Quote from: unionpalooza on Yesterday at 02:19:28 pm

Quote from: Ice Bear on Yesterday at 01:48:32 pm

I find it interesting that Greg Thomas picked Union as his most surprising 5-0 team this season. At first, I scratched my head a bit but then after thinking about it, and seeing his reasoning in a response he made to a posted comment, I kind of get it.

This team was 6-4 last year and was steam rolled over the last three games of the season (throw into that the devastating comeback loss to Utica in week 4 as well). I say steamrolled not referring to the score differential per say, but losing three in a row to their top rivals, all at the end of the season. The proverbial air was completely let out of the balloon. Especially after the loss to RPI, which was was absolutely embarrassing. Not because of RPI but because of the way we played. IMHO Union may have found themselves in a place they hadn't been, since Behrman took over...and yes that includes their initial 3-7 season. Move ahead to this this season and you have a new coach, some losses at some key positions (WR and the secondary), and some uncertainty about which direction this team would head in 2023. Who knew what we were going to see? Obviously knowing Pacatte was coming back, Tolbert, a strong D-line and LB core made me think they would be competitive, but I still didn't know and was feeling quite down at the end of last season.

Now, we must take into account this weak schedule, which really consists of three scrimmages, one quasi-test in Springfield, and a Montclair team that I still have no clue about, and you may say, "No, 5-0 was expected." Honestly, I see it either way, it is a surprise they are 5-0 and it's not a surprise they are 5-0.

However, what Greg did say, that does really make sense to me is the way in which Union has arrived at 5-0, is surprising. They have really looked good, especially the two times they faced ok competition. Obviously IC, Hobart, and RPI seem like they are big steps up, and I think they are. But Union has looked very good on both sides of the ball. So good that I've even come to "nit pick" a bit to point out any weaknesses that I think may hurt the Garnet Chargers against the big boys.

So, taking all into account, this has been a very good start for Union and maybe one where some say they could be the best of the four...or at the very least in the mix. Either way I applaud Greg for his pick of Union even though it's not such an easy sell. Gutsy call Greg. Well done.

Yeah, I think it’s more the style that he was deeming surprising.  Maybe 5-0 is not a shocker given the schedule, but I don’t think many would have predicted that Union would have outscored its opponents 205-14 in the first four games and be among the top 10 nationally in fifteen different statistical categories.  That said, I think many did not expect much from Union because they didn’t realize how much Union brought back this year, and the fact that 6-4 final record looks a lot worse than what might have been, as Union blew three blown late leads against Utica, Hobart, and Ithaca.

On that same column, I thought Greg’s take on the poll issues we’ve been discussing was really thoughtful.  Folks should check it out, if they haven’t.

Agreed, and there are comments on that column that may be of interest to LL people (including responses from me where a poster really misquoted me).

That was a great ATN and certainly some interesting comments in there. Regarding the discussion earlier in the week here it seems as if more than half of the voters went with the more head-to-head approach voting Endicott higher in the poll than H-S. I think sometimes here in the East, where there is a victory or a game that is very well played over one of the top 5, even top 10 teams in the nation, we want there to be an immediate acknowledgement of that. I certainly understand why, and sometimes feel that way myself (and definitely have in the past). With that said I think it also comes up because many here in the east are starved to have a team relevant to that top 10, that top 5 (which I believe there is usually a significant gap between teams 5-10 and 1-5). Many of us are old farts who were around when teams in the East were "that good" miss those days. However as I age and continue to watch and support D3 football I tend to take the approach of really enjoying what I have right in front of me. Of course I also enjoy the top games/teams/matchups but I don't yearn for Union to be there as I used to. I believe IC made a point a while back about something to do with this and it made a mark on me. It's ok to bot be in those top 5 or top 10 teams. To be with those other 230 teams-ish is fine and good football from true student athletes across all of D3 is what is great.

I find it interesting that Greg Thomas picked Union as his most surprising 5-0 team this season. At first, I scratched my head a bit but then after thinking about it, and seeing his reasoning in a response he made to a posted comment, I kind of get it.

This team was 6-4 last year and was steam rolled over the last three games of the season (throw into that the devastating comeback loss to Utica in week 4 as well). I say steamrolled not referring to the score differential per say, but losing three in a row to their top rivals, all at the end of the season. The proverbial air was completely let out of the balloon. Especially after the loss to RPI, which was was absolutely embarrassing. Not because of RPI but because of the way we played. IMHO Union may have found themselves in a place they hadn't been, since Behrman took over...and yes that includes their initial 3-7 season. Move ahead to this this season and you have a new coach, some losses at some key positions (WR and the secondary), and some uncertainty about which direction this team would head in 2023. Who knew what we were going to see? Obviously knowing Pacatte was coming back, Tolbert, a strong D-line and LB core made me think they would be competitive, but I still didn't know and was feeling quite down at the end of last season.

Now, we must take into account this weak schedule, which really consists of three scrimmages, one quasi-test in Springfield, and a Montclair team that I still have no clue about, and you may say, "No, 5-0 was expected." Honestly, I see it either way, it is a surprise they are 5-0 and it's not a surprise they are 5-0.

However, what Greg did say, that does really make sense to me is the way in which Union has arrived at 5-0, is surprising. They have really looked good, especially the two times they faced ok competition. Obviously IC, Hobart, and RPI seem like they are big steps up, and I think they are. But Union has looked very good on both sides of the ball. So good that I've even come to "nit pick" a bit to point out any weaknesses that I think may hurt the Garnet Chargers against the big boys.

So, taking all into account, this has been a very good start for Union and maybe one where some say they could be the best of the four...or at the very least in the mix. Either way I applaud Greg for his pick of Union even though it's not such an easy sell. Gutsy call Greg. Well done.

Quote from: Ice Bear on September 28, 2023, 03:04:52 pm

Quote from: faunch on September 27, 2023, 08:54:28 pm

Speaking of using your helmet / targeting. Saw this story where a Steelers running back was fined an entire games pay for using his helmet inappropriately. He wasn’t even penalized in the game.

https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1705650385036210646?s=20

Reminded me of this play in an SJU/Olaf game a couple years ago. Maybe the MIAC/D3 should allow reviews of of non calls and eject/suspend players after the fact.
https://youtu.be/sBU1OHr0LmA?si=Z9WU5I-TCx9TgFxv

I may be getting soft in my old age but man that was some ferocious contact! Not making a judgement here because I don't know what to  think...but man football is a tough game.

On a side note Bethel has a big, "bounce back" game this weekend at home against the Gusties. I would really like to see a W here with some offensive output. Also, I may have missed this information but does anyone know Geebli's timeline?

I thought Coach Johnson was quoted as saying Geebli was done for 2023 season

Thanks for the info Biggie +k. What a shame about Geebli. I thought he was going to have a very good season.

On Friday I’m leaving for a week of deep sea fishing in Far North Queensland where there will be no internet communications.  If I come home on the spear of a marlin, please remember me fondly.

I’ll way up in Cooktown on the Cape York Peninsula and we’ll be fishing off the top of the Great Barrier Reef on the edge of the Coral Sea.

Have a wonderful time Oz! This sounds amazing!

Let me get WEEK #5 picks out of the way, only 3 games;

THE SENECAS      27     THE CAYUGAS        24.   This could be wishful thinking, but I just have a feeling this is the year

LIGHT SOCKETS   35.   NORTHLANDERS. 10.      Larries unsuccessful at causing a black out

YELLOWJACKETS. 32.   BUFFMEN.            13.      The Yellowjackets go 4-1 heading into Poppe's Chargers next week     


UPDATED PICS:

Participant                  Wins per week.                        Total.      Percentage

ICAlum(the instigator).      5/6/5/-                            16/19*.           .842
UnionPalooza.                   7/5/- /4                           16/18.             .888
Bartman.                          6/7/5/5                            23/25.             .920
Ice Bear.                          6/6/4/5.                            21/25.             .840
Jersey 42.                        6/-/-/5                              11/12.             .916
Machiavelli                       -/5/6/5.                             16/18.             .889
Oline.                              -/4/-/-                               4/7.                 .571
IC798891.                       -/-/5./-                               5/6.               . 833
UFAN.                              -/-/-/4                                4/5.               .800

* no selection for the first  Friday night  game was made

MOST CORRECT PICKS YTD(Bartman,IB); Highest Percentage YTD(Bartman, J42)( Requires minimum of 5 weeks)

I appreciate you keeping track Bartman. This certainly adds to the fun of it. +k

LIBERTY LEAGUE WEEKLY AWARDS, Congratulations!


Offensive Performer of the Week: Johnny Colombi, Hobart(3 Passing TDs and ! rushing TD)
Defensive Performer of the Week: Jaden Duncan, Union
Special Teams Performer of the Week: Jared Elstein, RPI
Rookie of the Week: E.J. Taylor, Hobart
Honor Roll: Jaimen Bliss, Hobart; Michael Fiore, Union; Tawa Jordy, Rochester; Will Lederman, St. Lawrence; Ryan Rose, Rochester; Ryan Watson, St. Lawrence; Kayden White, RPI

What are your thoughts on Colombi?

I agree he had a good game, but I disagree that he was on target all day. Obviously I’m picking low hanging fruit here and admittedly maybe being a bit too critical. With that said, he missed some throws, as does every QB. I love the kid but his accuracy is inconsistent at times IMHO and if I’m being critical and looking at small flaws that could cost Union against the likes of the other three, his accuracy, at times, is one of them IMHO.