air into double coverage.  Also threw some ropes on comeback routes.  A good day for him.  Keep progressing and CNU won't be a running one trick pony come playoff time.  I like our chances down the stretch.


TO CNU TEAM:   It is not enough to just show up.  Ask the seniors.  Even if the first quarter is a blow out on paper.  there are 3 more.  and paper only counts for those running a pole.   Crush them, demoralize them, until the final whistle sounds.  Do that and You will win the final 3 games.

[PrideSportBBallGuy]

abnrgr hit the nail precisely on the head...it's about revenue generation and participation...so many more kids (and their ticket purchasing parents/friends/family) get to experience playoff football now

having said that, there are too many playoff teams...no team should be allowed to participate in a playoff system with a losing record unless they win their conference

I guess MD feels the money generators are women's volleyball, and the soccer teams (Fall sport like it should be.) and Field Hockey. (Although a little congrats to Alice Puckett Field Hockey coach at my high school got her 300 win last week.  For a record of 300-58-1.  WOW and 9 state titles. Poised to get her 10th. Team is ranked #2. She was Bridegewater Grad. and was inducted into BC hall fame this year.)

The MD playoff system is slowy getting better. They might need Narch to set them straight.

[CaptainChris]

I wouldn't go on ranting about forgetting about the linebackers of last year.  Wood led the team in tackles all 4 years he played at CNU.  Thomas Horan is what like 10th on the team in tackles.  I think the LB's have played great this year and hope they keep it up but Horan may be third or fourth best out of this year's LB's.

[narch]

I guess MD feels the money generators are women's volleyball, and the soccer teams (Fall sport like it should be.) and Field Hockey.

no offense to field hockey and soccer and volleyball, but all of those games combined aren't drawing 2-3,000+ fans, unless there is something i don't know about those sports in md - as an aside, field hockey is one of the most boring games ever invented...to much stopping and starting...unwatchable, if you ask me

[PrideSportBBallGuy]

I guess MD feels the money generators are women's volleyball, and the soccer teams (Fall sport like it should be.) and Field Hockey.

no offense to field hockey and soccer and volleyball, but all of those games combined aren't drawing 2-3,000+ fans, unless there is something i don't know about those sports in md - as an aside, field hockey is one of the most boring games ever invented...to much stopping and starting...unwatchable, if you ask me

I was trying to be sarcastic with that.  I would agree Field Hockey is too much stopping and starting.  Not so unwatchable at my high school because they are so talented.  A few years ago they had a record stopped with 3 straight years without allowing a goal in county play.   OT games are the best especially once it gets to 2OT. Taking one player off the field, plus no one who was in the first OT can be in the 2nd OT.  Depth is so important in Field Hockey.

See I don't have much to root for now until USASAC starts basketball season.

[cnusfinest54]

WCLegacy the main thing you are failing to realize is that the last two teams to visit Pomoco also left with a goose egg. A safety or a field goal can win a ball game and the Captain D have come up big at home this year.  Pomoco is becoming one of the most dangerous places to play in Va football (maybe pushing it a bit)lol.

Lol you can't forget the guys from last year. Ive been to a few games this year and the biggest thing the new guys are missing is playing on the other side and delivering punishing hits.  The 3 studs from last year changed game plans they were just hampered by having a young D-line in front of them.  Not saying this years group is not good but they have a long way to go before being mentioned in a sentence with those guys.

Hey 85, Rob or J-lo D POY. Close call but like I said earlier this year don't throw at the kid and he always comes up with the big play in the clutch. The Captains were up 14-0 but that pick shut the door on any comeback hope.