FB: Empire 8

[Bombers798891]

http://highschoolsports.syracuse.com/news/article/-6758527271804201538/downstate-stars-pass-the-look-test/

I caught some of the empire classic on tv yesterday. Several of the players are headed to upstate schools. Here is a link to the rosters and their school selections. Fisher, AU, IC, Hobart, and Cortland look to be well represented.

Not surprised one of Ithaca's players was a kick returner

[Bombers798891]

Word on the my street is that Coach Welch is working hard to surround Scavo with talent.  I have to imagine his arrival may be a good recruiting tool for skill positions.

Sounds like Cody Bennett of local Tioga will be a Bomber next year.  Scavo was the Class B Player of the Year, while Bennett was a first team running back in Class D. He ran for 360 something yards in the state quarterfinals.  Rumor has him coming as a wideout though... he didn't have many chances to catch the ball in his school's wishbone offense.  He has the reputation of being pretty darn quick.  Quick research shows a 4.67 40 time at a local combine.  Is this fast?

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/107488922/ALPHA

Anyway, good to heard Coach Welch pursuing local talent as that hasn't always seemed to be the case in the past.  My hunch is that Bennett's coach, Nick "The Kick" Aiello may have played a role with a friendly nudge of his speedster towards South Hill.

Perhaps some things to look forward to!

Good to hear. There's a startling lack of well...talent, on the offensive side of the ball for the Bombers. Hopefully, he's fixed the offensive line as well

[fisheralum91]

Its odd.
One school that we keep hearing is on the "cusp" of things wasnt mentioned in any way in that article and that is UC.
Blaise is speaking highly of his recruiting class, and while their season last year was a mixed bag, I havent seen anything to prove that they are going to be anything different than in years past.

[Bombers798891]

Its odd.
One school that we keep hearing is on the "cusp" of things wasnt mentioned in any way in that article and that is UC.
Blaise is speaking highly of his recruiting class, and while their season last year was a mixed bag, I havent seen anything to prove that they are going to be anything different than in years past.

That's what you'd expect, right? Of course, you're going to be a fan of your recruiting class—at least publicly. That's why you recruited them.

[fisherfanatic99]

Its odd.
One school that we keep hearing is on the "cusp" of things wasnt mentioned in any way in that article and that is UC.
Blaise is speaking highly of his recruiting class, and while their season last year was a mixed bag, I havent seen anything to prove that they are going to be anything different than in years past.

That's what you'd expect, right? Of course, you're going to be a fan of your recruiting class—at least publicly. That's why you recruited them.

words going around that the Acevedo kid got kicked out of Utica.. Blaise cant be too happy about his best player not being around.  Again I heard this through the grapevines from a pretty reliable source, but being from Buffalo cannot be 100 percent confident about it.  Anyone else hear anything about this?

[Yanks 99]

Its odd.
One school that we keep hearing is on the "cusp" of things wasnt mentioned in any way in that article and that is UC.
Blaise is speaking highly of his recruiting class, and while their season last year was a mixed bag, I havent seen anything to prove that they are going to be anything different than in years past.

That's what you'd expect, right? Of course, you're going to be a fan of your recruiting class—at least publicly. That's why you recruited them.

words going around that the Acevedo kid got kicked out of Utica.. Blaise cant be too happy about his best player not being around.  Again I heard this through the grapevines from a pretty reliable source, but being from Buffalo cannot be 100 percent confident about it.  Anyone else hear anything about this?

Rumor in the Utica area is that both of their top receiveds from last year, Acevado and Meyer, are out...

If true, that is a big blow for UC...as their offense pretty much carried them last year. 

[drt]

Acevedo is gone, but not sure he was their best weapon.
The team voted RB Larson offensive MVP.
Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in spring ball and likely
will need a year off. 
Word is UC got two transfer D2 LB's to fill their
most glaring need on defense.
They are senior-laden with Blaise's first recruiting class
and should be interesting to watch.

[Bombers798891]

Its odd.
One school that we keep hearing is on the "cusp" of things wasnt mentioned in any way in that article and that is UC.
Blaise is speaking highly of his recruiting class, and while their season last year was a mixed bag, I havent seen anything to prove that they are going to be anything different than in years past.

That's what you'd expect, right? Of course, you're going to be a fan of your recruiting class—at least publicly. That's why you recruited them.

words going around that the Acevedo kid got kicked out of Utica.. Blaise cant be too happy about his best player not being around.  Again I heard this through the grapevines from a pretty reliable source, but being from Buffalo cannot be 100 percent confident about it.  Anyone else hear anything about this?

Rumor in the Utica area is that both of their top receiveds from last year, Acevado and Meyer, are out...

If true, that is a big blow for UC...as their offense pretty much carried them last year.

Meier was 4th on the team in catches and yards, behind Acevedo, Jamie Murphy (39-424-3) and the TE Dunn (48-602-4). So there are still some weapons, but with Acevedo, Meier, and Larson all gone, that's a major blow to the depth of a pretty good offensive team

[Bombers798891]

Acevedo is gone, but not sure he was their best weapon.
The team voted RB Larson offensive MVP.
Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in spring ball and likely
will need a year off. 
Word is UC got two transfer D2 LB's to fill their
most glaring need on defense.
They are senior-laden with Blaise's first recruiting class
and should be interesting to watch.

They've got to get some playmakers on defense to take that next step. They forced 12 fewer turnovers than any other team in the E8. That's simply not going to get it done

[fisherfanatic99]

[/quote]

They've got to get some playmakers on defense to take that next step. They forced 12 fewer turnovers than any other team in the E8. That's simply not going to get it done
[/quote]

First off, Utica's offense is overrated.  They a good but not great. If Meier and Acevedo are both out, then this team is going to struggle again, because their defense is HORRIBLE.  Look at these numbers from last year defensively in the Empire 8:

Frostburg St.: 462 Total Yds (220 yds rushing 3 tds)
Salisbury: 615 Total Yds (565 yds rushing 9 tds)
Hartwick: 391 Total Yds (244 yds rushing)
Ithaca: 307 Total Yds (they stunk last yr)
Fisher: 530 Total Yds (363 yds rushing 7 tds and Kramer was 244 yds for 5 tds himself)
Springfield: 477 Total Yds (437 yds rushing 6tds)
Alfred: 441 Total Yds (281 yds rushing 3 tds)

These numbers say it all I think.  They were out rushed by their opponents 2744 (36tds) to 1231 (16tds) on the year.  I know they are a passing team, but even the best passing team can win ball games if the rushing differential margin is this BIG!

[drt]

ff99,
I guess I missed the post where Utica's offense was called "great."
Anyway ,thanks for the news flash about their defense.  I wonder what
Time of Possession looks like.....
Anyway,an infusion of talent at linebacker should help.
Clearly, the strategic decision to stay with a no-huddle/quick-strike offense helped magnify
the defense's shortcomings when a ball-control scheme was clearly called for.  The D had a couple of gamers,
but as the season wore on, it was too easy for the opposing O to scheme around them.
It was frustrating to see an outmanned defensive squad consistently thrown back onto the field
when UC had the offensive wherewithal to hang with most of the conference. 
They were beating Salisbury by 14 early in the second half and by 3 with 7 minutes to go in the third.   
Only Ithaca and Fisher stayed within 20 of them, and they never led or even threatened.

[fisheralum91]

Drt,
Losing Acevedo is a huge blow.
Tho I do think the locker room will be better.
Kid had some issues no doubt.
As for keeping up with Salisbury....Ok. good for you. SU beat you and it seems as I recall Fisher went to the Elite 8.....
I like UC.  I know Blaise and he is a good coach.
NExt season may be tough tho with the O coming in to question in a big way.
Im also happy Fisher is playing in Utica this year!  Fisher alums tailgate!

[fisherfanatic99]

Drt,
Losing Acevedo is a huge blow.
Tho I do think the locker room will be better.
Kid had some issues no doubt.
As for keeping up with Salisbury....Ok. good for you. SU beat you and it seems as I recall Fisher went to the Elite 8.....
I like UC.  I know Blaise and he is a good coach.
NExt season may be tough tho with the O coming in to question in a big way.
Im also happy Fisher is playing in Utica this year!  Fisher alums tailgate!

Drt, UC lost to SU 70-45.. thats 5 touchdowns.  That is not keeping it close. Enough said

[Bombers798891]

Drt,
Losing Acevedo is a huge blow.
Tho I do think the locker room will be better.
Kid had some issues no doubt.
As for keeping up with Salisbury....Ok. good for you. SU beat you and it seems as I recall Fisher went to the Elite 8.....
I like UC.  I know Blaise and he is a good coach.
NExt season may be tough tho with the O coming in to question in a big way.
Im also happy Fisher is playing in Utica this year!  Fisher alums tailgate!

Drt, UC lost to SU 70-45.. thats 5 touchdowns.  That is not keeping it close. Enough said

Actually, it's 25...which is more like three and a half touchdowns.

[fisherfanatic99]

Drt,
Losing Acevedo is a huge blow.
Tho I do think the locker room will be better.
Kid had some issues no doubt.
As for keeping up with Salisbury....Ok. good for you. SU beat you and it seems as I recall Fisher went to the Elite 8.....
I like UC.  I know Blaise and he is a good coach.
NExt season may be tough tho with the O coming in to question in a big way.
Im also happy Fisher is playing in Utica this year!  Fisher alums tailgate!

Drt, UC lost to SU 70-45.. thats 5 touchdowns.  That is not keeping it close. Enough said

Actually, it's 25...which is more like three and a half touchdowns.

Wow. that is awful! my mistake, I will put my claim to rest