FB: Empire 8

[BobNapoleone]

Nice shout out to Ernie, the Bombers secret weapon!!!! Any report on the first week of camp?? Mr. Napoleon....anybody close to South Hill?

Good luck in camp Boys, especially Blue Shirts....I'd like to see one Mama Celeste or some other d-line  listed as All Americans this year...Go Bombers!!!!!

There are so many positives about the Defense as long as the depth holds up.....I'm not sure anybody realizes how much of an impact having Byers and Stephens back healthy will help...Dane Hewlett and Scott Lieber have another year of experience.....31 had a good summer and we already spoke about Terlecky and Blumenaur.....lots of good athletes back there....

I will repeat myself....the Union game still stings.....

As far as getting anything out of my son regarding the squad.....it's not much, he has gone into clamming up mode....makes me nuts, but helps him stay focussed. Jamie Free reinforced the same attitude last year and some of you guys who played probably understand more than we parents do....all business now.

They are focussed...like always.....and here is another shout out for Ernie...it's amazing once we all figure out how much he contributes to IC.....he definitely bleeds blue.....!


Cornell next Saturday!

[BobNapoleone]

It just occurred to me that the Bombers are going to be pretty deep this year.  Losing Felicetti, Eposito and the LBs seems to cloud the fact that we bring a ton of guys back.  Four OL starters return and that cabal of running backs...that has to be good.  I also didn't realize that we did not graduate our leading receiver (Gordon led the club with 35 catches).  The fact that we have a senior TE means good things too (Welch has had some success with them over the years). 

When I first looked at the schedule I also missed that we have an off week.  First time since '91 (National Title) we have gotten a week off midseason.  Thank god too since it follows a brutal road stretch that includes a trek to the Artic Circle (that's where Norwich is...right?). 

Most amazing site at Norwich is pre-game...must be the entire student body that "marches" in uniform down onto the field......cannons, band, have to be 1000 cadets ....pretty impressive...and yes, it IS almost the artic circle!

Anybody add anything about Norwich's squad this year?

[AUPepBand]

RE: NORWICH
I also had heard about all the pomp and circumstance in Northfield, VT for Cadet football. Unfortunately, I couldn't muster myself to make the long trek to the Arctic Circle last fall...the only Saxon game I missed in '05. Nevertheless, I watched the game film and observed cadets in both end zones and what appeared to be a good sized band (two or three sousaphones) seated in the visitors' stands. Now that might have been some fun had AUPepBand been there...

[Jonny Utah]

So the big kid from Arkansas isnt comming back this year?  Any frosh Defensive players gonna start this year?

[Saxon73]

GO SAXONS
I don't know about Arkansas but Alfred has a big guy coming in from NY.  All-State OL, 6-2, 300 lbs.

[aufan]

Sept. 2:  AU vs. Brockport, scrimmage.   AU also has added 2 more JV games. Gives them 7 this year.  New assistant coach Coleman will be heading that up.  Gives them a little more action and keeps their head in the game.  Good deal.

[saxontad]

aufan,
do you have a time and location for AU's scrimmage on Sept. 2?   Great to be so close to the season!!!

Go Saxons!!!!!!!!!!!

[aufan]

Saxontad:    Not yet.  I'll post when do.  Maybe AUPepBand knows?

[JQV]

Another interesting roster note I just came across.  Looks like Jeff Bostic has either moved sports or added a second sport.  He is in camp as a sophomore WR.  Anyone know if that is the same Jeff Bostic that came on late for the men's hoop team last fall and was ECAC MVP?  If I remember correctly, the hoop player could really leap and was lik 6'4 or 6'5.  If that is the same kid, he would be a nice complement to the speedy Kelly Gordon.

[lineback]

Which Empire 8 team has the hottest cheerleaders?

[tecmobowler]

Jose-

That indeed is the Jeff Bostic that you are thinking of.  Made a quick swing by at camp a couple weeks ago, and his height makes him a standout from a distance.

I echo your thoughts from earlier, that the Bomber offense (minus the initial question mark at QB) should be pretty deep this year. 

Four returning starting lineman (including a captain and a pre-season all-american at LT).

Last year's leading receiver as far as catches go in Gordon, a kid with a ton of speed and a former NJ all-state selection in Crandall, add to that mix the possibilities of Bostic, and the sophomore from Dobbs Ferry (Juvan's classmate), who has made the gutsy decision to wear #2 this year!

A three year starter at tight end returns.

Finally, the three-headed monster at running back should be pretty gross.  Baez just looked so fast last year, Donavan may be theh best in the conference when healthy, and Davis can certainly hold his own as well.

Certainly there will be guys missed from last year, but the team sure comes back with a lot of firepower.

[AUPepBand]

aufan,
do you have a time and location for AU's scrimmage on Sept. 2?   Great to be so close to the season!!!

Go Saxons!!!!!!!!!!!

Coach Murray says the scrimmage, originally scheduled for Friday, Sept. 1, will be held at 12 Noon Saturday, Sept. 2 at Brockport.

Go AU!

[AUPepBand]

Which Empire 8 team has the hottest cheerleaders?

Sure as heck isn't Alfred...we have no cheerleaders!

[AUPepBand]

GO SAXONS
I don't know about Arkansas but Alfred has a big guy coming in from NY.  All-State OL, 6-2, 300 lbs.

Saxon73:
Who dat? I'll look for him if you've got a name.

Tidbits from Saxonville: Attended one session...haven't seen the pre-season roster so don't know names but looks like we got a couple good back-up QBs with decent arms...last year's back-up QB, Jared Hyatt, has moved over to WR. Got a good kid (Brent McGill) from Rochester who played LB at East High and is working with the DBs...DB Ron Smith did not return. LB Blake Fuller (2-year starter) did not return... A couple high school teammates of Captain Paul Keeley (Cal-Mum state champ team)have transferred here, one of whom is making some noise at LB....All in all, a very upbeat camp with everyone working hard, very focused. From my observation, we've got some talented freshmen as a few who started with the B squad have been moved to the A squad.

[lineback]

Which Empire 8 team has the hottest cheerleaders?

Sure as heck isn't Alfred...we have no cheerleaders!

That must be why your players wear skirts, so that they can be their own cheerleaders!