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Messages - 79jaybird

#1
Congratulations North Central on another strong season.   Brad Spencer is showing he is a players coach and somebody you can really root for.   I especially like he went for the win, and put it in his player's hands to (hopefully) pull out a W.   
I know the result is not what we all wanted to see,  but sheesh!  This was a great game to watch.   
#2
Good SID's are hard to find.   Makes you appreciate legends like Dave Wrath,  Steve Marovich,  Dave Hilbert, etc.   People who put a genuine interest and detail into their writings. 
#3
20 years ago we had  the big 4 little 4
WHEATON
AUGIE
IWU
MILLIKIN 
(NOT NECESSARILY IN THIS ORDER)
THEN A CONSIDERABLE DROP
CARTHAGE
ELMHURST
NPU
NC
(AGAIN NOT ANY PARTICULAR ORDER)

Today,  IMO It's
NORTH CENTRAL
NOTICEABLE GAP

WHEATON
WASH U
ANOTHER BIG GAP

The rest

if you look over the years of the CCIW many schools have risen and fallen.   Wheaton owned the 50's Carthage was strong in the 70's Augie owned the 80's and now North Central has the present ownership.

NC's rise has made it challenging for other schools to recruit.  Also factoring into this equation is facilities.  In Elmhurst's case this is a double whammy, along with the history of not being very good overall, other than a handle of years being very competitive.
#4
yes.  Like the Bears Elmhurst found a way to grab defeat from the jaws of victory.  Which is a shame for Elmhurst fans, because the Jays really came out in the first half inspired poised for a HC upset.   
Credit to Carthage coaching staff though for making some adjustments in the 2nd half.   

Reality unfortunately, is these are (2) really weak teams right now.   :(
#5
Good things are happening at North Park.  Sadly, the same cannot be said at Elmhurst.
SHOCKINGLY North Central spoiled Homecoming weekend.  The Cardinals are a juggernaut right now on all sides of the ball and poised to make another deep run in the playoffs.  IMO, there is no weakness on this team.

#6
New-Tradition-  Our football field was on a steady decline for years, and the '01 IWU/Elmhurst game was the beginning of the final demise.    My roommate was on the team and after the game you couldn't even see the white numbers blending in with the navy.

The college deserved better, but unfortunately (for a number of reasons),  they waited for a must replace approach as opposed to the preventive maintenance/staying ahead of the game approach.  My HS field was in better condition than EC's was.

Coach Krohn did everything he could with the limited resources and tools he was given to work with.

In similar fashion,  Butterfield Park where we played baseball was in need of TLC too. I recall running after a fly ball in left field and stumbling because there tire tread marks on the field.   ???

#7
I can recall HC games  on the air vs. IWU (when the Titans were strong),  Wheaton, etc.   I understand often schedules don't allow for changes, but NC has been strong for how many years now  :o    and they can't find a better opponent to have a large crowd?  HC is always the largest crowd of the year and typically a good # of recruits come to visit.   This will most likely be a lopsided rout so if you are a HC coach, anxious to land a recruit,   the recruit (then) sees the Red & White team and realizes they are a conference, local rival.. . IMO just isn't a good recipe for Elmhurst to thrive.

My favorite Elmhurst HC broadcasting on the air was the '01 game Elmhurst vs. IWU in what we dubbed on the air as the "monsoon game".  We had heavy rain for a day and a half.  you could step and sink down to your ankles back when EC has regular grass.   It it is the only game I ever saw that had 4 straight fumbles based on the weather.  The refs would put the ball down to start the play, and the ball would travel (i.e.  like a river current) side to side.   :P     Elmhurst was contemplating getting field turf and after this game,  the decision was made.       
#8
Saturday is Homecoming at Elmhurst and while I fully expect NC to dominate,  I am hoping Elmhurst will (still) come out of the gates inspired.   Still kind of surprised Elmhurst would schedule NC for HC knowing NC is coming off a Nat'l title and has been strong the last few years.  Sometimes depending on the timing, I realize it can't be bypassed, but if there was a opp..
I know for years Elmhurst tried to avoid Augie as a HC game.

#9
That's why the play the game.  Should be a interesting Saturday.

For sure NT-  Fitz's 5th quarter was a mainstay for us for many years.   Those were good old days.
#10
Greg-  I agree with who they favor, but IMO the margin by which they think X team is going to win, other than North Central  seems pretty steep?  You agree?
#11
This weekend's Augie/Elmhurst game is interesting. I think defensively Elmhurst will be able to keep the Jays within a shot of a win.  I just don't think Elmhurst offense will be able to mount longstanding drives and stay on the field for a long (enough) time.
#12
New Tradition-  On the air we called it "panther pride" line.  I also remember meeting you at Fitz's pub a few times after the games with Demma's folks .  That group was a great fit for Elmhurst.  Evans was Demma's go to guy on 3rd down.   Sadly, once they all graduated Elmhurst fell a few rungs.
#13
Thank you New Tradition and yes this all jives now. I remember Elmhurst really wanted Radtke because we knew how talented a player he was.
#14
NccFan-  Wasn't John Thorne a retired Chemistry Teacher when he took the NC job?  I remember talking to him about his job as a Chem Prof but don't know for certain if he was fully retired prior to taking the HC job.
#15
Congrats to Mike Murray and the Bluejays on their opening day win.  The Jays Lb's looked pretty good.   
It's only 1 game and it was against a weaker team,  but a building block and something to build on.   IMO, we will know if the
Jays are legit in 2 weeks when they travel to Augie and face stronger competition.   First 1-0 start since 2018 so a flicker of hope.