In a game filled with illogical play-calling, we defeated Stonehill 30-24 (boxscore here). Up six late in the game, we were throwing, and down six with one chance to tie the game, they ran it four consecutive times. I've never been one to have issues with the mechanics of games, but that was really bad. At least we came out on top.

It gets much tougher in the round of 16, as we get Lane.

Team link: HERE
Coach: 2000champou (10th season)
Record: 14-1
WIS/Press/Coaches: #8

This is an absolute D2 powerhouse. The coach has never lost a conference game in 10 seasons, a run that's included two national championships. To put things in perspective, our one loss this year was a 37-33 heartbreaker against Kentucky State. Lane thrashed Kentucky State 45-0 in regular-season play before beating them 33-6 in the SIAC title game.

We have our hands full here. This is a team that does everything well, and they're a real threat to go far in this bracket. We've had a really good season here, and I'd be delighted with a win, but we're absolutely the underdogs in this one.

No surprises here, as we fell to Lane 27-9 (boxscore here). This was a heck of a game for three quarters, but they wore us down and scored the last 17 points of the game in the fourth.

I'll be doing some senior retrospective stuff going forward; we've got lots of them graduating, including Roland Stubbs, who swept the national player of the year awards after an awesome season as our running back.

It should be noted that Lane wound up winning the national championship.

Lots going on in my personal life right now, which meant I couldn't do senior stuff like I usually enjoy doing. Anyhow, we lost 17 seniors, most of whom started last season. Among others, we lost Roland Stubbs, who was pretty much the backbone of everything we did offensively.

It's going to be a busy recruiting period, and chances are we're going to be down this coming season. However, if there's any good news, it's that I am, as of now, in a conference otherwise entirely populated by Sim-coached teams. If ever there was a season where this was a good thing, it's this one. My goal is a winning record, and that may very well be enough to sneak into the conference title game.

QB Russell Briggs
School: Arrowhead HS Hometown: Hartland, WI
490 Rating

Athleticism	60
Speed	38
Durability	61
Work Ethic	44
Stamina	47
Strength	45
Blocking	25
Tackling	18
Hands	30
Game Instinct	55
Elusiveness	30
Technique	37

I really like Russell Briggs. He's an athletic, smart quarterback who projects to be very good at the D2 level. I'll probably redshirt him this coming year, but I could potentially see him overtaking last year's QB recruit down the line and starting for several seasons.

Potential: "With your coaching, I think his game has a lot of room to grow."

RB Bobby Gonzalez
School: Centennial HS Hometown: Circle Pines, MN
585 Rating

Athleticism	54
Speed	50
Durability	57
Work Ethic	42
Stamina	72
Strength	40
Blocking	40
Tackling	38
Hands	50
Game Instinct	38
Elusiveness	59
Technique	45

I needed depth at RB, as we had only two going into the season (one senior I like, one junior I don't like). Bobby Gonzalez isn't a burner, and his rating is inflated due to stamina, but he's a well-rounded back with room to improve.

Potential: "With your coaching, I think his game has a lot of room to grow."

RB Carlos Chavez
School: Starmont HS Hometown: Arlington, IA
482 Rating

Athleticism	43
Speed	52
Durability	28
Work Ethic	43
Stamina	34
Strength	45
Blocking	34
Tackling	17
Hands	43
Game Instinct	58
Elusiveness	48
Technique	37

Carlos Chavez is more of a depth signing than anything else. He was cheap (he went green for me right when I scouted him), and it isn't like he's a bad prospect, but I certainly think he'll be behind Gonzalez on the depth chart going forward. Still, depth isn't a bad thing, especially given the multiple-back sets we can run in this game.
Potential: "I think his growth potential is pretty average - nothing special."

WR Charles Stephens
School: Pcm HS Hometown: Monroe, IA
548 Rating

Athleticism	52
Speed	55
Durability	45
Work Ethic	41
Stamina	41
Strength	36
Blocking	46
Tackling	8
Hands	64
Game Instinct	44
Elusiveness	58
Technique	58

Charles Stephens is a very good wide receiver prospect. He's not a burner, and he won't play much his first year (or two), but I love his hands, his route-running, and the fact that he's a pretty good blocker for a wideout. Assuming he develops his speed a little, he could be a real weapon.

Potential: "I think his growth potential is pretty average - nothing special."

WR Dan Casey
School: Abraham Lincoln HS Hometown: Council Bluffs, IA
478 Rating

Athleticism	45
Speed	52
Durability	37
Work Ethic	52
Stamina	47
Strength	31
Blocking	27
Tackling	8
Hands	55
Game Instinct	44
Elusiveness	33
Technique	47

Dan Casey is a bit of a project. He's going to be buried on the depth chart for a while, most likely, and will probably top out as our #2 option his senior season. Again, though, depth is good, and he'll improve a lot from where he's at now (his big work ethic is certainly a plus).

Potential: "He's got the potential to improve his game a lot over 4 years with us."

TE Mark Miller
School: Prophetstown HS Hometown: Prophetstown, IL
473 Rating

Athleticism	29
Speed	42
Durability	47
Work Ethic	53
Stamina	52
Strength	35
Blocking	33
Tackling	12
Hands	52
Game Instinct	40
Elusiveness	42
Technique	36

Mark Miller is an experiment that could blow up in front of my face. I wanted a receiving TE, and Miller looks strong in that regard. He's got great hands, and his speed isn't bad for a TE. Fortunately, he has room to grow, and once he does, he may even wind up a serviceable blocker. Still, I've never really had a receiving-first TE, so we'll see how this works.

Potential: "With your coaching, I think his game has a lot of room to grow."

OL Henry Lee
School: Hastings HS Hometown: Hastings, MN
523 Rating

Athleticism	44
Speed	30
Durability	46
Work Ethic	56
Stamina	57
Strength	80
Blocking	50
Tackling	23
Hands	24
Game Instinct	45
Elusiveness	21
Technique	47

I landed three offensive linemen, and this is one of two that has a chance to be a star down the line. Henry Lee is extremely strong, and the rest of his stats that matter are at OK starting points. I promised him a start as a sophomore, and with two of our five returning offensive linemen from last year being seniors, that won't be an issue.

Potential: "He's got the potential to improve his game a lot over 4 years with us."

OL Anthony Marsh
School: Emily Griffith Opportunity Hometown: Denver, CO
521 Rating

Athleticism	31
Speed	23
Durability	37
Work Ethic	65
Stamina	64
Strength	67
Blocking	52
Tackling	24
Hands	13
Game Instinct	37
Elusiveness	40
Technique	68

Anthony Marsh is the second o-lineman I'm really pleased to get. I love his technique rating, and everything else is pretty solid, too.

Potential: "I think his growth potential is pretty average - nothing special."

OL Robert Haines
School: New Hampton HS Hometown: New Hampton, IA
473 Rating

Athleticism	29
Speed	25
Durability	42
Work Ethic	37
Stamina	54
Strength	49
Blocking	54
Tackling	26
Hands	36
Game Instinct	50
Elusiveness	34
Technique	37

Robert Haines will likely redshirt. His ratings aren't awful, but they're a cut below his two classmates. He does have good potential, though, and with time, he should develop pretty nicely.

Potential: "With your coaching, I think his game has a lot of room to grow."

DL Robert McCauley
School: Bryan HS Hometown: Omaha, NE
555 Rating

Athleticism	61
Speed	25
Durability	30
Work Ethic	43
Stamina	48
Strength	55
Blocking	34
Tackling	67
Hands	38
Game Instinct	53
Elusiveness	52
Technique	49

Robert McCauley is one of two recruits from the same high school, which is kind of cool. Anyway, he's extremely athletic, he's a good tackler, and everything else is at solid levels. He's one of three defensive linemen in this year's class, and he may be the best.

Potential: "With your coaching, I think his game has a lot of room to grow."

DL Stanley Arroyo
School: Crockett HS Hometown: Austin, TX
515 Rating

Athleticism	48
Speed	41
Durability	27
Work Ethic	33
Stamina	39
Strength	71
Blocking	24
Tackling	59
Hands	31
Game Instinct	40
Elusiveness	58
Technique	44

Stanley Arroyo is a physical player. He's a strong kid that can hit, but he's also got pretty good athleticism and great speed for a defensive lineman. I do wish his work ethic was better, especially since the d-line is going to be pretty crowded, but I'm really pleased to have him.

Potential: "I think his growth potential is pretty average - nothing special."