FB: Liberty League

[ITH radio]

Conlan has been his own worst enemy of late. At this point I'd rather him tuck and run vs. forcing a pass.

I am still reading up on JHU but they seem to run an offense similar to IC (spread) but who's OL has given up much less sacks (that could be b/c of the CC vs. E8 tho). Defensively they are similar to Hobart's 4x4 (says they run a 4-3 but they go with 2 SS/rovers which is basically the same position Hobart's OLBs).

Hop has good size on the DL and seem to generate good pass rush / pressure. Longo, one of their DEs has 10 sacks and 13.5 TFL while their ILB Keith Corliss ( a 6'+ 215lber) leads the team in tackles, which is similar to Hobart's Toney (i.e., DL tie up blockers so ILBs get the tackles). Their QB is more mobile than most Hobart has seen and so (over) pursuit will need to be smart.

The Statesmen's secondary is a potential weakness due to both inexperienced and physically smaller players. Saturday's starters were:

SR CB Fajri Jackson 5' 8" 175 lbs - a 3 yr starter, but also known to be beaten in 1:1 coverage at least 1-2x a game
FY CB Tommy D'Antonio - 5"11" 180 lbs. On roster as backup FS but played CB. Pretty sure that was his first start since usual starter SO Todd Collier (5' 7" 160) is banged up / out.
SO FS Matt Cragg - 5'8" 160 lbs. One of fastest kids on team but in first season as starter.

FY FS/DB Christian Apicella (5'11" 175) as did SR CB Jordan Smith (6' 185) saw some time as a reserves in the game according to the BX.

Fortunately neither of JHU's top receivers are that big (one's 5'8" and the other is 6'), so this may be a wash. JHU has some 300lb guys on the OL and a couple of backs that seem to share the load with nearly identical carries, and TDs.

Pending the weather it'll be interesting to see how this plays out, but my guess is we'll see more passing plays with the teams spreading out the Ds looking to find space vs. straight ahead running.

[ITH radio]

Marpet invited to play in Shrine game. Pretty cool.

[Limbs66]

lets go 'Bart! if you do not win "you are wrong".

[dlippiel]

ITH Dlip is wishing the Pumpkinheads the very best today and would love for the Pumpkinheads to pull this mother****er out!

Dlip hears you about the undersized CB's. This has been the story of Union's secondary for years now. Dlip knows it must be hard to recruit CB specific players at this level but he thinks if he was a coach, and his secondary was awful (like Union's) he would at least attempt to prioritize finding some athletic size for the CB position. With that said Dlip thinks Union currently has two good athletes at CB in Alebiosu and Waller. They just need to be given some direction which has not happened.

Not at all implying Bart's secondary sucks. It may be their weakness but certainly much better than Union's.

[wesleydad]

This is going to be a good football game today.  I think Hopkins is going to win, but would not be stunned if Hobart wins.  There are some real good games today and this is one of them.  I will be checking the phone for scores while I am listening to the Wesley game while I am watching the Widener game.  Good luck to both teams today, be injury free, since barring a monumental upset i will be seeing one of these teams next week in Dover.

[ExTartanPlayer]

This is going to be a good football game today.  I think Hopkins is going to win, but would not be stunned if Hobart wins.  There are some real good games today and this is one of them.  I will be checking the phone for scores while I am listening to the Wesley game while I am watching the Widener game.  Good luck to both teams today, be injury free, since barring a monumental upset i will be seeing one of these teams next week in Dover.

Agreed. This game is "meh" to some folks because it doesn't feature a likely Stagg contender, but it's one of the most "even" matchups of the day.

[ExTartanPlayer]

Oh, and one other Hopkins/Hobart related thought:

I played against both teams in my getting-further-away-every-day career (Hopkins in 2004 & 2005, Hobart in 2007). Both teams have the same head coaches now as they did back then - something that's increasingly rare at the highest levels of football. Very neat to see the stability and sustained success for these coaches and programs.

[Saxon73]

It's just to bad that Hopkins couldn't bring their video system to Geneva.  They do a great job. Hopefully, others will improve in the future.   

[Jonny Utah]

Hobart wins 24-21 in a game with a lot of mistakes, and big penalties which cost both teams.  JHU gets what is basically a game winning TD called back in what looked like one of those illegal pick plays.

[Bartman]

This was a hard fought win by the Statesmen. No turnovers by Hobart and they win 24-21 . Conlan engineers final drive with a minute left and converts on 2 PT as well. At least they have the final gutsy drive routine down this season. Team is all heart. I know This team will give Wesley everything they have next week. It is a great day to be a Statesmen!

[D3MAFAN]

Hobart wins 24-21 in a game with a lot of mistakes, and big penalties which cost both teams.  JHU gets what is basically a game winning TD called back in what looked like one of those illegal pick plays.

Reminded me of the FSU v. Notre Dame game, but it was a tough fought game by both teams. Congrats to Hobart on their win, I had both teams right next to each other in my fan poll and they both played up to part. Rematch for Hobart against Wesley. I watch the 1st quarter of the Wesley game and it felt as though they ran whatever they wanted to and maybe some new plays just for s & g.

[ITH radio]

Hobart wins 24-21 in a game with a lot of mistakes, and big penalties which cost both teams.  JHU gets what is basically a game winning TD called back in what looked like one of those illegal pick plays.

That's exactly what it was. As a former def back, I saw it unfold and was happy with the call. Great game rant could have gone either way. Give credit to HOB for making a few extra plays and coming back yet again.

[D O.C.]

Way to go Hobart.

[Jonny Utah]

Hobart wins 24-21 in a game with a lot of mistakes, and big penalties which cost both teams.  JHU gets what is basically a game winning TD called back in what looked like one of those illegal pick plays.

That's exactly what it was. As a former def back, I saw it unfold and was happy with the call. Great game rant could have gone either way. Give credit to HOB for making a few extra plays and coming back yet again.

Yea, it's a good thing referees are looking for these calls now as well.  I coach a HS team that got beat on two of these "pick" plays last week.  The pick defender actually stood there and put up his arms like a basketball charge to show that he wasn't moving.  Kind of funny that these redzone plays are turning into basketball games.

As for this week, Hobart is going to need to get a game plan to stop Wesley's QB and passing attack.  From what I remember they run your standard spread offense, but Callahan is probably the best QB Hobart's defense will have faced in the past 4 years.  He doesn't make mistakes, and Hobart will have to mix up a great pass rush and disguised coverages to make something happen.  They will also need to tackle well.

[Bartman]

Hobart wins 24-21 in a game with a lot of mistakes, and big penalties which cost both teams.  JHU gets what is basically a game winning TD called back in what looked like one of those illegal pick plays.

That's exactly what it was. As a former def back, I saw it unfold and was happy with the call. Great game rant could have gone either way. Give credit to HOB for making a few extra plays and coming back yet again.

Yea, it's a good thing referees are looking for these calls now as well.  I coach a HS team that got beat on two of these "pick" plays last week.  The pick defender actually stood there and put up his arms like a basketball charge to show that he wasn't moving.  Kind of funny that these redzone plays are turning into basketball games.

As for this week, Hobart is going to need to get a game plan to stop Wesley's QB and passing attack.  From what I remember they run your standard spread offense, but Callahan is probably the best QB Hobart's defense will have faced in the past 4 years.  He doesn't make mistakes, and Hobart will have to mix up a great pass rush and disguised coverages to make something happen.  They will also need to tackle well.

"Utes",
   Enjoy reading your insights. Although the Hobart seniors played Wesley close in 2011 in the first round of the playoffs, this Wesley team does not look vulnerable on either side of the ball. I think aggressive defensive schemes by Hobart will need to be employed in order to disrupt the Wesley offensive machine as you suggest. Don't know how tough their defense really is, but Hobart will need to grind it out on every possession and be very careful of some opportunistic DB's that Conlan could fall prey . I know Hobart will pull any scheme out that they have not shown this year against Wesley. Although Hobart respected  Ithaca and JHU neither defense really caused Hobart to panic as the team felt confident in the match ups(although JHU Defense was formidable against the run). If you look at all the common opponents of opponents results , this could be a long day for Hobart, but this team has heart and never gives up. My head knows this is a daunting task for this team, and the offense will probably have to score 35+ points to win(even if we control the clock), but I know Cragg and his staff will get them prepared mentally and physically.
Do or die in Dover.