FB: Liberty League

[dlippiel]

Thanks for the Bday wishes fellas! As far as the east region goes we certainly started off well last week. This week will most likely not end up the same way. For Bart to beat SJF Bart's O-line will need to win the battle at the LOS. Webb is fantastic IDHO and will need to bring his best to give Bart's offense what it needs to score. Common well we shall see. He surprised Dlip with some precision passing against Union and really turned Dlip into more of a believer when it comes to his potential. If he is not on tomorrow forget it.

SJF will have to throw the ball well to exploit the Statesmen's weak spot (which was already mentioned). Dlip feels this is the stage Fenti has been looking for to let everyone know just how good he is. Coleman, Worthington, Toney, Davis, and others will be ready to go and Fisher's O-line will need to make holes and give Fenti time for success.

Dlip's prediction: He thinks SJF wins in a pretty close game 24-21.

[Upstate]

A question for Bart fans...

Have they seen an exotic defense like Fishers this year??.?

They run a 3-3-5 with some really good LBers and a 6'2 220lb Saftey that plays all over the field. They really like to run zone blitzes and some crazy stunts...

I think this game is going to come down to Hobarts great O-line that has some real size to it and Fisher's front 6. Which ever unit wins the battle will determine the outcome of the game...

[Bartman]

Hobart vs. Cardinals this Saturday, can't wait. As far as everyone jumping on SJF bandwagon based on one game (taking nothing away from the win as I watched effort against JC on replay and I thought the better team won...overrated OAC  this year??), I think some people are selling Hobart short due to weaker schedule, and injuries ...but they have who they need to win.  Too much analysis of the teams may be overkill as either of these quality teams can win on Saturday, but here goes:
     + 3 Year W/L Record  seems relevant as both of these teams have a number of Junior/ Seniors that have started during this time: Hobart(27-3) and SJF(27-8). 
       +3 year LOSS analysis:  Hobart(3): RPI by1('11), Wesley #3 by 7('11), St.Thomas #3 by 40('12)
                      Fisher(8):  HOBART by 36('11),Salisbury#9 by 20('11).St Thomas #4 by 35('11),Salisbury#11 by 11 in '12 ,Alfred by 13('12) Buffalo St by 8('12),Salisbury by 7('13), Ithaca by 3('13)
        +3 year WINS against Top 25: Fisher(3): Johns Hopkins(#18 in '11) ,Delaware Valley(#13 in '11) and John Carroll(#9 in 2013)
                                                     : Hobart (2) St John Fisher(#11 in '11)Wittenberg (#14     in 2012)
       Hobart won the head to head in 2011 by 36 Points when St. John Fisher ended the year ranked #11, as Hobart got passed over for an at-large NCAA bid (still pissed) . Hobart matched the Fisher playoff performance of 2011 in 2012 as they both won 2 games and ended with a thud against St. Thomas. In 2013 Fisher seems to be peaking while Hobart has not been challenged by anyone, so we don't know how good Hobart really is YET. The common opponent in Utica favors Hobart's 14 point win vs. Fisher's 1 point win. Fisher's win against John Carroll was impressive but so was Hobart's win against Wittenberg last year.
     As far as the strength of the teams in 2013, the Fisher pass game has the edge, but Conlan has been improving every week with a great Hobart QB coach in John Drach(Western Michigan QB). The running game favors Hobart with the "should have been a Gagliardi finalist" Steven Webb and battering ram Dominique Ellis, but Cody Miller is a strong performer for Fisher and Fenti can run. The O lines are both strong and until I saw the JC replay I would have given Hobart the edge. On Defense, the edge is goes to Hobart with 2 All-Americans in Worthington and Coleman and solid DLine, linebackers but the DB's will be challenged. The Cardinal D looked like they jelled nicely toward the end of the season . A slight edge on turnovers to Hobart as they protect the ball better , but Fisher looks like they can cause them.  Hobart has slightly better Special team stats .
       In summary, if Hobart can protect the ball and run effectively with strategic passing to open the game up, they have a slight edge due to playing at the BOZ. Hobart must put pressure on Fenti  and needs big games from Coleman, Worthington and the rest of the Defense to win. Weather looks like it will be cold ,cloudy and  winds 10-15 mph,  so offensive play calling is open.  This game will come down to coaching and turnovers and who wants it more in the 4th quarter.  Let's pray for an injury free game so the winner can represent the East well in the next round.
   An unashamed biased prediction : a Hobart win 28-21.
                 
               

[dlippiel]

It is boarderline re****ingdiculous that Webb isn't a Gaglardi finalist...unless he is not a good student and/or does not do any volunteer work. The kid is that good.

[Upstate]

It is boarderline re****ingdiculous that Webb isn't a Gaglardi finalist...unless he is not a good student and/or does not do any volunteer work. The kid is that good.

Agreed, knew he was going to be special when he went for 100yds rushing AND receiving vs Fisher as a Freshman!!!

[Pat Coleman]

It is boarderline re****ingdiculous that Webb isn't a Gaglardi finalist...unless he is not a good student and/or does not do any volunteer work. The kid is that good.

Do you know if he was nominated?

[Jonny Utah]

It is boarderline re****ingdiculous that Webb isn't a Gaglardi finalist...unless he is not a good student and/or does not do any volunteer work. The kid is that good.

Do you know if he was nominated?

I guess if you look at just stats, he really isn't a top 10 player this year.  Maybe the J-club needs to pay more attention to the post-pattern boards in the future!

[Bartman]

It is boarderline re****ingdiculous that Webb isn't a Gaglardi finalist...unless he is not a good student and/or does not do any volunteer work. The kid is that good.

Webb has been a complete joy to watch the last 4 years. No one I have seen in D3 has his combination of power, speed , moves and running instinct.  Hobart is so lucky to have had him on campus as a student athlete.  Glad he did not go to Syracuse as preferred walk-on, and  heard Syracuse regrets not giving him a full scholarship . Hopefully he can get a few more games in before the season is over so more people can witness his skills( behind the blocking skills of Seniors Marpet and Green) Check out his NCAA recruitng video to see his raw talent.

http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/ny/dundee/dundee-central-school/steven-webb

Should not leave Worthington out either, as he has been as good as Webb on the defensive side of the ball.He can change the momentum of the game as well. Desplte serious injury in UST game last year, teams still run away from his side.  Not sure who of these 2 players would have been nominated for Gagliardi, but Hobart has been lucky to have them both.

[ITH radio]

Hobart could / should have nominated at least two players.  Webb or Worthington are obvious but somewhat forgotten / overlooked is SR OL and Co-Capt is Michael Green.  Two year starter for teams that so far have gone 22-1 and paved the the way for three 1k+ rushers and two rbs with at least 19 TDs each.

He is also a 2-3x Academic All American and active community volunteer. 

If he wasn't nominated the SID should be let go for not doing their job.  Sure OL rarely get the final call but his stats, grades and community service are clearly there. 

[Pat Coleman]

Hobart could / should have nominated at least two players.  Webb or Worthington are obvious but somewhat forgotten / overlooked is SR OL and Co-Capt is Michael Green.  Two year starter for teams that so far have gone 22-1 and paved the the way for three 1k+ rushers and two rbs with at least 19 TDs each.

He is also a 2-3x Academic All American and active community volunteer. 

If he wasn't nominated the SID should be let go for not doing their job.  Sure OL rarely get the final call but his stats, grades and community service are clearly there.

A player can't actually be nominated for Gagliardi without the president's and coach's participation.

[dlippiel]

Game day!

LET'S ****ING GO HOBART

[ITH radio]

I know the process and the fact the Coach filled out the app.  Whether it made it to Gearan's desk, I don't know but plan to ask.

Good luck to Hobart, Fisher, Ithaca and Rowan today. 

[Pat Coleman]

I know the process and the fact the Coach filled out the app.  Whether it made it to Gearan's desk, I don't know but plan to ask.

Good luck to Hobart, Fisher, Ithaca and Rowan today.

More importantly, whether it made it off of his desk. I mean, if you know the process, you seemed pretty sure it would only be the SID's fault. Having been an SID, I know it's not that simple!

[ITH radio]

It certainly is not, but knowing the actual individuals involved, and past actions / track record, it's a safe assumption. 

Fisher had their game notes out on Tuesday.  It's after 9 am on game day and Hobart's aren't up yet.  I think that's a problem of having sports info in the Communications office and not Athletics, but that's just one guy's opinion.  I imagine SIDs could give a better list of pros and cons.  Will have to ask Lenny sometime. 

[Bartman]

It certainly is not, but knowing the actual individuals involved, and past actions / track record, it's a safe assumption. 

Fisher had their game notes out on Tuesday.  It's after 9 am on game day and Hobart's aren't up yet.  I think that's a problem of having sports info in the Communications office and not Athletics, but that's just one guy's opinion.  I imagine SIDs could give a better list of pros and cons.  Will have to ask Lenny sometime.

We don't need no _tinking note_ and we don't need no _tinking Gagliardi trophy winner...what we need is to beat _isher.......and "Rai_e the Orange and Purple High, let u_ _hame them never, _hout in triumph to the sky...Hip Hobart _orever.... "The talk is ove_ it i_ time to play(SJF letters removed ba_ed on banning order_ issued from Mayor of Geneva in force until after the game)
Good luck to all from the East today...may you hit hard and clean and move on to represent the East well