I am going to keep this post short and sweet this week given we covered this game and the Hobart’s general ups and downs so far in 2009 on last night's edition of “In the HuddLLe” (www.inthehuddlle.com).
A big thanks to St Lawrence RB Connor Hackett, WEOS’ (www.weos.org) Ted Baker and Statesmen SR LT Angelo Catalano for their participation during the show. I hope if you missed the broadcast you’ll download it and take a listen this week. We had some technical difficulties to start off, but bear with us - once Connor Hackett dials in (and gives his thoughts on the upcoming game against Hobart), things pick up considerably.
More importantly, I hope you will go online and support the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org). WWP and Hobart Football related merchandise can be purchased at www.shopgraph-tex.com (all proceeds go to the WWP which assists severely wounded service men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan).
I’ve picked up my Statesmen “camo jersey” (available until October 7th). Have you?
That said here are a few things I took away from the Susquehanna game:
• Susquehanna (3-1, 1-0) was more consistent and successful at rushing and defending the run (188 to 102 net yards) than Hobart (1-2, 0-1). Dave Paveletz dragged Statesmen defenders for multiple yards after contact. Paveletz is arguably the best RB in the LL this season (leads the LL in rushing and has averaged 134.9 rushing yards per game). Paveletz is looking at 1300+ rushing yards if his OL continues to block as well as they did Saturday (it also doesn’t hurt Paveletz’s chances that he got the ball on 37 of the 50 running plays the Crusaders called Saturday).
• Hobart lost starting JR RT Sean Kluber with 6:20 remaining in the first quarter following Vella’s four yard touchdown run which capped a nine play 63 yard drive. Kluber’s status is unknown as of this point, but he was carted off the field and did return to the game.
• Hobart committed too many penalties (eight for 57 yards) and dropped too many passes (at least 5-7 by my count) to keep any consistency on offense.
• The Statesmen defense did a great job in the red zone (held Susquehanna to one touchdown), but ran out of gas after being on the field for nearly 20 minutes of the first half. However, the defense should get the credit for the game being 13-10 at the half. The toll on the Statesmen D was most apparent when Hobart missed several tackles in the open field on Crusader WR Mike Ritter’s 56 yard touchdown catch and run mid-way thru the 3rd quarter.
• Down 20-10 Hobart had the ball for only 5:26 in the fourth quarter.
• Vella had a career day passing (245 yards) but also had his fair share of bad throws, was sacked three times by the Crusaders defense, watched his receivers drop several passes where the ball hit them directly in the hands, and threw two costly interceptions (both by Crusader DB Jalon Scott who leads the LL with four interceptions).
Looking ahead – Hobart has a chance to return to .500, both overall and in the LL when the Saint Lawrence Saints (2-2, 1-0) come to Geneva. Kick-off is noon ET. I’ll have more on this match up between the Statesmen and the Saints later this week.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Hobart outgains but can't outscore Susquehanna, 20-10
Hobart (1-2, 0-1) lost it's Liberty League opener against Susquehanna (3-1, 1-0) in Selinsgrove, PA. It was a rainy game and the Statesmen dropped a lot of passes and QB Doug Vella was picked off twice. SU RB and LL leading rusher Dave Paveletz lead the Crusaders with 161 yards on 37 carries and one touchdown.
I have more on this later and please tune in tomorrow night to "In the HuddLLe" (www.inthehuddlle.com) at 7:30 PM ET as WEOS announcer Ted Baker and Hobart LT Angelo Catalano '10 recap the Susquehanna game and the Statesmen's prospects to rebound next week against Saint Lawrence (2-2, 1-0) in Geneva. The Saints won their LL opener, and the Hoffman Cup, 41-22 against the Merchant Marine Academy (2-2, 0-1).
I have more on this later and please tune in tomorrow night to "In the HuddLLe" (www.inthehuddlle.com) at 7:30 PM ET as WEOS announcer Ted Baker and Hobart LT Angelo Catalano '10 recap the Susquehanna game and the Statesmen's prospects to rebound next week against Saint Lawrence (2-2, 1-0) in Geneva. The Saints won their LL opener, and the Hoffman Cup, 41-22 against the Merchant Marine Academy (2-2, 0-1).
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Hobart begins LL title defense in Selinsgrove
The Hobart Statesmen (1-1) will open their Liberty League (LL) title defense against the Susquehanna University Crusaders (2-1). Hobart is 2-0 against Susquehanna since they joined the LL in 2007. This is the Crusaders final season in the LL as they will depart to join the Centennial Conference in 2010. The Statesmen will make the trip down to Selinsgrove, PA for a 2 PM ET kick-off.
If Hobart prevails in Saturday’s contest, Head Coach Mike Cragg will have 100 victories in his coaching career at Hobart. As he goes for his 100th win, Coach Cragg will also be participating in the AFCA’s national campaign “Coach to Cure Muscular Dystrophy” campaign. Hobart and SU fans can donate money to Coach to Cure MD, either through the Web site:
www.CoachToCureMD.org
or by texting “CURE” to 90999 to donate $5 on your next cell phone bill.
Last season Hobart literally ran out to 20-0 lead behind 221 yards rushing and cruised to a 27-14 win. Although that loss dropped the Crusaders to 1-3, SU would finish the season 4-6 and fourth place in the LL with wins over Rochester, Merchant Marine and WPI. The Crusaders also hung very tough in shoot outs nearly defeating St. Lawrence (49-42) and Union (51-45).
This season SU enters the LL opener averaging 30 points per game and allowing 16.7. The Crusaders have a very explosive and balanced attack, averaging 171 yards rushing and 207.7 yards passing a game. SU also has a nose for the end zone going 11 for 11 in end zone scores (eight touchdowns and three field goals). JR PK Bobby Eppleman is also perfect – going four for four on field goals on the season (long of 38).
Leading the SU attack is SR RB Dave Paveletz (79 attempts for 378 yards and four touchdowns) and SO QB Rich Palazzi 48 for 80 passing for 623 yards six touchdowns and only two interceptions. Palazzi’s leading receivers are classmate WR Mike Ritter (13 catches for 199 yards and 1 touchdown) and SR WR J.J. Moran (11 receptions for 141 yards and two touchdowns).
That said the Crusaders aren’t just about offense – SU has only allowed one passing touchdown this season, and opponents are three for 10 in scoring red zone touchdowns against the Crusader “D”. Also of note is that SU defensive line has sacked opposing QBs nine teams and the secondary has five interceptions.
The Crusader defense is lead by SR LB Erich Majors (17 tackles, 14 solo) but boast seven other defenders with double digit tackles. SR DE Pete Johnsen leads the SU “D” with 7.5 tackles for loss (TFL) including 5.5 sacks.
Keys to the game:
1. Rushing
a. Offense - Last season RBs Andy Marlier (21 carries) and Anthony Hobaica ’09 (15 carries) racked up an impressive 177 yards and two touchdowns against the SU defense. It appears as though Marlier will start this Saturday and it’s crucial that the Hobart OL control the line of scrimmage against the aggressive Crusader defense. Marlier has a track record of success against SU, but so far he hasn’t had much playing time (only 12 carries for 52 yards so far this season). Hopefully Marlier will return to form now that he has returned to the starting RB role – one in which he was very successful at, especially late in 2008 and in the NCAA play-offs.
b. Defense - On the flip side, the Hobart defense needs to be prepared to handle RB Dave Paveletz who currently is the #1 rusher in the LL. To win on Saturday, the Statesmen defense needs to learn from the Lycoming (1-1) playbook as the Warrior defense stifled SU to only 43 yards on 27 carries (1.6 average yards per carry) in a 37-23 victory over the Crusaders last weekend in Selinsgrove.
2. Pick off Palazzi – Hobart will face the leading passer (by average yards per game and second in overall passing efficiency) in the LL. Last season the Statesmen handled the SU passing attack of Derek Pope ’09 limiting SU to only 107 yards. This year is a different story. Hobart will be challenged downfield by Palazzi but the Statesmen pass defense is only allowing 125 yards per game. Hobart has only one interception on the season so far, but the majority of the Statesmen’s defensive backfield that finished 2008 ranked fourth in the nation in pass efficiency defense will be on the field Saturday. SO DB Drake Woodard (who finished 14th in the nation in interceptions as a rookie) will be looking for his first interception of the season – assuming the Crusaders challenge his side of the field.
3. Limit mistakes/maximize opportunities – SU is +2 on the season in turnovers and has always cashed in on trips to their opponent’s red zone – scoring eight touchdowns to date. Hobart will need to improve their red zone defense (opponents scoring 86% of the time, 71% of which are touchdowns), while concurrently avoid turning the ball over.
Although my “In the HuddLLe” broadcast partners picked Susquehanna to win on Saturday, I am going with Hobart to take the win late in the fourth quarter, 24-21.
Both Hobart and SU game notes are up and can be accessed at:
http://www.hwsathletics.com/documents/2009/9/24/Susquehanna.pdf
and
http://www.gosusqu.com/sports/men/fball/2009-10/game-previews/hobart/Hobart_insert.pdf?dec=
As always, you can hear the game at www.weos.org and live stats are available on both the Hobart and Susquehanna football websites.
Don’t forget to listen in to www.inthehuddlle.com on Sunday night at 7:30 PM.
Thanks and Go ‘Bart!
If Hobart prevails in Saturday’s contest, Head Coach Mike Cragg will have 100 victories in his coaching career at Hobart. As he goes for his 100th win, Coach Cragg will also be participating in the AFCA’s national campaign “Coach to Cure Muscular Dystrophy” campaign. Hobart and SU fans can donate money to Coach to Cure MD, either through the Web site:
www.CoachToCureMD.org
or by texting “CURE” to 90999 to donate $5 on your next cell phone bill.
Last season Hobart literally ran out to 20-0 lead behind 221 yards rushing and cruised to a 27-14 win. Although that loss dropped the Crusaders to 1-3, SU would finish the season 4-6 and fourth place in the LL with wins over Rochester, Merchant Marine and WPI. The Crusaders also hung very tough in shoot outs nearly defeating St. Lawrence (49-42) and Union (51-45).
This season SU enters the LL opener averaging 30 points per game and allowing 16.7. The Crusaders have a very explosive and balanced attack, averaging 171 yards rushing and 207.7 yards passing a game. SU also has a nose for the end zone going 11 for 11 in end zone scores (eight touchdowns and three field goals). JR PK Bobby Eppleman is also perfect – going four for four on field goals on the season (long of 38).
Leading the SU attack is SR RB Dave Paveletz (79 attempts for 378 yards and four touchdowns) and SO QB Rich Palazzi 48 for 80 passing for 623 yards six touchdowns and only two interceptions. Palazzi’s leading receivers are classmate WR Mike Ritter (13 catches for 199 yards and 1 touchdown) and SR WR J.J. Moran (11 receptions for 141 yards and two touchdowns).
That said the Crusaders aren’t just about offense – SU has only allowed one passing touchdown this season, and opponents are three for 10 in scoring red zone touchdowns against the Crusader “D”. Also of note is that SU defensive line has sacked opposing QBs nine teams and the secondary has five interceptions.
The Crusader defense is lead by SR LB Erich Majors (17 tackles, 14 solo) but boast seven other defenders with double digit tackles. SR DE Pete Johnsen leads the SU “D” with 7.5 tackles for loss (TFL) including 5.5 sacks.
Keys to the game:
1. Rushing
a. Offense - Last season RBs Andy Marlier (21 carries) and Anthony Hobaica ’09 (15 carries) racked up an impressive 177 yards and two touchdowns against the SU defense. It appears as though Marlier will start this Saturday and it’s crucial that the Hobart OL control the line of scrimmage against the aggressive Crusader defense. Marlier has a track record of success against SU, but so far he hasn’t had much playing time (only 12 carries for 52 yards so far this season). Hopefully Marlier will return to form now that he has returned to the starting RB role – one in which he was very successful at, especially late in 2008 and in the NCAA play-offs.
b. Defense - On the flip side, the Hobart defense needs to be prepared to handle RB Dave Paveletz who currently is the #1 rusher in the LL. To win on Saturday, the Statesmen defense needs to learn from the Lycoming (1-1) playbook as the Warrior defense stifled SU to only 43 yards on 27 carries (1.6 average yards per carry) in a 37-23 victory over the Crusaders last weekend in Selinsgrove.
2. Pick off Palazzi – Hobart will face the leading passer (by average yards per game and second in overall passing efficiency) in the LL. Last season the Statesmen handled the SU passing attack of Derek Pope ’09 limiting SU to only 107 yards. This year is a different story. Hobart will be challenged downfield by Palazzi but the Statesmen pass defense is only allowing 125 yards per game. Hobart has only one interception on the season so far, but the majority of the Statesmen’s defensive backfield that finished 2008 ranked fourth in the nation in pass efficiency defense will be on the field Saturday. SO DB Drake Woodard (who finished 14th in the nation in interceptions as a rookie) will be looking for his first interception of the season – assuming the Crusaders challenge his side of the field.
3. Limit mistakes/maximize opportunities – SU is +2 on the season in turnovers and has always cashed in on trips to their opponent’s red zone – scoring eight touchdowns to date. Hobart will need to improve their red zone defense (opponents scoring 86% of the time, 71% of which are touchdowns), while concurrently avoid turning the ball over.
Although my “In the HuddLLe” broadcast partners picked Susquehanna to win on Saturday, I am going with Hobart to take the win late in the fourth quarter, 24-21.
Both Hobart and SU game notes are up and can be accessed at:
http://www.hwsathletics.com/documents/2009/9/24/Susquehanna.pdf
and
http://www.gosusqu.com/sports/men/fball/2009-10/game-previews/hobart/Hobart_insert.pdf?dec=
As always, you can hear the game at www.weos.org and live stats are available on both the Hobart and Susquehanna football websites.
Don’t forget to listen in to www.inthehuddlle.com on Sunday night at 7:30 PM.
Thanks and Go ‘Bart!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Go Camo and Support the WWP!
The Statesmen football team will wear camouflage jerseys emblazoned with Hobart football and Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) logos when they take on the Saint Lawrence Saints at Boswell Field next Saturday, October 3rd. Kick-off is scheduled for noon ET.
Customizable Hobart football jerseys - along with WWP/Hobart t-shirts, hats and other merchadise - designed by shopgraph-tex (www.shopgraph-tex.com) are available for purchase until Oct. 7. You can order the jersey online or purchase one on game day if you are near Geneva.
Support this great cause and Hobart Football!
Also, please log onto www.inthehuddlle.com on Blogtalk radio to hear more about the WWP, the Susquehanna game and more LL action this Sunday night at 7:30 PM ET. Guests include WEOS play-by-play man Ted Baker and Hobart OT Angelo Catalano '10!
Customizable Hobart football jerseys - along with WWP/Hobart t-shirts, hats and other merchadise - designed by shopgraph-tex (www.shopgraph-tex.com) are available for purchase until Oct. 7. You can order the jersey online or purchase one on game day if you are near Geneva.
Support this great cause and Hobart Football!
Also, please log onto www.inthehuddlle.com on Blogtalk radio to hear more about the WWP, the Susquehanna game and more LL action this Sunday night at 7:30 PM ET. Guests include WEOS play-by-play man Ted Baker and Hobart OT Angelo Catalano '10!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Hobart takes Tartans in home opener, 24-16
There really is no place like home.
Hobart (1-1) won their eighth consecutive home opener, 24-16, at Boswell Field last Saturday against the Carnegie Mellon University Tartans (2-1). Although the Statesmen offense was inconsistent at times, Hobart racked up 327 yards and never trailed. The win is the Statesmen’s third consecutive victory against the Tartans (Hobart is 3-0 all-time against CMU), but once again Hobart needed a fourth quarter touchdown to beat them.
Up 17-16 after the Tartans failed to convert an extra point following RB Justin Pratt’s second touchdown of the day (Pratt lead CMU with 60 yards rushing on 16 carries), the Statesmen offense drove 51 yards to the CMU three yard line in six plays. The drive was capped by a Doug Vella to Paul Overdorf touchdown with 7:36 to play in the game. Hobart’s defense was able to stand firm and the offense ran out the clock - much like the 2008 game.
My “keys to the game” last week were:
1. Revive the offense with a dose of PASSING –
Doug Vella went 16 for 26 passing for 216 yards and two touchdowns – the first being a 51 yard flea flicker to WR Tyler Vincent to allow the Statesmen to take a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.
2. Avoid turnovers and control the time of possession (TOP)
Although the Statesmen committed two turnovers and lost the overall TOP battle (32:20-27:40); the Hobart defense caused three Tartan turnovers and the Statesmen offense really controlled the clock in the second half (17:59 to 12:01).
The defense gets my “game ball” having risen to the occasion after giving up 298 yards rushing to Dickinson by holding the CMU offense to 129 yards rushing on 46 carries (well below the 218.5 yards/game average the Tartans brought into the game). The Statesmen’s success against the run took Tartan QB Phil Pantalone out of his comfort zone and forced him to pass 13 for 21 for 166 yards - a career high - and one interception. Team captain and LB Ryan Robinson lead the Statesmen with nine tackles including one for a loss. The Hobart “D” really attacked the ball and ended up having eight players with at least five tackles in the game.
3. Convert red zone visits into points
Hobart was two for two inside the red zone this week. That said the Statesmen really had their greatest successes, i.e., scoring the first and second touchdowns of the game, via the big play – the Vincent 51 yard TD reception as well as an exciting 85 yard kick-off return for a touchdown by RB Andy Marlier (who also lead the Statesmen with 10 carries for 31 yards) with 1:39 to play in the first quarter. WEOS play-by-play man Ted Baker (no relation) indicated it was Hobart’s first kick-off return for a touchdown since the 2000 season (confirmed after the fact by SID Ken DeBolt the last return occurred on Sept. 30, 2000, when Dyshaun Washington ’04 ran back the opening kickoff against St. Lawrence for a school record 97 yards).
In my opinion the kick-off return was the spark Hobart needed and I believe a real game changer having come immediately after CMU’s first scoring drive – a 13 play, 63 yard march that took 6:19 and ended with a Justin Pratt touchdown. Although CMU would almost come back to tie it in the fourth quarter, Hobart really dictated the tempo of the game after that 85 yard touchdown return.
The Statesmen will head back to Pennsylvania to begin their defense of the Liberty League crown this Saturday against Susquehanna University (2-1). Kick-off is slated for 2 PM ET. The Crusaders lost a 37-23 decision this past weekend against the defending Middle Atlantic Conference champion, Lycoming Warriors (1-1), in Selinsgrove.
Last season Hobart beat Lycoming 33-15 and Susquehanna 27-14, respectively, in Geneva. I’ll post a Crusader-Statesmen preview later this week.
As always, please tune into the LL’s weekly recap online at www.inthehuddle.com. Thanks and go ‘Bart!
Hobart (1-1) won their eighth consecutive home opener, 24-16, at Boswell Field last Saturday against the Carnegie Mellon University Tartans (2-1). Although the Statesmen offense was inconsistent at times, Hobart racked up 327 yards and never trailed. The win is the Statesmen’s third consecutive victory against the Tartans (Hobart is 3-0 all-time against CMU), but once again Hobart needed a fourth quarter touchdown to beat them.
Up 17-16 after the Tartans failed to convert an extra point following RB Justin Pratt’s second touchdown of the day (Pratt lead CMU with 60 yards rushing on 16 carries), the Statesmen offense drove 51 yards to the CMU three yard line in six plays. The drive was capped by a Doug Vella to Paul Overdorf touchdown with 7:36 to play in the game. Hobart’s defense was able to stand firm and the offense ran out the clock - much like the 2008 game.
My “keys to the game” last week were:
1. Revive the offense with a dose of PASSING –
Doug Vella went 16 for 26 passing for 216 yards and two touchdowns – the first being a 51 yard flea flicker to WR Tyler Vincent to allow the Statesmen to take a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.
2. Avoid turnovers and control the time of possession (TOP)
Although the Statesmen committed two turnovers and lost the overall TOP battle (32:20-27:40); the Hobart defense caused three Tartan turnovers and the Statesmen offense really controlled the clock in the second half (17:59 to 12:01).
The defense gets my “game ball” having risen to the occasion after giving up 298 yards rushing to Dickinson by holding the CMU offense to 129 yards rushing on 46 carries (well below the 218.5 yards/game average the Tartans brought into the game). The Statesmen’s success against the run took Tartan QB Phil Pantalone out of his comfort zone and forced him to pass 13 for 21 for 166 yards - a career high - and one interception. Team captain and LB Ryan Robinson lead the Statesmen with nine tackles including one for a loss. The Hobart “D” really attacked the ball and ended up having eight players with at least five tackles in the game.
3. Convert red zone visits into points
Hobart was two for two inside the red zone this week. That said the Statesmen really had their greatest successes, i.e., scoring the first and second touchdowns of the game, via the big play – the Vincent 51 yard TD reception as well as an exciting 85 yard kick-off return for a touchdown by RB Andy Marlier (who also lead the Statesmen with 10 carries for 31 yards) with 1:39 to play in the first quarter. WEOS play-by-play man Ted Baker (no relation) indicated it was Hobart’s first kick-off return for a touchdown since the 2000 season (confirmed after the fact by SID Ken DeBolt the last return occurred on Sept. 30, 2000, when Dyshaun Washington ’04 ran back the opening kickoff against St. Lawrence for a school record 97 yards).
In my opinion the kick-off return was the spark Hobart needed and I believe a real game changer having come immediately after CMU’s first scoring drive – a 13 play, 63 yard march that took 6:19 and ended with a Justin Pratt touchdown. Although CMU would almost come back to tie it in the fourth quarter, Hobart really dictated the tempo of the game after that 85 yard touchdown return.
The Statesmen will head back to Pennsylvania to begin their defense of the Liberty League crown this Saturday against Susquehanna University (2-1). Kick-off is slated for 2 PM ET. The Crusaders lost a 37-23 decision this past weekend against the defending Middle Atlantic Conference champion, Lycoming Warriors (1-1), in Selinsgrove.
Last season Hobart beat Lycoming 33-15 and Susquehanna 27-14, respectively, in Geneva. I’ll post a Crusader-Statesmen preview later this week.
As always, please tune into the LL’s weekly recap online at www.inthehuddle.com. Thanks and go ‘Bart!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Game day
Hobart's going to start Doug Vella at QB again, but Pat Julian's dropped off the two deep depth chart. SO RB Kyle Tritten will get the start. The Statesmen are 10-4 in home openers in the Coach Cragg era.
Kick-off is slated for 12:06 PM. Tune into Ted Baker and WEOS coverage via www.weos.org. Local (NYS) fans can see the game on Time Warner Cable.
Kick-off is slated for 12:06 PM. Tune into Ted Baker and WEOS coverage via www.weos.org. Local (NYS) fans can see the game on Time Warner Cable.
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