The NCAA Division 3 Football tournament gets underway this Saturday when the Norwich Cadets (7-3) visit the Delaware Valley Aggies (10-0).
This is the most lopsided match up of the first round involving east teams. The Aggies are probably one of the ten best teams in all of Division 3 football, and undefeated champions of the rugged MAC. The Cadets are champions of the recently formed ECFC, whose previous champion SUNY Maritime fell behind Alfred by 50 points before half time in last season's first round of the tournament.
If you are hoping the ECFC has raised its level heading into the 2011 tournament, think again. Norwich was undefeated (7-0) in the ECFC, but 0-3 outside of the conference. The Cadets were soundly beaten by St Lawrence (3-6) and Hartwick (2-8). While we respect Norwich's run to its conference championship, it is safe to say Norwich would not have won more than two or three games in any other east region conference.
We aren't predicting any miracles here.
The Delaware Valley Aggies are on a mission in 2011. The Aggies have outscored its opponents by an average margin of 21 points per game, and average an amazing 8.6 yards per pass attempt. Opponents average only 4.7 yards per pass attempt.
Quarterback Aaron Wilmer has 21 touchdowns to only six interceptions, good for a 156 efficiency rating. Running back Kyle Schuberth averages nearly 100 yards per game on the ground. Defensive back Terrance Osborne has 5 interceptions and 18 pass deflections.
Norwich's best chance is to keep the ball on the ground, and control the clock. If they can keep the Aggies off the field, they might keep the game close. The Cadets run an option style attack led by quarterback Kris Sabourin, and running back Andrew Fulford. Sabourin and Fulford combined for over 2000 yards rushing in 2011.
Our prediction? The Aggies will eventually shut down the one dimensional option, and at that point the game will get ugly. Sabourin is completing only 47% of his passes, with 9 interceptions against only 4 touchdowns. And that is against competition much weaker than the MAC. I can't see Norwich playing catchup with the Aggies. Delaware Valley in a rout.
Showing posts with label aggies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aggies. Show all posts
Delaware Valley rips Widener 56-28
The Delaware Valley Aggies (10-0) scored 42 unanswered points to rip the Widener Pride (8-2) 56-28. In the most impressive performance of the week, on the biggest Saturday of the regular season, the Aggies clinched the MAC title and a birth in the NCAA tournament. By keeping a perfect record, and by winning in such resounding fashion, the Aggies made a strong statement for the #1 seed in the Eastern Region bracket of the NCAA Division 3 football tournament.
The turning point came midway through the third quarter. Widener held a 28-21 lead with the Aggies pinned at its own 6-yard line. Delaware Valley marched 94 yards on 10 plays to tie the game at 28-28. The Aggies scored on its next possession when quarterback Aaron Wilmer ran for an 18-yard touchdown to give Delaware Valley a 35-28 lead.
On their next offensive possession, Wilmer completed a 61-yard pass to Lewis Vincent to put the Aggies deep in Pride territory. Wilmer then hit Chris Ruiz for a 15-yard touchdown pass to put Delaware Valley ahead 42-28.
The flood gates opened when Wilmer completed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Hall for a 49-28 Aggies advantage.
Delaware Valley amassed a staggering 580 yards in total offense to win in convincing fashion. The Aggies look like the best team in Eastern Region since St John Fisher's 2006 run to the NCAA semifinals.
We at D3East-Football believe the Aggies are deserving of the top seed in the eastern bracket. Our Eastern bracket predictions will be online late tonight!
The turning point came midway through the third quarter. Widener held a 28-21 lead with the Aggies pinned at its own 6-yard line. Delaware Valley marched 94 yards on 10 plays to tie the game at 28-28. The Aggies scored on its next possession when quarterback Aaron Wilmer ran for an 18-yard touchdown to give Delaware Valley a 35-28 lead.
On their next offensive possession, Wilmer completed a 61-yard pass to Lewis Vincent to put the Aggies deep in Pride territory. Wilmer then hit Chris Ruiz for a 15-yard touchdown pass to put Delaware Valley ahead 42-28.
The flood gates opened when Wilmer completed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Hall for a 49-28 Aggies advantage.
Delaware Valley amassed a staggering 580 yards in total offense to win in convincing fashion. The Aggies look like the best team in Eastern Region since St John Fisher's 2006 run to the NCAA semifinals.
We at D3East-Football believe the Aggies are deserving of the top seed in the eastern bracket. Our Eastern bracket predictions will be online late tonight!
