FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

let me see what I can find out ....

Please do.  I trust my source, but would certainly believe it more if heard from someone "in" Greensboro.

There was also a Quaker running back that wasn't returning, but my source forgot his name/number.

I just spoke to my brother and he said my nephew spent a few hours with Taylor and some other friends a week or so ago and nothing was said.  My brother also said Taylor's parents told him a few days ago that Taylor was going to stay over in Greensboro this summer to work until football practice.  So far, I have no indication the rumors are true.  With Vogelbach's freshman numbers, however, I'm sure it's possible that a full scholarship program might dangle a carrot ...

Oh, okay.  Hmm, interesting.

Well, I found out who the running back was ... it was Demetrius Snead.  But I guess we're safe in assuming that Baker, Vogelbach and Snead are all coming back.  I just find it odd considering my source.

[hasanova]

let me see what I can find out ....

Please do.  I trust my source, but would certainly believe it more if heard from someone "in" Greensboro.

There was also a Quaker running back that wasn't returning, but my source forgot his name/number.

I just spoke to my brother and he said my nephew spent a few hours with Taylor and some other friends a week or so ago and nothing was said.  My brother also said Taylor's parents told him a few days ago that Taylor was going to stay over in Greensboro this summer to work until football practice.  So far, I have no indication the rumors are true.  With Vogelbach's freshman numbers, however, I'm sure it's possible that a full scholarship program might dangle a carrot ...

Oh, okay.  Hmm, interesting.

Well, I found out who the running back was ... it was Demetrius Snead.  But I guess we're safe in assuming that Baker, Vogelbach and Snead are all coming back.  I just find it odd considering my source.

Here are Snead's 2005 numbers:

Demetrius Snead, RB, Jr., 5-7, 175, Dunn, NC

Year GP/GS Att. Yards Avg. TD Rec. Yards TD
2005 7/2 41 163 4.0 1 2 7 0

Snead's a North Carolinian, but he was a JuCo transfer from Arizona Western last year.  One of Kiesel's Assistant Coaches came from there and brought a few guys with him.  Not sure if the Snead rumor is true either.  If it is, maybe he didn't like his role in such a pass happy attack, maybe he didn't do well academically, maybe he can't afford Guilford ... or maybe it isn't true.  I just don't know.  A little odd to not come back with a year to go, though, especially when the team should have so much promise this year.

I simply don't know if any of these rumors are true.  I, like you, sure hope they aren't.  There are three other Hayesville (NC) boys on the team besides Taylor Baker and from all reports they are all doing very well.  There is a caravan of sorts from Hayesville that follows them to every game, so this one baffles me.  Vogelbach was perhaps too good last year - I know he is on some radar screens.  Hopefully, he will be back as well.

I sure hope your source is wrong, but I'll keep asking around.  (fingers crossed)!   

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

hasanova -

I do hope those three are coming back ... I'd like to see the ODAC perform better against the USAC this year, and GC has all four of its non-conference games versus them (Fer, Meth, Ave, and G'boro).  I'd be nice if you all would turn last year's 1-3 record against them into 3-1 (or 4-0).

If everyone from GC returns, this is my pre-pre-preseason ODAC standings;

• 1 - Bridgewater ... Yeah, yeah, 35-straight ODAC wins, but what happened in the past won't directly affect what happens in '06.  Losing 14 starters (graduating a total of 28 players) will make August camp very interesting.  But graduating a lot of starters is nothing new for the Eagles, who are forced to sing the "reload, rebuild, repeat" mantra every year since 2001, and it hasn't faltered yet.  But streaks are meant to be broken, and the 35-gamer will have to end at some point.  It seems every year someone gets closer and closer.  2006 could very well be that year.
• 2 - Guilford ... If everyone returns who should return, then the Quakers will no doubt have the best returning proven passing attack in the ODAC (with H-SC's Ricca and CUA's Bublavi both gone).  I emphasize proven, because if Bridgewater tosses the pigskin more this fall, then we could see Copeland-Warring-Oakes and Co. have a bigger year than Barnette-Rushing-Joyner and Co.  Of course Guilford's big question mark is defense.  Will they have one?  Other than a 1-9 E&H squad, they held no one under 26 points in 2005.
• 3 - Washington & Lee ... The Generals are losing six starters to graduation - 2 DLs, 2 LBs, 2 DBs - from the ODAC's best defense (statistically), but return four of five OLs and all of their offensive weapons from a year ago (Sitterson, Ward, Martin).  If Dawkins can step into Tweardy's shoes at quarterback, then it might be W&L's offense that keeps them in games this year instead of their defense.
• 4 - Hampden-Sydney ... They graduated one of their best - if not the best - player at each position; Ricca (QB), Rolander (WR), Dull (TE), Junes (RB), Traylor (OL) Price (DE), Hall (LB), and Inman (DB).  They start their '06 schedule with two cupcakes again (Sewanee and Gettsyburg), so that can only help them figure out who they're going to be after losing so much at every position.  Unless they have some transfers come in, they'll have a hard time bettering their 45 ppg from '05 or keeping their opponents from scoring the 25 ppg from last season.
• 5 - Catholic ... Still reeling from the departure of SID Pat Coleman, the Cardinals will have a fresh start with HC Dave Dunn.  They must replace their top offensive (Bublavi) and defensive (Stutz) studs, but they bring back a lot of freshmen and sophomores, not to mention QB Keith Ricca (yes, I typed Kevin first, ugh).  Four of their first five games are at home, which is a good thing, seeing that that's where they played best last season.  Hopefully Coach Dunn won't have the same thing happen to him in '06 as Monty had happen to him in '05 (see E&H below), seeing that Catholic's really only plus last year was their passing attack.
• 6 - Randolph-Macon ... The Jackets have gotten "worse" the last four seasons (6-4 in '02, 4-6 in '03, 3-7 in '04, and 2-8 in '05), but somehow the recruiting tool of "come here we're turning things around" seems to keep working with kids.  The coaches must leave out that part when giving their shpeal, because they've done very well with recruiting the last couple years.  At any rate, nothing about last year's Jackets team leads my to believe they were on the right track.  Their signature win was against a Baer-less and Maybank-less McDaniel team.
• 7 - Emory & Henry ... Explain this: New coach comes in ... inherits an offense that scored 31.1 ppg in '04 and had a 4-1 home record ... had pretty much the same cast of characters in '05 that put up those numbers, but could only muster 10.4 ppg and lost all five games at home.  Only thing I can think of is that Monty's coaching philosophy is THAT extreme and different from his predecessor's, and requires a total overhaul of the system.  If that's the case, then '06 should be no different.

[hasanova]

hasanova -    I do hope those three are coming back ... I'd like to see the ODAC perform better against the USAC this year, and GC has all four of its non-conference games versus them (Fer, Meth, Ave, and G'boro).  I'd be nice if you all would turn last year's 1-3 record against them into 3-1 (or 4-0).

kid, not sure if I'll get a response, but I sent an email to a GC insider to ask about some of this stuff.  If I hear anything, I'll let you know.  Good analysis, by the way, and I agree with your rankings - for now.  Pretty sure GC won't go 4-0 vs the USAC in 2006.  Three of the four had great campaigns last year going 7-3, 8-2 and 9-1 in the regular season.  I'm personally hoping for 2-2 there.  Thanks again!

[Pat Coleman]

[li]5 - Catholic ... Still reeling from the departure of SID Pat Coleman, the Cardinals will have a fresh start with HC Dave Dunn. 

It's been a tough decade.

[Outsider14]

i just read that long post by kid... "35 straight odac wins" really stood out. made me say wow. that's pretty damn impressive... before someone jumps and says "mount union" blahblah, i know. their streak was just insane...

[hasanova]

kid, I got the following email from Guilford's Coach Kiesel:

"D....,

All our players are coming back.
We had a great off-season and spring.
We have 40 commits and our goal is 50.
Please call me if you'd like to talk (about GC football) ..."

He should know, so this made me breathe easier for sure!

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

kid, I got the following email from Guilford's Coach Kiesel:

"D....,

All our players are coming back.
We had a great off-season and spring.
We have 40 commits and our goal is 50.
Please call me if you'd like to talk (about GC football) ..."

He should know, so this made me breathe easier for sure!

Excellent to hear!

FYI, just so you don't think I made it up, my source heard it from a Guilford player.  That's why I trusted it and posted about it.

[religion_major]

I agree with Kid that the game will be BC at Guilford.  I think W&L could make some noise, but I think for reasons that Kid stated BC and Guilford will pace the ODAC in 2006.

[hasanova]

kid, I got the following email from Guilford's Coach Kiesel:

"D....,

All our players are coming back.
We had a great off-season and spring.
We have 40 commits and our goal is 50.
Please call me if you'd like to talk (about GC football) ..."

He should know, so this made me breathe easier for sure!

Excellent to hear!

FYI, just so you don't think I made it up, my source heard it from a Guilford player.  That's why I trusted it and posted about it.

Thanks.  kid, I never thought you made it up.  You're so wired to the ODAC and your credibility with me is very high - that's why it gave me pause.   A lot of things can happen over the summer, of course, but for now I heard it right from the head coach.  Sounds as though the 2006 recruit figure of 35 I heard on April 23 was on target if Kiesel now says he has 40.

[hasanova]

Some information about Guilford and E&H found at:

http://www.roanoke.com/sports/college/wb/62598

"Previously unannounced Emory & Henry football recruits from Timesland include Hidden Valley tight end Brian Bush, Martinsville offensive tackle James Hairston (6-1, 310), Eastern Montgomery offensive and defensive lineman Josh Burgess (6-4, 310) and Bassett lineman Ryan Stone (6-6, 320)

Stone moved to Henry County from South Carolina before his senior year and could be a force at the Division III level if he improves his footwork, Bassett coach Jay Gilbert said. Stone has put up some impressive numbers in the Bassett weight room, particularly on lifts requiring upper-body strength.

Gilbert said that running back Brandon Johnson, who had received some Division I-AA and Division II football interest, will play football and basketball at Division III Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C."

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Some information about Guilford and E&H found at:

http://www.roanoke.com/sports/college/wb/62598

"Previously unannounced Emory & Henry football recruits from Timesland include Hidden Valley tight end Brian Bush, Martinsville offensive tackle James Hairston (6-1, 310), Eastern Montgomery offensive and defensive lineman Josh Burgess (6-4, 310) and Bassett lineman Ryan Stone (6-6, 320)

Stone moved to Henry County from South Carolina before his senior year and could be a force at the Division III level if he improves his footwork, Bassett coach Jay Gilbert said. Stone has put up some impressive numbers in the Bassett weight room, particularly on lifts requiring upper-body strength.

Gilbert said that running back Brandon Johnson, who had received some Division I-AA and Division II football interest, will play football and basketball at Division III Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C."

6-6, 320.  That's pretty large.

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

State of Virginia's Top 100 Football Prospects - Class of '06
The Roanoke Times

1. Percy Harvin –- Florida
2. Vidal Hazelton –- Southern Cal
3. Jarrell Miller –- UNC
4. Damon McDaniel –- FSU
5. Evan Royster –- Penn State
6. Chris Bell –- Penn State
7. John Graves –- Va. Tech
8. Keith Payne –- UVa
9. Brian Whitmore –- Maryland
10. Brandon Minor -- Michigan
11. Brent Vinson -- Tennessee
12. Dedrick Epps –- Miami
13. Brandon Caleb –- Oklahoma
14. Sean Gottschalk –- UVa
15. Alex Stadler –- Alabama
16. Matt Wright –- Va. Tech
17. Greg Davis –- WVU
18. Darryl Robertson –- Va. Tech
19. Lucas Caparelli –- Wake
20. Ras-I Dowling –- UVa
21. Kam Chancellor –- Va. Tech
22. B.J. Cabell –- UVa
23. Beau Warren –- Va. Tech
24. John Bivens –- UVa
25. Ed Barham –- UNC
26. Andrew Holloman –- Duke
27. Billy Cuffee -- UVa
28. Trevor Bray –- Ga. Tech
29. DeAndre Filer –- UVa
30. Andre Boone –- Akron
31. Marcus Anthony -- Hutchinson
33. Josh Czjakowski –- N.C. State
34. Ke'mon Bailey -- Massachusetts
35. Kirk Belgrave –- Kent State
36. Aaron Hull –- Arizona Western J.C.
37. Brandon Monroe -- JMU
38. Arthur Moats –- JMU
39. Drew Dudzik –- JMU
40. Jamal Schulters –- Kansas State
41. David Redick –- Marshall
42. Donny Kirby -- Elon
45. Brett Ainsley –- JMU
46. Cameron Dohse –- W&M
48. Elijah McCall -- Hargrave Prep
49. Quinton Rainey -– Kent State
50. Griff Yancey -- JMU
51. DeNathian Robinson -- Marshall
52. Stevie Johnson -- Virginia Union
53. Colin Miller -- Central Michigan
54. Donnell Brown -- JMU
55. Jeremy Gardner -- Towson
58. Wynn Sigmon -- Bridgewater (Va.)
60. Kyle Allison -- William and Mary
62. Chase Prasnicki –- Army
63. Courtland Marriner –- W&M
64. Travis Greene -- Elon
65. Ronnell Brown –- JMU
66. Frank Keeney -- VMI
67. Theo Sherman –- JMU
68. David Miller –- W&M
69. Marcus Dodson –- Norfolk State
70. Jack Curtis -- VMI
71. Jesse Haney –- UNC-W (baseball)
74. Donielle Babb -- Hampton
77. Matt Barbour -- UVa-Wise
79. Rontray Houchens -– Coffeyville C.C.
80. Bryan Hall -- Morehead (Ky.) State
81. Ryan Tillman –- Norfolk State
82. Chris Rocco -- Liberty
83. Ryan Stratis -- VMI
84. Tyler Miller –- W&M
85. Tom Humphreys –- W&M
86. Tommy Burgess -- Emory & Henry
87. DeAngelo Braunche -- Norfolk State
88. Eli Crawford -- Central Florida C.C. (basketball)
89. Naron Sanderlin -- Norfolk State
90. James Haley -- UVa-Wise
91. Terrell Williams -- Louisburg (N.C.) J.C.
94. Mitch Maines -- Shepherd
97. Jonathan Hawkins -- Emory & Henry
98. Ben Finney -- Hargrave Prep
99. Javaris Sanders -- JMU
100. Seth Hardesty -- Shippensburg


Uncommitted/Status Unknown

32. Donte Davis (6-0/175/WR/Westfield)
43. Lorenzo Goode (5-8/176/RB/Hermitage)
44. Dewayne Priest (5-8/173/CB/William Fleming)
47. Ricky Cook (6-2/191/RB/Giles)
56. Justin Smith
57. Thomas Hovis
59. Jamie Veney
61. Kevin Anderson
72. Matt Goff (6-2/185/QB/Robinson)
73. John Krell
75. Terreon Conyers (6-1/185/WR/Booker T. Washington)
76. Jared Ruppert (6-0/255/DL/Oakton)
78. Kyle Hughes (6-2/181/QB/Lafayette)
92. Colin Smith (6-5/230/TE/Northumberland)
93. Jay Terrell (5-11/170/CB/Manassas Park)
95. Danny Aiken
96. Zach Thomas (6-4/245/DE/James River)

[hasanova]

Hey, kid, I had a voicemail from my brother in Hayesville (NC) when I got home.  He said he was in the same restaurant today for lunch with Taylor Baker's (#2) mother and she rather emphatically said "Taylor would definitely be back at Guilford for football this fall."  In fact, she said they can't wait for the season to start.  Knowing the Baker family as I do, this is what I expected.  Hope this and Kiesel's email to me helps put some of the rumors to bed!  Peace.

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Hey, kid, I had a voicemail from my brother in Hayesville (NC) when I got home.  He said he was in the same restaurant today for lunch with Taylor Baker's (#2) mother and she rather emphatically said "Taylor would definitely be back at Guilford for football this fall."  In fact, she said they can't wait for the season to start.  Knowing the Baker family as I do, this is what I expected.  Hope this and Kiesel's email to me helps put some of the rumors to bed!  Peace.

I regret posting about it now.  Needless to say, I'm baffled I was fed this information.  I even re-asked them today, and they said "yes, I talked to 'so-and-so' and they said they and 'so-and-so' weren't going back to Guilford."  Wild!  They did say a new name today (great, huh?!).  They mentioned Devon White (a defensive back).  I think they're just trying to test me, and it seems I failed (seeing I felt the need to post the player's name).

I do want to apologize to the Guilford football program (and those players, especially) for posting about it.  I am, however, glad that you were able to get clarification on it so quickly.  If anything, this has proven your connections and shown my lack of.

Oh, and sorry for nearly putting you in the hospital.  I guess you'll see me in court.