FB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[GRIZ_BACKER]

So, with over 300 yards rushing, and 5 different players scoring rushing touchdowns, is it safe to say that Franklin got their running game going today?  Or is Anderson just that bad at stopping the run?

FC seemed to shake off some of the mid season offensive issues with a solid outing. Another big game next week and FC should be back and ready to defend their conference title.  Defensive injuries continue to be a late season concern.

[Thunder44]

FC seemed to shake off some of the mid season offensive issues with a solid outing. Another big game next week and FC should be back and ready to defend their conference title.  Defensive injuries continue to be a late season concern.
[/quote]

The game with Earlham should allow Franklin to rest anyone who might be banged up, and still work on some things on O.  I don't see the Quakers putting up too much of a fight (pun intended), but it will be good to test some things in game conditions.

[SaintsFAN]

Bridge Bowl --- 11 days away.

[panthersfan]

Bridge Bowl --- 11 days away.

What should be the first competitive Victory Bell game in years as well. 

Noticed the fans getting fired up in the Monon Bell thread.  Anything can happen but I don't see that one being close.

[Thunder44]

Excellent article in Around the Region today about the Hanover Panthers.

All signs are pointing to a great Victory Bell game at Hanover on the 12th, provided the Panthers take care of business this week at MSJ.

It will be interesting to see how the defense deals with a predominantly run-oriented offense in the Lions.  Anderson has a good running back, but the D kept him in check for most of the day, and we haven't faced a strong running threat since then.

On the Offensive side of the ball, Matt Robinette and Dwayne Eubanks have been stepping up big in the passing game, and I look for more of the same this week.  It would be nice to have a big running attack this week as well, just to give the Griz something else to prepare for.

GO PANTHERS!

[SaintsFAN]

Excellent article in Around the Region today about the Hanover Panthers.

All signs are pointing to a great Victory Bell game at Hanover on the 12th, provided the Panthers take care of business this week at MSJ.

It will be interesting to see how the defense deals with a predominantly run-oriented offense in the Lions.  Anderson has a good running back, but the D kept him in check for most of the day, and we haven't faced a strong running threat since then.

On the Offensive side of the ball, Matt Robinette and Dwayne Eubanks have been stepping up big in the passing game, and I look for more of the same this week.  It would be nice to have a big running attack this week as well, just to give the Griz something else to prepare for.

GO PANTHERS!

TMC needs Hanover to win out to have any shot of hosting a game in the tournament... IMO

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Hanover @ Mount St. Joseph: The pressure is on Hanover this week. With Franklin highly likely to win, Hanover must win to keep a shot at the playoffs alive. MSJ has nothing to play for here other than trying to be spoilers and have their big game next week to prepare for.

Franklin @ Earlham: Franklin continues their path toward a potential conference crown and perhaps hosting a playoff game (if the regional rankings are to be believed). This should be their easiest game of the season and will allow them to hopefully rest players as needed. Earlham is coming off their bye week and will try not to lose their 19th straight game. The good news is that the last two games this year are at home so there won't be long drives back after likely losses.

Rose-Hulman @ Anderson: A couple weeks ago we were talking about Rose possibly being a darkhorse to win the conference... now they're 3-5 on the season and 3-3 in conference. They have winnable games to at least climb back to .500 for the season. Anderson meanwhile has just one win this year (over Earlham) but have had a couple games within one score in recent weeks. Both teams playing for pride here and may end up surprisingly close.

Manchester @ Defiance: Manchester may be a measly 2-6... but have played tough against everyone except Hanover this season. Defiance has turned their season around, winning their last 4 games to get back to .500 for the season and can still finish near the top of the conference this year.

Bluffton is the last team to have the week off. Like Defiance they started 0-4 and followed with 4 wins. They get an extra week to prepare for Defiance and with a win would finish 5-5 for the first time since 2004 and would win 5 conference games for the first time since going 5-1 in 2000.

[panthersfan]

Nice game previews as usual FCGrizzliesGrad...  My pick for game of the week is a close tie between:  Hanover vs MSJ, Manchester vs Defiance

Hanover is on the road and that threat of a let down is ever present.  Guess we're about to find out if they're serious about a conf. title shot.

Defiance is looking to extend their streak but if Manchester is on this should be a great game.

[panthersfan]

...
TMC needs Hanover to win out to have any shot of hosting a game in the tournament... IMO

For the last several years TMC would be screwed in this situation but since game 5 this year Hanover has not been the same team.  If Hanover continues to look dominate against MSJ then I feel confident we'll have at least a fighting chance against Franklin. 

[GRIZ_BACKER]

...
TMC needs Hanover to win out to have any shot of hosting a game in the tournament... IMO

For the last several years TMC would be screwed in this situation but since game 5 this year Hanover has not been the same team.  If Hanover continues to look dominate against MSJ then I feel confident we'll have at least a fighting chance against Franklin.

I am glad Hanover has risen from the ashes.  FC will be ready next week and wont take the panthers lightly

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

An interesting matchup for tomorrow... Franklin FB points against Earlham vs Franklin BB points against two time national runner-ups Butler... I think I'll take football by a dozen.

[cave2bens]

Wow - quite a titanic defensive struggle between Anderson and RHIT... 50 all in the 4th?   

Also looks as if "Coach" Gordon's play-calling finally caught up versus Manchester - great job, Il Duce! 

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

A lot of strange games today... Manchester winning 32-6 @ Defiance? MSJ scoring 41 straight to take a 41-10 lead over Hanover? Anderson and Rose combining for over 100 points? Only thing that was normal was Franklin's 55-0 win over Earlham.

Congrats to the Grizzlies on winning the HCAC title this year. Glad that the title isn't on the line next week because I was nervous about it.

[Buzz]

DC posted a short highlight video of its game against Manchester - http://www.youtube.com/user/DefianceAthletics#p/a/u/0/p4a0FHsJQLc

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

An interesting matchup for tomorrow... Franklin FB points against Earlham vs Franklin BB points against two time national runner-ups Butler... I think I'll take football by a dozen.

It was closer than I thought it'd be... Grizzlies football scored 55... Grizzlies basketball scored 53