FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[HunterT]

I think some guys have hit on a few points about the Hendricks/Younger debate.

You also have to remember that you cannot compare stats for a DT and LB.  A linebacker has many, many more chances to make tackles.  There's no comparing Hendricks' and Younger's stats but in terms of who played their position the best, I think you could say they were fairly equal. 

If anyone has a gripe about that award, it is Hay from Centre.  If you didn't get to see him play this year, you missed out.

well I knew that the retaliations would come from Mississippi, and everything that was said, i agree with. You can't compare stats on an even keel between a DT and LB. Younger probably didn't play all of every game due to being subbed out either for depth reasons, or preserving the starters in a big lead (not a reference to the beginning of the season). I agree that Younger had a great season with a great team D and it's a shame how the playoffs turned out.

My issue is that when you talk about the difference makers and leaders and big play makers etc., I can't come up with another name on defense that comes close to Hendricks. Even if you say that a LB has more chances for tackes, either solo or assisted, you can then look at TFL and sacks, where a DL have the most opportunity because they don't have to drop into coverage nearly as much as a LB. And Hendricks still shows up more in the stats in those categories while having "less" chances. As an outside LB, those TFL are coming from reading the play, getting into the backfield and stopping the run in the open field. It's done by out hustling the RB to the sideline and not giving up yardage, by getting off the block by a tackle or TE when you're not trying to get off blocks every play. I think it's harder for a LB to get the TFL and sacks that Hendricks did. Having watching him play, his effort was never questioned, often chasing down RB or WR from behind and never giving up on a play. His strength to get in with the big guys and fight through just like they do, and still come out on top more often.

I know the question is whether Younger would have done the same if he had more chances, and we don't know. I don't know, nobody knows. But in the chances that were given, which seems to be the theme of the season, who was better on the field? Who never quit on a play? Who made big plays? In my opinion, whether slightly biased or not, Hendricks did that more so than any other player this year.

Give credit where it's due, and award both players (and Hay as well, I don't want to leave him out) with 1st Team, but as far as POTY awards, I think it's a cop out to award a tie. Two players both deserve first team, great. Give it to them. But as for the "Player of the Year" it should be one, and I think it should have been Hendricks.

p.s. I really hate being the only Rhodes supporter here... I gotta work on that. 

[Ron Boerger]

A thought or two on the coach of the year debate after being away from the house and basically sans computer during that time.

When you're the coach of the preseason favorite, about the only way to win the COTY is to win in dominating fashion.  Failure to do that opens up the ballot to anyone else.  As we all know, Millsaps dominated SCAC competition, with the exception of Trinity.  Then there's the matter of Millsaps having the consensus offensive POTY (Joseph), the co-DPOY (Younger) and the special teams POTY (Millazo).   Trinity managed to defeat Millsaps even so, and given the Majors' arguably superior talent the difference had to come from coaching.   

You can go back to what Dennis Parker, Texas Lutheran's head coach, had to say after Trinity beat them earlier in the season.  Paraphrasing, it was along the lines of "Trinity doesn't have the greatest athletes, but Mohr gets the most out of them."  Given the losses on the defensive side of the ball and at QB/RB, Mohr will have to do an even better job next season given what Millsaps brings back.

And, on another note:  good luck to the Trinity men, who play Middlebury later today in the Division III soccer finals.  They defeated the three-time defending champions, Messiah, 1-0 in yesterday's semis.  Messiah is kind of the Mt Union of D3 soccer ;-) with five of the last seven championships. 

[frank_ezelle]

Ron, you'll get no argument from me that Mohr should be coach of the year and the only reason I brought up the subject is because of a point you made in your post.  Namely, "When you're the coach of the preseason favorite, about the only way to win the COTY is to win in dominating fashion.", and I think that would have been the case if Millsaps had won over Trinity to go to 8-0 while 2nd place in the SCAC fell to 6-2. 

I saw the Trinity soccer team play this season and they were tremendous--I'm sorry to see that they lost in penalty kicks after a scoreless game.  I played/coached soccer for over 20 years and the sport has a lot of positives, but deciding a national championship on PKs is like deciding a basketball championship with a free throw contest.  I know it would completely wipe out all existing offensive records, but I think soccer needs to expand the goal size from 8' x 24' to something like 9' x 27'.  When you get big adult athletes playing on the same size goals as 12 year olds, it's no wonder no one can score against a defensive minded team (which describes every soccer team).

Last tidbit as I move from football to basketball:  On Friday ABC did one of those "wacky moments from 2007" during one of their halftime shows.  Naturally the "Miracle in Mississippi" was prominently featured.  I think they used the phrase "the Millsaps and Trinity game" three times but they never mentioned who won the game.  I've said all along that in a short time the negative impact of the play (not getting into the playoffs) would soon be overshadowed in the big picture by the boost in name recognition for Millsaps.  Without a doubt, Millsaps and Trinity will be the most talked about D3 football teams this season regardless of who wins the D3 National title and I think that will pay off in more doors being opened to recruits. 

[Ron Boerger]

The 2007 Aztec Bowl Roster has been released.

Congratulations to Centre DB Tyler Moody, Colorado College TE Nolan Swett and Trinity DL Baron Koch for their selection.  DePauw DB Jevon Pruitt is an alternate and will play if both Bethel and Central (IA) win this weekend. 

Remember that all players selected to play in the Stagg Aztec Bowl are seniors.

oops - thanks to TigerDad for the correction.

[Ron Boerger]

The voting has opened for the ESPN "Pontiac Game Changing Play of the Year" and the Trinity "Miracle in Mississippi" is the only non-D1 play in the hunt.  Go to http://www.pontiac.com/ncaa to vote ... each week until the winner is selected January 7.  They kick off three teams each week until four finalists are announced on Dec 20. 

One voter will also receive a $15K scholarship to be used by themselves or a family member.  Vote often and vote D3!

[umhbalum]

I just added my vote for the Trinity game.

[Ron Boerger]

I just added my vote for the Trinity game.

+1 umhbalum.   

Maybe I should offer +1k to anyone who votes 

[Toby Taff]

I voted for Trinity Ron.  Having a D3 win would be perfect.

[k-hud]

ditto

[roocru]

Ron,

I was up last night when you posted the link.  I did it right away so I would not forget.

[Toby Taff]

To note here as well...

FINAL from Texas Stadium

Abilene High          22
Southlake Carroll   21

[Ron Boerger]

I am at a rehearsal... +1 to all late tonight thanks!

[Ralph Turner]

I have voted!

Vote early, vote often!

[Ron Boerger]

+1s to all.  Thanks!

[historymajor]

I voted with multiple email addresses!