FB: USA South Athletic Conference

[abnrgr]

Well Bomb............Methodist. That's what Narch told me

[Bomb8]

Are you being serious Methodist doesnt have enough to win the conference as I recall CNU won it last yr so I see them repeating again this yr, actuall being the 1st team to win it outright with Nc W comin in 2nd.

[MU_ftbl51]

The conference will be stacked this year. I have been keeping up with some of the recruiting this year. Here is what i see....

Methodist- Young, but talented overall. Parks will be back for QB, and they also have doleman and mularski. So the passing game will be there for the monarchs. The question is will Hill be back? that has been the question since he has been there, even when i was playing. Even if he doesn't return, the monarchs have some good backups to replace him, but it would be a blow. Defense will be strong as always for the monarchs. Lawrence will be an all-american this year. D-Line is going to be very strong with 3 year starter in Hayden. Also had a freshman who made an impact on the line last year, so they could be very dangerous. O-LINE will be good this year. Have some good, young, talented kids there. Parish will be the senior who leads, and Keffler was a freshman starting for Coach Funderburk at center. I will tell you one thing he doesnt start freshman usually on varsity unless they are extremely good and he sees something in them. Delapp played in 3 games and i played in 2 as a freshman, but this kid started for a few games, very good for the future.

Averett- Going to be strong, btu young. The one strong point will be their o-line. They have a kid going there from the high school im coaching at. He is 6'4" 285, and ran a 5.3 Great kid, top notch, is yes sir, no sir. So him along with the other 2 they have, they will be good. The Defense will be strong, as always for them.  Loosing the all-conference linebacker though does hurt a little bit.

NCWC- The bishops stormed onto the scene last year. They have gotten stronger each year. Next year those freshman that started the program will be juniors, and they have one mission and goal im sure, TO WIN! They have done that each year and have won under GINN, next year could be their year to succeed and win.

CNU- Good as always. They did loose alot of people, however, CNU reloads and has talent in every position every year.However with the acquisition of a new D-Coordinator, it could change things up. Im sure they will stick with the 4-3 look, but there could be some changes. For all of you CNU guys out there, what would the likelihood be of trying to get Woods to take the job in a few years. That young man would be great there. Just an idea!!

Here are my predictions for how teams will finish in the conference this year.
NCWC
AVERETT- Tie for 1st and share the conference championship
CNU- 2nd
MU- 3rd
MC- 4th
GC- 5th
FC- 6th

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!

[abnrgr]

No Bomber I am voting with the heart. I know the staff so I rout for them.

MC usually puts itself in position but loses ONE they should not and that puts them on the road needing help elsewhere......... or so the usual scenario goes for them.

Even with Rocketti it was a game away every year.

[CNU85]

Not too bad MC51....

I hope differently! CNU has a lot of changes....but then again, I never imagined the year they had last year after losing half their starters incl those 3 LB beasts. So, we'll have to wait until the chin straps are in place. For the past 3 years we've lost an All-American and I think "Oh no, how are we going to fill that void".....then we get another all-American. I don't see one in the mix this year...but...

can't wait to buy my tickets.....gonna be another tough year...the trip to Texas is gonna real tough - they'll be looking for revenge at home!!

[Ryan Tipps]

I'm interested to see who can compete with NCW and CNU this season. I see those two teams as shoo-in Nos. 1 & 2. I don't think Averett will be in the mix at the top....last year's team was stacked and they still had way too many games that were too close for comfort. After losing so many top players, the Cougars will be struggling

I'd like to see Maryville up there. It'll be impressive if they finish better than the .500 they were last season. I think they'll be third in the conference.

The middle to bottom is kind of up in the air, as usual. Those teams will have lots of youth, and while there probably won't be anyone else competing for a conference crown in 2007, this will be a good year to groom and hone some of these guys for the future.

[Bomb8]

Well I agree I think its going to be Nc and CNU for 1st place easily they have the most talent and every yr when you think "oh no cnu lost good players" more great players emerge and they have a good season. And after those two teams I see a dropoff wit Averett, and the rest of the conference. And CNU plays that tough shedule with Rowan and Mary Hardin Baylor, so they will definitely be ready for the conference as long as they stay healthy and humble. Watch out for the new additions to the CNU backfield and the play of the veteran offensive line, Todd Faison has a solid yr under his belt with a good weapon in that Burke guy to throw to they should be good. The addition of the new defensive cordinator should br interesting but with the experienced D-line, and secondary they should not face any problems.


             USA SOUTH
1. CNU
2. NCW
3. Averett
4. Methodist
5. Greensboro
6. Ferrum
7. Marryville
8. Shenadoah

[MU_ftbl51]

After posting i went back and looked at the team rosters and saw who was leaving and all that good stuff from each team. I agree with Legacy on this one, averett will not be strong or have alot of leadership on their team. They do have a few seniors, however when going back and looking at player participation in each game, there are not a lot of guys on the roster that have seen action. COULD BE TROUBLE IN DANVILLE! matter of fact, my lineman that is going there, signs on friday, and he said they told him that they will be in a rebuild mode next year and hope to contend in 2 or 3 years. Thats not good when you got Mount Union on the board!

The new order of things:

NCWC
CNU- Tie for 1st

Methodist University

Maryville- who will be very strong next year with all the talent coming back

Greensboro- Torry Lowe could be the savior next year

Shennandoah

Ferrum

Averrett

Ferrum and Averrett supporters, no i am not hatin' on the panthers or the cougars. I am just lookin at what the book says, and it says you will be very young, maybe winning 3 or 4 games but not a contender for a championship.

[kickerdad]

You will get no complaints from me. I was actually shocked to see someone picking Averett to content for the conference title. I will say this, they have a ton of Jr's who have seen action and have experience. Leadership will be the key as well as replacing the running back and some key defensive players. I am hoping for a 6-4 or 7-3 season. The good thing is we play NCWC, Methodist, CNU, & Shenandoah at home. Not sure where the W&L game will be. Finally, we will see what frame of mind these young guys will be in after they play the Mount, at the Mount. Last year the team came away feeling good about themselves. We will just have to see how it all plays out. Strange things happen in a 11 week time frame.

[CNU85]

Well I agree I think its going to be Nc and CNU for 1st place easily they have the most talent and every yr when you think "oh no cnu lost good players" more great players emerge and they have a good season. And after those two teams I see a dropoff wit Averett, and the rest of the conference. And CNU plays that tough shedule with Rowan and Mary Hardin Baylor, so they will definitely be ready for the conference as long as they stay healthy and humble. Watch out for the new additions to the CNU backfield and the play of the veteran offensive line, Todd Faison has a solid yr under his belt with a good weapon in that Burke guy to throw to they should be good. The addition of the new defensive cordinator should br interesting but with the experienced D-line, and secondary they should not face any problems.
             

I agree.....this year should be good. Especially since that dud of a qb Hudson Bryant is gone! 

[abnrgr]

I take it CNU85 was a fan of Hudson Bryant.

[CNU85]

I take it CNU85 was a fan of Hudson Bryant.

actually i was....just "tossing" a few Bombs to #8.

also......for the Texas lurker......

http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-now-newcnucoach,0,7691941.story?coll=dp-sports-local

[PrideSportBBallGuy]

With everyone posting preseason picks I will throw out mine.

Averett- Worst case 4-6.  Best Case 7-3.  Expected 6-4.

Averett may be a young team but they were good last year and have improved every year. The team could be tested early having 4 away (W&L could be home not sure) games early at places where teams have been playing well lately.  The young team could go 1-3 at best 2-2.  Averett was a different team on the road last year and without the senior leadership they could lose those close games they won.

CNU- Worst Case 5-5.  Best Case 8-2.  Expected 7-3

This might be the beginning of the end for CNU football.  Old Dominion is going to have football team.  Although not this season, but recruiting could actually be tough the next couple of years.  They lost 9 seniors.  Many thought last year they weren't going to be great.  This is CNU football when isn't CNU at the top.  Haven't seen a schedule, so predictions are somewhat blind.  The two losses they had last season are coming to POMOCO.  Not an easy place to play.

Ferrum- Worst case 2-8.  Best Case 5-5.  Expected 3-7.

What happened to Ferrum last year.  They showed flashes of good and flashes of just plain bad.  The first two games should show where they stand for the rest of the season.  Average to below average teams.  They graduate quite a few players from a team that went 2-7.  They get CNU and Averett at home this year.  Could be good wins if they play like they did at home like they have done in past years.  I wouldn't bet on it though.

Greensboro Worst Case 3-7  Best Case 6-4  Expected 5-5.

The pass defense was top in the conference.  4 of the top 10 tacklers were freshman or sophmore.  The ROY on defense is coming back.  It looks like most of the defense is coming back.  Biggest issue will be the offense and TO's which seems to have plagued this team for years.  Big parts of the O-Line will be back and of course All-Athlete Torrey Lowe.  Plus a new offensive coach.  Worked with the spread offense at NC A&T(check website for article.) Not expecting great things but 5-5 will be best in program history.

Maryville Worst Case 3-7  Best Case 6-4.  Expected 5-5

Maryville had an up and down season.  They were a very good or a very lucky 5-5 team.  Won some close games last year. They are going to need some of that luck this year.  Schedule plays in thier favor early on.  If they get enough momentum going they could finish above 5-5.  Concern is the defense it was ok, but if they want to finish at the top they are going to have to do better in the redzone and get more picks.  They are going to have to do it without Colby Townsend. Traveling could wear them down.  For thier sake they better hope it doesn't.

Methodist Worst case 2-8  Best Case 6-4 Expected 4-6.

Methodist showed how important it was to have a great QB by not having one.  It was the first year without Chris Roncketti.  They are going to have to be a more consistent team if they want to return to thier greatness.  They lost some close games last year.  The offense just needs to be better.  They were a young team last year and still finished 4-6.  The experience could boost them back near the top.

NCWC Worst Case 3-7  Best Case 7-3  Expected 4-6.

NCWC lost some games last year they probably shouldn't have based on the way they played last year.  They have to travel to MU (plays well at home)  Plus go to CNU and AU never easy places to play.  They are going to Wesley and bringing in Wiedner who was 7-4.  Not easy games.  Offense was great last year and they have to bank on that.

SU Worst case 0-10  Best Case 3-7.  Expected 2-8.

For a team that only scored 88 points last year.  No one can expect much out of them.  They have to travel to the top two teams from the conferece last year.  Road won't be an easy one for them.  Haven't seen a schedule yet but I don't think it really matters.  SU needs to get themselves on the right foot.  They were the 2003 and 2004 Co-champs.

[MU_ftbl51]

So let me get this right what you are saying Pridesports guy. You are basically saying that the conference will be below average and not like it has been in years past. I mean with CNU being the only team you pick to have a winning record at 7-3, and the rest not above 5 wins. That means people must think the conference is getting slack. I personally do not see that happening, but hey who knows.

     One thing though, what leaves you to believe that NCWC will be last in the conference? They basically have everyone back to be seniors and that team did play well last year. They gave some of the big ones a run for their money. I feel as though that experience will be enough to carry the team on their backs, which is what a senior is supposed to do anyways. So i was just wondering!!!!

[MU_ftbl51]

ok, this might be a little too early to try and figure out but i wanted to look at who the offensive player of the year would be this year. I know Townsend won it last year and i think he might win it next year as well. I compared his stats last year with Ronketti's stats his senior year and here is what i found out:
                     EFFIC         COMP-ATT-INT       %         TD              YARDS
Townsend-   148.17         140-  251-  5       55.8       17               2212

Ronketti-       154.23         141-   240- 4      58.7       15                2234


Now, townsend was a junior last year, and put up spectacular numbers, Rocket put up good numbers too, but his senior year. Unless townsend just absolutley doesnt give a s@$% next year, then they are going to be nasty. Bush and townsend could compete for offensive player of the year next year.

Therefore, i know defense will be a question, but not a big one. They have 3 really good d-lineman, and if it is the same linebacking crew that were freshman when we played them 3 years ago, then they will be seniors, and they were not too shabby. This year could be their year!