FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[NescacNewbie]

I cannot fathom how we have co-champions this year. Same record, winner goes to the head-to-head game. Simple, Easy, Effective. If there are three teams with the same record and you have a circular result (like the CBB issue last year), then you have a push with co-champions.
Nothing against Trinity, but Middlebury hands-down deserves the Sole Champion title.

Keep the issue nameless/faceless and leave the team names out of it (since everyone seems to hate Trinity).

[Bantam4life]

Trinity Football

It was clearly evident after yesterdays drubbing of Bowdoin that Trinity is way above the other NESCAC teams in terms of talented players , development and Coaching. Bowdoin was completely off its game yesterday. The only highlight was the first drive when they scored a touchdown and took the lead 7-0.

Bowdoin was completely outplayed. More importantly out coached. Why in the world when you have the best QB and WR in the league would you leave Sean Clapp 6"4 who can jump in man to man coverage against a Aise Bream a 5" 6 CB who cant jump. It was a pitch and catch all day. It was so bad that on one Touchdown throw Clapp actually picked the player up and shook his hand because it was so futile in trying to guard him.

Trinity totally man handled Bowdoin. They not only played more physical than Bowdoin but clearly had the size differential over Bowdoin. Now I understand they are the powerhouse of the league and Bowdoin is a bottom feeder in the league but these other schools need to put a better product on the field. The sad part is that the Trinity WR are all returning next year. Despite 30 seniors graduating at Trinity the future looks bright. The last two recruiting classes are stacked at Trinity on both sides of the lines. In addition theses players got valuable playing time and experience this year due to the multiple blowouts that occurred.

As I said in past posts the QB is the biggest question at Trinity with a University of West Virginia transfer being dubbed QB of the future with I beleive 3 years eligibility left. He looked sharp in pre season but ended up breaking an ankle. They get another talented reeciver back from injury next year who would have been rookie of the year this year. I also think the key to this program is with all that talent the Coaches create a consistent winning culture where everyone wants to win hard to find at the D3 level of play. I think this is more incredible since most really don't see the field until there Junior and Senior years.

Sounds like it will be Zebrowski as the Bantam starter, will be interesting to see how the Bants offense changes as Zebrowski is more of a spread/option type player. Nonetheless ess Bants will be absolutely reloaded next fall.

[MammothDad]

I cannot fathom how we have co-champions this year. Same record, winner goes to the head-to-head game. Simple, Easy, Effective. If there are three teams with the same record and you have a circular result (like the CBB issue last year), then you have a push with co-champions.
Nothing against Trinity, but Middlebury hands-down deserves the Sole Champion title.

Keep the issue nameless/faceless and leave the team names out of it (since everyone seems to hate Trinity).

Disagree with the "hate Trinity" thing.

The guy who calls them "Hartford State" also has many other monikers for the rivals of Wesleyan.

Trinity is the perennial power year in, year out.  Most top teams are resented to a degree.

If Trinity is the way they are ONLY due to "hard work" and "culture", sure.  Yay them?!?

I think there are MANY other factors that some attempt to discuss on the Board, despite the defensiveness.

But credit to the kids and their HC.  Amherst's Coach Mills referred to them as "going up against grown men".  And Trinity seemed to call off the dogs in the 2nd half, giving others some play time.  Trinity's FB is well respected on this page and there are 9 chasing them most years.

Middlebury BEAT them this year and Williams did as well, two years ago.

[Nescacman]

I cannot fathom how we have co-champions this year. Same record, winner goes to the head-to-head game. Simple, Easy, Effective. If there are three teams with the same record and you have a circular result (like the CBB issue last year), then you have a push with co-champions.
Nothing against Trinity, but Middlebury hands-down deserves the Sole Champion title.

Keep the issue nameless/faceless and leave the team names out of it (since everyone seems to hate Trinity).

And Trinity seemed to call off the dogs in the 2nd half, giving others some play time.

Really?!? What games were you watching?

The only reason Fetter WON'T be NESCAC OPOTY by himself is because he racked up a bunch of stats running up the score...had Hartford State shown a bit more sportsmanship, perhaps all the other opposing HCOF's would have voted for Fetter instead of potentially splitting their votes...Fetter can thank HCOF Jeff for that (and throwing the ball at the Middlebury player at the end of that game).

[Gate 91]

The Gate 91 era is upon us! Welcome to the show! What a season for NESCAC football, stellar action this year with Trinity and Middlebury each holding a share of the title. (NESCAC should implement a tie breaker game!) Is it too early to speculate contenders for the title next year? Midd seems to be losing many key starters, such as all NESCAC star Finny Muldoon. On the other hand, Trinity losing a lot of key 5th year players. So the question becomes who can reload for next year? Word on the street is that Trinity QB Zander Zebrowski is a stud. He has seen some time this season and looked impressive. Gonna be hard for his to not be successful throwing it to Clapp. Excited to see if there are any League impacting moves this offseason.

[MammothDad]

Really?!? What games were you watching?

The only reason Fetter WON'T be NESCAC OPOTY by himself is because he racked up a bunch of stats running up the score...had Hartford State shown a bit more sportsmanship, perhaps all the other opposing HCOF's would have voted for Fetter instead of potentially splitting their votes...Fetter can thank HCOF Jeff for that (and throwing the ball at the Middlebury player at the end of that game).

The one that had a QTR Box Score as follows:

21   21   7   0   for a total of 49

[Nescacman]

Really?!? What games were you watching?

The only reason Fetter WON'T be NESCAC OPOTY by himself is because he racked up a bunch of stats running up the score...had Hartford State shown a bit more sportsmanship, perhaps all the other opposing HCOF's would have voted for Fetter instead of potentially splitting their votes...Fetter can thank HCOF Jeff for that (and throwing the ball at the Middlebury player at the end of that game).

The one that had a QTR Box Score as follows:

21   21   7   0   for a total of 49

LordMammoth Dad, you do realize they played 9 games this year, right???

[Nescacman]

On a more serious note, as a follow-up to our earlier email regarding Coach Cosgrove, we understand he may have suffered a stroke on Saturday. We wish him nothing but the best and are thinking about him. 

[Gray Fox]

I cannot fathom how we have co-champions this year. Same record, winner goes to the head-to-head game. Simple, Easy, Effective. If there are three teams with the same record and you have a circular result (like the CBB issue last year), then you have a push with co-champions.
Nothing against Trinity, but Middlebury hands-down deserves the Sole Champion title.

Keep the issue nameless/faceless and leave the team names out of it (since everyone seems to hate Trinity).

This is old school.  I am only familiar with the SCIAC.  That is what they use.
But a playoff team is based on head to head competition.  But NESCAC does not need this option.

[lumbercat]

The tutor program is specific to Football.  They don't hide the fact that the school is more flexible on their admissions standards for Football than they may be on the rest of the student body.

Lumbercat,

Brace for impact.  There are many thin skinned, sensitive Trinity fans on this forum.


With that dig, I have no problem with Trinity watching after their FB Player's with tutoring help.  I wish it was offered at Amherst.

I hope you have proof of that lowered admissions claim.  I shared factual, first hand anecdotal information and I think 2 have already consulted with attorneys to see if I am libel for damaging an institution I NEVER named.



Take care!

Lol- I'm braced.

[bantamweight]

I cannot fathom how we have co-champions this year. Same record, winner goes to the head-to-head game. Simple, Easy, Effective. If there are three teams with the same record and you have a circular result (like the CBB issue last year), then you have a push with co-champions.
Nothing against Trinity, but Middlebury hands-down deserves the Sole Champion title.

Keep the issue nameless/faceless and leave the team names out of it (since everyone seems to hate Trinity).

If, at the end of this season, Tufts had beaten Midd and Wesleyan had beaten Trinity there would have been a four-way tie for first. How would you have resolved that?

[BantChamps]

I cannot fathom how we have co-champions this year. Same record, winner goes to the head-to-head game. Simple, Easy, Effective. If there are three teams with the same record and you have a circular result (like the CBB issue last year), then you have a push with co-champions.
Nothing against Trinity, but Middlebury hands-down deserves the Sole Champion title.

Keep the issue nameless/faceless and leave the team names out of it (since everyone seems to hate Trinity).

And Trinity seemed to call off the dogs in the 2nd half, giving others some play time.

Really?!? What games were you watching?

The only reason Fetter WON'T be NESCAC OPOTY by himself is because he racked up a bunch of stats running up the score...had Hartford State shown a bit more sportsmanship, perhaps all the other opposing HCOF's would have voted for Fetter instead of potentially splitting their votes...Fetter can thank HCOF Jeff for that (and throwing the ball at the Middlebury player at the end of that game).

The bantams pulled their starters in almost every game before halftime or early in the third quarter. Would you suggest pulling starters when up 28 in the second quarter? 35? As the starters come out on both sides of the ball don’t blame them for trying to play hard when they get their shot. The “running up the score” argument is tiring. Perhaps that defeatist attitude is what has been wrong in Middletown this past decade?

[lumbercat]

Disagree- can't remember Trinity ever pulling starters in the first half or early in the third quarter. Nor should they. No idea where you are coming up with that.
Thats too early to pull starters in any game, by any team.

Where Trinity might give the critics some fuel for criticism is when they leave the starters in well into the fourth quarter.
Some will say it's stats driven......I won't comment on that but to me it's a negative that they couldn't find some more snaps for a loyal kid like Zebrowski amid all those landslide wins.

Kudos to Zebrowski- he's sticking around next year, wish the best for the kid.

[bantamweight]

Disagree- can't remember Trinity ever pulling starters in the first half or early in the third quarter. Nor should they. No idea where you are coming up with that.
Thats too early to pull starters in any game, by any team.

Absolute fact that Trin pulled starters at halftime of at least one game this season.

[Back2BackBantam]

Disagree- can't remember Trinity ever pulling starters in the first half or early in the third quarter. Nor should they. No idea where you are coming up with that.
Thats too early to pull starters in any game, by any team.

Where Trinity might give the critics some fuel for criticism is when they leave the starters in well into the fourth quarter.
Some will say it's stats driven......I won't comment on that but to me it's a negative that they couldn't find some more snaps for a loyal kid like Zebrowski amid all those landslide wins.

Kudos to Zebrowski- he's sticking around next year, wish the best for the kid.

As a Trinity Starter this past year, I can honestly say I missed about 3 full games worth of playing time due to being pulled either at halftime or after a drive or 2 into the 3rd quarter. The only games where starters were left in during a blowout win were Wesleyan (rivalry; majority of starters were out by the 4th) and Bowdoin (most of the starters’ last career game; all were out in the 4th). Also, to NESCACMAN’s point on Fetter “stat padding” in the 2nd half of blowout games, I would ask him to look at his stat differential between the first half and second half of games, then recomment on the matter.

Either way, after 5 years of reading this board, I thank all of you for posting daily and giving us as the players lots of laughs, lots of arguments, and of course, lots of Bulletin Board material, especially when we play the guys over there (Wesleyan). I look forward to engaging in these arguments with all of you in the coming seasons.