FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[HSCTiger fan]

BC PAT hits the upright and goes through to make it 23-14 over W&L at half. Guilford 14, HSC 3 at half. E&H up 24-7 on Shenandoah with over minutes left until half. Ferrum up 24-7 on So. Virginia at the half.

It was actually GC 21, HSC 6 at the half ... the Tigers had 2 FGs and GC scored on a pass on the last play.

Congrats, Hasa.  Looked like a statistically even game.  Any key plays in the game?

Two critical plays. 1. GC scores on a 60 yard pass to end the half. HSC was sleeping on this play. It wasn't a Hail Mary. HSCs' safeties let the receiver get deep. 2. After HSC scored to make it 24 to 13 GC ran the kickoff back for a TD with the missed extra point the score was 30 to 13. HSC kept playing hard and cut the lead to 27-30 and had the ball with a chance to take the lead. But GC held the HSC offense and added a TD to put the game out of reach.

[Pat Coleman]

Good luck to the Eagles! 🦅

Welcome back!

After almost seven years! Wow!

[hasanova]

BC PAT hits the upright and goes through to make it 23-14 over W&L at half. Guilford 14, HSC 3 at half. E&H up 24-7 on Shenandoah with over minutes left until half. Ferrum up 24-7 on So. Virginia at the half.

It was actually GC 21, HSC 6 at the half ... the Tigers had 2 FGs and GC scored on a pass on the last play.

Congrats, Hasa.  Looked like a statistically even game.  Any key plays in the game?

Thanks.  GC was up 30-13 after a missed PAT and looked to be in control, but HSC fought back to make it 30-27 with about 5 minutes to go.  Two plays stand out to me (as HSCTiger fan also noted):  the TD pass by Guilford on the last play of the first half and GC's school record 98 yard kickoff return.  It was a beautiful day for football and both teams gave a good effort.  I hope the Tigers can finish strong in their last two games ... GC has an important barometer game at SVU game next Saturday.

[hasanova]

Good luck to the Eagles! 🦅

Welcome back!

After almost seven years! Wow!

Welcome back, Matt.

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Admittedly, I like framing success (or failure) with context. One of the many things I have learned from Coach Clark is to celebrate those successes when they come your way -- as it may help with perception and understanding down the road.

This year's 7-0 start by Bridgewater had me thinking about where they were last year at this time. They played six of their seven opponents this season in 2018 -- so the following context is looking at those six games in 2019 compared to 2018. First, BC went 3-3 last year (of course, 6-0 this year). Secondly, and what I think is remarkable and worth noting, is that the Eagles have a combined point difference/spread of 165 from 2018 to 2019 in those six games:

Opponent	|	2018	|	2019	|	Pt Diff
Gettysburg	|	BC by 17	|	BC by 31	|	+14
Stevenson	|	SU by 12	|	BC by 15	|	+27
Shenandoah	|	BC by 8	|	BC by 18	|	+10
Hampden-Sydney	|	HSC by 21	|	BC by 44	|	+65
Ferrum	|	BC by 21	|	BC by 43	|	+22
Washington & Lee	|	W&L by 10	|	BC by 17	|	+27
TOTAL	|		|		|	+165

Two points suggesting the Eagles road this season has been tougher than in 2018:

   * Four of the six games this season were road games for Bridgewater (compared to four home games in 2018)
   * Three of the six Bridgewater opponents listed above have winning records this season, while only two had them in 2018 

For even more context, this is the first time in Bridgewater history that this kind of turnaround has occurred from season to season. Even from the 1998 season to 1999, when the Eagles finished with 0-10 and 5-5 records, respectively -- they didn't have the positive point difference/spread like they do this season (in each of their games). Same goes for 1999 and 2000, when Bridgewater went 5-5 and 10-2, respectively.

I challenge the likes of Pat Coleman and Ralph Turner to find a team this season (or even recently) that has this kind of turnaround. 

Lastly, I'm celebrating this type of success (and this particular stat) because it will most likely end next weekend. The Eagles defeated Emory & Henry 53-13 (+40) in 2018 -- and that was in Bridgewater. The Wasps have obviously improved as well this season, and they are hosting BC in this year's bout. As much as I would enjoy a BC blowout (41 or more), I have a feeling this game will come down to the last couple of possessions.

Go Eagles!

[tigerFanAlso2]

Hasa

Congrats on the win .... HSC has allowed W&L, BC and now GC to score on the last play of the first half .... and have allowed three teams(maybe 2) to return KO for TD .... this Tiger team might be as bad as the 1997, 98 & 99 squads .... unnerving but glad to hear HSC did not stop competing .... unless things change HSC will finish last in ODAC .... must beat FC and RMC to avoid last or tied for last place ... ouch ......  Enjoy the victory and good luck finishing out the season.

[hasanova]

Hasa

Congrats on the win .... HSC has allowed W&L, BC and now GC to score on the last play of the first half .... and have allowed three teams(maybe 2) to return KO for TD .... this Tiger team might be as bad as the 1997, 98 & 99 squads .... unnerving but glad to hear HSC did not stop competing .... unless things change HSC will finish last in ODAC .... must beat FC and RMC to avoid last or tied for last place ... ouch ......  Enjoy the victory and good luck finishing out the season.

Thanks, it was nice to see a home victory this season.  HSC competed with a lot of heart, but it's just my layman's opinion that GC had more athleticism yesterday.  Good luck the rest of the season!

[tigerFanAlso2]

Hasa

Every team HSC has played this year has been more athletic; at just about every position, so I'm not surprised you made that observation.
Tigers are beat up and playing several from the 2 deep/3 deep, but that is the nature of the game this far into the season and why you must have a deeper bench than we seem to have at this point in time.

good luck for the remainder of the season. This one cannot end soon enough for HSC.  I know the odac is loving kicking HSC around this year. I fear the same for next year as well unless some studs show up soon.

[BAM-BAM29]

it's just a game played by kids.  just relax and breath cuz tomorrow and taxes will def. come.  the kids will be all right.  no excuses.

[hasanova]

Hasa

Every team HSC has played this year has been more athletic; at just about every position, so I'm not surprised you made that observation.
Tigers are beat up and playing several from the 2 deep/3 deep, but that is the nature of the game this far into the season and why you must have a deeper bench than we seem to have at this point in time.

good luck for the remainder of the season. This one cannot end soon enough for HSC.  I know the odac is loving kicking HSC around this year. I fear the same for next year as well unless some studs show up soon.

Whenever I see freshmen and sophomores taking their lumps, I try to remind myself of GC's 2012-15 squads.  In 2012, players like QB Matt Pawlowski, WR Adam Smith and K Tyler Hunt, among others, were taking it on the chin with a 1-5 start.  They rallied, however, and finished their careers at 5-5, 6-4, 8-2 and 9-1 for a school record 28 wins.  Keep the faith.

[hasanova]

Any SVU posters or fans online who have attended a game at SVU?  I know the Knights used to play at Parry McCluer HS or sometimes in Salem.  Am I correct in thinking Southern Virginia now has an on campus stadium?

[jknezek]

Any SVU posters or fans online who have attended a game at SVU?  I know the Knights used to play at Parry McCluer HS or sometimes in Salem.  Am I correct in thinking Southern Virginia now has an on campus stadium?

I haven't been there but they opened Knight Stadium on campus about a decade ago.

[HSCTiger fan]

Hasa

Every team HSC has played this year has been more athletic; at just about every position, so I'm not surprised you made that observation.
Tigers are beat up and playing several from the 2 deep/3 deep, but that is the nature of the game this far into the season and why you must have a deeper bench than we seem to have at this point in time.

good luck for the remainder of the season. This one cannot end soon enough for HSC.  I know the odac is loving kicking HSC around this year. I fear the same for next year as well unless some studs show up soon.

Whenever I see freshmen and sophomores taking their lumps, I try to remind myself of GC's 2012-15 squads.  In 2012, players like QB Matt Pawlowski, WR Adam Smith and K Tyler Hunt, among others, were taking it on the chin with a 1-5 start.  They rallied, however, and finished their careers at 5-5, 6-4, 8-2 and 9-1 for a school record 28 wins.  Keep the faith.

I know you're trying to be encouraging but only 2 sophomores and 1 freshman started against GC.

[hasanova]

Any SVU posters or fans online who have attended a game at SVU?  I know the Knights used to play at Parry McCluer HS or sometimes in Salem.  Am I correct in thinking Southern Virginia now has an on campus stadium?

I haven't been there but they opened Knight Stadium on campus about a decade ago.

Thanks.

[hasanova]

Hasa

Every team HSC has played this year has been more athletic; at just about every position, so I'm not surprised you made that observation.
Tigers are beat up and playing several from the 2 deep/3 deep, but that is the nature of the game this far into the season and why you must have a deeper bench than we seem to have at this point in time.

good luck for the remainder of the season. This one cannot end soon enough for HSC.  I know the odac is loving kicking HSC around this year. I fear the same for next year as well unless some studs show up soon.

Whenever I see freshmen and sophomores taking their lumps, I try to remind myself of GC's 2012-15 squads.  In 2012, players like QB Matt Pawlowski, WR Adam Smith and K Tyler Hunt, among others, were taking it on the chin with a 1-5 start.  They rallied, however, and finished their careers at 5-5, 6-4, 8-2 and 9-1 for a school record 28 wins.  Keep the faith.

I know you're trying to be encouraging but only 2 sophomores and 1 freshman started against GC.

Yes, I was.  Still hope your season finishes on a strong note.