By Pat Cummings
D3sports.com
It took six years for Bridgewater to lose one ODAC game. It took eight days for them to lose two ODAC games.
Bridgewater has never had success against Mount Union and that carried over in Saturday's game. Purple Raiders transfer Matt Gillespie ate up the yardage for his new team, the Emory and Henry Wasps, in a fourth-quarter 21-17 comeback victory to further surprise Bridgewater, this time, at home.
Gillespie led the Wasps with 20 carries for 90 yards, including seven carries for 28 yards in the game-winning drive that slurped more than four minutes of the fourth-quarter clock. Caleb Moore punched it home from one yard out and the Wasps' defense held for the final minute to secure the victory. The Wasps held the Eagles scoreless in the second half and signaled a major turnaround for Emory and Henry.
"I'll tell you what," second-year head coach Don Montgomery told the Harrisonburg Daily News Record. "This is as big a win as they come. Last year at this point, we were 0-7. Now we're 4-3 and just beat Bridgewater."
Obvious? Yes.
Surprising? Somewhat.
Encouraging for Wasps fans and a major signal for a program that hit rock bottom in 2005? Absolutely.
Analyzing what Bridgewater's loss means
1. The ODAC is an improving conference.
If schools in the ODAC want a successful football team, they have to beat Bridgewater. The Eagles had a three or four year head start on the conference and turned that into raving success. Slowly, but surely, several teams who have struggled in the past have made changes to increase their chances for success.
Guilford revamped their program with a sturdy approach behind Kevin Kiesel while Don Montgomery brought a winning past from Mount Union to a team at EHC that had lost their way. The Wasps are 4-3 one season after conforming to Monty's ways. Guilford is as competitive as any team in the ODAC and just about anyone is willing to admit that the Quakers will now have a chance in almost any game with their potent offense.
2. Bridgewater's postseason chances are slim.
Only a long-shot scenario where Bridgewater wins its three remaining games, Washington & Lee loses both of their ODAC contests, plus Catholic wins against Emory and Henry and Guilford. Not to forget, Randolph-Macon must knock off Hampden-Sydney in "The Game." Pool C chances remain for the Eagles if they do run the table but don't luck out with other upsets, and a long history of postseason appearances will help their chances in the deep recesses of the selection committee. But that will only get them so far. A weak non-conference slate with their opponents holding a record of 6-22 will throw them way down the Quality of Wins Index, a major factor in determining playoff bids.
3. Emory and Henry has definitely rebounded from 2005.
Our preseason ODAC predictions had the Wasps in the middle of the pack and were wholeheartedly behind the notion that Don Montgomery got a pass for 2005. The Wasps are a different team this year and they deserve to be recognized for it.
A Week 1 eight-point loss to Marietta is bolstered by their win over Ohio Northern last week. The two other notches in the loss column were by a combined 11 points. If you are a Bridgewater fan and respond by saying: "well, we aren't as good this year." Agreed. But Emory and Henry has definitely improved as the Eagles have regressed.
4. Eagles fans cannot lose perspective when it comes to Mike Clark.
It may start as the faithful start to seek answers to the questions they have not had to ask. Mike Clark is a great coach. He has built a great program. For BC fans who hit the message boards concerned with the most recent turns and twists, please do not start calling for the man's job. I'm not saying it has or will happen, but simply trying to stave off the urge. Clark is the elder statesman of the ODAC and he has produced the situation the Eagles are in by result of years of past success. Winning breeds more winning, even within your own conference. This trend typically takes some time to develop, and the future is now.
Pioneers make it five in a row; Monarchs overthrown in MAC; Wilkes pleased
Matt Campbell threw four touchdowns and Widener's 25-6 fourth quarter lead held up for a 25-20 victory over King's. The loss is the first MAC defeat for the Monarchs and comes much to the pleasure of their crosstown rivals at Wilkes, who moved to 7-0 with a win over Moravian.
All three teams will likely receive consideration for the playoffs. One of these three will capture the automatic bid, with Wilkes and their undefeated mark leading the pack for the free pass to the postseason.
Both King's and Widener will have their names tossed in for Pool C thoughts along with many other teams if they can hold on at two losses. King's now has one conference loss and a non-conference defeat at well-regarded St. John Fisher. Widener has won five consecutive games after two early-season defeats courtesy of Wilkes and Lycoming. Those losses came by a total of six points and may help redefine the importance of every game on the schedule. A second team in the postseason from the MAC, for the second straight year, seems unlikely, but any chance is better than no chance.
Dutchmen fly high over Warriors, finally
For the first time in history, Lebanon Valley's football team defeated Lycoming. It took just 22 attempts, but a 15-9 win in Williamsport sealed the deal in a series filled with continual heartbreak. It almost ended in heartbreak again.
After taking the 15-9 late in the fourth quarter, Lycoming moved down the field thanks to five Glenn Smith completions and had first-and-goal at the 7-yard line. Two incomplete passes were followed by a Leb Val pass interference penalty that gave Lycoming the ball at the 2-yard line. With no timeouts, Smith attempted to run it in himself and fell just short of the goal line, sealing the win for the Dutchmen.
Beyond the win, Leb Val's 4-4 record is the Dutchmen's best at this point of the season through eight games since 1993. Wide receiver Adam Brossman set another record for his career, notching the mark for most receiving yards in school history. He already owns the mark for most touchdowns and points. With Moravian and Albright on the docket, Lebanon Valley could finish the year with a winning record which would be the program's first since 1992.
Red Devils roll Diplomats, poised for postseason bid
With a 28-14 win over Franklin and Marshall, the Dickinson Red Devils are within one win of their first solo Centennial Conference championship since 1994. Dickinson has the most conference championships in CC history but has been well away from the top of the mountain. While retaining the Conestoga Wagon trophy, the Red Devils are set for a home matchup with Gettysburg on Nov. 4. Should the Bullets beat Muhlenberg this week, they would still be alive for the CC title, making the rest of the season do or die for Barry Streeter's ammunition.
Expect an emotional day in Carlisle in two weeks, and by result, an "anything could happen" football game. It's Homecoming, Parents Weekend, and Senior Day, and all with a chance to clinch the conference and the automatic bid. It could be interesting this week as the Red Devils travel to Hampden-Sydney in a non-conference tilt. If Dickinson is caught looking ahead this week, and still defeat Gettysburg, their playoff seeding would take a hit with a regional loss.
USA South duel develops as expected
We've mentioned on multiple occasions that an Averett/Christopher Newport fight to the finish was what one should expect in the USA South, and that is holding true so far. Four Greensboro turnovers translated into 27 Averett points, 21 of them directly off the miscue with one interception and two fumbles returned for scores in the 62-21 win. The 62 points were an Averett school record.
Across the Commonwealth, Christopher Newport shut out Methodist for the Captains' sixth consecutive win since their 32-8 loss at Rowan in Week 1. These two will meet on Nov. 4 at CNU, which, as previously advertised, will probably decide the conference.
Generals defend base well
More notes on Washington and Lee as the Generals come into this week's tussle with Bridgewater after six consecutive victories. W&L is allowing just 10 points per game and hold a turnover margin of plus-13. Perhaps more impressively, the Generals held the passing antics of Josh Vogelbach in check, limiting the sophomore to 218 yards and no touchdowns. Quarterback R.J. Varner continued to impress going 11-for-16 with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Readers' response to Mitchell's sportsmanship
Happily, I received several responses from last week's tale of Greensboro coach Neal Mitchell's positive sportsmanship in the Pride's loss to Shenandoah. Those who penned a note were impressed with Mitchell's actions and glad to have learned of the rarity. Sadly, no one was able to offer an example similar to Mitchell's actions. Here's hoping the good guys are recognized more frequently than the not-so-good ones.
D-III football: More than just a game
I received an e-mail this week that I thought was worth sharing.
Hello, my name is _________ and I am entering my senior year at __________ College. Being a member of ________ football team, I read your article on D3football.com and realized that you worked in the Philadelphia area and in the mutual fund industry. I am an economics major from South Jersey and I intend on moving back to the area after graduation. If you don't mind me asking, what did you do around this time to set yourself up to be in the position you are in today? I interned at [financial investment firm] and [financial investment firm] and am fascinated with the line of work. So beyond what you did in college, if you had any tips as far as what employers like your own are looking for, or if there is anything I could do to separate myself, that would be great. Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing from you.
This student is the second-leading rusher for his school, on a team that is definitely in the running to make the postseason. With pressure from classes and an uncertain future on the horizon for almost every senior playing football at this level, this email is so indicative of how football is just a temporary diversion from a larger collegiate experience. Interestingly enough, it is not the first of its kind that I have received.
We at D3football.com are happy to add to the diversion, but fully recognize that we as an entity are happier to see D3 grads gain success off the field after enjoying their time, and hopefully some successes, on the field. We enjoyed our times in the broadcast booths or on the field, and we moved on while maintaining our hobby of following D3 sports.
Keep e-mails like that in perspective when you watch a team take the field this weekend, or any weekend. They don't have to send them to me or you, but there are many more things on the minds of the student-athletes we follow every week.
Mid-Atlantic Region Top 5
1. Wilkes
2. Christopher Newport
3. Dickinson
4. Washington and Lee
5. Widener
Big changes as one could expect. Bridgewater drops off as CNU and Dickinson advance up. Washington and Lee has shown marked improvement after a slow start to 2006. Widener's two losses were by narrow margins and their five wins since has them moving in the right direction.
Games of the Week
Washington and Lee at Bridgewater: If this isn't an obvious prime tilt, take a look back at the archives.
Dickinson at Hampden-Sydney: The Red Devils could be caught looking ahead to Gettysburg and have to travel to southern Virginia for a game which really does matter in terms of the Quality of Win Index. The Tigers have had the Red Devils number the last few years and wouldn't mind extending their streak.
