FB: USA South Athletic Conference

[kickerdad]

USAGURU, slow down babe.  Didn't mean to step on any toes.  Thank you for being a supporter, tried and true.  Let me clear up a couple things.

First, no one has bashed a coach.  No one is calling for their jobs or even thinking of that. I have'nt even said the coaches are doing a poor job.  But, without a doubt, in the EH game, there was some questionable play calling.  Trust me, if you were there you would know that to be the truth.  That is all that was discussed, questionable play calling and a desire to see some fire in this team from the top down.  If that was interpreted as attacking the coaching staff, that was not my intent.

Second, I know what hours those coaches put in and, I am assuming, not for the kind of pay coaches in larger programs are accustomed to.  Those coaches are there for the same reason most of the players who play on non-scholarship teams are there for - Love of the game.

Third, you may some new starters at linebacker but I don't recall mentioning a problem with the linebacking group.  In discussion I merely suggested running a blitz package on obvious passing downs.  That has nothing to do with being freshmen or 5th year seniors.  For the record, I have been impressed with the linebackers to this point. Defensively, all four starters on the line are back as well as the second team line from last year.  Your free safety moved there from linebacker, and you have 4 others with extensive playing time last year.

You cannot deny that with a group as talented as this, something is missing.  I simply wonder what it is.

Trust me, I am not bashing anyone.  Just questioning the current situation.

What is to question, to come on here and say this stuff is basically saying you don't trust the coaches.

Lets be honest this is not the most talented team in the USA SOUTH. I know you have a son playing for them and that is all the more reason not to be online saying this. This is a program that was 2-8 last year. They have already defeated a team they lost to last year. The one thing you must remember is that you can't do too much. You can say you want blitzing and ends dropping, but what you are not realizing is that its just not that easy. Yes you are playing young kids and they can not handle that much. Plus to do all of these things you have to practice all of it. I have coached at this level for a long time and doing too much will kill you. The one coaching philosophy we must remember is it that its better to be great at a little than average at alot. If you start blitzing can you cover man to man? Yes there are alot of players returning, but we must remember that the kitchen cabinents were not exactly full.

There are strides being made from last season. The running game has improved and sacks are down. Look at the positives. Remember it is not about the X's and O's once the game starts it is about the Johnny's and Joe's. You can sleep well knowing that the Monarchs will be well prepared just like they always are. It just blows my mind that a parent can come on a site like this and question  a program his son is a part of. Especially after all they have done to help your son as much as they have through his college career.

To All,

He is 100% correct. I leaned my lesson the hard way as well. Only in my case I was critical of my son's performance on the board.  You have to be very careful what you say and how you say it on these boards. Everyone from players, coaches and administration folks read this stuff.

To USASOUTH GURU, long time no see, hope you and the family are well and things are going good for you. Hows the baby? Chris graduated and is now working for an orthopedic surgeon's physical therapy office. Getting ready to enroll for his masters at Old Dominion or going to EVMS and work towards being a surgical assistant.

Went to homecoming last week and saw lots of old faces. Good luck the rest of the season and tell your bride hello.

[kickerdad]

Shenandoah     @     Christopher Newport

Ferrum             @    NCWC

Averett              @     Greensboro

Methodist        @    Maryville

[narch]

Shenandoah     @     Christopher Newport - this one will be closer than most think

Ferrum              @    NCWC - the panthers in a mild upset

Averett              @     Greensboro - cougars by 20

Methodist         @    Maryville - the numbers suggest that the  monarchs should lose, but that's exactly why the monarchs will win in this wacky series

[crazylegs33]

Shenandoah	@	CNU	CNU doesn't lose home conference games (2 losses in past 8 years, 1 in last 7 years)
Ferrum	@	NCWC	NCWC has too much speed and speed destroys that option attack of Ferrum's
Averett	@	Greensboro	Greensboro puts it together for the surprise win
Methodist	@	Maryville	Home field advantage makes it a sweep for the home teams this week

[crazylegs33]

The Captains went into cardiac arrest for the second time in 3 weeks. Once again a CNU came away with a tense overtime victory. Although we got the win, I'm not sold yet. CNU showed championship type flashes, but never found a rythm on offense after the 1st quarter.


Question. Can you take a personal foul for a TD celebration and assess it on the kickoff? If so, what about overtime? Can you apply it to the starting position for the next team's offense?

[narch]

looks like m'ville/mu was worth the price of admissions...4 ot's and the monarchs come up short...great effort on the road, though...

[bomberzalum]

Crazylegs,
Here's what I got after looking at the play-by-play stats...After SU scored their TD in the first OT, an unsportsmanlike foul was called on SU.  By rule, since it was OT and the penalty occured before the PAT, that penalty could only be enforced on the PAT.  FYI, if that happened during regulation play, CNU could have had it enforced on the kickoff.  In OT, no kickoffs, so the PAT was from the 18.

Then, on the PAT from the 18, CNU was called for a personal foul.  Personal fouls on PATs can be carried over to the kickoff OR the succeeding spot in OT, hence CNU started its possession at the 40 instead of the 25.

The zebras got it right.  Hope that helps...

[CNU85]

2 OTs at home to beat SU? Really?  

[ProudFightingScot]

Just want to let everyone know that I witnessed one of the most exciting and tense football game with the battle between Maryville and Methodist.  MC jumped to a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter and had several opportunities to put Methodist away but failed with a 1st & Goal situation without scoring any points and having a short FG blocked in the second quarter. 

By not putting Methodist away early, it gave the Monarchs an opening to get back into the game.  The Monarchs scored late in the second quarter.  MC's offense couldn't get anything going in the second half and MC lead 17-7 with 5 minutes left in the game. 

The officiating was terrible for most of the game.  MC was flagged for an unnecesary hit by their safety on a 3 & 17 and were called for 2 pass interference on Methodist scoring drive.  Methodist lined up for an onside kick with 2 minutes left.  The kick hit a Methodist player before it went 10 yards, but the officials gave the ball to Methodist.  Methodist tied the score with 5 seconds left in the game. 

The 4 OT's were like 2 heavyweights standing in the middle of the ring  - slugging it out.  In the 3rd OT, MC kicked a FG but Methodist opened up their series with a pass down to the MC 1 yard line.  MC had a fantastic goalline stand and force Methodist to kick a FG.  MC won it in the 4th OT by scoring a TD first and preventing a score by Methodist to win the game.

Fans of both teams should be extremely proud of the way each team played the game.  I've noticed alot of talk on the posts this week by several Methodist fans some positive and some negative towards their team.  I thought Sypault's coaching staff did a great job holding the team together and settling them down early in the game to allow the to get back into the game and tie the score at the end of regulation time.  I also think the coaching staff should use their freshman backup quarterback alot more in their offense schemes.  There was a dramatic difference offensively when he was in the game.

Finally, congrats to the Fighting Scot to find a way to win the game.  Chewning and Caylor was awesome at linebacker.  Christy is a very physcial safety.  We need to learn from this game by not being able to put away a team early.  Learning lessons with a young football team could lead to an exciting season for the Fighting Scots.

[crazylegs33]

CNU85,

It was pretty bad. We had success moving the ball in the 1st quarter and came away with 2 FG's but after that it was pretty blah. We had one big pass play that connected for 6. Shenandoah muffed a punt inside their 20 that set up and easy 2nd TD. But no real drives.

To top it off, Shenandoah got into FG range with nearly no time left. Seemingly done for, my Dad started his way to the car. I of course stayed because I knew something that Shenandoah did not. CNU has an All-American that they forgot about. The 12th man. Shenandoah was kicking into the crazy, drunk, loud student and band section of the field. Sure enough, with the stadium rocking we came up with the block and sent it to overtime.

Game ball has to go to the 12th man. Shenandoah didn't make one kick from that side of the field. 2 missed fieldgoals and an extra point if I'm not mistaken.

[AUPOP]

AU 28 Greensboro 17, game of two halfs. AU did pretty much what ever they wanted in the first half but then Greensboro clamped down in the 2nd. Both Defense played tough and limited the scoring in the second half. Both defense scored on turnovers. Greensboro shot itself in the foot several times with personal foul penalties and not to be out down AU joined the penalty parade in the 2nd half. Game got a little chippy at times and the refs seemed to throw the flag if it even looked close to a personal foul.

Greensboro seems to have all the makings of a good team. They are very physical on both sides of the ball and Thorpe ( hope thats right) is a pure stud. If Greensboro can eliminate the silly stuff they will beat some teams and could spoil someones season.

Next up CNU, looking forward to the game. Should be a good one.

[WFU34]

AU Pop - it was a game of 2 halves but primarily because of AU's play calling.  In the first half, AU used the pass to set up the run (10 - 12 for just under a 100 yds) and scored on it's first 3 possessions.  In the second half, as it was 28 - 3 early in the 3rd quarter, AU took the air out of the ball and went to the running game.

The challenge AU has is that it's O line has opportunity to improve its run blocking.  As in the Guilford and W & L games, their running game opens up after the passing game is effective or on obvious passing downs (if you look at the yardage - most of it was gained on "passing" downs).  They have challenges just trying to "grind" it out on the ground.

As for Greensboro - they made a couple of key mistakes/decisions that changed the game.  The first was having to settle for a FG attempt on their opening drive (and missed).  They had AU on their heels with the misdirection runs, etc.  The other key one was not taking the points at the end of the half.  If they kicked the FG it would have made the game 21 - 6 at the half, a 2 possession game which may have been big because when they got it 28 - 17, there was plenty of time remaining in Q4 (28 - 20 could have made a difference in their play calling).

AU contributed to Greensboro closing the gap because 2 critical mistakes, the TD pass that was not intercepted (went thru the AU defenders hands) and the poor punt snap which AU lost 31 yards on and set up the last TD on the short field.

I also noticed that in the 2nd half - many of the players for Greensboro on the field were not the starters.  Was the coach sending a message after the it became 28 - 3?

Overall, AU should be able to play with anyone left on their schedule.  They have a strong defense (small but quick that creates turnovers, +8 now) and a solid passing game with very good wide receivers (could get the TE into the mix).  O line needs to improve its run blocking as well as its specialty teams (particularly long snaps - 2 poor snap this year).

Should be an interesting game against CNU next week.

[abnrgr]

Narch
sounds like a tough one to chew on

[musupporter]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   What a game.  17-0 and every reason to fold.  MU played like a tesm possesed from the 2nd quarter on and put themselves in a position to win.  Every fan that made the trip was as proud of their team as I can remember.  Hats off to MC.  They fought as hard as any team I have watched this year.  It was definately a game worth watching.

I don't believe I have ever saw a team so dejected after a loss.  They left everything on the field.  Coach Sypult looked like he had just lost his best fried after the game.  You could tell it was tearing him up to have watched his team battle like they did and come up short.

Game ball to the MU defense.  Best effort this year.  I really don't think they could have played any harder.  Coach Goss came with a new look defense with d-linemen dropping into coverage and just an awesome pass rush.  He should be extremely proud of his defensive squad. 

It wasn't a win but it was the most exciting team effort I have witnessed in a long time.  Battle tested for sure.  I think this game went a long way in letting MU realize that they can do it.

To 98% of the fans that came to TN, your support was overwhelming.  Nothing but positive support.  To the other 2%.  Been there, done that.  It won't help.  Positive support is what these kids need.

To all of those getting ready to pounce because of my prior coomments.  Save your breath, I know.

[hasanova]

.... Coach Sypult looked like he had just lost his best fried after the game.  ... To all of those getting ready to pounce because of my prior coomments.

To heck with the game, I'm just worried about Coach Sypult losing his best fried!  Happened to me once at the State Fair in Raleigh ... I was down to my last $12, splurged on fried chicken and deep-fried Twinkies at the Our Ladies of Perpetual Cholesterol UMC tent, then dropped it all in the midway sawdust while trying to one-arm the ring toss!  I was tearing up too!  

All kidding aside, musupporter, sounds like it was a great game and a tough one to lose.  Hopefully, the Monarchs can maintain this intensity through the rest of the season.