FB: Empire 8

[tecmobowler]

While it's on my mind, for any of you longtime Hartwick folks out there... if you remember Ty Smith for eight or ten years back, his little brother, Duell Smith, has put up huge numbers at QB for my high school alma mater the past couple years.  Not sure if he's planning on following in his borther's footsteps to Hartwick, but it would be a nice recruit for you guys if that's the case.

[tecmobowler]

Is it safe to say the East Region is pretty much terrible this year?

Ithaca, Cortland, RPI, Union, Hobart.... is there anyone out ther excited about their team? (Besides the Utica's and U of R's of the world, who are excited to be competitive)

Not terrible. Just lots of parity. No dominating teams.

I can tell you from the IC standpoint, if our current team played our 2003 or 2004 version, they'd be at least a two touchdown underdog.

Despite the excitement of their freshman RB, I'd guess most Fisher fans would say the same if comparing their current squad to the 2004/2005 teams with Robinson, Fortune, Stepnick and the gang...

Union's team in 2005 that beat IC in the playoffs seems far superior to what they have today. 

Brockport has taken a major dive since the Darnley era of those years.

It's hard with DIII since most fans don't see schools from other regions, but I truly felt a lot of those teams a few years back could have been competitive with most throughout the nation.  Call it partiy, call it mediocrity...but the state of the East is not too impressive these days.

[Bombers798891]

Is it safe to say the East Region is pretty much terrible this year?

Ithaca, Cortland, RPI, Union, Hobart.... is there anyone out ther excited about their team? (Besides the Utica's and U of R's of the world, who are excited to be competitive)

Not terrible. Just lots of parity. No dominating teams.

I can tell you from the IC standpoint, if our current team played our 2003 or 2004 version, they'd be at least a two touchdown underdog.

Despite the excitement of their freshman RB, I'd guess most Fisher fans would say the same if comparing their current squad to the 2004/2005 teams with Robinson, Fortune, Stepnick and the gang...

Union's team in 2005 that beat IC in the playoffs seems far superior to what they have today. 

Brockport has taken a major dive since the Darnley era of those years.

It's hard with DIII since most fans don't see schools from other regions, but I truly felt a lot of those teams a few years back could have been competitive with most throughout the nation.  Call it partiy, call it mediocrity...but the state of the East is not too impressive these days.

IMO, Ithaca's 2004 team was the second best one Welch has ever had behind his 1994 team. That 2004 team could run, pass, tackle and rush the passer. I would have loved to seen that team in the playoffs. What might have been...

[tecmobowler]

Yep, the best team I've seen since I arrived here in 1999.

As much as the Fisher 2OT game stunk, the loss at Brockport really should and could have been avoided.  We ran at will in the first half, and more or less abandoned it in the second half.  A strange decision to kick a 40 yarder in horrible weather with time still on the clock... I bet they've love to have that one back.

We've had a couple of two loss teams get into the playoffs since that were far inferior to that team.  The next year the offense was still electric, but things collapsed defensively.

[sjfcards]

I agree that the East seems to be down a little bit this year. The E8 is competitive but I don't think that any of the teams will make a real run at any of the top out of region teams. Back in 2004-2005-2006 I thought the East was building toward being as competitive as any of the other regions nationally. But with some teams taking a step backwards, the east is back down this year.

Maybe one of the teams can make an unexpected run in the playoffs this year, but I just don't see it happening.

[Bombers798891]

Yep, the best team I've seen since I arrived here in 1999.

As much as the Fisher 2OT game stunk, the loss at Brockport really should and could have been avoided.  We ran at will in the first half, and more or less abandoned it in the second half.  A strange decision to kick a 40 yarder in horrible weather with time still on the clock... I bet they've love to have that one back.

We've had a couple of two loss teams get into the playoffs since that were far inferior to that team.  The next year the offense was still electric, but things collapsed defensively.

You're right. The 2005 team had an electric offense, but they were the worst tackling team I've ever seen. Highly overrated at a team.

The Brockport game in 2004 was a disaster, but all too typical. Jamie Donovan was unstoppable the second half of that season. Just a beast. But because he really only started half the season, (and because the E8 had Robinson) he got ignored. Then the nagging injuries got him. But he was the best back they've had the last 15 years

[AUKaz00]

Ladies and Gentlemen... Will you please rise.  We present to you the newest sensation to hit the E8PP scene.  Put your hands together as we welcome this Saterday's top performers.

On percussion, Nick Clark!  On lead guitar, Wes Smith!  On bass guitar, Chad Pieri!  On vocals, Mark Magnovski!  And introducing, on lead vocals, little Mikey Raplee!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, put it together for the Sackson 5 who will perform their hit single "We want your (quarter)back!"

When we get into the back field,
We're gonna take you to the ground.
And then will come a mighty cheer,
From the Alfred crowd.

But someone's warming on the bench,
One hit was all it took.
We wish there was a replay screen,
To take a second look.

Oh baby give us one more chance,
To slip through and sack you.
Like Brenton Brady we'll break your heart.

Oh darling from the blindside we'll hit you so
And then you'll be down in our arms
We want your back
Yes we do now
We want your back

[fisheralum91]

*gasp*

[Ithaca84]

Ladies and Gentlemen... Will you please rise.  We present to you the newest sensation to hit the E8PP scene.  Put your hands together as we welcome this Saterday's top performers.

On percussion, Nick Clark!  On lead guitar, Wes Smith!  On bass guitar, Chad Pieri!  On vocals, Mark Magnovski!  And introducing, on lead vocals, little Mikey Raplee!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, put it together for the Sackson 5 who will perform their hit single "We want your (quarter)back!"

When we get into the back field,
We're gonna take you to the ground.
And then will come a mighty cheer,
From the Alfred crowd.

But someone's warming on the bench,
One hit was all it took.
We wish there was a replay screen,
To take a second look.

Oh baby give us one more chance,
To slip through and sack you.
Like Brenton Brady we'll break your heart.

Oh darling from the blindside we'll hit you so
And then you'll be down in our arms
We want your back
Yes we do now
We want your back

Love it....

Though your Cheese has definately Slipped off your Cracker...

[boobyhasgameyo]

Ha, it's only Monday and already it has begun.  I can't wait! 

[theoriginalupstate]

Ha, it's only Monday and already it has begun.  I can't wait! 

Yeah that was pretty good...

[AUKaz00]

Ha, it's only Monday and already it has begun.  I can't wait! 

Yeah that was pretty good...

On the other side of the equation, you guys are only 1 win away from Tags coming back out of the woods!

[theoriginalupstate]

Ha, it's only Monday and already it has begun.  I can't wait! 

Yeah that was pretty good...

On the other side of the equation, you guys are only 1 win away from Tags coming back out of the woods!

What you really mean to say is that we are a decision by the NCAA away that would allow Mark Robinson to keep playing from Tags coming back out of the woods...

[fisheralum91]

ouch.
tags will come back in good time.
should be a great game.
i will say this tho- i am really tired of fisher starting slowly.
we need to come out of the gate running.
a slow start against AU could spell disaster.

[theoriginalupstate]

ouch.
tags will come back in good time.
should be a great game.
i will say this tho- i am really tired of fisher starting slowly.
we need to come out of the gate running.
a slow start against AU could spell disaster.

Oh Tags probably knows that there' no malice behind it, he made no bones about it that he was more Pro-Robby than Pro-Cardinal...

Agree about the slow starts, SJF has to come out and run the ball early with Zemaitis (dude is averaging 6yds a carry).  Get him going and then look to take shots with Bailey off of play action and bootlegs...

Pound Zemaitis on first and second downs and bring in Carlton and Short on 3rd downs...