Rest of region kicking into gear
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For starters, the NESCAC teams will literally begin their seasons on Saturday, but the 25th will also mark the beginning of intradivisional play within the NEFC (to date, NEFC teams have played either teams outside the conference, or non-conference games against other NEFC competition). No NEFC team is going to get an at-large bid to the postseason, so a divisional, and the conference championship are really what these fine schools are playing for. For all intents and purposes, that competition kicks off this week. So while these last three weeks haven’t been real pretty for a number of NEFC teams, this season’s real battles are in front of us, not behind.
Last Saturday, NESCAC teams scrimmaged against one another as is tradition the week before opening day — each school in the ten-team NESCAC plays eight conference games a season and scrimmages against the ninth team it will not be playing later in the year. With the weather being what it was this past weekend, most coaches were probably just happy to see their players remain healthy, so it is hard to determine how much should be read into these scrimmages.
One event of note was Hamilton’s 15-9 exhibition “win” over Tufts. Tufts still must be considered the better team, but the Continentals — who went 0-8 in 2002 and 2-6 in 2003 — may well be a team on the rise with 17 starters returning. Hamilton opens its season at Amherst.
Another team to keep an eye on is Bowdoin. The Polar Bears have not won a game since Oct. 12, 2002, but they lost three games last year by a total of five points and were a young team plagued by injuries — most significantly, coach Dave Caputi was without the services of his projected starting quarterback, Ricky Leclerc, for the first five games of the season. With many top performers returning this season, Bowdoin should surprise a few people. The Polar Bears most likely don’t stand much of a chance of seriously competing for a NESCAC championship, but I don’t expect them to be in last place either.
Defending champion Trinity clearly enters the season as the envy of the NESCAC, but competition figures to be fierce among the other nine conference teams, who are all gunning to prevent a Bantam three-peat.
Williams will be without legendary coach Dick Farley and a bevy of starters from last year’s team, particularly on offense, but plenty of talent (both on the field and on the sidelines) remain in Williamstown.
Middlebury features Mike Keenan, likely the best quarterback in the NESCAC; Tufts has a tenacious defense; and Amherst has loads of ability and experience at the skill positions.
This should be a very competitive, entertaining year for the NESCAC.
Westfield gets back on track
After opening their season last week with a surprising 26-21 loss to Western New England, the Owls of Westfield State righted the ship on Saturday with a 22-7 victory over Nichols. Don Jones rushed for two touchdowns in the second quarter, and Westfield State shut out Nichols in the second half to secure the win. The Owl defense dominated throughout, limiting the Bison to just 151 total yards of offense and one score. Nichols, meanwhile, finds itself in the unenviable position of having to enter divisional play with an overall record of 0-3.
Nichols hosts Salve Regina next week in a Boyd Division clash, while the Owls will travel to Fitchburg State to begin their defense of their Bogan crown.
Wind, rain, Mass-Dartmouth slow Camobreco
Last week, I reported on Adam Camobreco’s sensational, 11-19, 282-yard, five-touchdown performance in &&Bridewater State&&’s thrilling 37-34 overtime triumph over Nichols. Unfortunately for the junior signal-caller, the Corsair defense and the abysmal weather prevented a similarly fantastic display this past Saturday. Mass-Dartmouth (1-2) won its second game in a row by playing superior defense in a 12-6 struggle with Bridgewater State (1-1) in the second annual Shrine Football Classic.
The first score of the day took place late in the first half. A Bear turnover allowed the Corsairs to begin their drive in enemy territory, and Mass-Dartmouth took full advantage of its field position by marching 41 yards in seven plays on a drive that was capped off by a 1-yard touchdown reception by rookie receiver Corey Williams. The ensuing PAT was blocked, and the Corsairs took a 6-0 lead into the locker room.
Corsair coach William Kavanaugh made an unusual — and ultimately brilliant — decision to start the second half when he decided to allow the Bears to receive the kickoff so that he could have the wind. Kavanaugh’s confidence in his defense was quickly rewarded with a three-and-out, and the subsequent short punt meant that the Corsairs began their first offensive possession of the second half only 30 yards from their desired destination. A few plays later, Williams’ second touchdown reception of the game — this one from 12 yards out — doubled the Corsair advantage to 12-0.
After being stifled all day, Bridgewater scored unexpectedly late in the game when Camobreco hooked up with the ever dangerous Ben Bascon for an 85-yard touchdown. Trailing 12-6 (Bridgewater’s two-point conversion was unsuccessful), the Bears had one possession at the end of the game with which to take the lead, but they were unable to convert.
Camobreco finished the day 7-for-23 for 131 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Linebacker Mike Bleakley was the star of the day for the Corsairs, racking up 14 tackles on the afternoon.
Western New England fails to duplicate magic in loss to Fitchburg State
Despite being largely outplayed in its season-opener by a heavily favored Westfield State team, Western New England’s disciplined offense and opportunistic defense enabled the Golden Bears to pull of the 26-21 upset. This past Saturday, however, Western New England was both outplayed and defeated by a feisty Fitchburg State squad, 27-6. The Golden Bears produced just 149 yards of total offense and were held to a dismal 16 yards rushing on 41 carries.
NEFC Game of the Week
Curry at Mass-Dartmouth, Sept. 25, Noon: Defending NEFC Champion Curry stands at 2-0 thus far this season with wins over Fitchburg State and Maine Maritime, but this Boyd Division tilt will be sure to put the Colonels to the test. After dropping its season opener to Division II Merrimack, Mass-Dartmouth has won two in a row and could well be Curry’s stiffest competition in the Boyd Division. Last year, Curry defeated Mass-Dartmouth by a score of 21-12.
NESCAC Game of the Week
Colby at Williams, Sept. 25, 1 p.m.: While this game, in the NESCAC’s opening week, ought to be plenty entertaining on the field, the focus of attention might well be on the respective sidelines. For Williams, this game will mark the debut of new head coach Mike Whalen, who has the unenviable task of trying to replace the legendary Dick Farley, a man who epitomized excellence during his 17 years at the helm in Williamstown. On the Colby sideline, Edward Mestieri will be taking over for the retired Tom Austin, another NESCAC coaching icon.
Your input
Is there a story we're missing? A player we should profile? A key matchup that's flying under the radar? Your comments and suggestions are invited; send your thoughts and story ideas to me at george.doty@d3football.com.