Football is back and I am ready to roll for another season covering the NE-10. The league is looking to bounce back and make some noise after a year without a participant in the playoffs. Let the games begin.
Non-Conference Games
The league is playing 19 non-conference games and looks to have a pretty decent slate ahead of them. Most of games will be played in the first two weekends of the season and will hopefully have a strong showing.
Southern Connecticut has the toughest non-conference schedule. They open on the road against IUP and then commence their home season against nationally ranked West Liberty. These games will have a lot of bearing on the playoff possibilities for the league when the regional rankings come into play in October.
Bentley, Merrimack and AIC also have pretty tough opponents to open the season. Bentley travels to preseason nationally ranked Carson-Newman who advanced to the semi-finals last year. They then travel to Central Connecticut State. Merrimack travels to Slippery Rock and Bryant and AIC host former NE-10 member C.W. Post before traveling to Stony Brook.
The NE-10 will play six games against the PSAC and those games will have a bearing on the playoff picture. The league has struggled against the PSAC in recent years and needs to have a good showing in these games if they want to play in the third week of November.
Of the 19 games, 12 of the games are against Division II schools including the Pace at Stonehill matchup on September 10th. Six games are against the PSAC, two against the WVIAC and one each against the SAC and CIAA. Six games will be played against Division I FCS members including two matchups against former NE-10 member Bryant.
The NE-10 will need to prove their worth in Super Regional One by winning the majority of these games. Despite being early in the season, these games will go a long way in determining the six teams that will battle for the regional title in December.
New Coach at Pace
After a couple of seasons of major turnover in the coaching ranks, this season saw just one new head coach join the NE-10 fraternity this off season. Chris Dapolito is the new coach at Pace after being with the program the past two years as the offensive coordinator.
Dapolito played quarterback at Duke and has also played overseas as a player-coach in the European Football League. He inherits a program that has not had a winning season since 1999 and has gone 25-75 in that time.
"It has been a smooth transition thus far," Dapolito said about his promotion to head coach. "I am doing a lot more than in the past on the administrative side but I am having fun."
Pace is looking to rebound from 1-9 campaign last year and Dapolito can is trying to get the program moving in the right direction.
"We can only control what we do," he said. "We will control our stuff and make sure that we are prepared to play each week."
Pace has a tough opponent right out of the shoot with 2009 playoff participant East Stroudsburg. After that, they will play a non-conference game at Stonehill before entering the NE-10 schedule.
"The kids are working hard," Dapolito said. "We will have some new wrinkles this year."
Dapolito has his work cut out for him if he is going to get Pace back on top of the NE-10.
Week 1 Capsules
Bentley (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) at Carson-Newman (0-0, 0-0 SAC)
When: September 2nd, 7:00 PM
All-Time Series: C-N leads the series, 1-0-0
My thoughts: When C-N played Bentley two years ago, the game was over in the second quarter. Let's hope for a closer game this time around.
Bentley enters the season with a lot of hope and is trying to build upon their resurgence 2009 season. Head coach Thom Boerman got them in the playoff picture until the final weekend of the season and settled for a three-way tie for the conference title. The Falcons have a lot of skill players back on offense including senior quarterback Bryant Johnson. The defense will have a lot of new faces starting after being hit hard by graduation. Bentley has the talent to compete for the NE-10 title this year and will need to have those new faces emerge on the defensive side of the ball in order to meet those expectations.
Carson-Newman dropped their season opener last weekend to Winona State 24-21. They turned the ball over three times and that was the difference in the game. Quarterback Doug Belk threw a touchdown as well as breaking off a 71 yard touchdown run. It was the second straight season that the Eagles dropped their season opener to Winona State and has a short week to try to bounce back.
C-N will use the short week to their advantage. They are a bit quicker and stronger than Bentley and should be able to dominate the front line.
Prediction: C-N 35 Bentley 14
Merrimack (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) at Slippery Rock (0-0, 0-0 PSAC)
When: September 2nd, 7:00 PM
All-Time Series: First Meeting
My thoughts: This is one of the games that we will remember in November to see if the NE-10 will get a team or two in the playoffs.
Merrimack is my pick to the win the NE-10 this year after sharing the title last year. They return league MVP James Suozzo at quarterback and he should be able to lead the offense to 35 points per game in his sleep. The big question is the defense and the Warriors are returning a number of key players from last year. They have plenty of experience at each position and need the defense to play well as it has always been the biggest question mark for the team. Head coach John Perry is beaming with the squad and knows that the sky is the limit for this year's team.
Slippery Rock has a number of solid performers returning from a 6-5 team in 2009. But they will have a new quarterback and running back so there might be a learning curve early in the season for the Rock. They have a lot of talent back on defense especially in the secondary. They will be kept busy with the passing attack of Merrimack.
I think that Merrimack is a more experienced team and has a lot more talent at the skill positions. If the Merrimack offensive line gives Suozzo time to find his receivers, it is going to be a long night for Slippery Rock.
Prediction: Merrimack 38 Slippery Rock 28
Assumption (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) at Millersville (0-0, 0-0 PSAC)
When: September 4th, 12:00 PM
All-Time Series: Millersville leads the series, 1-0-0
My thoughts: Both teams have been in the middle of the pack in their respective league and need to get off on the right foot.
Assumption was in the playoff mix late into October last year and is looking to build upon that momentum in 2010. They have a lot of offensive firepower that returns and should be a force in the league this year. Senior running Herb Woodard will handle the ball a lot this year and will look to accumulate a lot of yardage. Senior Andrew Kupec is back at quarterback after stepping in last year following an injury. The defense is deeper despite a couple of graduated players. Head coach Cory Bailey has done a lot of recruiting in recent years and is hoping that this year is the year that all of the hard works pays off.
Millersville is in the third year of the Greg Colby era and each season has seen an increase in wins. They are hoping for the same trend in 2010 as they welcome back many skill players from 2009. With 10 starters back on defense, they will be the backbone of the success for the Marauders. They will have their hands full with just as many starters back for Assumption. The offense has a lot of big play ability and will need to move the ball consistently if they are going to be successful in 2010.
Assumption is a team that I feel will be very competitive in 2010. They have a lot of talent on offense and should be able to score with any of the teams on their schedule. Game one of the season is always an unknown but I feel that they will be able to travel to PA and take care of business.
Prediction: Assumption 23 Millersville 13
C.W. Post (0-0, 0-0 PSAC) at American International (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)
When: September 4th, 1:00 PM
All-Time Series: Post leads the series, 13-11-0
My thoughts: This has been one of the better NE-10/PSAC matchups in recent memory and this year should be no different.
AIC is a team that looks like they might be rebuilding this year. After graduating a number of skill players, the roster is loaded with a lot of younger players looking to make an impression in college football. But the Yellow Jackets always seem to play a physical brand of football and that makes them a threat in the NE-10. They return senior quarterback Rob Parent and several key defensive players. Head coach Art Wilkins always makes sure that his team is ready to smash you in the mouth week in and week out.
C.W. Post is three years removed from the NE-10 and showed last year that they are capable of competing in the PSAC. They even knocked off two playoff participants last year so this looks to be a promising season for the Pioneers. They return a lot of talent on both sides of the ball and should be a serious title contender in the Eastern division of the PSAC.
Post has struggled against AIC in recent memory but they appear to be a better team at this point in time. The new turf field at AIC will help accelerate the potential Post offense in this matchup.
Prediction: Post 35 AIC 17
East Stroudsburg (0-0, 0-0 PSAC) at Pace (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)
When: September 4th, 1:00 PM
All-Time Series: First Meeting
My thoughts: This has the look of a mismatch on paper but that is why the games are played on the field and not on paper.
Pace has a new coach and a new attitude as they open the 2010 season. New head coach Chris Dapolito is looking to get Pace back into the thick of the NE-10 and has a perfect opponent to make a little bit of noise in the league. The Setters have struggled in recent memory but have a new quarterback in Joe Romanick. He is hoping that a new offensive attitude will get Pace into the end zone more often and make the team more competitive across the board.
East Stroudsburg is a team to watch in the PSAC this year. They return a lot of offensive firepower led by quarterback Matt Marshall. They are deep at each of the offensive positions and should be able to score when they are all on the same page. The defensive sees a lot of talent back as well and will be anchored by all-conference linebacker Matt Freed.
This game has the makings of a blowout if both teams played like they have in the past. East Stroudsburg has more talent and will eventually take control of this matchup.
Prediction: East Stroudsburg 45 Pace 14
Stonehill (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) at Curry (0-0, 0-0 NEFC)
When: September 4th, 1:00 PM
All-Time Series: Stonehill leads the series, 5-1-0
My thoughts: Division II versus Division III should be a no brainer but not in this case.
Stonehill enters the 2010 season with a lot to prove in the league. They have been in the middle of the pack the past couple of seasons and are hoping for better results this season. They return the majority of the team from last year and have a couple of playmakers on both sides of the ball. Senior running back Eddie Vachon is the school?s all-time leader in yardage and should be able to add to that total this year. Stephan Neville led the country in kick-off return yards last year and also plays in the secondary for the Skyhawks.
Curry has been one of the more successful Division III programs in the New England area. They consistently battle for the NEFC title and last year was no difference. The Colonels are again picked to win their division in the conference and contend for an NCAA playoff berth. They will need to replace a couple of graduated seniors at some of the skill positions.
Stonehill should be able to control the trenches and make enough plays to open the season on the right foot.
Prediction: Stonehill 28 Curry 17
St. Anselm (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) at Kutztown (0-0, 0-0 PSAC)
When: September 4th, 1:00 PM
All-Time Series: Kutztown leads the series, 2-0-0
My thoughts: After playing in a driving rainstorm last year in Manchester, everyone involved in this game is hoping for sunny conditions.
St. Anselm is one of those teams that I feel is flying under the radar in the league. They have a lot of playmakers at key positions and recruiting those players have gotten them from a long losing streak to becoming a competitive football program. Junior Marc Wilson is back at receiver and will team up with quarterback Michael Pierce to make one of the most dynamite quarterback/receiver combos in the league. But the Hawks will win and lose this year with their defense. If they are able to get some depth at defense, they will surprise some teams this year.
Kutztown has been struck in the middle of the PSAC the past couple of seasons and is hoping that 2010 might be a breakout season. They return a lot of talent on the offensive side on the ball. Quarterback Kevin Morton will lead a young offensive that is looking to build upon some success last year. The defense has more experience and will look to keep the St. Anselm offense in check for 60 minutes.
Both teams need this game in order to start the season on the right foot. Kutztown has the edge on defense and that will be the difference in the game.
Prediction: Kutztown 23 St. Anselm 20
New Haven (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) at Seton Hill (1-0, 0-0 WVIAC)
When: September 4th, 3:00 PM
All-Time Series: First Meeting
My thoughts: These two teams have enjoyed success in the past and will be looking to rekindle their prior achievements.
New Haven finished 5-5 after not playing football for the prior several seasons. If anyone thought that it was not possible doesn't know head coach Peter Rossomando very well. His staff had a well-choreographed plan and they executed it very well. His goal was to win the league last year so it was not a full success in his mind. But nobody can argue that the team was very good at times and exceeded a lot of people's expectations. This year, people will not underestimate them and be prepared for them every week. New Haven will continue to turn heads this year because they are well coached and have a lot of talent on the roster.
Seton Hill opened their 2010 with a victory over Bowie State last Saturday. Quarterback DJ Lenehan tossed two touchdown passes and the defense held Bowie State in check most of the afternoon. The Griffins matched their 2009 win total and are hoping to repeat the success of their 2008 season.
Prediction: Seton Hill 24 New Haven 17
Southern Connecticut (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) at IUP (0-0, 0-0 PSAC)
When: September 4th, 4:00 PM
All-Time Series: IUP leads the series, 5-0-0
My thoughts: Both teams didn't have the success that they were accustomed to in 2009 but 2010 is a brand new season.
Southern Connecticut is the preseason favorite of the coaches again to win the NE-10. They have the talent and playmakers to win the league this year. They have several key offensive skill players back that should make quarterback Kevin Lynch comfortable in his new role as starter. He will have plenty of options and should be able to move the Owls up and down the field with ease. The defense also welcomes back many key players. Head coach Rich Cavanaugh is the dean of the NE-10 coaches but has not been able to beat many PSAC teams.
IUP enters the season off of their first losing season in 27 years. That is plenty of motivation for a team that is not used to losing. They have a very experienced defense but have a couple of holes to fill on the offensive side of the ball. The Crimson Hawks were picked second in the PSAC West but face a very tough September schedule as they travel to East Stroudsburg and Bloomsburg the next two weeks.
This game is very evenly matched but I feel that Southern Connecticut will find a way to sneak out a victory.
Prediction: Southern Connecticut 24 IUP 23
Any thoughts, questions or disagreements, please email me at paul.falewicz@d2football.com.
|
