Games to watch for 2009
|
|
What happened to the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, you may ask? Well, it’s still around I guess, but with one school dropping its football program and another suspending its program, they won’t be offering a football champion any time soon.
Most of the SLIAC teams were absorbed by the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, but affiliated members LaGrange and Huntingdon were left out in the cold as independents. So I’ll be letting you know about their progress as well.
In fact, in late September, I am excited to be traveling to LaGrange as part of my gig as color analyst for Wesley’s radio broadcasts on 1150-WDEL radio out of Wilmington, Del. It will be my sixth year doing Wesley games and my travels have taken me to a few of the locations covered by this column.
I’ve seen coach Pete Fredenburg’s powerful Crusaders of Mary Hardin-Baylor each of the past four seasons in the playoffs, twice traveling to Belton.
To open the 2005 season, I traveled to Greencastle, Ind., to broadcast the Wolverines victory over the DePauw Tigers.
In 2006, I spent a beautiful late September afternoon in Montgomery, Ala., in 2006 watching coach Mike Turk’s Huntingdon squad take on Wesley.
I’ve even seen Trinity a couple times, though I sadly missed the 2000 playoff match against Wesley in San Antonio. It seemed the Tigers made a yearly Thanksgiving trip to my hometown of Williamsport, Pa., to take on Lycoming during the late 1990s. A trip home for my families’ Thanksgiving spread and playoff football was too good to pass up.
Which brings us to the point of this week’s column, which regional games are too good to pass up in 2009? I thought about ranking the games one to ten, but I figured I just write up a guide in chronological order that could be referred back to over the course of the season.
This week has several interesting contests that could give us an initial bearing on how this season will shake out. Two games feature ASC versus SCAC match ups, highlighted by “The Backyard Brawl” on Saturday night, while a couple of interesting interregional battles are also on tap.
The ASC-SCAC matchups
Millsaps at Mississippi College. Last season, the Majors embarrassed the Choctaws 42-6 on the way to an undefeated regular season and their second SCAC title in three years. Mississippi College stumbled out of the gate last season losing three of their first four and quarterback Adam Shaffer to a knee injury. The Choctaws built some momentum heading into this season by winning their last three. Millsaps must replace quarterback Juan Joseph and a host of receivers, while Shaffer is back and taking aim at a secondary that lost six of their top seven defensive backs.
Trinity at McMurry. Hal Mumme’s debut at McMurry could be a tough one, as they host traditionally powerful Tigers. Last season, Trinity thumped the “Indians” 48-18 in San Antonio.
The regional matchups
Whitworth at Hardin-Simmons. Last season, the Cowboys got a tough pair of nonconference victories over UW-La Crosse and Linfield, keying a return to the playoffs. This season they open with a NWC contenders Whitworth and Linfield looking for revenge. Any stumbles early could make it imperative for them to win the ASC to get a bid this season. More on that later.
UW-La Crosse at East Texas Baptist. The Tigers have hopes of returning to the form that earned them a share of the ASC title and a playoff berth in 2003. They’ll face a traditionally powerful program in the Eagles, who despite their first losing season (3-7) in a long time, return 15 starters. This game will be a good litmus test as to whether ETBU is ready to be a factor in the ASC race.
The remainder of the season
Centre at DePauw, Sept. 19. The first big game of the season in the SCAC. Both teams have designs on the conference title and each return 17 starters. The Tigers pulled away last season in Danville, Ky., with a pair of Spud Dick to Alex Koors touchdown passes in the third quarter to win 27-14. In all, the pair hooked up for 220 passing yards. If the Colonels can win, they’d still have to contend with Millsaps and Trinity on the road, while DePauw hosts two SCAC contenders.
Wesley at LaGrange, Sept. 26. After their turnaround of a year ago, the Panthers can make a statement and get the inside track on a Pool B bid by taking down the Wolverines, who have made the playoffs the last four seasons. LaGrange returns 20 starters, including explosive tailback Mario Wallace. The Panthers could run the table after this contest.
Trinity at Millsaps, Sept. 26. The last time these two played in Jackson, Miss., the game ended on one of the most memorable plays in the history of college football. You may have heard of the “Mississippi Miracle.” At any rate, the Tigers will be playing their fourth straight game on the road to open the season. Both teams begin the season with new guys under center but they should have their under them by the time these two meet. The winner gets a shot at the Centre/DePauw victor.
Hardin-Simmons at Mississippi College, Sept. 26. The winner of this game earns a shot at ending Mary Hardin-Baylor’s four-year reign atop the ASC.
Mary Hardin-Baylor at Hardin-Simmons, Oct. 3. The inside track to the ASC title is on the line in one the most anticipated games in all of D-III this season. Both teams enter the season ranked in the top five after a pair of down to the wire Crusader victories in 2008. Enough said.
Millsaps at DePauw, Oct. 3. The Tigers were embarrassed in Jackson last season 55-13. This season DePauw has the veteran quarterback and receivers.
Mary Hardin-Baylor at Mississippi College, Oct. 17. Last season, the Choctaws stayed within 12 points of the mighty Cru in Belton. During the offseason Desmond Mays, the ASC leader in rushing last season, transferred from MC to UMHB. Can you say grudge match?
Trinity at DePauw, Oct. 24. At home, this is DePauw’s best chance since 2005 to finally get the Trinity monkey off their back. That year a hurricane canceled the game. This year a victory could bring them a long coveted SCAC title.
LaGrange at Huntingdon, Oct 31. Huntingdon’s record may not be as sparkling as it was a year ago when they enter this contest at 8-1. Their early schedule is brutal. But a win here could take a lot of the sting out of that season-ending loss that cost them a trip to the playoffs. The Panthers will need this game to strengthen their case for a Pool B bid.
Huntingdon at Birmingham-Southern, Nov. 7. This is the first match between Alabama’s only Division III football playing schools. And it has all the makings of a yearly traditional rivalry.
Wabash at DePauw, Nov. 14. I know, DePauw’s on this list a lot. But it’s the Monon Bell game! Besides, barring any unforeseen upsets, both the ASC and SCAC crowns could be wrapped up by mid- to late October. Of course, there are not many seasons that go as planned. Hopefully, they’ll be a monkey in the wrench somewhere that will lead to some nail-biting as playoff time rolls around.
Contact me
I changed school districts (from Lake Forest to Capital) but am still teaching Biology. The transition has been pretty smooth. The funny thing has been that I’m a bit of celebrity husband now, since my wife won Capital School District Teacher of the Year last spring. There’s been a lot of “Oh, You're Amy’s husband, right?” At any rate, I wanted to take time to thank my wife who supports me when I go off to broadcast games every weekend, while balancing a busy schedule herself that includes being the PTO president, teaching first grade and our seven and four-year old girls soccer games. You can leave me comments concerns, complaints at Jason.Bowen@capital.k12.de.us or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jasonbowen3. I loved hearing from people last year, even when I screwed up (like when I called the Hardin-Simmons Cowboys, the Tigers.) Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!