Games to watch in 2006
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Nevertheless, the West Region once again boasts a number of teams in the Top 25 including four teams in the Top 10.
So, grab your friends, call an old teammate, invite the family but make sure you plan to get to a Division III football stadium this fall. Need help picking the best game to go to? Good, because the following breaks down the top ten games in the region for 2006. It was not an easy selection process and there was no exact formula. Just a gut feeling after breaking down schedules from the west region.
Without further ado …
10. Central Dutch at St. Thomas Tommies, Sept, 2, 1 p.m.
If one good thing came of Macalester leaving the MIAC after the 2001 season, it’s the open slot it provided to each team for a non conference game. Unfortunately for St. Thomas, they haven’t had the best of luck with that non conference opportunity. After going 0-for-nonconference in 2002-03, the Tommies scheduled only nine games in 2004-05. They’re off the schneid now, however, by scheduling the defending IIAC champion in Central. This should be a phenomenal Week 1 battle. The Tommies need to settle their quarterback controversy while the Dutch begin their potential repeat season as IIAC champions. Junior running back Vance Schuring returns to the Dutch after racking up 1,339 yards and 16 touchdowns along with the IIAC MVP trophy.
9. Whitworth at UW-Stout, Sept. 23, 1 p. m.
Though rare still, these cross country inter-conference match-ups are becoming more frequent. This battle is especially enticing between the best defense in the WIAC in 2005 and one of the top offenses in the NWC last season. The Blue Devils are picked to finish third in the WIAC this season and will count on their stingy defense which allowed only 267 yards per game last season. Contrary, Whitworth is picked to finish second in the NWC and has a lethal combination in quarterback Joel Clark to tight end Michael Allan. Hopefully this WIAC vs. NWC conference battle continues after solid games between Linfield and UW-Stevens Point and Pacific Lutheran and UW-River Falls the last two seasons.
8. St. John’s Johnnies at St. Olaf Oles, Oct. 7, 1 p.m.
No team in the MIAC has been as successful against the Johnnies over the past five years than the St. Olaf Oles. The Oles can claim two of the Johnnies three conference losses over the last five seasons—one in Collegeville in ’01 and one in Northfield in ’04. The Oles were the surprise team of the 2005 MIAC season and will look to continue the momentum in 2006. The 2004 “Mess at Manitou” was a 21-19 affair with eight turnovers by the Johnnies. Some Johnnie faithful were left grumbling about a watered down field. The Johnnies left no doubt in 2005 with a 63-9 drubbing in Collegeville. Look for more excitement in 2006.
7. Occidental Tigers at Cal Lutheran Kingsmen, Oct. 28, 1 p.m.
This should be the battle for supremacy in the SCIAC this season. Occidental hammered Cal Lutheran 41-9 at home in 2005 and remained the only blemish on the Kingsmens season. Look for the two best quarterbacks in the league to battle it out in this one with Cal Lutheran’s Danny Jones versus Occidental’s Andy Collins. Home field could give Cal Lutheran the boost they need to get over the Oxy hump this season and possibly into the playoffs—a place some people thought they belonged last season.
6. Central Dutch at Coe Kohawks, Nov. 4, 1 p.m.
It looks as though the two teams that battle for the 2005 IIAC crown will be back at each others throats in 2006. Coe won 17-14 last season holding off a furious comeback by Central on their home field. Neil Suckow will once again lead the Coe rushing attack while Vance Schuring will look to duplicate his breakout MVP season of 2005. This late season matchup could decide the title unless Wartburg can throw itself into the mix.
5. Whitworth Pirates at Linfield Wildcats, Nov. 4, 1 p.m.
Another West Region conference championship should be up for grabs and this one would be huge if the Whitworth Pirates can pull the upset. Six time defending NWC conference champion Linfield puts their streak on the line with a new coach in Joe Smith, a yet-to-be-named heir to Brett Elliott and a new fleet of offensive and defensive weapons. Whitworth returns the potent connection of quarterback Joel Clark and tight end Michael Allan who connected on 16 touchdowns in 2005. If the Pirates defense can keep a still powerful Linfield offense at bay, the NWC crown could fall to Whitworth.
4. St. John’s Johnnies at Concordia-Moorhead Cobbers, Sept. 23, 1 p.m.
Concordia-Moorhead was 13 seconds away from victory against St. John’s last season when Johnnie wide receiver Kyle Gearman streaked 74 yards to the end zone crushing Concordia’s back to back conference title dreams. The Cobbers once again get St. John’s in Moorhead this season with hopes of a different outcome. Both teams will bring revamped defenses into the season. The Johnnies still have star quarterback Alex Kofoed while the Cobbers are hoping Eric Rodel will step in to fill the void left by back-to-back MIAC MVP Brian Schumacher. Once again look for this game to come down to the final seconds.
3. Linfield Wildcats at Hardin-Simmons Cowboys, Sept. 16, 6 p.m.
This is the type of cross-country battle that usually only takes place in the playoffs. Two top 15 teams meeting in Week 3 of the season. This should be a huge test to determine if Linfield is still the cream of the D3 football crop. New starters on offense should be set for Linfield by week three and they’ll need all the offensive power they can muster. Hardin-Simmons returns eight players on defense including the “KeKe Corners” — KeKe Sims and KeKe Balanciere. This game should narrow the field for the top contenders for the national title.
2. UW-La Crosse Eagles at UW-Whitewater Warhawks, Oct. 14, 1 p.m.
This battle for the WIAC title should be a doozy again just like last year where the Warhawks won 29-23 at La Crosse. Whitewater returns much of their runner up national championship team and are an early favorite to contend for the national title again. La Crosse has dropped off a bit from last season but will still be a big player in the WIAC. Look for these two teams to play smash mouth football with Whitewater running back Justin Beaver being the difference maker.
1. UW-Whitewater Warhawks at Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders, Oct. 28, 1 p.m.
This could be called the “Runner-Up Reunion” pairing the 2004 Stagg Bowl runner-up, Mary Hardin-Baylor, versus last year’s second place finisher UW-Whitewater. This will definitely be a Top 10 battle and should give a nice feel for who will compete for the national title. The Crusaders Freddie Rollins and UW-Whitewater’s Justin Beaver should put on quite a running display. The trip from Wisconsin to Texas could put a drain on the Warhawks but look for their offense to fire on all cylinders and come away with a 10 point win.
There you go! Ten games you shouldn’t miss in the west region this season. It will be an action packed season and I look forward to covering it for you. See you at a game this season!!
Remember: I am always interested in your ideas for stories. I’m bound to miss something covering five conferences and a handful of independents. Have a story idea? E-mail me at adam.johnson@d3football.com.