FB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

I check the live stats and get a baseball game

Defiance website isn't working for live stats. Use Franklin's website.

Score, please Sir?

Franklin up 24-14 at halftime
Here's the working Live Stats page... http://www.franklingrizzlies.com/fc/TAS/fb/xlive.htm

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Does anyone have knowledge of the Bluffton-MSJ game? Live stats link on d3football goes to a Manchester-MSJ game from last year (at least it's a football game and not baseball ) I looked up on Bluffton's site and it's still last week's game against Franklin. Franklin radio broadcast doesn't know anything about that game either.

Good game going on between Rose and Hanover it looks like

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

I have to say, I was a bit worried in the first half against Defiance, but Franklin managed to pulled away in the 2nd half. Franklin has struggled a bit running the ball, especially in the first half the past few weeks.


It seems like the last few weeks of the season won't have too much intrigue. Of the 10 games between what I felt were the 5 legitimate contenders (Franklin, MSJ, Rose, Hanover, Defiance) we've already played 3 of them, have 1 next week, 2 the following, and 1 the following... in the final four weeks of the season the only potential big games are Defiance-Rose, Hanover-MSJ, and Franklin-Hanover.
If (and it's certainly not a sure thing by any means) Franklin wins the next two weeks vs MSJ and at Rose, then barring some fluke loss, Hanover would have to run the table (which they should do for their next four games at least) to prevent Franklin from being champs a month before the season is over.

I know it's probably hard to make schedules, but it'd be nice to have more games between -what are likely to be- contending teams later in the season.

[FCC Approved Bland Name]

Saw your post earlier SaintsFan about TMC/Hanover and had to look my password back up! 

Hopefully TMC/Hanover will continue at some point.  Probably was a good idea to suspend things in 1993 because things were extremely heated at that point.  I personally loved playing Hanover and looked forward to it because they were good but that particular Hanover team couldn't take it.  I can appreciate hating to lose and it's OK to mouth off all game if you are competing hard, but if you spit on a player there's going be a fight.

Defiance was an even better rivalry in the early 90's and it's too bad the HCAC didn't bring in TMC when the AMC disbanded (I think it was Bluffton-Wilmington-Defiance-TMC at that point).   You'd have the Bridge Bowl, plus the other great match-ups every year.   It's beating a dead horse by now but someday maybe everyone will agree.  Sure would be nice to have Franlkin play TMC this year.  Whitewater is great for Franklin but may be unnecessary if TMC is on the schedule every year.  Never understood why Wilmington wasn't in the mix as well.  They make more sense than Rose-Hulman don't they?  What about Tranzy?

If TMC ever falls off the map in sports maybe they can replace Earlham and as a doormat.  Probably the only way it could happen.  Since TMC won 9 conference titles last year in the PAC it's extremely unlikely that anything would happen now.

That's my once in a blue moon post.

Hope all is well.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

I have to say, I was a bit worried in the first half against Defiance, but Franklin managed to pulled away in the 2nd half. Franklin has struggled a bit running the ball, especially in the first half the past few weeks.


It seems like the last few weeks of the season won't have too much intrigue. Of the 10 games between what I felt were the 5 legitimate contenders (Franklin, MSJ, Rose, Hanover, Defiance) we've already played 3 of them, have 1 next week, 2 the following, and 1 the following... in the final four weeks of the season the only potential big games are Defiance-Rose, Hanover-MSJ, and Franklin-Hanover.
If (and it's certainly not a sure thing by any means) Franklin wins the next two weeks vs MSJ and at Rose, then barring some fluke loss, Hanover would have to run the table (which they should do for their next four games at least) to prevent Franklin from being champs a month before the season is over.

I know it's probably hard to make schedules, but it'd be nice to have more games between -what are likely to be- contending teams later in the season.

I still contend that FC is still a work in progress when it comes to putting a complete 60 minutes together but will get it dialed in as the season progresses.  Hopefully first half improvement will happen this week.  While MSJ is certainly not the same caliber they have been in past seasons, they are still a good team that is well coached and will be fully motivated.  No need to allow them to be in the game in the second half as a result of FC lack of execution. FC is still a work in progress IMO. Particularly on the offensive side.  Having a new QB coupled with less experience than past years at receiver takes time.

[SaintsFAN]

Saw your post earlier SaintsFan about TMC/Hanover and had to look my password back up! 

Hopefully TMC/Hanover will continue at some point.  Probably was a good idea to suspend things in 1993 because things were extremely heated at that point.  I personally loved playing Hanover and looked forward to it because they were good but that particular Hanover team couldn't take it.  I can appreciate hating to lose and it's OK to mouth off all game if you are competing hard, but if you spit on a player there's going be a fight.

Defiance was an even better rivalry in the early 90's and it's too bad the HCAC didn't bring in TMC when the AMC disbanded (I think it was Bluffton-Wilmington-Defiance-TMC at that point).   You'd have the Bridge Bowl, plus the other great match-ups every year.   It's beating a dead horse by now but someday maybe everyone will agree.  Sure would be nice to have Franlkin play TMC this year.  Whitewater is great for Franklin but may be unnecessary if TMC is on the schedule every year.  Never understood why Wilmington wasn't in the mix as well.  They make more sense than Rose-Hulman don't they?  What about Tranzy?

If TMC ever falls off the map in sports maybe they can replace Earlham and as a doormat.  Probably the only way it could happen.  Since TMC won 9 conference titles last year in the PAC it's extremely unlikely that anything would happen now.

That's my once in a blue moon post.

Hope all is well.

Well said, Rebel... I thought that post may bring you out of the shadows a bit.. even if for just a minute.  Let me know if you're going to Homecoming.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Been a quiet week here on the board hasn't it. Is everyone just enjoying the first full week of autumn or something?

Mount St Joseph @ Franklin: Battle of 2-0 conference teams... winner has to be considered the favorites to win the conference. If Franklin can play to their potential for 60 minutes they should cruise... but they haven't done that yet this year. Should be a great game, could be a lot of points.

Rose-Hulman @ Manchester: Battle of 1-0 conference teams... I just don't see Manchester being a factor in the standings. Rose is a darkhorse for the crown. Don't overlook them.

Anderson @ Hanover: Hanover still has a shot at the conference title even with their one loss. They should be able to win their next 4 games, but they can't take it easy. This would be a big step toward moving into the top half of the conference for Anderson if they can pull the upset.

Earlham @ Bluffton: Battle of 0-4 teams... Someone has to win here... and I think that someone should be Bluffton. That would drop Earlham to 0-15 overall and 0-11 in conference since they joined the HCAC last year.

Defiance gets a rest after their horrible start. Doesn't get any easier heading to MSJ next week.

[Thunder44]

Been a quiet week here on the board hasn't it. Is everyone just enjoying the first full week of autumn or something?

Mount St Joseph @ Franklin: Battle of 2-0 conference teams... winner has to be considered the favorites to win the conference. If Franklin can play to their potential for 60 minutes they should cruise... but they haven't done that yet this year. Should be a great game, could be a lot of points.

Rose-Hulman @ Manchester: Battle of 1-0 conference teams... I just don't see Manchester being a factor in the standings. Rose is a darkhorse for the crown. Don't overlook them.

Anderson @ Hanover: Hanover still has a shot at the conference title even with their one loss. They should be able to win their next 4 games, but they can't take it easy. This would be a big step toward moving into the top half of the conference for Anderson if they can pull the upset.

Earlham @ Bluffton: Battle of 0-4 teams... Someone has to win here... and I think that someone should be Bluffton. That would drop Earlham to 0-15 overall and 0-11 in conference since they joined the HCAC last year.

Defiance gets a rest after their horrible start. Doesn't get any easier heading to MSJ next week.

Still trying to get the memory of the horrible Hanover @ Rose Hulman 1st quarter out of my mind.  Can't type while shaking my head over and over. 

But, this is a new week.  Hoping for a strong performance out of the Panthers at home.  We'll see.

[formerd3db]

SaintsFAN:

I PM'd you earlier this week.  Check your PM.  Hope you are doing well and enjoy the weekend.

Best of luck to everyone's HCAC teams this weekend.  Nice synopsis FCGG!  Safe travels everyone.

[cave2bens]

Best of luck to everyone's HCAC teams this weekend.  Nice synopsis FCGG!  Safe travels everyone.

Agree - great "synopsis!"  Perhaps a week of rest will result in Yellow Jacket "synapses" rejuvenation, coupled with some ephaptics from sideline to huddle.  Dendrons, guys, not "denned drones." 

Y'all stay dry, warm, or at least reactive to what ever Ma Nature dishes out this weekend, and safe travels. 

[GRIZ_BACKER]

Been a quiet week here on the board hasn't it. Is everyone just enjoying the first full week of autumn or something?

Mount St Joseph @ Franklin: Battle of 2-0 conference teams... winner has to be considered the favorites to win the conference. If Franklin can play to their potential for 60 minutes they should cruise... but they haven't done that yet this year. Should be a great game, could be a lot of points.

Rose-Hulman @ Manchester: Battle of 1-0 conference teams... I just don't see Manchester being a factor in the standings. Rose is a darkhorse for the crown. Don't overlook them.

Anderson @ Hanover: Hanover still has a shot at the conference title even with their one loss. They should be able to win their next 4 games, but they can't take it easy. This would be a big step toward moving into the top half of the conference for Anderson if they can pull the upset.

Earlham @ Bluffton: Battle of 0-4 teams... Someone has to win here... and I think that someone should be Bluffton. That would drop Earlham to 0-15 overall and 0-11 in conference since they joined the HCAC last year.

Defiance gets a rest after their horrible start. Doesn't get any easier heading to MSJ next week.

I agree FCGG.  The GRIZ need to start off strong and get the TD train rolling in the first half.  I look for a comptetive game with the GRIZ pulling away late for something like a 42-21 win.  We will see.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

That was a pretty uninspiring game for Franklin, but it's another W. Too many turnovers and struggling to run. Had MSJ not had their own problems with turnovers and penalties they could have won. It's been enough for the Grizzlies to get by in the conference, but it's not going to cut it on a national stage (as witnessed in the UWW game)

Looked like Manchester really gave it a go today but just came up short.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

That was a pretty uninspiring game for Franklin, but it's another W. Too many turnovers and struggling to run. Had MSJ not had their own problems with turnovers and penalties they could have won. It's been enough for the Grizzlies to get by in the conference, but it's not going to cut it on a national stage (as witnessed in the UWW game)

Looked like Manchester really gave it a go today but just came up short.

a win is a win.... nothing pretty about it  Rose next week   

[Thunder44]

That was a pretty uninspiring game for Franklin, but it's another W. Too many turnovers and struggling to run. Had MSJ not had their own problems with turnovers and penalties they could have won. It's been enough for the Grizzlies to get by in the conference, but it's not going to cut it on a national stage (as witnessed in the UWW game)

Looked like Manchester really gave it a go today but just came up short.

That is reminiscient of Hanover's showing at Rose Hulman last week.  Frustrating to watch, but as another poster pointed out, a win is a win.

Just checked out the box score.  What was the cause of the struggle running the ball?  It looks as though Franklin had the passing game going strong, with a lot of different guys getting catches.  Didn't that open up some options for the run game, or was MSJ just that dialed-in on what the Grizzlies were running?

[Thunder44]

Hanover finally put together a complete game against Anderson.  Still turning over the ball too much, but all in all a good effort. 

Good passing game with no interceptions, and the best running game of the season.  Defense played solid, and for most of the day, held Spann (#17) in check. He is an exciting runner to watch, and if he gets past the first level, he can fly.  Special recognition for Hanover DL Neal Ploeger (#93) with his first interception.  Anderson QB was looking to throw it away, but made the mistake of throwing right at the line, and Ploeger caught it like he had been doing it all his life. 

Eubanks stepped up huge for Hanover catching a few tough passes, and Robinette was his usual reliable self, with one exceptional play where he caught the ball in some traffic, and then outran the DBs for the TD.

One last game note was the fourth quarter introduction of the 2 back set, which seemed to improve the running game.  Seemed to open up the options, and resulted in a few nice runs.

On a personal note, it was good to meet panthersfan and family before the game.  Looking forward to our next tailgate extravaganza later in October.