By Pat Cummings
D3sports.com
Once again, I will provide the narration to a season of Division III football in the Mid-Atlantic region. I'll attempt to bring you the unique game stories, standout statistics, and some pithy opinions on the competition from Pennsylvania to Tennessee.
First -- an invitation. This site is here because fans, student-athletes, coaches, and alumni visit, read, post, or lurk. Throughout the season, feel free to share your thoughts with me. Catching an angle I failed to cover, perhaps we'll publish your response to the column.
In this opening column, I've ranked the top ten games of the region for the coming season. No matter what, I will have missed some of the good ones, but I don't think I've included too many clunkers. There will be much competition over the next four months, and these ten games should provide the best.
No. 10. Muhlenberg at Moravian, Nov. 11
A huge rivalry between these two will take on a different feel after this season's renewal. This year's traditional final week tussle will be the last time the Mules and Greyhounds meet in non-conference surroundings as Moravian shifts to the Centennial. Both teams will have an uphill battle this year as they have endured significant senior turnover, so while neither is expected to contest a playoff spot, pride will be the key factor in our tenth-best game of 2006.
No. 9. Dickinson at Johns Hopkins, Sept. 30
I can only be so repetitive when it comes to the Centennial Conference. So, for the sake of new readers, here we go. The CC is more equal in 2006 that it has ever been in my memory. Any team can win on any week. That being said, if I had to pick one game that will have the most impact on the conference title, this would be the one. Dickinson returns their entire defense and three-fourths of their offense, and prior to last season, the Red Devils have played the Blue Jays quite tough. JHU is the preseason favorite in the CC, but in the first week of conference play, the Red Devils could step up and provide an immediate challenge that will set the tone for the test of the season.
No. 8. Mount Union at Averett, Sept. 2
When was the last time Mount Union played a Mid-Atlantic region team in non-conference, regular-season action? I scoured the record books and could not locate one. This is big. My opinion is that Averett is the team to beat in the USA South and the Cougars got a huge boost in learning that quarterback Todd Parsons has a year of eligibility remaining. With the Cougars returning a den of talent, this game could be closer than Purple Raiders fans were hoping (or realized). Well, it could be a blowout too. Regardless, the defending national champions will be on display once again in southwestern Virginia, only this time, in week one.
No. 7 Hampden-Sydney at Bridgewater, Sept. 30
The year in which Hampden-Sydney is not projected as the main competition for Bridgewater could be the year the Tigers surprise the Eagles. Am I getting ahead of myself, perhaps? It's become a huge rivalry and Hampden-Sydney has the surprise factor this year in that they will be without J.D. Ricca for the first time in four years.
No. 6. Mary Hardin-Baylor at Christopher Newport, Sept. 9
Once again, another huge non-conference matchup I wish I could see. The Crusaders open their season invading Virginia for the first time since their seven-point Stagg Bowl loss to Linfield in 2004. Meanwhile, the Captains will have this as their second game in two weeks against a team ranked in the top six of D3football.com's Preseason Top 25. You can't slight Matt Kelchner from ducking competition, but one wonders how prepared CNU will be for this attractive contest after a tough week one.
No. 5. Averett at Christopher Newport, Nov. 4
We consider the Cougars to be the team to beat in the USAC and see CNU right behind. What about Ferrum, you Panthers fans may be thinking? Not this year. The USAC champ has never been a foregone conclusion in the conference's history despite CNU's past wins prior to Ferrum's rush to the title last year. If our predictions hold true, this should be the game that decides the title.
No. 4. Bridgewater at Guilford, Oct. 14
Will the high-powered Guilford offense grow enough over the last year to challenge the ODAC's top squad? With a no-huddle, air-it-out approach, the Quakers could give the Eagles young secondary a severe test as there is relatively no guesswork involved in figuring out Kevin Kiesel's tactics to beat Bridgewater. Last year's 62-46 win was an amusing offensive showcase. Will a year of experience for Kiesel and Vogelbach move the Quakers into a contending position? This game should tell the story.
No. 3. Averett at Wesley, Sept. 9
The Wolverines were one of four teams standing after 14 weeks of football last year, surprising many D3 observers. Who knows what Averett's week one will bring, but they will have a stout opponent in week two who might be ripe for an upset. Wesley opens up with Waynesburg and has suffered some losses from last year's splendid performance, including wide receiver Larry Beavers who was deemed academically ineligible. A win would be Averett's first against a ranked opponent and could assist in a Pool C bid should the Cougars stumble in conference.
No. 2. Delaware Valley at Wilkes, Sept. 16
The post-G.A. Mangus era will get an early test as the solid Colonels will get the Aggies, and their new quarterback, on their first road foray. Del Val has not lost a conference game since 2003 and many observers think this could be the one. Wilkes got a lucky postseason bid last year before losing to Rowan in a blowout. Frank Sheptock's Colonels should be right there but will need a coveted win over the Aggies to set the tone from the rest of the season. This one should not be missed.
No. 1. Washington & Lee at Bridgewater, Oct. 28
At the end of last season, few would have pegged Washington and Lee as a squad that was on track to end up in the postseason in 2006. Two of the D3football.com experts in Kickoff 2006, including yours truly, believe that the Generals will make it there. What we aren't so certain about is W&L chances of winning at Bridgewater. This is the game of the year in the ODAC and as this conference has gotten more competitive, so too has its "watchability." The ODAC is a fun conference to follow -- from the message boards to the gridiron. If the conference plays to form, this should be the deciding game, and it's our top contest to watch in 2006.
