FB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[SaintsFAN]

Thomas More at Franklin is an interesting matchup.  Hanover hung with TM for the first half (second game of the year), before Thomas More kicked it in.  Seem to recall a TM punt return for TD, and a couple of good kick returns.  They also have a good kicker.

TM "lost" their home playoff game last week losing a conference game at home, and had to insert their freshman QB to give the offense a spark yesterday against MSJ.

http://nky.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20111112/SPT01/311120097/Thomas-More-downs-Mount-St-Joseph-Bridge-Bowl?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

also --- be careful with referencing Hanover game.  We were Hanover's second opponent... while that game was our 1st game of the year.  Huge difference.  What happened in the 1st half was more indicative of it being the opener for the Saints.

[Thunder44]

Thomas More at Franklin is an interesting matchup.  Hanover hung with TM for the first half (second game of the year), before Thomas More kicked it in.  Seem to recall a TM punt return for TD, and a couple of good kick returns.  They also have a good kicker.

TM "lost" their home playoff game last week losing a conference game at home, and had to insert their freshman QB to give the offense a spark yesterday against MSJ.

http://nky.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20111112/SPT01/311120097/Thomas-More-downs-Mount-St-Joseph-Bridge-Bowl?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

also --- be careful with referencing Hanover game.  We were Hanover's second opponent... while that game was our 1st game of the year.  Huge difference.  What happened in the 1st half was more indicative of it being the opener for the Saints.

Well, the Hanover games against TM and Franklin are my only reference point for the two teams, so that was my contribution.  Outside of that, it look like the Saints are choking at just the right time.  Lose a home, in-conference game to a nobody, and then your starting QB chokes during your biggest non-conference rivalry, and has to be pulled for a freshman??  What gives?

I don't care what kind of spin Coach Hilvert wants to put on it, TM is not peaking at the right time.  The nearly non existent competition in the PAC will come back to haunt TM this week.

[70_dc_alum]

I will say this... very surprised at the bracket and very happy we are heading to Franklin IN... that means I may be able to attend this game (moving this week).  That said, about the new QB --- you would have rather played TMC the last two weeks than this weekend.  The kid is legit.... and just what they needed.  He was very non-plussed and calm after a big run on his first series got them inside the 10 yard line. 

Until the point when he entered the game in the 2nd quarter, the offense was sputtering ala Waynesburg. 

There are a couple things that need fixed, defensively but I think they'll work on doing that this week.

Stud or not breaking in a new QB in the first round of the ployoffs is not a good a good thing.  should be a heck of a game, if TMC wins does saints fan add another fictional HCAC championship in his signature, can franklin's Defense do enough to confuse a new QB, will SaintsFan's girlfriend give him his manhood back to actually attend the game vs. "moving"

[70_dc_alum]

cave2bens and Jackets Backer:
Hilarious commentary cave2! .  Although at the same time, it is sad that such a brawl took place - no place for that and no excuse for that.  Sounds like some stiff changes need to be made somewhere.  Do you think there will be any consequences/reprimands for the brawl for players, the schools from either the league and/or the schools themselves?  That it happened is not good and that's unfortunate.

it is a simple change...FIRE the President.  what do you expect...you force out the Head Coach out mid season for enforcing discipline and kicking troublemaker off the team because that hurts revenue (less players = less tuition).  now you have a bunch of players who know they cant be disciplined raising hell for the last few weeks and it builds up to a 200 person brawl.  as i said before the president should have got the hell out of the locker room and now he reaps what he sows.  every alum I know is no longer giving $ to this guy

[BUBeaverFan]

It is sad how the Defiance/Bluffton game ended this past Saturday.  I actually turned off the stream at the start of the fourth and missed the events at the end of the game (not sure if they were on the stream or not).  I would imagine that both institutions are embarrassed by what occurred at the conclusion of the game.  Defiance/Bluffton athletic contests have generally had a good "ol' fashioned rivalry" feel for many years.  Fans on both sides have generally kept things within bounds even while giving it pretty good to the other schools players and fans.  Basketball season is just around the corner, let's hope cooler heads prevail at those contests.

[cave2bens]

cave2bens and Jackets Backer:
Hilarious commentary cave2! .  Although at the same time, it is sad that such a brawl took place - no place for that and no excuse for that.  Sounds like some stiff changes need to be made somewhere.  Do you think there will be any consequences/reprimands for the brawl for players, the schools from either the league and/or the schools themselves?  That it happened is not good and that's unfortunate.

it is a simple change...FIRE the President.  what do you expect...you force out the Head Coach out mid season for enforcing discipline and kicking troublemaker off the team because that hurts revenue (less players = less tuition).  now you have a bunch of players who know they cant be disciplined raising hell for the last few weeks and it builds up to a 200 person brawl.  as i said before the president should have got the hell out of the locker room and now he reaps what he sows.  every alum I know is no longer giving $ to this guy

Yebo - letter, along with notifications and abrupt changes, just started its trek across the pond.  The general incompetence exhibited does not warrant shoving more sand down a rat's hole.  Institutional and name degradation has consequences, Sir Gordo.    Have performed my mea culpa to a couple of old mates for the hooliganism.   

[altor]

It is sad how the Defiance/Bluffton game ended this past Saturday.  I actually turned off the stream at the start of the fourth and missed the events at the end of the game (not sure if they were on the stream or not).

It was not.  They showed the teams shaking hands for a bit then went to a commercial.  Nothing seemed out of the ordinary at that point.  But, it was a LOOOONNG commercial break.  When they came back for the post-game stuff they explained why they showed more commercials than they were expecting.

Defiance/Bluffton athletic contests have generally had a good "ol' fashioned rivalry" feel for many years.  Fans on both sides have generally kept things within bounds even while giving it pretty good to the other schools players and fans.

My sister and I attend this game every year.  She's a Bluffton (College) grad and I'm a DC grad.  We always wear our team's sweatshirts and always sit on the home side and we've never had a problem.  After the incident in the 2nd quarter, my sister actually felt scared to be sitting with us.  She didn't want to go down to the concession stand at halftime.

We were on our way out the gate as Bluffton tacked on the last TD, so we didn't witness the postgame (thank goodness).  We never did have the problems she was worried about, but it was the first time that she actually didn't feel safe at this game.

[SaintsFAN]

Thomas More at Franklin is an interesting matchup.  Hanover hung with TM for the first half (second game of the year), before Thomas More kicked it in.  Seem to recall a TM punt return for TD, and a couple of good kick returns.  They also have a good kicker.

TM "lost" their home playoff game last week losing a conference game at home, and had to insert their freshman QB to give the offense a spark yesterday against MSJ.

http://nky.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20111112/SPT01/311120097/Thomas-More-downs-Mount-St-Joseph-Bridge-Bowl?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

also --- be careful with referencing Hanover game.  We were Hanover's second opponent... while that game was our 1st game of the year.  Huge difference.  What happened in the 1st half was more indicative of it being the opener for the Saints.

Well, the Hanover games against TM and Franklin are my only reference point for the two teams, so that was my contribution.  Outside of that, it look like the Saints are choking at just the right time.  Lose a home, in-conference game to a nobody, and then your starting QB chokes during your biggest non-conference rivalry, and has to be pulled for a freshman??  What gives?

I don't care what kind of spin Coach Hilvert wants to put on it, TM is not peaking at the right time.  The nearly non existent competition in the PAC will come back to haunt TM this week.

I actually think these two teams are even... with the freshman QB, Magness.  Without his contributions, they'll have empty offensive possessions that have plagued the team the last 3 weeks+.  They need to fix the defensive line (which probably won't happen until next year when they get two of their starters back there).  Without the new QB, I'd say TMC without a doubt would have issues scoring enough points to keep up.  Just my observation.  With him, the offense clicked and they were able to come back and win a rivalry game that WAS Mount St Joe's playoff game.  At their place. 

I think this game this week is too close to call.  Should be a shootout. 

I also would compare the two conferences like this... BOTH full of bad teams.  If a shutout loss at Whitewater means Franklin played a tougher schedule, then so be it.  Both teams have had to play the entire season with each team taking their best shot at them.  And just because Thomas More won 26 conference games in a row doesn't mean the conference is especially weak.  The Waynesburg team we saw two weeks ago would be just behind Franklin in the Heartland standings.

[SaintsFAN]

I will say this... very surprised at the bracket and very happy we are heading to Franklin IN... that means I may be able to attend this game (moving this week).  That said, about the new QB --- you would have rather played TMC the last two weeks than this weekend.  The kid is legit.... and just what they needed.  He was very non-plussed and calm after a big run on his first series got them inside the 10 yard line. 

Until the point when he entered the game in the 2nd quarter, the offense was sputtering ala Waynesburg. 

There are a couple things that need fixed, defensively but I think they'll work on doing that this week.

Stud or not breaking in a new QB in the first round of the ployoffs is not a good a good thing.  should be a heck of a game, if TMC wins does saints fan add another fictional HCAC championship in his signature, can franklin's Defense do enough to confuse a new QB, will SaintsFan's girlfriend give him his manhood back to actually attend the game vs. "moving"

That answer is no... BUT a win would give them victories over the top 3 teams in the HCAC... but they didn't beat the entire conference like in the years referenced !! 

I'm afraid I won't be there for sure... I think whoever does go will see a big offensive show.  I'd like to see how both defenses will make adjustments to stop the run.  Both teams can run the ball.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Stud or not breaking in a new QB in the first round of the ployoffs is not a good a good thing.

Last year UWW had a QB making I believe his first start against Franklin in the first round of the playoffs and played extremely well... of course that was Whitewater and this is Thomas More. I do agree that it should be an excellent and close game.
Of course the prize for winning is a trip to Whitewater which doesn't seem like that great of a prize

[GRIZ_BACKER]

Stud or not breaking in a new QB in the first round of the ployoffs is not a good a good thing.

Last year UWW had a QB making I believe his first start against Franklin in the first round of the playoffs and played extremely well... of course that was Whitewater and this is Thomas More. I do agree that it should be an excellent and close game.
Of course the prize for winning is a trip to Whitewater which doesn't seem like that great of a prize

A road trip on Thanksgiving weekend and another opportunity to grill meat in a parking lot and swill carbonated malt and barley beverages is a great prize.  I am looking forward to see FC play a team that will require 60 minutes of old fashioned smashmouth.  Unfortunately the HCAC doesnt provide that opportunity very often (except MSJ can play smashmouth, just not 60 minutes worth  ).

[GRIZ_BACKER]

Thomas More at Franklin is an interesting matchup.  Hanover hung with TM for the first half (second game of the year), before Thomas More kicked it in.  Seem to recall a TM punt return for TD, and a couple of good kick returns.  They also have a good kicker.

TM "lost" their home playoff game last week losing a conference game at home, and had to insert their freshman QB to give the offense a spark yesterday against MSJ.

http://nky.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20111112/SPT01/311120097/Thomas-More-downs-Mount-St-Joseph-Bridge-Bowl?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

also --- be careful with referencing Hanover game.  We were Hanover's second opponent... while that game was our 1st game of the year.  Huge difference.  What happened in the 1st half was more indicative of it being the opener for the Saints.

Well, the Hanover games against TM and Franklin are my only reference point for the two teams, so that was my contribution.  Outside of that, it look like the Saints are choking at just the right time.  Lose a home, in-conference game to a nobody, and then your starting QB chokes during your biggest non-conference rivalry, and has to be pulled for a freshman??  What gives?

I don't care what kind of spin Coach Hilvert wants to put on it, TM is not peaking at the right time.  The nearly non existent competition in the PAC will come back to haunt TM this week.

I actually think these two teams are even... with the freshman QB, Magness.  Without his contributions, they'll have empty offensive possessions that have plagued the team the last 3 weeks+.  They need to fix the defensive line (which probably won't happen until next year when they get two of their starters back there).  Without the new QB, I'd say TMC without a doubt would have issues scoring enough points to keep up.  Just my observation.  With him, the offense clicked and they were able to come back and win a rivalry game that WAS Mount St Joe's playoff game.  At their place. 

I think this game this week is too close to call.  Should be a shootout. 

I also would compare the two conferences like this... BOTH full of bad teams.  If a shutout loss at Whitewater means Franklin played a tougher schedule, then so be it.  Both teams have had to play the entire season with each team taking their best shot at them.  And just because Thomas More won 26 conference games in a row doesn't mean the conference is especially weak.  The Waynesburg team we saw two weeks ago would be just behind Franklin in the Heartland standings.

Franklin has their issues as well with injuries on defense line, LB, and DB  (three starters out for season) and our top WR was lost during the UWW game.  Fortunately FC recruits well every year and is pretty deep.  The new guys are playing well.  Thomas More will be a good opponent and the close proximaty should  allow for a solid visitor crowd.  Shoot me a PM Saints Fan and we will be glad to hoist a beverage or two with you before the game.

[SaintsFAN]

A road trip on Thanksgiving weekend and another opportunity to grill meat in a parking lot and swill carbonated malt and barley beverages is a great prize.  I am looking forward to see FC play a team that will require 60 minutes of old fashioned smashmouth.  Unfortunately the HCAC doesnt provide that opportunity very often (except MSJ can play smashmouth, just not 60 minutes worth  ).

I don't think you'll see a whole lot of smashmouth football from Thomas More.  They run the spread option from shotgun, utilizing motion.  Its a unique offense.  They have a 220 lb running back and three speedsters on the attack.  Even the 220 lb'er was able to run away from the defense on his 58 yard TD run up the middle last week.  Its more speed than power.   

[SaintsFAN]

Of course the prize for winning is a trip to Whitewater which doesn't seem like that great of a prize

Agreed

[SaintsFAN]

BTW --- Adam Sayer says to tell everyone hello.  He asked me to congratulate the Franklin Grizzlies on their HCAC Title and potential run in the tournament. 

He also thinks this will be a great game on Saturday --- with a final score of 33-30.