FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[frank_ezelle]

Just a note of congratulations for Chris Jackson of Millsaps for making the 1st team All-American as the return specialist and to Dustin Allen of Trinity for being named to the 3rd team defense and to Dustin Hertel of DePauw for earning an Honorable Mention as a defender.  With only 100 players named to the All-American teams, it is quite an honor for all three of these players.

For an additional story on Chris Jackson, click here:
http://www.millsaps.edu/athletic/football/121806story.shtml

For more stories on these three football players and the 4 other Millsaps players who made an All-South team, go to the SCAC website:
http://www.scac-online.org/

[Ralph Turner]

I had a chance to meet the father of a Millsaps player today.  He says Millsaps is very optimistic and that there is a new spirit on the team.
It should make for some very good off-season work, and I might expect some transfers to Millsaps from the D1's and D-1AA's in the South.

[frank_ezelle]

Ralph, I think you are right about the transfers and don't underestimate the effect that Chris Jackson's success might have in that recruiting.  Chris came to Millsaps for his senior year and got some national recognition that is at least giving him the opportunity to be seen by some pro scouts.  They have had a combine type deal going on at Millsaps this week and Chris is participating in that (http://www.millsaps.edu/athletic/football/121906story.shtml)

Aside from the transfers, I'm sure it makes Millsaps a more viable option for the high school seniors who do have a legitimate shot at playing D2 or maybe walking on at a D1 program.  As the saying goes, success breeds success.

In a related subject, I was talking yesterday to someone who works at Millsaps and is in a position to have some valid insight on Coach DuBose and the probability of DuBose staying at Millsaps.  They felt like Coach DuBose is happy at Millsaps and he wants to stay as long as the situation there is one that will allow him to build a winning football program.  It will be interesting to see just what kind of program he can build if he stays at Millsaps for another 10 years or so.

[Ralph Turner]

Frank, the father of the Millsaps player whom I met recalled the article in which Coach Dubose responded to the question about the difference between coaching at Alabama and at Millsaps.

He said the players he coached at Alabama wanted to "play on an NFL team".

The players he is coaching at Millsaps want to "own an NFL Team".

Coach Turk at Huntingdon and Coach Mooney at LaGrange are on one side of the careers.  Coach Dubose is on the other.  Respectfully, I can see Coach Dubose having a bigger impact on D3 as he sells the quality of the participation of D3football across the Football-lovin' South.  You can "Roll Tide" and "Geaux Tigers" and "War Eagle" and "How 'bout them Dawgs" at the same time you are enjoying the very likeable, very sincere athletes that you meet on a D3 football field.

[etg]

(El Tea Gray---re: Frank Ezelle's Predictions/Hopes for 2007)


Frank,

Millsaps concluded the 2006 football season "Tied for 32nd" in the D3 Poll (4 votes), "Tied for 60th" in QOW (8.700) and with a 7-4 won-lost record. Not to say it is impossible that in 2007 they will go 10-0 and enter the playoffs ranked 15th in the at that time Poll, but you must agree that it is pretty d--n improbable?

It seems to me (it would) that Trinity with their "Tied for 38th" in the final 2006 D3 Poll (1 vote), "Tied for 34th" in QOW (9.800) and with their 8-2 won-lost record has a much higher probability of entering the 2007 playoffs with either a 10-0 or 9-1 record (I have not seen the 2007 schedule; could Pat share it with us) and possibly with even a higher than 15th Poll ranking (something like 8th to 10th)?

Obviously I predict that in 2007 Trinity will start another win streak of SCAC
football titles; the last time the Tigers lost the championship (1996) they then reeled-off nine championship wins/ties in a row. I believe this year's loss to Millsaps has merely stimulated/irritated the Giant. Sorry, but who really knows?

                                                         

[Pat Coleman]

I haven't seen the entire 2007 schedule either, but I was told by someone who should know that Trinity returns to Millsaps.

[Bill McCabe]

That can't be a good thing for Trinity.  I'm sure they would have much preferred to have Millsaps in SA.  I wonder if it will be the last game of the season.

[frank_ezelle]

In response to El Tea Gray, I certainly expect Trinity to be very, very good next year and I think the loss of the SCAC crown in 2006 will make them a stronger team in 2007.

I thought I was making it clear that the uncertainty of D3 sports makes any predictions at this time of the year mostly about the hopes of the fans.  To be honest, I hope that everyone else thinks that Millsaps just got lucky this year and I hope they underestimate the team next season.  That would just make winning a little bit easier. 

All of those numbers about where Millsaps ranked at the end of the season are interesting but I think the most important ranking is missing.  Millsaps would be near the top in greatest improvement over the course of the season.  The big question now is did Millsaps peak last year and that will be the best that a Coach DuBose team will do at Millsaps or is it possible that with a year to recruit and a year to teach his system, Millsaps will be a better team in 2007?  I guess we'll find out next fall.

[Werner99]

Speaking of 2007 Schedules, DPU has their 2007 schedule on the web site as follows:

Sep. 08 2007 TBA. Football vs. Anderson at Anderson Highland H.S. 
Sep. 15 2007 TBA. Football vs. Centre at Blackstock Stadium (Community Day) 
Sep. 22 2007 TBA. Football at Sewanee 
Sep. 29 2007 TBA. Football vs. Millsaps at Blackstock Stadium (Family Weekend) 
Oct. 06 2007 TBA. Football at Birmingham-Southern
Oct. 13 2007 TBA. Football vs. Trinity at Blackstock Stadium
Oct. 20 2007 TBA. Football at Colorado College
Oct. 27 2007 TBA. Football vs. Austin at Blackstock Stadium (Old Gold Day) 
Nov. 03 2007 TBA. Football at Rhodes
Nov. 10 2007 TBA. Football vs. Wabash at Blackstock Stadium (Monon Bell game)

For the first time in a long time, there is no Hope College as the expanded SCAC leaves them with 2 non-conference games: Anderson to open the season and Wabash to end the season.

[frank_ezelle]

The DePauw schedule post made me check the Millsaps website and they have their 2007 schedule posted:

http://www.millsaps.edu/athletic/football/schedule.shtml

Trinity is at Millsaps for the 8th game of the season and then Millsaps finishes with a trip to Colorado and by hosting Birmingham Southern.

[frank_ezelle]

Just a quick note primarily for Millsaps fans (but not limited to Millsaps fans).  I've started a Millsaps Sports email that should be going out about once a week.  Mostly I'm just gathering up information about coming events, recent results, and interesting articles and I'm putting them all in one spot.

If you would like to get on the emailing list then just drop me (Frank Ezelle) a note at millsapssports@yahoo.com .  It's just something I'm trying to do to promote Millsaps sports by getting information out to Millsaps fans instead of counting on them to search the Millsaps website or other places on the internet.

Hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year and that 2007 is a great year for the SCAC--it certainly should be an interesting year with all of the new teams.

Frank.

[Ralph Turner]

The DePauw schedule post made me check the Millsaps website and they have their 2007 schedule posted:

http://www.millsaps.edu/athletic/football/schedule.shtml

Trinity is at Millsaps for the 8th game of the season and then Millsaps finishes with a trip to Colorado and by hosting Birmingham Southern.

...with a nice open date before the Trinity game.

The biggest games that I see on the schedule are the MissColl and LaCollege games.  Two South Region wins over those 2 teams probably neutralizes any impact vis-a-vis an ASC team if Millsaps end up going 9-1/7-1, and contending fro a Pool C.

[Bill McCabe]

Ralph, based on this season, how do you think MC would match up against Millsaps?

[Ralph Turner]

Bill, MissCol lost their QB in the Millsaps game last year.  He comes back a year older and with another year in the weight room.  I don't know.

I am excited for D3 football in Mississippi.  Having 2 thriving programs will generate more enthusiasm across the state.  For that matter, I wish Belhaven would join D3.

[Bill McCabe]

Ralph, it seems to me that MC vs Millsaps will be a big game for both programs as far as a measurement in how far they have come.  I'm looking forward to it.