FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[casper]

Kid, I doubt very seriously that forfeiting a whole season ON PAPER will
have such a massive hangover like you think it will at EHC.

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Kid, I doubt very seriously that forfeiting a whole season ON PAPER will
have such a massive hangover like you think it will at EHC.

You're right. Going 1-5 in the ODAC when greater things were expected will have more of an affect.

But I also think the same could happen to BC, having gone 3-3 (when more was expected). So I'm not Wasp-hating. Those types of things have an affect on teenagers.

[casper]

That....I will agree with!

Hopefully, that will be high octane fuel for improvement.  Typically, we
always fair better in the ODAC and not so much outside of conference.

[hurley]

Emory and Henry's forfeiture is hardly "On Paper" There is no acknowledgement of their Losses on the ODAC web site, nor is their anything on Emory's athletics page. It appears the ODAC and Emory are trying to pretend it didn't happen.

[Ryan Tipps]

It's worth noting that four of the Wasps' five losses last season were by 4 points or less. And the fifth was by only 10 points. Those are pretty slim margins that seem to say those games could have gone either way -- and I know for a fact that the BC and W&L game fit that mold.

And the team is returning all (or almost all) of the playmakers from a defense that was among the ODAC's elite. They're definitely a team I count as being in the mix for '08.

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

It's worth noting that four of the Wasps' five losses last season were by 4 points or less. And the fifth was by only 10 points. Those are pretty slim margins that seem to say those games could have gone either way -- and I know for a fact that the BC and W&L game fit that mold.

And the team is returning all (or almost all) of the playmakers from a defense that was among the ODAC's elite. They're definitely a team I count as being in the mix for '08.

Well, speaking for Bridgewater, I can tell you we only lost our three games by an average of seven points, and that didn't help the fact we still lost three games. Sometimes closer losses hurt more than ones out of reach.

E&H, and even BC, can say all day that "we lost by only X amount." The fact is, we both lost a combined eight of 12 games, when we both were expecting a lot better.


But I see what you're saying (or trying to say). E&H could use their slim losses to motivate them by saying "well, we were almost 6-0." I guess we won't see until September.

[Ryan Tipps]

Matt, I understand what you're saying, too. But it's especially critical for a team like E&H, who had to forfeit all of its games, to take away something positive from last year -- noteably that they were right there with many of these teams, even the ones they lost to.

I think there's always more to it than simply a loss on the stat sheet. Every coach and player and fan is expecting a lot out of their teams, and I think looking beyond the W/L column will help them see how their expectations really played out.

What I didn't come out and say in my last post was that this situation was exactly my thinking about N.C. Wesleyan going into last season. I was so high on this team going into 2007 because in '06, though they lost four games, the total of those losses was by just 10 points. It's aching to have those losses be so slim, but it also told me that this team was poised to bring all of the elements together and have a breakout year.

That's kind of how I'm seeing E&H -- loosely. I worry about their O, but their defense might be able to keep the season very interesting and turn some of those close '07 games into wins. As a wise man once said, "I guess we won't see until September."

[casper]

Hurley, you sound like your feelings are hurt?  Lighten up.

It will be ok.

[wasper46]

being overlooked should play into e&h's favor.  with an experienced qb, a great kicker, and the best d in the odac, i expect the wasps to be the surprise team in the conference this year. 

[Jacketlawyer]

being overlooked should play into e&h's favor.  with an experienced qb, a great kicker, and the best d in the odac, i expect the wasps to be the surprise team in the conference this year. 

I'd also expect them to be very motivated. 8)

[allsky7]

being overlooked should play into e&h's favor.  with an experienced qb, a great kicker, and the best d in the odac, i expect the wasps to be the surprise team in the conference this year. 

I'd also expect them to be very motivated. 8)

     And they DID beat the ODAC Champs!! I'd say that is something to build on. What was the name of that team again? 
     Looking forward to the 28th. The plan is starting to come together. I'll send you the details.

[Prodigalson]

E&H has serious issues.  They have a QB that didn't practice all spring b/c of academic troubles and he's also trying to learn a new offense. They do have Hawk back, but Trey Mitchell quite so they don't have him at kicker or DB.  Daniel Barnes transferred to Clemson to try to walk-on.  Gillespie and Assnat graduated and Ringstaff is coming off of ACL surgery, so they don't have a backfield.  Baldwin graduated, Clawson graduated, Worley graduated, McVey is gone and Whitaker too.  Sullivan, Daniels and Furr are the only returners on D.  ANd to top it off, they have 2 first time coordinators.

This year was already going to be a rebuilding year.  The cupboard is dry and I'm sure that moral victory against Sydney makes for a good recruiting  year.  They'll be lucky to win a game.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

E&H has serious issues.  They have a QB that didn't practice all spring b/c of academic troubles and he's also trying to learn a new offense. They do have Hawk back, but Trey Mitchell quite so they don't have him at kicker or DB.  Daniel Barnes transferred to Clemson to try to walk-on.  Gillespie and Assnat graduated and Ringstaff is coming off of ACL surgery, so they don't have a backfield.  Baldwin graduated, Clawson graduated, Worley graduated, McVey is gone and Whitaker too.  Sullivan, Daniels and Furr are the only returners on D.  ANd to top it off, they have 2 first time coordinators.

This year was already going to be a rebuilding year.  The cupboard is dry and I'm sure that moral victory against Sydney makes for a good recruiting  year.  They'll be lucky to win a game.

Who are the coordinators?  I can't find it anywhere on their website...

[wasper46]

E&H has serious issues.  They have a QB that didn't practice all spring b/c of academic troubles and he's also trying to learn a new offense. They do have Hawk back, but Trey Mitchell quite so they don't have him at kicker or DB.  Daniel Barnes transferred to Clemson to try to walk-on.  Gillespie and Assnat graduated and Ringstaff is coming off of ACL surgery, so they don't have a backfield.  Baldwin graduated, Clawson graduated, Worley graduated, McVey is gone and Whitaker too.  Sullivan, Daniels and Furr are the only returners on D.  ANd to top it off, they have 2 first time coordinators.

This year was already going to be a rebuilding year.  The cupboard is dry and I'm sure that moral victory against Sydney makes for a good recruiting  year.  They'll be lucky to win a game.

you do make some good points.  my main concern going into the season is the lack of experience in the backfield.  hopefully, the 4 non-conference games to start the season will give them time to improve there before the sydney game on oct 11.   i'm not too concerned about booher though, other than his academic problems.  with his game experience and camp yet to come, he'll be ready.
it feels erily similar to the lou wacker era.  a great defense keeping them in it early giving  a young offense time to develop.  as history has shown........thats not a bad place to be. 

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

E&H has serious issues.  They have a QB that didn't practice all spring b/c of academic troubles and he's also trying to learn a new offense. They do have Hawk back, but Trey Mitchell quite so they don't have him at kicker or DB.  Daniel Barnes transferred to Clemson to try to walk-on.  Gillespie and Assnat graduated and Ringstaff is coming off of ACL surgery, so they don't have a backfield.  Baldwin graduated, Clawson graduated, Worley graduated, McVey is gone and Whitaker too.  Sullivan, Daniels and Furr are the only returners on D.  ANd to top it off, they have 2 first time coordinators.

This year was already going to be a rebuilding year.  The cupboard is dry and I'm sure that moral victory against Sydney makes for a good recruiting  year.  They'll be lucky to win a game.

What are the chances "Prodigalson" is a current player or assistant coach for the Wasps simply trying to downplay their team, knowing a lot of other team's coaches and players check this thread?

Brilliant strategy.