A welcome tailgate
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Tailgaters in college football are everywhere. There are the tailgates done by clubs, organizations, alumni groups, and in this case the parents of the players. It all started for me when I received a very nice e-mail from George Hrdina, the father of running back Stefan Hrdina who was complimenting me on the quality of the broadcasts. I went to go say hello at the Colby game and was offered breakfast, coffee, and even some snacks for the game. I was then more or less ordered by Donna Secor, the mother of captain and defensive back Scott Secor, to join them after the game and for the rest of the gatherings throughout the season.
To say these guys and gals put out a spread would be like calling the Grand Canyon a hole. There is chicken, pasta, drinks of the adult variety, but most importantly, it is a chance for the players to talk to their families, and get a good lunch after a hard fought game. In the case of Saturday’s game at Trinity, there was a cake for linebacker Eric Woodring whose birthday was on Sunday and of course everyone sang happy birthday to Eric.
Being someone who isn’t used to being on the inside so to speak, I have gotten a chance to get to know the players and their families in a more relaxed setting. Tiger Lyon’s parents fly up from El Paso, Texas, for every game, and his sister comes for the home games. Scott Secor’s parents come from Lake Odessa, Mich., and Mac Conn’s family came out from my old stomping grounds in Piedmont, Calif. This is something the parents do for every game and they love every second of it. I have learned that Scott Secor was injured as a freshman, and barely knowing anyone always had a room full of friends in his hospital room to keep him company and give him real food. By the way, Scott already has a job lined up on Wall Street. This weekend I met Eric Woodring’s family for the first time, along with about another 10 family members of other players that Donna introduced me to. I am getting the chance to find out what makes these players the outstanding young men they are, and just how tight knit the entire Middlebury family is. This is a point of view that most broadcasters don’t get the chance to get. Thanks everyone for making me feel part of the family.
Curry, Coast Guard schedule a meeting
Jarrad Jordan rushed for 108 yards and two scores, and Curry’s defense was able to hold Nichols to zero yards passing and 60 yards overall, as the Colonels rolled over Nichols 37-13. Combined with Endicott’s defeat of Mass-Dartmouth, the Colonels win their fourth consecutive Boyd Division title. The Colonels have now won 17 consecutive regular season games overall and extended their home winning streak to 22 games.
In Maine, David Lieberman hit an 18-yard field goal in the second quarter, and Coast Guard was able to hold Maine Maritime to just 11 yards passing as the Bears locked up the Boyd Division title with a 3-0 victory over Maine Maritime. The Mariners were able to cross the 50-yard line only twice in this game.
On Nov. 11, Coast Guard and Curry will square off for the NEFC title and the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
Mass-Dartmouth bows out
Mass-Dartmouth needed a win against Endicott to have a chance at the Boyd Division title, but it was not to be as Angelo Ortiz rushed for 70 yards and a score, Jeff Trinque added 50 yards and a touchdown to lead Endicott to a 28-0 victory over U-Mass Dartmouth. With the loss, UMD drops to 4-2 in the Boyd Division, and combined with Coast Guard’s 3-0 victory over Maine Maritime, the Corsairs were eliminated from a chance at the Boyd title. The windy and rainy conditions were not conducive to passing as UMD was only 3-for-18 for 28 yards in the air.
The rest of the league
Greg Borsari and Steven Clark each rushed for over 100 yards to lead Bridgewater State to a 41-20 victory over Worcester State. Bryce Guilbeault was 12-for-20 for 149 yards, including a 41 yard touchdown pass to Bill Meuse to lead Framingham State to a 14-6 victory over Mass Maritime. Jordan Capitanio rushed for a career high 262 yards and three scores to lead WNEC to a 28-0 victory over Salve Regina. Capitanio’s efforts earned him the NEFC Player of the Week honors. In a game that was delayed 36 minutes by lightning, it was Fitchburg State over Westfield State 7-6, and Plymouth State routed MIT 35-3.
Prediction time again
In the NEFC, as this week’s games are more or less meaningless, I will hold off on my prediction on the Coast Guard/Curry game until next week. I have to say though from talking with other writers and media folks, I think Curry will win this one, but not by much.
In the NESCAC, the game of the weekend is in Hartford as Amherst takes on a very tough Trinity squad. Trinity was all over Middlebury on Saturday, and Amherst has played very tough, only losing to Middlebury so I will take Amherst in a squeaker. In a CBB matchup, Colby has some momentum after their four overtime victory against Bates, but they won’t be able to topple Tufts. The Middlebury at Hamilton game is intriguing as both teams have strong defenses, but Hamilton has scored only 12 points this season; Middlebury wins this one in a rout. In a battle of winless teams, Bates is at Bowdoin, and the only thing I can say is that someone has to win. Who will win is the question, and just because my cousin is a Bates alum, I will take the Bobcats.
I am off to Clinton, N.Y., for the Hamilton/Middlebury game this weekend, so that is all for me. Questions, comments, and a picture of me you can throw darts at for my predictions can be sent to chris.fells@gmail.com.