FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[hasanova]

Well, hopefully, from my point of view (and perhaps a few others in the ODAC), BC will be "thrown" from their "throne" again in '07. 

Them there are fightin' words. I don't take to kindly to someone throwin' me from my throne, especially on my Metamucil days! 

I'm still around, just gone fishin'! Resting up by the lake and getting ready to begin the annual Fall tour of ODAC parkinglots come Saturdays.

One of the founding fathers of SS has even done some recon in my abscence. WALMART has a mail in rebate for Boone's Farm, buy 12 bottles get 12 free! (I sure there is a reason for that,LOL!) Communion wouldn't be the same without BF though.

11 days til' camp opens. CLASSIC!!!! How do you spell RELAXATION? FOOTBALL!!!

Sorry, Llama.  SS food and hospitality will always be the best, but you know I have to root for my Quakers to finish first!  I know BC will be up for this year's game at Bridgewater.  What what it's worth, I think Guilford will be a force to contend with again this fall.  Hang in there, my friend ... September 1 will be here before you know it!  Peace

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Meant to say kid, the site's lookin' good these days. The Coach Clark blog and sponsors?!?!

Ronnie Howard(?) best BC back of all time, no? Or Davon Cruz? Or Winston Young? Wow, those are only the ones I know.

Already enjoying Coach Clark's recruiting insights. Not registered for the forums though ... yet ... I can't even keep pace here.

Thanks.  I was excited when Clark showed interest in doing the blog.

With 88 votes cast, Davon Cruz is leading with 46.  Robbie Howard is in third with 10 votes.

To look over the statistical comparison I put together, check this out:

http://www.bridgewater.edu/~mbarnhar/Top11BCBacks.pdf

As you'll see, other than Cruz, Howard, Winston Young, and Marcus Washington, the other seven are pre-90s.  One player - Marshall Flora - dates back to the 60s.  He's currently fourth in the voting.

[allsky7]

     Pics of the new stadium at H-SC

http://www2.hsc.edu/throughthesegates/images/stadium/8-1-2007/index.html 

[hasanova]

     Pics of the new stadium at H-SC

http://www2.hsc.edu/throughthesegates/images/stadium/8-1-2007/index.html 

Looks like a first-class facility.  Way to go!

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

I believe the ODAC media day is this weekend.  What do you all think the coaches poll will look like?  Not what you think it should be, but how the coaches will vote.  Here's my take...

1 - Bridgewater (4)
2 - Washington & Lee (3)
3 - Emory & Henry
4 - Guilford
5 - Hampden-Sydney
6 - Catholic
7 - Randolph-Macon

Coaches will take Bridgewater's 32 seniors into consideration.  I think they'll also think that W&L, E&H, GC, and HSC all have question marks.  BC may not have the depth as years past, but there isn't a position (player or coaching staff) that is a worry.

Personally, I think No. 1 through No. 5 is up for grabs.  BC and W&L would be my preseason favorites, but if E&H can groom a new QB ... or if GC and HSC can show they can play defense (and not just beat you by scoring 30+ pts), then they will figure into the mix.

I know Catholic returns the most starters in the conference, and they did play E&H and BC tough last season, but they still went 1-5 in the ODAC (beating Randolph-Macon - by only seven).  R-MC will have four conference games in Ashland in '07, but I haven't seen any sign that they're ready to join the rest of the conference in bidding for the title.

[tigerfanalso]

The ODAC could be very exciting this year. Bridgewater and W&L will be picked 1 & 2, and should be, however, if HSC or Guilford can fill a few gaps on defense, those two teams can beat anybody in the conference. If they can't, both will finish somewhere betwenn 3-5. E&H is going to be good BUT they need an answer at QB. If they have that answer they'll be in the mix. Catholic will be better and capable of pulling several upsets. RMC has been bad and probably will not be much better this year unless they have some talent coming in that nobody knows about. I see five teams capable of beating any other team in the ODAC on any given Saturday with Catholic capable of pulling an upset as well. Hopefully the conference champ will be able to represent the conference well in the playoffs.

[allsky7]

I believe the ODAC media day is this weekend.  What do you all think the coaches poll will look like?  Not what you think it should be, but how the coaches will vote.  Here's my take...

1 - Bridgewater (4)
2 - Washington & Lee (2)
3 - Emory & Henry
4 - Guilford
5 - Hampden-Sydney
6 - Catholic
7 - Randolph-Macon

Coaches will take Bridgewater's 32 seniors into consideration.  I think they'll also think that W&L, E&H, GC, and HSC all have question marks.  BC may not have the depth as years past, but there isn't a position (player or coaching staff) that is a worry.

Personally, I think No. 1 through No. 5 is up for grabs.  BC and W&L would be my preseason favorites, but if E&H can groom a new QB ... or if GC and HSC can show they can play defense (and not just beat you by scoring 30+ pts), then they will figure into the mix.

I know Catholic returns the most starters in the conference, and they did play E&H and BC tough last season, but they still went 1-5 in the ODAC (beating Randolph-Macon - by only seven).  R-MC will have four conference games in Ashland in '07, but I haven't seen any sign that they're ready to join the rest of the conference in bidding for the title.

     Don't see H-S being picked 5th. I think they will be picked 3rd. W&L will be picked 2nd but I predict they will finish lower than that. E&H is my sleeper pick for the ODAC this year but don't think they will be picked 3rd. As previously posted, the ODAC could be a big mess in 07.

BC
W&L
H-S
E&H or GC
E&H or GC
R-M
Catholic

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

[...] As previously posted, the ODAC could be a big mess in 07.

And to be honest, that's exciting, even for a BC fan!

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Don't see H-S being picked 5th. I think they will be picked 3rd. [...]

I don't know.  I can see the coaches thinking that H-SC went from 8-2 in '05 to 4-6 in '06 (although they did go 4-2 in the conference both years), and see that their QB situation isn't quite worked out (the two QB system was a bust), and they just got a new defensive coordinator.  And then they'll see that GC, W&L, and E&H are on the upswing, with a good mix of veteran and young talent.

So I think the coaches will drop H-SC in the preseason poll, but most fans know (including myself) that the Tigers are always dangerous with their go-for-it-on-4th-down 'PlayStation' offense.  They can beat anyone with that kind of game plan, but they can also lose a game by three touchdowns the same way.

[allsky7]

Don't see H-S being picked 5th. I think they will be picked 3rd. [...]

I don't know.  I can see the coaches thinking that H-SC went from 8-2 in '05 to 4-6 in '06 (although they did go 4-2 in the conference both years), and see that their QB situation isn't quite worked out (the two QB system was a bust), and they just got a new defensive coordinator.  And then they'll see that GC, W&L, and E&H are on the upswing, with a good mix of veteran and young talent.

So I think the coaches will drop H-SC in the preseason poll, but most fans know (including myself) that the Tigers are always dangerous with their go-for-it-on-4th-down 'PlayStation' offense.  They can beat anyone with that kind of game plan, but they can also lose a game by three touchdowns the same way.

     Valid points.  IMO, the difference between 2nd and 5th is so negligible, it will be a tough call.

     Aside from how the coaches call it, I think that there will not be a QB problem at H-S this year. The Tiger offense will score points....the question is, can the Tiger D stop everyone else from scoring?  8)

[generals08]

Dear forum,

First and foremost you guys are great. I am going to be a senior football player at W and L and normally I dont think players should post in forums like this, but I am bored interning in an office and thought I would shed a little light from a player's perspective on the conference outlook. I feel like my team has been getting a little lack of recognition (claims that we will lose to EHC, GC, HSC) considering the fact we are the returning champs, return six all conference players on defense (including the Dudley Award runner up, and the Va. state Defensive lineman of the year), a pre-season all American wide out, a former all american return man and playmaker in Sitterson, and we won the conference with a freshman qb who didn't even know the playbook (and it showed in big games down the stretch). The only losses were Receiver Colton Ward, our best offensive lineman (who's protoge is sure to be a presence), and the starting kicker. So obviously we are on the edge of being a top twenty team in Division III. The defense returns every starter except one who wasnt even an all conference selection. The offense could be explosive with our talented qb surrounded with weapons and most importantly the offensive line looking as good as it ever has despite the loss of all region Whitfield. Special teams and new coaches are the biggest concern.

HOWEVER, with that said Bridgewater has been and still is as always the team to beat. They return Carter who is like a DIII Adrian Peterson, Highfill who I love to play against, the best o line in the conference, and a fast defense. Our championship is legitimate but in my eyes questionable because we walked through the entire conference (defensively dominating E and H and Guilford) except for Bridgewater. I can give excuses like some players were hurt the weather was horrible and favored their running attack. But the bottom line is BC was not themselves for whatever reason for two weeks and came out in top form against us and proved that they are still the powerhouse team they have always been. I can't wait for that game I have been thinking about it since I was a freshman because I knew unless some miracle happened they would be the one in between myself and a conference championship in my final year of football. I make this claim because.....

E and H- lost Todd Woods who is other than JD Ricca one of the toughest football players I have ever played against, and one of three quarterbacks to actually make me laugh in a game. Surely he is irreplaceable (sp?) along with his top threat Stewart. Furthermore, they lose the Conference Defenive Player of the Year, and their O-line and Gillespie were suspect (see last year's conference championship game). They should finish third or fourth depending on how they do against Team Vogelbach

Team Vogelbach- loses its top two threats in Rushing and Barnette and he was running all day behind Guilford's slow line. Their defense is talented and has potential but they are hurt by Guilford's high flying attack leaving them on the field too much, in poor field position, and constantly trying to make up for their quarterback's interceptions. However, Guilford is the only other team in the conference other than BC and W and L who might make a run soley because they have a gunslinger like Vogelbach, who is the only player in this conference who can single handedly win a game should he will it. (see his arm, time making ability with his legs, and his gaudy stats).

Hampden Sydney- Clearly rebuilding after the loss of Ricca still. Has A LOT of potential on defense especially with that corner, he can flat out play as can their D ends and OLB's. Their freshman qb's were unimpressive last year and they might need even another year to hit full stride. Drew Smith should help as he is the most consistent wide out creating his own space in the conference and his numbers prove it. Simpson is a tough runner especially for his size and I like the way he plays. Their main problem and why they won't be able to play down the stretch with the top two teams is their O Line. Once the most formidable in the conference is not what it once was. And despite Ricca's numbers what made them so succesful in the past (and what Vogelbach needs if he ever wants a ring) is the threat of a run game. The loss of their two best O lineman last year is going to hurt especially the sophomore campaigns of their young qb's. Wild card because their head coach is an offensive mad scientist and can gameplan with anyone if only his young offense can execute......

Catholic- Is an enigma sometimes they play good ball and sometimes they look like a JV team on film. Gross is a beast and has to be considered as one of the favorites to win Player of the Year. Olivera is an explosive talent and they would be best served to get him the ball as much as possible. I'm not sure if Wide out number 9 is back but he can stretch the field. K Ricca is an awesome shotugn passwer, but his line is miserable. MISERABLE. On the other side of the ball the same can be said. D line is miserable. And if you don't control the line of scrimmage you don't win in big games (see Wilkes round one vs. W and L, Bridgewater v. W and L the past two years).

RMC- They are the bottom rung and unless something drastic has happened over there its going to be another long year. Gamal Alwan's nice little spin move and motor is something for the fans to watch and appreciate, but that offense is unimpressive, their line play is meager, and their defense except for Alwan is the picture of uninspired.

Bottom line- RMC and Catholic lack the players to even play with the top two teams unless they play down to their level. HSC and Guilford can make some big plays and EHC is consistent, but it comes down to BC and W and L this year (unless they beat themselves prior to meeting). We will see if my team's experience (ten seniors who started at least one game as freshman) and discipline can finally overcome the athletic, talented, BC. It should make for some excellent football.

Hope this fires you guys up. I sure can't wait to strap it on one last year.

ps- I apologize for the arrogance that bleeds from some of my peers. They are well intentioned, but as hard as it is to believe most of the students at our school are outstanding examples of gentleman and ladies.

[allsky7]

Dear forum,

First and foremost you guys are great. I am going to be a senior football player at W and L and normally I dont think players should post in forums like this, but I am bored interning in an office and thought I would shed a little light from a player's perspective on the conference outlook. I feel like my team has been getting a little lack of recognition (claims that we will lose to EHC, GC, HSC) considering the fact we are the returning champs, return six all conference players on defense (including the Dudley Award runner up, and the Va. state Defensive lineman of the year), a pre-season all American wide out, a former all american return man and playmaker in Sitterson, and we won the conference with a freshman qb who didn't even know the playbook (and it showed in big games down the stretch). The only losses were Receiver Colton Ward, our best offensive lineman (who's protoge is sure to be a presence), and the starting kicker. So obviously we are on the edge of being a top twenty team in Division III. The defense returns every starter except one who wasnt even an all conference selection. The offense could be explosive with our talented qb surrounded with weapons and most importantly the offensive line looking as good as it ever has despite the loss of all region Whitfield. Special teams and new coaches are the biggest concern.

HOWEVER, with that said Bridgewater has been and still is as always the team to beat. They return Carter who is like a DIII Adrian Peterson, Highfill who I love to play against, the best o line in the conference, and a fast defense. Our championship is legitimate but in my eyes questionable because we walked through the entire conference (defensively dominating E and H and Guilford) except for Bridgewater. I can give excuses like some players were hurt the weather was horrible and favored their running attack. But the bottom line is BC was not themselves for whatever reason for two weeks and came out in top form against us and proved that they are still the powerhouse team they have always been. I can't wait for that game I have been thinking about it since I was a freshman because I knew unless some miracle happened they would be the one in between myself and a conference championship in my final year of football. I make this claim because.....

E and H- lost Todd Woods who is other than JD Ricca one of the toughest football players I have ever played against, and one of three quarterbacks to actually make me laugh in a game. Surely he is irreplaceable (sp?) along with his top threat Stewart. Furthermore, they lose the Conference Defenive Player of the Year, and their O-line and Gillespie were suspect (see last year's conference championship game). They should finish third or fourth depending on how they do against Team Vogelbach

Team Vogelbach- loses its top two threats in Rushing and Barnette and he was running all day behind Guilford's slow line. Their defense is talented and has potential but they are hurt by Guilford's high flying attack leaving them on the field too much, in poor field position, and constantly trying to make up for their quarterback's interceptions. However, Guilford is the only other team in the conference other than BC and W and L who might make a run soley because they have a gunslinger like Vogelbach, who is the only player in this conference who can single handedly win a game should he will it. (see his arm, time making ability with his legs, and his gaudy stats).

Hampden Sydney- Clearly rebuilding after the loss of Ricca still. Has A LOT of potential on defense especially with that corner, he can flat out play as can their D ends and OLB's. Their freshman qb's were unimpressive last year and they might need even another year to hit full stride. Drew Smith should help as he is the most consistent wide out creating his own space in the conference and his numbers prove it. Simpson is a tough runner especially for his size and I like the way he plays. Their main problem and why they won't be able to play down the stretch with the top two teams is their O Line. Once the most formidable in the conference is not what it once was. And despite Ricca's numbers what made them so succesful in the past (and what Vogelbach needs if he ever wants a ring) is the threat of a run game. The loss of their two best O lineman last year is going to hurt especially the sophomore campaigns of their young qb's. Wild card because their head coach is an offensive mad scientist and can gameplan with anyone if only his young offense can execute......

Catholic- Is an enigma sometimes they play good ball and sometimes they look like a JV team on film. Gross is a beast and has to be considered as one of the favorites to win Player of the Year. Olivera is an explosive talent and they would be best served to get him the ball as much as possible. I'm not sure if Wide out number 9 is back but he can stretch the field. K Ricca is an awesome shotugn passwer, but his line is miserable. MISERABLE. On the other side of the ball the same can be said. D line is miserable. And if you don't control the line of scrimmage you don't win in big games (see Wilkes round one vs. W and L, Bridgewater v. W and L the past two years).

RMC- They are the bottom rung and unless something drastic has happened over there its going to be another long year. Gamal Alwan's nice little spin move and motor is something for the fans to watch and appreciate, but that offense is unimpressive, their line play is meager, and their defense except for Alwan is the picture of uninspired.

Bottom line- RMC and Catholic lack the players to even play with the top two teams unless they play down to their level. HSC and Guilford can make some big plays and EHC is consistent, but it comes down to BC and W and L this year (unless they beat themselves prior to meeting). We will see if my team's experience (ten seniors who started at least one game as freshman) and discipline can finally overcome the athletic, talented, BC. It should make for some excellent football.

Hope this fires you guys up. I sure can't wait to strap it on one last year.

ps- I apologize for the arrogance that bleeds from some of my peers. They are well intentioned, but as hard as it is to believe most of the students at our school are outstanding examples of gentleman and ladies.

     Great post. For the record, other than an occasional fun jab at W&L, I usually defend them in regards to their perceived arrogance. My experience with W&L folk has been positive.
     On the field, I confess that perhaps I am one that has not given the Generals the respect they deserve. I congratulate them on their 2006 championship. Nothing personal, but I am still waiting to see if W&L is for real or 06 was a once in a blue moon uprising. Heck, if my Tigers can't knock off the mighty Eagles, I say have at it.  GO GET EM!! I think that most agree that this year may be the most balanced league in some years. 
     I will have to disgree with you on one point. I think to get top 20 consideration, you must first have some post season success. Fair on not, that is kinda just the way it is. I was  a bit surprised that BC didn't make it into the top 25. Guess it doesn't really matter. It all comes down to what transpires on the field anyway.
     Best of luck to the Generals in 07!!

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

generals08,

Your post is the very reason I wish players were able to contribute to these boards.  Your opinions and insight were well stated, and yet you didn't go overboard and trash talk (like BC players did five or so years ago).

I appreciate your candor, and hope the Generals the best of luck in 2007 - except against the Eagles .

[TheEHC52]

Generals08 gave us his perspective as a current ODAC player, but I see things a little different as one who just finished his last season.  Obviously there is no debate among BC, W&L and E&H for the top spot.  All three have significant strengths and weaknesses and all three have definite question marks.  Trust me though, E&H will surprise those that think they were a one year wonder.  We are back at the top for a reason.  As far as the other teams are concerned, I think the end of last year gave us some pretty clear answers about what to expect.  Guilford doesn't really have anybody coming back that has the game time experience to complement Vogelbach.  I don't care how good he is, he can't outplay the other ODAC teams.  Drew Smith is good for H-SC, but I think they're still in a rebuilding year.  Watch out for them in '09 though.  R-MC will be the doormat of the ODAC once again (sorry K-Mack).  Playing against them first hand they really lack talent and discipline.  That leaves us with Catholic.  Watch out folks, the youngins up there showed they could play last year.  Quite frankly, they scare me as far as how much potential they have.  They're athletic, disciplined, and they have good football smarts.  Catholic will shock a lot of people this year.

On another note, I'm anxious to see how E&H performs traveling down to NC Wesleyan.  Jack Ginn and Co. made it an interesting ball game last year and this year looks to be no different.  I think the ante is especially upped considering the favorable preseason ranking, but we all know preseason rankings are preseason for a reason- too many in-season variables.

How long until September 1?

[Trenches]

Guilford doesn't really have anybody coming back that has the game time experience to complement Vogelbach.  I don't care how good he is, he can't outplay the other ODAC teams. 

I haven't posted on here in forever and have only gotten the chance to check in every now and then but I see it's starting to heat up.

  To address the statement above... don't be so sure of that. I fully agree that the losses of barnette and rushing were huge but don't overlook who is still there. You have Joyner (57 ca, 642 yds, 11.3 ypc, and 7 tds), Vaughn (40, 654, 16.4, 4), and Hughes (28, 467, 16.7, 3) returning... and don't forget those numbers were behind chris and micah. I'm not gonna sit here and say the offense is primed to be as good or better then the past few years, but I will say, if you underestimate them, you will get burned.
  And the D will be solid.. the DL returns solid play makers (the six bros, brunson and ledford), Paylor will have to lead and other wise young LB core, and Cook and Langston will lead a set of DBs that I could see as ball hawks. If the DL can get the pressure that I know that can get, look out. You'll see a good number of sacks and ints this year... creating just what the quaker O needs... good field position. Get that and could be a damn good year for the Quake.

With that I'll throw my view on the preseason poll:
BC (4)
W&L (3)
E&H
GC
HSC
CU
RMC

  BC and W&L could easily swith spots. Just depends on how the coaches see the losses/additions of players to each squad. I could easily see W&L taking the preseason nod. I give E&H the #3 slot due to their win against GC last year. I think year of experience helps the young team and the coaches take notice. GC starts out at 4... key losses on the field llast season and to the squad in the off season places them here. HSC i think is still trying to regain the swagger they had with Ricca. They may get a few "surprise" wins this year in the ODAC but no one will be really surprised because we all know HSC can win those games. CU and RMC bring up the rear. In a conference that has come to have some nice parity, I think they are just over powered and out gunned.

Good luck to all the fellas.