East Region Fan Poll

[Pat Coleman]

The guy was the second-string QB all year. Sure, he was the 3 when the season started but he got QB2 reps and QB2 playing time (which isn't a lot, but it's more than a QB3). Enough about the "third string QB" thing.

[ExTartanPlayer]

What about 2009, when Albright (MAC runner-up) beat E8 champion Alfred in the playoffs at home? 

Did Albright do it with their 3rd string QB?

I didn't know that the games counted differently if you were playing a backup QB.

However, since you mention it...Albright's starting QB was injured in the first minute of the 3rd quarter (with Albright trailing 10-7).  They rallied and won by 10 with the second-string QB throwing for 163 yards and two touchdowns in a half.

Just to recap: in 2011, the Empire 8 runner-up defeated the MAC champ by 13 points on the road with a backup QB.  In 2009, the MAC runner-up defeated the Empire 8 champ by 10 points on the road with a backup QB.

Yeah, that chumpy PA conference could never compete with the Empire 8, totally.

[lewdogg11]

For anyone who has ever read one of my posts, i'm sure you understood that my comment about the MAC was completely joking.  I think the MAC, NJAC, E8, and LL's top teams can all beat each other in any given year.  I truly only rip on the ECFC, NEFC, and NESCAC. 

Glad I could stir up the pot a bit though....

[Ralph Turner]

For anyone who has ever read one of my posts, i'm sure you understood that my comment about the MAC was completely joking.  I think the MAC, NJAC, E8, and LL's top teams can all beat each other in any given year.  I truly only rip on the ECFC, NEFC, and NESCAC. 

Glad I could stir up the pot a bit though....

Don't rip the NEFC as it is currently constituted!

Those 16 teams contend for 1 Pool A bid.  The NEFC is most accurately a "play-in" game between the Bogan and the Boyd "Conferences" Divisions.  The other (16 minus the current access ratio of ~ .8.6 =) 7.4 teams contribute to another Pool C bid.

The NESCAC is most accurately described as disconnected. Let's thank them for their "disconnected" state, not taking one of the Pool A bids that would decrease Pool C by another bid!

[Frank Rossi]

Ralph, c'mon.  Enough about the need for the NEFC to stick together...

[Bombers798891]

Ralph, c'mon.  Enough about the need for the NEFC to stick together...

That looks like a Llama...

[dlippiel]

Ralph, c'mon.  Enough about the need for the NEFC to stick together...

That looks like a Llama...

dlip loves Llamas!!!!

[Frank Rossi]

Ralph, c'mon.  Enough about the need for the NEFC to stick together...

That looks like a Llama...

You must be using your Press Box's Internet connection again. 

HEY NOW!

[Bombers798891]

Ralph, c'mon.  Enough about the need for the NEFC to stick together...

That looks like a Llama...

You must be using your Press Box's Internet connection again. 

HEY NOW!

Ha! Joke's on you! Ithaca's press box is not handicap accessible, so I wouldn't even be IN the press box! BAM! 

Maybe it's rain in my eyes, preventing me from looking up and seeing clearly?

[Frank Rossi]

Ralph, c'mon.  Enough about the need for the NEFC to stick together...

That looks like a Llama...

You must be using your Press Box's Internet connection again. 

HEY NOW!

Ha! Joke's on you! Ithaca's press box is not handicap accessible, so I wouldn't even be IN the press box! BAM! 

Maybe it's rain in my eyes, preventing me from looking up and seeing clearly?

But Ithaca players, coaches and students can walk on water, no?  Just transcend the raindrops.

Boo-Yah!

[Bombers798891]

Ralph, c'mon.  Enough about the need for the NEFC to stick together...

That looks like a Llama...

You must be using your Press Box's Internet connection again. 

HEY NOW!

Ha! Joke's on you! Ithaca's press box is not handicap accessible, so I wouldn't even be IN the press box! BAM! 

Maybe it's rain in my eyes, preventing me from looking up and seeing clearly?

But Ithaca players, coaches and students can walk on water, no?  Just transcend the raindrops.

Boo-Yah!

It'd be more useful to walk on snow here...

[d3fballexcels]

I agree with the Cortland fan...(ugh)

Even taking into account Pat's point, Gallo's numbers were virtually identical to Babin's.

D'Andrea, in my view, also had a better season, averaging 158 yards per game on the ground in a much better conference.

Pitcher as well...31 TD's to 5 INT's is astounding. Here's the thing about those numbers too...the NJAC had three teams who finished the year with 20 interceptions, which was tied for eighth in the country. Some of that may be due to bad quarterback play, but Pitcher still only threw two INT's in those three games against obviously good secondaries. He also chipped in with 318 rushing yards (sack yardage not included) and three TD's, which is enough in my view that it provides a slight boost

Gallo had a great year but to me it was:

1. Pitcher
2. D'Andrea
T-3 Gallo, Babin

Having lived in this east region for years has enabled myself to view a great many division 3 college football contests. I have been an avid and dedicated fan for some time now. This past years play boasted some of the toughest and most talented teams/players in recent memory, here in the east. Living in the greater Rochester area I am typically constricted to programs within my "reach." However, I do occasionally wander outside of my boundaries. With today's technologies it is much easier to keep up with more distant universities. In any event, the east region was indeed impressive this season.

The Empire 8's daunted rushing attack's(Salisbury, Springfield) and overall depth as a league made every game exciting to view - Utica's program has made great strides. St. John Fisher fought through injury to move into NCAA playoff contention, impressive will understate. Many NJAC teams prove distant, however Cortland allows myself an outlet to the league. Proving one of the toughest teams in the country, Cortland's combination of Pitcher and Babin led the charge. With Castro anchoring the line, the QB-WR tandem posed a great threat every Saturday. The Liberty League holds probably the most powerful and well-rounded program of the east in Hobart. With U of R being extremely convenient I am inclined to view their home contests rather regularly. Hobart's presence as an entire program was extremely strong, and their play on the field undoubtedly backed them. To bring this main topic(East Region POY Award) into view, I also saw U of R host Union College.
   
In regards to Liberty League play my bias remains in favor of the Jackets. However, the Union game became less about two teams and more about one player. The Gallo boy from Union seemed to decide to take the game over. What impressed the most was how well-rounded his abilities were:he sprung over defenders to haul in passes, tip-toed the sidelines, went over the middle and really climbed that ladder. U of R attempted defenses which I have never seen, in attempt to contain this young man. His speed in the open field stood out above all else. Many solid football players scattered about the east.

As a region who may not receive as much respect or notoriety as the others, it is important to embrace these teams/players earning themselves spots in the ncaa's/awards. Show these other regions that we certainly can compete! Further, that we do have talent to match or exceed that of the other regions. Go East!

[West Coast Fan]

Congrats to Justin Gallo (UNION) and Chris Bickford (ROCHESTER) for being selected to the AFCA All American Team!

[SJFF82]

In the past I have 'critiqued' the Weekly poll system because, at this level, other than MUC/UWW, we really dont know how good the teams are as they relate to eachother.  Consequently, the weekly poll from 3-25 is really just an attempt to rank teams based on the game just played with no real insight as to how that team could fare OOC against a team with a similar record.

...all that mumbling for this.....How the hell does Hobart end up ranked so low in the final poll, other than pure apathy on part of the voters because the season is over.  Did they miss the part of the play-offs where Hobart went to Wesley and only lost by a TD, and then Wesley went all the way to the Final 4 and played MUC to the end, and then MUC almost pulled it off against UWW?

Then the obvious....they beat Fisher by 75 points at Fisher and ends up over 15 spots ahead of them in the poll...

I know that beating someone who beat someone who beat someone else doesnt always lead to the right conclusion, but in this case the are some real hard and fast numbers that just dont add up?  I would like to ask the pollsters whether they think Fisher woulda fared better in RD 1 ag. WESLEY.  Likewise, do they think Hobart would not have beaten Johns Hopkins and DVC and then have been homogenized by the Tommies like FISHER.

IMHO, I think had Hobart and SJF been reversed in the play-off seedings (and certainly you coulda have argued they shoulda) Hobart makes the run SJF did, SJF loses to Wesley and Hobart is 11 and SJF is not even an afterthought.....yet they are the same team nonetheless regardless of the poll

Bottom line I guess....its awesome when your team finishes 11, but it sucks when you are 27 and but for the draw of the seeds, you know you are better than the 11 team.

Oh wait....I wear Burgundy not Orange....scratch all that

[Luv D3]

In the past I have 'critiqued' the Weekly poll system because, at this level, other than MUC/UWW, we really dont know how good the teams are as they relate to eachother.  Consequently, the weekly poll from 3-25 is really just an attempt to rank teams based on the game just played with no real insight as to how that team could fare OOC against a team with a similar record.

...all that mumbling for this.....How the hell does Hobart end up ranked so low in the final poll, other than pure apathy on part of the voters because the season is over.  Did they miss the part of the play-offs where Hobart went to Wesley and only lost by a TD, and then Wesley went all the way to the Final 4 and played MUC to the end, and then MUC almost pulled it off against UWW?

Then the obvious....they beat Fisher by 75 points at Fisher and ends up over 15 spots ahead of them in the poll...

I know that beating someone who beat someone who beat someone else doesnt always lead to the right conclusion, but in this case the are some real hard and fast numbers that just dont add up?  I would like to ask the pollsters whether they think Fisher woulda fared better in RD 1 ag. WESLEY.  Likewise, do they think Hobart would not have beaten Johns Hopkins and DVC and then have been homogenized by the Tommies like FISHER.

IMHO, I think had Hobart and SJF been reversed in the play-off seedings (and certainly you coulda have argued they shoulda) Hobart makes the run SJF did, SJF loses to Wesley and Hobart is 11 and SJF is not even an afterthought.....yet they are the same team nonetheless regardless of the poll

Bottom line I guess....its awesome when your team finishes 11, but it sucks when you are 27 and but for the draw of the seeds, you know you are better than the 11 team.

Oh wait....I wear Burgundy not Orange....scratch all that
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SJFF82, well put couldnt agree more