Incoming Portal Transfers

[Eagle74]

Barton lost Terrell but also Kam Johnson. So roughly 70% of their offense and the only two players teams schemed for. They also lost their best defensive player Shane Perry and I believe Smith their 2nd leading tackler left but I may be wrong.

As far as Erskine ALMOST besting CN who cares. Almost wins arent a kept statistic. Almost doesnt matter. That was an awful game regardless.

Coach Chip Hester has a strong reputation for being able to replacie a few key players with new talented players, so I would never underestimate what Hester will be able to accomplish.

I've heard the term ALMOST on this board many times. This includes CN almost won the D2 Football National Championship years ago (which would have been the first and last for the SAC to date). I've heard almost when describing a close game with against a strong GSC playoff team. I've heard 'almost' when asked if CN had a winning SAC season last year. So I will and suggest to others to use your advice and just refer to scores and seasons as another loss and losing. Why, because who really freaking cares?

[canadarican]

Barton lost Terrell but also Kam Johnson. So roughly 70% of their offense and the only two players teams schemed for. They also lost their best defensive player Shane Perry and I believe Smith their 2nd leading tackler left but I may be wrong.

As far as Erskine ALMOST besting CN who cares. Almost wins arent a kept statistic. Almost doesnt matter. That was an awful game regardless.

[Eagle74]

RIP to Erskine. Going to be a long year in the GSC. Thankfully they get Chowan so they may get 1 win this fall.

(LOL) That young Erskine team came within 5 points of beating the Eagles this past season.

Also, In reference to Barton College, they may actually improve on their 6-5 record from last year. Sure they lost an outstanding player in Terrel Jordan from last season, but they basically bring everyone else back, plus some very nice signees and transfers (including highly touted RB Corbin Kerr from Wallace / RoseHill). They also bring back most of their talented OL which successfully and consistently opened holes for Terrel Jordan.

[BEARS]

Oh yes! I forgot that we replaced Erskine with Anderson. I have high hopes for AU.

[canadarican]

Yeah, I would generally echo these thoughts. League isn't going to be as strong as in years past so that will benefit a retooling LR. As far as the mountain is concerned MH should have a good defense but are replacing the big names on offense. Tusculum will be same old hot or cold Tusculum. You would think CN will be better with the new coach, but need to see the offense in person first. E&H will probably be sitting somewhere in the middle and Wise/Erskine will be Wise/Erskine.

Agree. I believe it will be more wide open than past two years but not nearly as deep. It smells like a 1 bid playoff league as of July 15th.

MH is up in the air but Clifton has to figure out a way to dodge a late season collapse for the fourth straight year. Pioneers lost some dudes on defense and not sure about offense. Eagles are dependant on the offensive growth. Defense will be very good. E&H will only go as far as Mutters health takes them. Wise made a good hire and has nowhere to go but up. Anderson is a wild Card, but 3rd is probably peak.

RIP to Erskine. Going to be a long year in the GSC. Thankfully they get Chowan so they may get 1 win this fall.

[BEARS]

I haven't started doing a ton of work for preseason yet, but I think the Bears will be fine. I expect a drop off from last year, but it's not like they are going to go back to pre-2013 or (and I'm sorry for mentioning it): the Keller years.

Part of that is talent returning, but mainly IMO part of that is also the changes/losses elsewhere in the conference. If you count Coach Lamb at Anderson, there are 6/7 new head coaches to the league. Some of the best players from around the league 2023 have also moved on via the NFL, graduation, or the transfer portal.

I expect Limestone to take a step back. Barton as well. I'm not sure the Almighty himself knows what to expect from Newberry. Last year was weird. I expect Wingate to be the preseason favorite to win the league. Catawba (without knowing who all left) should continue to improve. I really like their HC. That's the piedmont.

Yeah, I would generally echo these thoughts. League isn't going to be as strong as in years past so that will benefit a retooling LR. As far as the mountain is concerned MH should have a good defense but are replacing the big names on offense. Tusculum will be same old hot or cold Tusculum. You would think CN will be better with the new coach, but need to see the offense in person first. E&H will probably be sitting somewhere in the middle and Wise/Erskine will be Wise/Erskine.

[canadarican]

I haven't started doing a ton of work for preseason yet, but I think the Bears will be fine. I expect a drop off from last year, but it's not like they are going to go back to pre-2013 or (and I'm sorry for mentioning it): the Keller years.

Part of that is talent returning, but mainly IMO part of that is also the changes/losses elsewhere in the conference. If you count Coach Lamb at Anderson, there are 6/7 new head coaches to the league. Some of the best players from around the league 2023 have also moved on via the NFL, graduation, or the transfer portal.

I expect Limestone to take a step back. Barton as well. I'm not sure the Almighty himself knows what to expect from Newberry. Last year was weird. I expect Wingate to be the preseason favorite to win the league. Catawba (without knowing who all left) should continue to improve. I really like their HC. That's the piedmont.

[BearFan1]

A Question; am I beginning to hear slight tones of optimism about where LR will be this year from the various posters and followers?

[Eagle74]

Don’t give up hope on that date just yet. The Dawg Pound is just moving spots in town. Y’all can still bond over what I’ve heard is the best wiener in town.

That's great! So you're telling me there's still a chance that FootballCoach and BearFan1 can still plan on sharing a footlong, and meeting in the middle with their differences.

[SACgrad]

Eagle74 With great sadness, I have some terrible news. The Dawg Pound is CLOSING. Not only does this mean that myself and BearFan1 may never be able to remedy our differences but that you will also never be able to enjoy a delightful wiener in Hickory ever again. Truly a devastating situation.

Don’t give up hope on that date just yet. The Dawg Pound is just moving spots in town. Y’all can still bond over what I’ve heard is the best wiener in town.

[Eagle74]

Eagle74 With great sadness, I have some terrible news. The Dawg Pound is CLOSING. Not only does this mean that myself and BearFan1 may never be able to remedy our differences but that you will also never be able to enjoy a delightful wiener in Hickory ever again. Truly a devastating situation.

Sad to hear, but it's happening more and more to struggling independent restaurants across the country especially in the past couple of years, and it's probably going to get worse in coming months. This, as a few keep saying 'the economy is doing great' 🤥

[BearFan1]

FootballCoach. please tell me the news is not so! I was so looking forward to making peace over a couple of the Best Dawg's ever.
Perhaps we will have to tailgate our Dawgs at a slow and delicious paste this year.

[BEARS]

All in all, I have a feeling that Jaelin Willis, LB transfer from NAIA Keiser will end up being the most impactful transfer for LR.

Actually something I agree with you on.

[FootballCoach]

Eagle74 With great sadness, I have some terrible news. The Dawg Pound is CLOSING. Not only does this mean that myself and BearFan1 may never be able to remedy our differences but that you will also never be able to enjoy a delightful wiener in Hickory ever again. Truly a devastating situation.

[Eagle74]

All in all, I have a feeling that Jaelin Willis, LB transfer from NAIA Keiser will end up being the most impactful transfer for LR.