FB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[cave2bens]

Defiance's football web page coaches section notes they have appointed a new head coach already.  As the previous new release about last year's HC leaving, it noted they were posting it as a 10 month position rather than a full time position.  I assume that would be considered an "Interim" HC position just for this year since it is so close to this new season in having been placed in this situation. 

Also, I was somewhat shocked to see that the enrollment is way down now in the mid 500 range as compared to several years ago. I realize, they have usually been below 1,000 for years, however, getting to that range, I would think is a concerning situation.  Olivet (MI) was like that for years, yet has rebounded and appears stable just over 1,000 students.  Yet, there are some NCAA schools with small enrollments that have sustained stable football programs, such as Eureka, IL.

Anyone have any info on Defiance's situation regarding all the above, Cave2, Pat? Or anyone else here in HCAC?

PM sent Dr. H. and glad to see you back for another fun-filled season! Sometimes my opinions are best reserved for private amusement.


Re. % playing sports, Dr. Acula, two years ago about 35-40% of the DC male population were on August football roster (n=128).  Noticed this year's roster only lists sixty-six but unsure if incoming frosh are listed yet or if Defiance continues to suffer "retention deficit disorder?"  Time will tell (or "dwell") for Coach Matsakis (Good Luck, Sir!) and his charges.    

[GrizFan]

Looks like Franklin grad Deontez Alexander (WR) was placed on Injured Reserve by the Detroit Lions.   

[Pat Coleman]

Folks, just a reminder that Kickoff '18 goes live tomorrow! Register now if you haven't already!
http://www.d3football.com/notables/2018/06/order-kickoff-2018-now

[MSJguy]

FYI MSJ is not the reason Thomas More is not in the HCAC. . .

[Pat Coleman]

FYI MSJ is not the reason Thomas More is not in the HCAC. . .

I doubt this is a surprise to anyone over the past decade! Welcome to the board.

[GrizFan]

The Grizzlies are picked as league favorite by the coaches, but Kickoff 2018 picks MSJ to win the conference title.  I am a GRIZ fan but I believe that Franklin will struggle this season, especially on defense.  I can see 3-4 losses this year.  Thoughts?

[Pat Coleman]

League coaches always pick the defending champ. I always take those with a grain of salt and watch for more subtle signs like the point totals or whether there's a shift in No. 1 votes.

[formerd3db]

Defiance's football web page coaches section notes they have appointed a new head coach already.  As the previous new release about last year's HC leaving, it noted they were posting it as a 10 month position rather than a full time position.  I assume that would be considered an "Interim" HC position just for this year since it is so close to this new season in having been placed in this situation. 

Also, I was somewhat shocked to see that the enrollment is way down now in the mid 500 range as compared to several years ago. I realize, they have usually been below 1,000 for years, however, getting to that range, I would think is a concerning situation.  Olivet (MI) was like that for years, yet has rebounded and appears stable just over 1,000 students.  Yet, there are some NCAA schools with small enrollments that have sustained stable football programs, such as Eureka, IL.

Anyone have any info on Defiance's situation regarding all the above, Cave2, Pat? Or anyone else here in HCAC?

PM sent Dr. H. and glad to see you back for another fun-filled season! Sometimes my opinions are best reserved for private amusement.


Re. % playing sports, Dr. Acula, two years ago about 35-40% of the DC male population were on August football roster (n=128).  Noticed this year's roster only lists sixty-six but unsure if incoming frosh are listed yet or if Defiance continues to suffer "retention deficit disorder?"  Time will tell (or "dwell") for Coach Matsakis (Good Luck, Sir!) and his charges.   

Thanks, cave2, my friend.  Indeed, I know what you mean as often our private opinions (i.e for that matter, it applied to all of us here on these boards) are best reserved for the PMs.

A PM has been sent in reply back to you, which I'm sure you probably have seen already.

Good luck to everyone's teams this season.  With everyone's teams reporting in and starting this week, it is exciting that another season is upon us.  I helped out doing the football physicals for our incoming new players at Hope the other day-we did the returning players earlier this spring.   See you all around the boards.

[formerd3db]

Okay, I must have (obviously did) missed it here.  What is the story with the Head Coaching change at Bluffton?  There is nothing listed on their football section on the athletics website in news, nor did I see anything on the Coaching Carousel.  The bio on the new HC Krepps only relates that he was promoted from within.  Just curious.  Anyone have inside info?  Thanks.

[GrizFan]

All I know is that Denny Dorrel has returned to his high school alma mater as Athletic Director.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

The Grizzlies are picked as league favorite by the coaches, but Kickoff 2018 picks MSJ to win the conference title.  I am a GRIZ fan but I believe that Franklin will struggle this season, especially on defense.  I can see 3-4 losses this year.  Thoughts?

As always, the games are won in the trenches and with depth. While MSJ certainly looks good on paper, do they have the depth at each position? Franklin tends to always field great replacements and are generally two deep.  I wouldn't want to bet against them in the HCAC.

[formerd3db]

All I know is that Denny Dorrel has returned to his high school alma mater as Athletic Director.

Thanks, GF.

[MSJguy]

MSJ has o-line depth, due to a couple of transfers and returning all but one starter. The d-line will be a little thin

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

The HCAC Pickem is up and running again this season. Week 1 games have been posted for anyone interested in playing.

[formerd3db]

Without going back through the recent pages here, I probably missed this.  However, I see where MSJ is opening at Morehead State (FCS).  As I have always said, I like when DIII schools schedule a DII or DI FCS team for one of their non-conference games.  Yet, will MSJ really have a chance against Morehead this year?  What is your take MSJguy and others?

Also, PM sent to my friend cave2 check your PM