FB: Empire 8

[zipmac22]

The brisket is always right in Texas! Some of the best in the Lone Star State is in downtown Belton. Come on down!

As many fans that have visited the Cruthedral have found that it doesn't get much better than Miller's Smokehouse! Brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and sausage take your pick you won't be disappointed!

[bports]

From unranked to start the season to heading to Texas for the final 4. What a great ride this season has been for these kids. What an opportunity they have next week going to Texas to play #1 MHB, not to mention the exposure for future recruits. Brockport needs to get a game plan to avoid the MHB special teams and the MHB D from beating them. If this involves kicking and punting out of bounds so be it. You need to make their freshman qb and offense try to beat you. The offense is not the strong point on that team. A couple first downs and punt is not a bad thing. Brockport will take today to enjoy this win and back to work tomorrow. Pretty sick to think the combined records of the final 4 is 50-0.

[wesleydad]

After seeing how the UMHB/St. Thomas game played out I think that Brockport has a better chance than I did yesterday.  I still think the chance is thin but the UMHB offense seems to be struggling.  Now they did play against one of the best defenses in D3 so that may have had something to do with it, but they only scored 10 on offense.  Brockport will have to play a near perfect game, which they came close to doing yesterday in the first half, take away the turnover.  They got beat deep several times yesterday and UMHB will come with that mentality because of the speed they usually have at wide receiver.  I would think that Brockport will have to shut down the run and attempt to keep the QB in the pocket, he can not have the type of game Darden did in the second half yesterday, if he does Brockport has no chance.  Germanario has to be better and the O line, not very good on pass protection yesterday, will have to have it's best game of the year.  UMHB will probably only rush 3 or 4 believing they can control the line of scrimmage which will make passing the ball tough.  They will also likely play in your face coverage taking away the short pass believing their linebackers and d backs can cover anyone 1 on 1.  Brockport will have to be able to run the ball better than they have the last 2 weeks.  Don't kick the ball to the returners, they are game changers.  Finally, lose the chirping.  Yesterday someone on Brockport was chirping on almost every positive play on offense, defense, or special teams.  Act like you have been here before and play the game.  Get excited about making good plays and return to the huddle.  Standing over players, pointing, etc is stupid and it almost cost them the game yesterday.  Brockport has a chance, a slim one, as just about every other team in D3 has when they play to top level teams, but they are in the game and that means they have a chance.  Good luck next week I will certainly be watching.

[jmcozenlaw]

I'm so happy that Brockport is just a tune up for your next game lmao. No way DV will score enough points to win this game. 31-17 Brockport!

bsports - I guess for both of us (as I had a 20 point Brockport victory and you had a 14 point victory with DelVal only scoring 17 against the Brockport defense all game..........and they put up 21 in one quarter), the old saying applies........."It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt".

Make the East (although my Manhattan buddies think that Brockport, NY............and all of New York that's not Manhattan or the other four boroughs is akin to Guam, and certainly not the "East" ) proud and take down Mary Hardin Baylor. Brockport has the QB, size, speed and defense to do the job but if that defense gets torched like it did through the air and on the ground in the 4th quarter against DelVal.........it could be a long, long day in Texas.

[Kelly Boggs]

Brockport fans, here are some links that might be helpful:

Ticket info
http://cruathletics.com/news/2017/12/3/football-to-host-brockport-in-ncaa-semifinals.aspx

Crusader Stadium
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Mnlec3ouOA
https://populous.com/posts/behind-the-scenes-with-the-designers-crusader-stadium-at-university-of-mary-hardin-baylor/

ESPN Central Texas (will probably have at least one interview with your coach or a player)
http://www.listencentraltexassports.com/espn-1330/

[bports]

Thank you Kelly Boggs.

[Bartman]

Good luck to Brockport in Texas. I am very proud of the WESTERN NEW YORK representative this year, especially after your impressive week one win against Hobart. The Crusaders defense looks damn good, so Joey G will have his hands full, but if the senior Oline can stay together and do lots of film study this week,play as one unit I think you have a chance. Brockport has a couple of skill players that are Crusader-like, like Hubbard and Brown ,but the Golden Eagles will see talent they have never experienced this season from the Crusaders....stay together , hold your blocks , run hard and fast, catch the ball and Joe G needs to make quick and accurate decisions in the passing game. I think the Brockport defense will have a good game if they play like the first half in the DelVal game....if not, the game could get away from you as there is very little margin for error..but it is doable...Fly Golden Eagles!!

[AUPepBand]

Brockport fans, here are some links that might be helpful:

Ticket info
http://cruathletics.com/news/2017/12/3/football-to-host-brockport-in-ncaa-semifinals.aspx

Crusader Stadium
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Mnlec3ouOA
https://populous.com/posts/behind-the-scenes-with-the-designers-crusader-stadium-at-university-of-mary-hardin-baylor/

ESPN Central Texas (will probably have at least one interview with your coach or a player)
http://www.listencentraltexassports.com/espn-1330/

Pep got a tour of the CruThedral on his coast-to-coast solo trip in July-August 2016. The stadium was a project of the same architect who designed the new Yankee Stadium. Unfortunately, Pep missed out on seeing Kelly Boggs. Had a good time, nevertheless, with the staff in the college bookstore in the building directly behind the visitor stands. Pep insisted they must have some Alfred gear for sale there, given all the purple and gold!! Some event staff, all top notch people, gave Pep a brief tour, just a few hours before Pep met up with Coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler) at the Hotel Driskill in downtown Austin. Good times in Texas.

Pep had dreams of returning to the CruThedral last year when the Saxons advanced to the quarterfinals but AU ran into a Mount team that refused to be denied. Just happy the E8 champs will make the trip this year. Hoping the Golden Eagles, who pulled away from AU, 35-25, after the Saxons had rallied to pull to within 28-25 and with possession at midfield with 4 minutes to go, cna represent the Empire 8 well and give the Crusaders a game.

Would love to make the trip but have a wedding to attend in Vernon, New York. Pep Jr.'s best friend from high school and a "third son" to Pep will be tying the knot late Saturday afternoon.

On Saxon Golden Eagle Warriors!

[umhb2001]

From unranked to start the season to heading to Texas for the final 4. What a great ride this season has been for these kids. What an opportunity they have next week going to Texas to play #1 MHB, not to mention the exposure for future recruits. Brockport needs to get a game plan to avoid the MHB special teams and the MHB D from beating them. If this involves kicking and punting out of bounds so be it. You need to make their freshman qb and offense try to beat you. The offense is not the strong point on that team. A couple first downs and punt is not a bad thing. Brockport will take today to enjoy this win and back to work tomorrow. Pretty sick to think the combined records of the final 4 is 50-0.

The thing of it is, the Offense is a sleeping giant. They've not hit their stride, and that is the biggest thing they have going for them. Our freshman QB is very good, but he's green. When the O gels, it will be very good. I just hope it happens THIS season

[umhb2001]

I'm so happy that Brockport is just a tune up for your next game lmao. No way DV will score enough points to win this game. 31-17 Brockport!

bsports - I guess for both of us (as I had a 20 point Brockport victory and you had a 14 point victory with DelVal only scoring 17 against the Brockport defense all game..........and they put up 21 in one quarter), the old saying applies........."It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt".

Make the East (although my Manhattan buddies think that Brockport, NY............and all of New York that's not Manhattan or the other four boroughs is akin to Guam, and certainly not the "East" ) proud and take down Mary Hardin Baylor. Brockport has the QB, size, speed and defense to do the job but if that defense gets torched like it did through the air and on the ground in the 4th quarter against DelVal.........it could be a long, long day in Texas.

So if I am reading your post correctly, Brockport is better than St. Thomas. They have size and speed better than St Thomas AND The Cru? This is intriguing. I am watching the Brockport v DV game now. I will look for these things. I know no team can be underestimated, and we can't look past Brockport at all.

[umhb2001]

Wow! Lots of personal fouls, false starts...crazy! Hubbard got that long pass at 4:09 in the third, then was just jawing at the DV CB right in front of the ref. I've never seen so much yapping.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Wow! Lots of personal fouls, false starts...crazy! Hubbard got that long pass at 4:09 in the third, then was just jawing at the DV CB right in front of the ref. I've never seen so much yapping.

Yeah, that's how DV got back in the game.  If Bport behaves like that in Belton, I'll predict AT LEAST a double monkey-stomp!  I really think Bport has the talent to give UMHB a decent game, but not if they act like in the second half against DV.

[umhb2001]

Wow! Lots of personal fouls, false starts...crazy! Hubbard got that long pass at 4:09 in the third, then was just jawing at the DV CB right in front of the ref. I've never seen so much yapping.

Yeah, that's how DV got back in the game.  If Bport behaves like that in Belton, I'll predict AT LEAST a double monkey-stomp!  I really think Bport has the talent to give UMHB a decent game, but not if they act like in the second half against DV.

They do look talented at the skill positions, but you know the Cru MO on defense. Do you really believe they will do better than Linfield or ST?

[Mr. Ypsi]

Wow! Lots of personal fouls, false starts...crazy! Hubbard got that long pass at 4:09 in the third, then was just jawing at the DV CB right in front of the ref. I've never seen so much yapping.

Yeah, that's how DV got back in the game.  If Bport behaves like that in Belton, I'll predict AT LEAST a double monkey-stomp!  I really think Bport has the talent to give UMHB a decent game, but not if they act like in the second half against DV.

They do look talented at the skill positions, but you know the Cru MO on defense. Do you really believe they will do better than Linfield or ST?

Not really.  But if they play like the first half, they have a 'puncher's chance'; if they play like the second half, they will get totally rolled.

[Oline89]

After seeing how the UMHB/St. Thomas game played out I think that Brockport has a better chance than I did yesterday.  I still think the chance is thin but the UMHB offense seems to be struggling.  Now they did play against one of the best defenses in D3 so that may have had something to do with it, but they only scored 10 on offense.  Brockport will have to play a near perfect game, which they came close to doing yesterday in the first half, take away the turnover.  They got beat deep several times yesterday and UMHB will come with that mentality because of the speed they usually have at wide receiver.  I would think that Brockport will have to shut down the run and attempt to keep the QB in the pocket, he can not have the type of game Darden did in the second half yesterday, if he does Brockport has no chance.  Germanario has to be better and the O line, not very good on pass protection yesterday, will have to have it's best game of the year.  UMHB will probably only rush 3 or 4 believing they can control the line of scrimmage which will make passing the ball tough.  They will also likely play in your face coverage taking away the short pass believing their linebackers and d backs can cover anyone 1 on 1.  Brockport will have to be able to run the ball better than they have the last 2 weeks.  Don't kick the ball to the returners, they are game changers.  Finally, lose the chirping.  Yesterday someone on Brockport was chirping on almost every positive play on offense, defense, or special teams.  Act like you have been here before and play the game.  Get excited about making good plays and return to the huddle.  Standing over players, pointing, etc is stupid and it almost cost them the game yesterday.  Brockport has a chance, a slim one, as just about every other team in D3 has when they play to top level teams, but they are in the game and that means they have a chance.  Good luck next week I will certainly be watching.

I was there for the whole B'port- Del Vall game as well.  Agree with everything above, if Brockport sticks to football and eliminates the nonsense (Unsportsmanlike X2 on same drive, constant jawing, etc)  they look dominant.  A few fans could also learn that buying an $8 ticket doesn't grant you the right to berate some 20 year old kid playing a game.  Stick to football, take a few gambles, and eliminate those costly penalties and we could have a game!