The 127th season of Hobart College Statesmen football was a memorable one.
This team, one of the largest (in roster size) and youngest (in experience) overcame more obstacles than any in recent history after a forced year-off. The Liberty League (LL) didn't make things easier once play resumed, lazily keeping the even/odd year schedules intact, effectively forcing the Statesmen to play double back-to-back road games against two of their toughest opponents in Ithaca and Union. These really should have been home games this season, in my opinion, and that matters because Hobart has gone 11-0 at the "Boz" during the 2019 and 2021 regular seasons.
At the end of the day, this was one of the most competitive LL slates we've seen in decades. RPI (11-2, 5-1), who we all know Hobart upended, 10-9 back in Week 7, won a share of the LL title and the NCAA AQ, making a run to the national quarterfinals. It could have easily been Hobart (9-2, 4-2), Union (8-2, 4-2) or Ithaca (7-3, 4-2) doing the exact same thing. Even Saint Lawrence (6-4, 3-3) had a winning season and has vastly improved.
While the NCAA Region 2 (made up of the Centennial, Empire 8, Liberty League and Presidents conferences) RAC showed they felt the Centennial was the best, I'd argue the LL was their equal, if not superior, if you compare the Top 4 teams in each conference.
As I stated in my 2021 Season Preview, "October [would] be the pivotal month" in determining Hobart's year, and ultimately, that was the case. The Statesmen were 7-0 in September and November, but those aforementioned tough road trips led to a .500 mark in October. Credit HC Kevin DeWall '00 and his staff, because the Statesmen remained focused after those very close defeats and rallied back each time.
The ECAC Bowl game wasn't the ultimate goal, but it was a wonderful consolation prize and confirmation that the Statesmen were ultimately one of the best teams of Region 2. In fact, only RPI, Muhlenberg, Cortland and Johns Hopkins had more overall wins than Hobart in the 2021 season.
Next season promises another exciting year of Hobart Football. Although the Statesmen will need to replace several key defensive stars, the offense will return mostly intact based on what I've heard as far as certain players using their extra year of eligibility and/or leveraging HWS's new Master of Science in Management program.
While it will probably be some time until we know the 2022 schedule (we can tentatively pencil in home games vs. Ithaca, Union and Rochester, at least), the next class of Statesmen players are already making commitments. Yesterday in fact, I saw two on twitter - a strong RB/LB and QB from Lindenhurst and West Sayville, NY - announce their commitments to Hobart (more on that soon).
While I hope the powers that be do something to ensure that there is a home game during Hobart's bicentennial celebration (because unfortunately, right now it's looking like that would be the same weekend the Statesmen have to travel to Saint Lawrence which is a major scheduling gaffe on the administration's part, but I digress), we can look forward to more great matchups in Geneva next year and I will make a better effort to get to at least one. It's been too long.
Congratulations to the Class of 21 / 22 on remarkable careers and ultimately bringing the Statesmen football program back after a couple of tough, transition years. As said by Ted Baker on the most recent Hobart Football podcast, 18-4 over two seasons is no easy feat. The expectations will remain high, and many will look to 2022 as the best opportunity yet for the Statesmen to punch their ticket to the NCAA playoffs. It's been a few years now, but this program is showing all the signs you want to see in a national contender.
Thanks to everyone for following the blog this past year. I will post a few recruiting updates as they come in, otherwise I wish everyone a very happy and safe holiday season and Happy New Year!
Go 'Bart!
