FB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[fc_alum_84]

I was at the game and my take is that by late in the third MSJ really had no gas left. FC ran all over MSJ (232 yards for Hartsfield and Bennet alone). They needed to get something going and had they made the two point conversion momentum may have shifted. Who knows. 

I disgree with the assessment posted earlier the MSJ was caught off guard.  Franklin has been running the ball all season. MSJ just isnt as deep as Franklin.

FC won the battle on the field, the stands(crowd intensity) and in the lot.  The FC tailgate was not only well attended but the food outstanding.  The folks from Pro-Power know how to throw a tailgate.

Great win and the FC train rolls on to Terre Haute for a crack at the Engineers.  Rose will be fired up and this one wont be easy.

[Adam Sayer]

They may be running the ball well, but even so, you come into MSJ not expecting to run against their defense. For the most part, MSJ has shut down every team's run game the last 5 years. Teams have had success moving the ball against them in the air. I believe you game plan being like flowing water. You go where their is least resistance. Sure, everyone comes in wanting to run, but conventional wisdom also says you will most likely have trouble against MSj's team, therefore you build an offensive approach around throwing and passing. FC may have good run stats, but they are still a passing team and when you prepare for them, you prepare for the pass. Not the run. Much like Hanover and Anderson back in the day with Joel Steele and Brett Dietz. 9 times out of 10 this is true. Yestderday was the 1 time it wasn't.

Regardless, FC did a great job of executing. That's all it really comes down to. I've always said there is no such thing as a bad play call, just poor execution. A simple trap, if blocked correctly can go for an 80 yard gain on 3rd and 10. It's all about execution. FC did a better job on Saturday than MSJ.

MSJ also had an alarming number of missed tackles and their o-line is getting manhandled. Lovell isn't getting holes, he's trying to fit through creases and crevises and it's wearing on him. He went out late with an ankle injury which in turn hurt MSJ because they became 1-dimensional. It's my beleif that the O-line needs to re evaluate themselves. They just flat out are not getting it done.

[propower64]

Great day for the grizz!  I look forward to the weeks to come.  Thanks to all the parents and fans that made our pre and post game tailgate so awesome. www.grizzlyball.com

[fc_alum_84]

You are correct that FC has historically been a pass team. But this season's stats suggest more run than pass.  FC is churning on average 180 plus yards a game on the ground.  MSJ has been more stout defensively than the rest of the HCAC a good mix is normally what you need to keep them honest.  Along with execution, FC just has good personnel and they are getting deeper every year.  Mike Leonard is heads and shoulders the best overall recruiter in the conference and he was prior to that when he was the primary recruiter for Hanover.  It all comes down to players and execution.  Look for FC to have turned the corner talent wise and mentally going forward in the conference.  Similar to what the Colts have done against the Patriots.  

[dc_has_been]

Wow!  Franklin beats MSJ & out of nowhere comes several Franklin posters on here.  Hopefully they stick it out & continue to contribute to the board. 
Congrats to the girzz on a big game, looking forward to seeing how the rest of the season plays out.  Big game next week against a team that can gain some yards through the air & put some points on the board.  Still will have to go w/ Franklin, but it could be a good game.
I'm happy w/ the fact that DC is able to get yards through the air & on the ground making them a solid offense.  Still would like to see Allen & Fitton get some more touches, but I guess if it isn't broke don't fix it.  Keep it rolling & crush the Panthers this week.

[JacketsFan]

Interesting observation by fc_alum_84 about MSJ appearing to be out of steam in the third.  When you look at their stats this year, the third has been the Mount's strongest showing. Maybe Adam can shed some light on this. Sayer, what happened in the third quarter that made the Lions fizzle. I mean, seriously, excluding yesterday's game, if you compare their third quarter scoring stats against all others, MSJ is coming on its strongest at that point. Franklin's stats - until yesterday - have shown a scoring lull in the third. Obviously, the third quarter is really important for MSJ in terms of scoring, so why the flip-flop yesterday? Do you think it was a glitch or does this look like something that'll happen again?

By the way, Sayer, you need to buy a plane ticket and get down here and hit  the 15 and 20 mile reefs with me. They're catching some monster red snapper and gag grouper on them. A guy from here pulled the Moby Dick of red snapper of FA Reef last week. The wind's supposed to lay down sometime this week. I'm heading out first thing Saturday morning.

[Most Known, Unknown.]

First, wanted to congrat FC on winning yeasterday! I'm under the impression, that once Coach Hillvert left for Thomas More, that they MSJ  Defense, would not be as aggresive in years past! Also, the talent pool maybe obvious on the Offense of side of the ball, but the Defense for years, have been the back-bone for MSJ,even when they were not winning games! I truly believe that MSJ, has come along way from losing, but i FEEL when you lose someone like Coach Hillvert and his defensive scheme, it;s hard to live up to the past great players, that once roam the defense(Eric Johnson, Pat Mcatee, Lawless, PJ Volker) I mean, these were some great players, that played on a less then adquate football team! I truly enjoy the game of football, and everything associated with it, teams lose every week, but you have to bounce back, and make sure that you dont look behind you, and worry about one lost. Sometimes teams need to lose, to bring them back down to earth(look at Florida last year) One lost does not make or break your season, it defines who you really are. and can you bounce back, and learn from that one lose, and make something out of it! I Love Coach Hubbie, and what he has done for some many players there at the Mount, and if it was not for his belief in some players, then they would have not made it through the rough times. Past and Present Players, need to know that the word "team" means togetherness, and hard-working, regardless of your race, your economic background, a team is a group of people, who will battle together, and come together, regardless if their 10-0, or 0-10, lets give credit where credit is due! Great win FC, the mount needs to get back to the drawing boards, and remember where they come from, over 200 yards on the ground is terrible!   

[Adam Sayer]

The number of posters on our board has officially doubled in 3 days.

MSJ's o-line wasn't too bad either back in the day.

Joe, to answer your question, I don't know. I believe Lovell got hurt in the 3rd quarter and being in a tough, physical, close game and losing your best player is gonna mess with your head. I think some of the guys may have went in the tank mentally when Lovell hobbled off the field. I'm just trying to offer an excuse. Basically I think MSJ was simply out-executed. FC made plays when they had to and didn't commit dumb penalties (personal foul, etc.) or mistakes.

[victorybell_57]

great running game by fc. the offense is doing very well. i wish them luck the rest of the way. i am sure leonard will have the team focused as they make preparations to finish this season high, and soar into the playoffs. it may be premature to talk playoffs, but if you are focused, it is a goal and it won't distract you. great job, and awesome to see more FC supporters on here.

[Most Known, Unknown.]

I think Lovell is a good back, but I know there is some depth behind him, and one player does not make for the outcome of the game! Where was the passing attack? Where the hell was the defensive lineman, to stop the run. Rupp passing numbers were not his average, but he did not have to do much, since the running backs had a career day running the ball. I'm a defensive guy, and I respect good football games, but if your giving up over 200 yards on the ground. I have a problem with that, and so should the players, coaches, alumni, the whole delhi community! Stop spending so much time at Maloneys an get the job done! I hope the HCAC can win a Play-off game this year, because the last couple of years, we have got our a** kicked, wheaton, Mount Union, etc. The Mount Offensive line have not been that good, over the years, just some big ego's and not enough holes open! Tepee, was a good lineman, kept his mouth shut, and played with his pads! The Mount has a history of turning their backs on the players, that have gotten them where they are( Ricky Story, Rashon Lewis, Brian Ham) the list goes on, and on!  I hate when people have been losing their whole football career, starts poppin off the mouth, because they finally won something, the same people, who sit on here talk crap about others, were average at best, and I know, and have seen quite a few people on here play! I'M SORRY I'M DRUNK, AND THE BENGALS ARE GIVEN ME A HEADACHE!

[SaintsFAN]

I don't think MSJ "turns its back on players"....I believe the staff thought Lewis was better than Hamrock, and THEN when Lewis himself became a lockerroom cancer (not to mention ineffective) the team went in another direction (against Thomas More).  You can't fault MSJ for that..  Coach Huber isn't just making decisions for the good of a player or two....he's responsible for the best interests of the MSJ TEAM.  Period.



I definitely can believe how the MSJ defense was caught off guard by the Franklin ground game...the aerial attack is what the Grizzlies are known for, like it or not.  I guarantee MSJ saw the tapes of the running attack on the also rans of this conference and were confident the defense would contain it.

I'm not sold on the run offense of Franklin...they've had one game against a probable playoff participant.  The rest of the schedule with the exception of MSJ is weak.  Half of the 158 yards on the ground against Wabash were on one play.  Its my opinoin that most of the stats you see in the rushing department come with the game in hand when they are trying to shorten the game....the "reputation", if you will of Franklin is that of a passing offense---ask the Wabash posters what they were most worried about going into the game this year. 

It looks like they will have a chance to reverse this should they stay committed to the run as they were yesterday....in the playoffs.  Remember, for all the 'great players' (and I'm not taking away from that) Leonard has recruited at Hanover and Franklin, they've yet to make a serious run in the playoffs....you need to run the ball.  Looks like they are on track for that....we'll see in week 12, I guess...but I remain skeptical. 

Its good to see the newcomers in here, hopefully you stick around like victorybell has. 

[Adam Sayer]

Are you serious? I consider Ricky Story a good friend and a great runningback, but MSJ started Lovell over him because he quit on his team and then came back 2 weeks into summer camp. I know Rick had some personal issues going on, but the fact is, he quit on us and as a team, we agreed to bring him back. We didn't have to let him play a down in 2004 but we did.

To answer your statement that the MSJ O-line hasn't been that good, just some big egos and everyone on here is average at best. That's funny. I'll let the rushing stats from 2004 make my point about the o-line.  Mike averaged 6.1 per carry that year. No, we didn't open any holes at all. We had the 2 best O-lineman MSJ has ever had on that team in Tepee and Wergers.

Me, I was just average and though I d!ck around on here bragging from time to time, I recognize that I wasn't 'all that.' If you really knew me, you'd know I tried to get better all the time because I never thought I was good enough. Everyone can admit on here as well as in the community, I have always ackowledged Wergers and Tepee as being better than me. I have the All HCAC honors, but I never considered myself to be that good. When I brag, it's more or less me trying to be an a$$ and bust someone's balls for fun.

And I believe you were referencing myself in your 2nd to last sentence. I never had a losing record as a starter until I came to MSJ. I, along with guys like Schneider, Holzie, Tepee, and most importantly, Dorf took it upon ourselves to turn MSJ around. They wouldn't be anywhere near where they are today without the commitment of those players and coaches like Hilvert, Sparhawk, Hill, and JPC.

Everything else...I agree with. It is embarrassing to give up 200+ on the ground. Does Hilvert leaving have something to do with MSJ's effectiveness on, D...probably, but players are players. You have to make plays. MSJ did not.

[cave2bens]

I also have a question for anyone who might want to answer. MSJ scores to make it a 28-19 game. Instead of kicking the extra point to make it 28-10 (and still a 1 posession game), Suriano elects to go for 2. The play fails and MSJ is left with a 28-19 deficit...a 2 posession game? Kick the extra point in my opinion. The 2 pt conversion at that point doesn't necessarily gain anything, yet if it is not made, loses everything. Sounds like a riverboat gamble that didn;t work out.

Perhaps someone was in the weight room instead of a lecture on probability in Statistics 101 class???   

[Adam Sayer]

I also have a question for anyone who might want to answer. MSJ scores to make it a 28-19 game. Instead of kicking the extra point to make it 28-10 (and still a 1 posession game), Suriano elects to go for 2. The play fails and MSJ is left with a 28-19 deficit...a 2 posession game? Kick the extra point in my opinion. The 2 pt conversion at that point doesn't necessarily gain anything, yet if it is not made, loses everything. Sounds like a riverboat gamble that didn;t work out.

Perhaps someone was in the weight room instead of a lecture on probability in Statistics 101 class???   

I know their kicker had missed an extra point earlier. I couldn't tell, but it looked like someone got a piece of it. I still think you have to trust your kicker in that situation.  Again, had MSj converted it, the thought probably wouldn't have ever entered my mind.

[SaintsFAN]

Also, the Delhi community as a whole lives and dies Elder Football...  I doubt they're embarrassed from yesterday.

Look at it like this, MSJ has had a set back and they now know what its going to take to beat Franklin to regain their spot back.  Its not like this game was a blowout....thats what the players build on.  They'll have to continue to play because you never know.  Injuries happen...season is long from over. 

I disagree about Hilvert's departure being in the works...I know for a fact he was loyal to the program.  The TMC job was his opportunity and too good to pass up...with everything going on in Crestview Hills now.  I do think this argument is going to come up again very soon on this conference board...regarding a different situation


the best offensive player is hands down Dietz.  No question. 

..off to Maloney's to do some post game interviewing.