FB: USA South Athletic Conference

[narch]

great game today...some monarch seniors really stepped up...

first, leary makes a huge tackle on a 4th and short for cnu - big-time play
next, cassone blocks an xp - huge play
then teague runs for 42 on 3rd down with the monarchs trying to eat clock - ball game

i told a buddy after the first cnu series that the monarchs had a chance if they could stop the running game...they didn't stop the running game, but they still found a way to win - cnu helped the monarch cause with a lot of bad penalties, but the monarchs played with a lot of grit and effort - great job all the way around for the monarchs, but a special shout-out goes to the defense for keeping the monarchs in the game all day long - clearly those guys stepped up - this is a good way to end a long, difficult season...

early in the season there was a lot of talk about tunde ogun, and i want to say what a pleasure it is to watch him play...he obviously doesn't have the explosiveness he had last year, but that kid plays HARD and runs HARD and is HARD to tackle...he has had a fantastic career at cnu, and i'm glad to see him go (although legister is pretty darn good, too)

[CNU85]

I was just taking a nap trying to get rid of whatever crud I have and trying to rest up from the most horrible week I've ever had in my 47 years. I kept waking up to a noise from the south side of my house.....I realize now it was Narch way down in NC celebrating. Congrats to Narch and his team. A double dose of pre Christmas season joy - beating CNU and also sending them to the bus with their worst record in history (first non winning season).

Way to go Narch - great way to end the year, huh?

Time to go read the rest of the posts and figure out which USA South team to cheer on next week

[CNU85]

It's easy to take for granted the freedoms you enjoy everyday when you've never had to sacrifice anything for it!  Remember today to thank those Veterans who's sacrifices have made it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms we do everyday!

Nicely put Papi. Some of you may have noticed I haven't been posting much this year. My dad, a vet, had been ill, battling cancer for the past 2 years. He passed away the day before the CNU/Maryville game - probably why I hated the game. He was buried in a veteran cemetery in Suffolk VA the day before Vets day. His grave marker will have Merchant Marines WWII, Korean war combat vet, and Vietnam Era Vet markers on it. He lied about his age to get into the Merchant Marines during WWII. He served in Germany during the Berlin Airlift and fought on the ground in Korea. God Bless you Dad!!

[cnusfinest54]

Sorry for your loss 85 sounds like a great man.

[Uncle Jessie]

Congratulations to NCW on winning the conference and going un-defeated as well in league play. I wish you all the best in the playoffs. Also I want to give a shout out to Greensboro. Nice job guys on your best season ever.

[narch]

'85...been thinking about you a lot this week, but you're right...beating the capts is always sweet, just doesn't happen often enough

i'd like to echo the congrats to ncwc...good luck in the playoffs and rep the usasac well, boys

[WFU34]

Congratulations to NCWU on the win over AU.  You deserved it but I think AU had you more than a little nervous when they were up 21 - 14 in Q2 and the ball on the your 30.  Not capitalizing there, and the pooch kickoff just before the half which NCWU recovered and went down to score to make it 28 - 21 was the turning point.  

The game was virtually over after the first 2 series of Q3, AU getting stopped on a 4 & 1 deep in NCWU territory (AU had challenges all year rushing all year in obvious short yardage situations).  A score there would have tied it.  NCWU then responded with a TD drive to make it 35 - 21 to put it away.

The inability of AU to stop NCWU's offense was the key.  Particularly the way they controlled the clock.  No real big plays (possibly a handful went for 20+ yards), just effect long drives that wore out the AU defense.  The inability for AU to get any pressure on the QB - virtually had all day to throw, enabled him to find receivers wide open most of the time.  Several of the incompletions he had were drop passes.  

Not being able to stop NCWU put a great amount of pressure on the AU offense to score almost every time it had the ball and attempt to win a shoot out but they don't run that type of offense.

NCWU deserved to win but it was somewhat disappointing to see that with the score 49 - 27, the game in hand, NCWU has the ball on the AU one yard line with less than a minute stilling attempting to score instead of taking a knee.  They didn't which was some type of poetic justice.

Although AU didn't win, it was a very good year.  A number of exciting games with the last one being for everything, you really could not ask for more than that.  Going from 0 -10 to 7 - 3 and challenging for the title is a tribute to the outgoing seniors who lead the turnaround.

AU should be able to contend again next year, they have the speed but the line play, both offensively and defensively needs to improve, i.e., strength and size.  In the 2 conference losses this year they were dominated in the line play.

Best of luck to all the outgoing seniors on all the teams.  Today is tough on most as they realize something that a game they've played since they were very young is over, never to be played again.  But hopefully they have developed relationships and positive memories that will always be with them as they pursue their chosen careers.  They have only one last, but very important step in this process - finish strong academically and get that degree.

[Allen C]

Well the season is over...well for most of us. Congratulations to NCWC for its dominating conference run. All the best to you guys in the playoffs.

It was an interesting season. Ferrum, who competed for the championship in the last week of last season, only managed to be 5-5. Greensboro, who I predicted would go win less in the conference, stepped up and turned their program into a contender. This was a huge feat, and your coach should be coach of the year.
Averett was very strong, and deserved to be in the last game for the title. Its a shame that the USA South will not get an at large bid..(will they?)
CNU- You will be back. This was a tough season, but their are too many positives to that program to be concerned.
Shenandoah- This is the mystery of the season. For a team that came so close in every game (well maybe except for NCWC) there must be a sense of huge frustration. The ball should bounce better for you next year.

I enjoy posting on the board, and try to avoid making controversial comments. I dont post a lot in the off season, but will check back in from time to time. Finally, as for the Pick ums, I think I may have won...I dont guess there is a Corvette as a prize, but what does the winner get?.....Well I think the winner should get 1 karma point from every pick um participant....Just sayin!

Now lets see the USA South win round one in the playoffs.

[AdmiralPapi]

85, sorry to hear about your dad....sounds like one heck of a man!!!


MU congrats on the win....seems like the defense came ready to play yesterday.


NCWC...congrats on the conference championship!  Good luck in the playoffs!!!!

[Bishop64]

CNU85....Please accept my condolences to you and your family. I honor your fathers life. There are more important things in life than football, The most important is life and the character of the life itself. Football will be back. As for life itself, no one can predict.

Good luck to you and your family and God bless.

[hasanova]

CNU85, my condolences for your father.  I lost my Dad six years ago and he's still sorely missed.  My father was a veteran as well, serving in Europe during WWII.  I'm thankful for both our fathers' service and to my maternal Uncles Frank and Murray, who died at Saipan and in Korea, respectively.  I'm sorry I never got to meet them.

Congratulations to Greensboro for finishing with the best record (6-4) in their 13 year football history - nice way to end the season.  Congratulations also to NCWC for winning the USASAC title and to Methodist for a big win.

[Allen C]

85,

I am not sure how, but I overlooked the post about the loss of your Dad. My condolences to you and your family. I lost my Father in March of '08. He was a veteran in WWII in the Philippines. This was a very difficult time for my family, so I understand your grief. Stay strong.

[AUPOP]

Now that the good folks from Dominion Power and Cox Communications have brought me back into the 21st century.....

Congratulations to NCWC. They played as perfect a game as I think you can and deserved the win. Have no doubt that they will represent the conference well. WFU pretty well described the game so no reason to re hash it.

AU should be back in the mix next year. For my first year it has been very enjoyable, just a few games too short. Congrats to all the teams, they represented their schools well. Appreciate you all letting me chime in from time to time, its been fun.

CNU85, my condolences on the loss of your father.

Allen C. if someone is giving away a Vette them I am telling you now I want a re count....

Stay safe and take care

[Bishop64]

To AUPOP, CNU85, Narch, and the rest of you guys. Yes, My Bishops have won, but in so many ways, we have all won. This conference will be stronger. CNU will continue to be the team everyone strives to compete.   Maryville will continue to field strong teams, Methodist has proven they are a team to reckon with next year. Greensboro has definitely proven they are improving. AU and Ferrum will continue to be strong. Yes, my Bishops won the conference title and I hope they represent the conference well. However, Let us all remember it is a game for us to complain, exhibits happiness, and criticize occasionally. But for the young men, who play, it creates memories they will always have and cherish. God Bless you all and I sincerely wish the best to all and with a little help, maybe we will be back for another year. Let us not forget to thank the young men and women, Past and present, who keep us safe so we can have the opportunity to visit this board and let our voices be heard! But for now, Go Bishops !Represent the conference in a positive manner!

[Tireman4]

Congratulations to the Bishops. Good luck to them in the NCAA Division III Playoffs.