Good bye WCC [Archive]

Double E

09-28-2011, 09:29 PM

PhotoGuy

09-28-2011, 09:35 PM

Is now the time the WCC finally takes a serious look at QND? Enrollment wise, they are a natural fit (QND 387, IW 418, Macomb 589, M-R 530, Pittsfield 501, WH 399). They'd offer stability, tradition, a great fan base, and reasonable travel. We already know what type of environment QND/IW would bring. And who wouldn't want to see the rivalries with Macomb and Pittsfield renewed?

On another front, I still don't understand CSE's move to the WIVC North next season. At an enrollment of 416, they will for the most part, be the largest school in the conference by a wide margin. Other than Unity-Payson @ 352 students, they will be competing against teams with enrollments of 126, 130, 185 and 244. Why is a 3A school leaving a conference made up of teams similar in size, to go join a conference made up primarily of 1A schools? I'm not trying to judge them, I just don't get it.

1) Bring on the Raiders. QND playing local teams every year sounds great to me, I know PGP would love to renew that rivalry, and I am sure Macomb is the same and IW as well... no question in my mind about it.

2) A good "explanation" would be "limiting travel" but IMHO it all comes down to one thing... Wins. Plain and simple. You play smaller schools, you have an easier schedule, you get more wins and a better chance to win the conference every year.

Call it the "anti-QND" mindset, the opposite of what the Raiders do which is consistently try to play up in competition to prepare for the post season. Some schools like to play down (we have some here in NEMO who are perfectly happy to year-in, year-out bash schools 1/3 of their size in FB & BB both).

stackjack1

09-28-2011, 10:07 PM

I just can't believe to this day that the WCC didn't let QND in this conference. I bet they wish they would have done it now.

Double E

09-28-2011, 10:12 PM

1) Bring on the Raiders. QND playing local teams every year sounds great to me, I know PGP would love to renew that rivalry, and I am sure Macomb is the same and IW as well... no question in my mind about it.

2) A good "explanation" would be "limiting travel" but IMHO it all comes down to one thing... Wins. Plain and simple. You play smaller schools, you have an easier schedule, you get more wins and a better chance to win the conference every year.

Call it the "anti-QND" mindset, the opposite of what the Raiders do which is consistently try to play up in competition to prepare for the post season. Some schools like to play down (we have some here in NEMO who are perfectly happy to year-in, year-out bash schools 1/3 of their size in FB & BB both).

I was told that the last time QND was considered for membership, the schools that were solidly in favor of them were IW, Pittsfield, Macomb and WH.

German/Irish_67_9

09-28-2011, 10:13 PM

QND's enrollment would actually be something like 668.25 give or take a few.. That makes them 4A..

fanofthegame

09-28-2011, 10:51 PM

Call me crazy but I really don't want to see QND in the WCC. With Richwoods a perennial power, Peoria Central on the rise, and IVC added to the conference I don't mind the MS6. I'll admit the game atmosphere's aren't much fun when the peoria teams bring about 15 fans, but outside of that problem being solved I would not be in favor of a move to the WCC. With a move would QND still be able to schedule school like Helias, Hannibal, Richwoods etc?

German/Irish_67_9

09-29-2011, 12:11 AM

Agreed fan..

QND is annually ranked among the top tier in 4A. Until that changes.. I don't forsee QND joining the WCC or any spin-off that may surface in the near future..

nobody

09-29-2011, 12:41 AM

1) Bring on the Raiders. QND playing local teams every year sounds great to me, I know PGP would love to renew that rivalry, and I am sure Macomb is the same and IW as well... no question in my mind about it.

2) A good "explanation" would be "limiting travel" but IMHO it all comes down to one thing... Wins. Plain and simple. You play smaller schools, you have an easier schedule, you get more wins and a better chance to win the conference every year.

Call it the "anti-QND" mindset, the opposite of what the Raiders do which is consistently try to play up in competition to prepare for the post season. Some schools like to play down (we have some here in NEMO who are perfectly happy to year-in, year-out bash schools 1/3 of their size in FB & BB both).

PGP better get a different attitude about football if they want to compete with QND!

whtitanfan

09-29-2011, 01:36 AM

I was told that the last time QND was considered for membership, the schools that were solidly in favor of them were IW, Pittsfield, Macomb and WH.

WH definately wasn't in favor of it.

I could see a situation where IW, WH and Macomb are without a conference for a year or more. I would hate to see that happen but I don't see the conferences metioned looking to add more teams. There could be a round robin of games with those three and QND. Scheduling beyond that in this area of the state would be tough as QND knows well.

fanofthegame

09-29-2011, 02:42 AM

Agreed fan..

QND is annually ranked among the top tier in 4A. Until that changes.. I don't forsee QND joining the WCC or any spin-off that may surface in the near future..

The thing is, as much as I'd hate to see it, if QND was offered they would be dumb not to take it. I've got to believe that someday the MS6 and WB6 or Mid Illini are going to come to some kind of merger. If that happens QND is getting kicked to the curb. A move to join the area schools would cut down travel, provide stability, and provide better game atmospheres. It just wouldn't exactly help strength of schedule.

wolverine55

09-29-2011, 02:47 AM

While this leaves some teams in a pickle, I second the emotions of "good riddance." As much as I hated the West Prairie Trail, it was better than this mess. Do we get the WCC for one more season or are these moves effective immediately?

remote

09-29-2011, 03:01 AM

I am glad to hear it. The WCC is a STUPID idea for a conference.

Seriously, Pittsfield traveling to Orion and Sherrard? 200 miles over those roads? Stupid.

Why PGP can't play local teams like Triopia, Porta, Beardstown, Brown County, and keep games against IW and WH and other local teams is just beyond me.

[QUOTE=PhotoGuy;13785]
2) A good "explanation" would be "limiting travel" but IMHO it all comes down to one thing... Wins. Plain and simple. You play smaller schools, you have an easier schedule, you get more wins and a better chance to win the conference every year.
QUOTE]

Photo Guy -- Which one is it?? Limiting travel or winning games? Can't be one way for one school and another way for a different school.

PhotoGuy

09-29-2011, 03:04 AM

remote

09-29-2011, 03:14 AM

Is now the time the WCC finally takes a serious look at QND? Enrollment wise, they are a natural fit (QND 387, IW 418, Macomb 589, M-R 530, Pittsfield 501, WH 399). They'd offer stability, tradition, a great fan base, and reasonable travel. We already know what type of environment QND/IW would bring. And who wouldn't want to see the rivalries with Macomb and Pittsfield renewed?

On another front, I still don't understand CSE's move to the WIVC North next season. At an enrollment of 416, they will for the most part, be the largest school in the conference by a wide margin. Other than Unity-Payson @ 352 students, they will be competing against teams with enrollments of 126, 130, 185 and 244. Why is a 3A school leaving a conference made up of teams similar in size, to go join a conference made up primarily of 1A schools? I'm not trying to judge them, I just don't get it.

Average enrollment of 12 current WCC teams is 479, with two teams over 600. Average enrollment of 11 current WIVC teams is 244, with only two teams under 200. Wouldn't you trade travel to Princeton and Mendota (3.5 hours each way) for trips to Mendon and Mt. Sterling?? And I'm not sure anyone in the area would count easy wins over Brown County, Triopia, or Routt. Like any conference there will be strong powers along with weaker opponents.

remote

09-29-2011, 03:18 AM

'... but IMHO it all comes down to one thing... Wins. Plain and simple. You play smaller schools, you have an easier schedule, you get more wins and a better chance to win the conference every year. '

So for PGP longer distance travel is "Stupid" and they would be better off playing "Triopia and Brown County" (smaller schools), but for CSE it is all about victories and domination.

OK, I get it.

Double E

09-29-2011, 03:27 AM

QND's enrollment would actually be something like 668.25 give or take a few.. That makes them 4A..

That's the multiplied enrollment. Actual enrollment is under 400

Double E

09-29-2011, 03:40 AM

WH definately wasn't in favor of it.

I could see a situation where IW, WH and Macomb are without a conference for a year or more. I would hate to see that happen but I don't see the conferences metioned looking to add more teams. There could be a round robin of games with those three and QND. Scheduling beyond that in this area of the state would be tough as QND knows well.

I was originally told that WH was against QND joining, but since then, I've had a couple of WH folks tell me that wasn't the case. I certainly won't claim to have any insider knowledge, and if you know for a fact that WH was against it, I'm not going to doubt you.

PhotoGuy

09-29-2011, 03:42 AM

Not at all the same... the schools i am talking about for PGP are not one-third their size... or even less than that... not 416 playing 126, 130, 185 and 244.

416 playing 126 is just about an auto win.

If PGP were trying to get in a conference with schools with enrollments of 126, 130, 185 and 244 well I would think the same thing about them... assuming what is printed in this thread is accurate.

EDITED TO ADD; Oh I just checked enrollments I thought Triopia was about 400 or so my bad.

CHUCK26

09-29-2011, 02:35 PM

I've heard rumors that IVC wants in to the WCC. If that were true, I'd love to see QND in as well. The last time it was looked at IW, PGP and Macomb were in favor of it, while basically everyone else was totally against letting the Raiders in. If they don't allow QND to come into the conference, I could see where PGP and QND could still meet up in one of their non-conference weeks.

I could also see PGP looking into the Sangamo with Plains, PORTA, Auburn, etc. If they got into this conference, thier LONGEST trip would be 74 miles to Niantic. Their CLOSEST trip next year will be Carthage at 76 miles.

As far as CSE going to the WIVC, it's a great move for them. Camp Point's enrollment is 272 according to the IHSA. Southeastern's enrollment is 144. CSE is comprised of a large majority of Camp Point players and only a hand full (or less) of kids from Southeastern. I could honestly see Camp Point and Southeastern not having a co-op if things don't improve from the Southeastern side of things. CSE is a great fit for the WIVC. They are basically a 1A school now playing very well in a 3A conference and postseason.

I'm not a "new" WCC person. I think geographically it's the worst conference that's every been made, especially for Central and PGP. I'm not sure what it's West Central of. There needs to be some type of committment that has to be made by these schools, rather than just being able to switch conferences every other year.

kokxtitansports

09-29-2011, 06:03 PM

It seems that with all the travel in the wcc that before the west prairie trail conference you could travel one hour and 45 minutes to beardstown which would be the farthest you would go. But what hurt was now you cannot play area teams except for camp point, pittsfield and illini west. Last year we traveled to orion and this year to sherrard and in a couple of years to rock ridge. I don't know what the answer is but i would say if the west central conference is sucessfull you would have to include west hancock, illini west, pittsfield, monmouth, macomb and probably quincy notre dame. If not teams like west hancock would probably be independent which would be hard scheduling or apply to the prairieland conference which most schools are west hancock's size or slightly smaller.

German/Irish_67_9

09-29-2011, 10:34 PM

That's the multiplied enrollment. Actual enrollment is under 400

Unfortunately double E, QND fans and especially the athletic dept have to view QND's enrollment at it's current multiplied state. Again, I don't see QND's coach, Bill Connell, or their athletic directer, Bill Connell, wanting his boys on the same field as WH, who btw has no idea what they're getting into if they think they WANT to play QND, and a host of others who swarm the WCC/WIVC.. QND got away from that with the dissolving of the Prairie Trails and haven't looked back since. QND will be 4A for at least 4-5 years until their enrollment drops far enough to push them to 3A. When that happens I could see a change. Although, knowing the IHSA, QND may never see the likes of 3A or below, as long as they keep winning..

I agree with you fan.. We all know QND will get the boot when the MI/MS6/WB6 convergence occurs, which I'm a believer it will. Although, that leaves QHS up for grabs as well. Meaning we should be playing them, imo. But, I still could see QND doing one of many things rather than join the West Central.. just thoughts, but who knows.. they could go independent again.. Bill Connell seemed to do well when we were, but today's scheduling isn't like it was prior to 2005. Or, they could go with QHS and maybe get taken as a two part deal to the Central State 8(x).. I could see the CSx taking a stab at this if they got QHS, a 7A program, in return.. only bad thing is that QHS is awful as of late and unless they improve I'm not so sure QHS is a good fit to be playing SHS, SHG, and Chatham every year, topped off with QND and Rochester.. sounds pretty sweet for QND though ;)

Tough to say, but, at the current state, QND remains useless to the WCC teams with how well they are competing in 4A and in the MS6. With IVC joining the MS6 it looks like the Peoria schools are a bit happier than they'd been..

wolverine55

09-29-2011, 10:39 PM

I think WH fans know EXACTLY what they would be getting into if they played QND, but its like someone said before: No matter who is in a conference, there are going to be haves and have nots. Why go to the Quad Cities--or further--to play an elite team when there is one just 35 miles away from Hamilton? In this day and age of economics, some of these far trips are getting harder and harder to justify.

remote

09-30-2011, 02:04 AM

As far as CSE going to the WIVC, it's a great move for them. Camp Point's enrollment is 272 according to the IHSA. Southeastern's enrollment is 144. CSE is comprised of a large majority of Camp Point players and only a hand full (or less) of kids from Southeastern. I could honestly see Camp Point and Southeastern not having a co-op if things don't improve from the Southeastern side of things. CSE is a great fit for the WIVC. They are basically a 1A school now playing very well in a 3A conference and postseason.

Great point Chuck. This year's CSE roster senior through freshman is 51 players, only 9 out of 51 are from SE, and 6 of those 9 are freshmen. Out of the 20 juniors and seniors on the roster, only 3 are from SE. OF course that leaves 6 out of 31 from SE for the fresh/soph. Kids from SE are contributing, but in reality with those numbers this is a high 1A / low 2A team competing in a predominately 3A conference.

Last year's roster wasn't much different, don't know the exact numbers, something like 4 out of 45 from SE senior through freshamn.

guest07

09-30-2011, 02:12 AM

Great point Chuck. This year's CSE roster senior through freshman is 51 players, only 9 out of 51 are from SE, and 6 of those 9 are freshmen. Out of the 20 juniors and seniors on the roster, only 3 are from SE. OF course that leaves 6 out of 31 from SE for the fresh/soph. Kids from SE are contributing, but in reality with those numbers this is a high 1A / low 2A team competing in a predominately 3A conference.

Last year's roster wasn't much different, don't know the exact numbers, something like 4 out of 45 from SE senior through freshamn.

You can't go by how many are competing, though. You really have to look at it from a total enrollment standpoint. Many schools are in a co-op situation these days, and could make the same claim that you're making about CSE. I think that's over-thinking it. They are pretty clearly a 2A/3A program.

Tim from Springfield

09-30-2011, 02:35 AM

Could the blame for the WCC's mess be placed at the hands of Rushville-Industry and Beardstown jumping ship for the Prairieland? WHY did the Rockets and Tigers leave the WCC in the first place (other than perhaps the enrollment issue compared to Pittsfield, IW, WH, etc.). And did the R-I and Beardstown defection from the WCC occur before or after Macomb decided to switch from the Oly to WCC for all sports (spring '09 IIRC)?

And what if the Big Rivers move of Orion, Rockridge and Sherrard had occurred for last season (2010) rather than potentially 2013-14? Could we have ended up with this WCC arrangement (as it would have meant the end of the Oly) with football teams in asterisk (*)--IF R-I and Beardstown had stayed:

WEST CENTRAL NORTHEAST
*Beardstown
*Farmington (?)
*Illini West
*Macomb
*M-R
*R-I

WEST CENTRAL SOUTHWEST
*CPC
Griggsville-Perry
Liberty
Payson Seymour
*Pittsfield
Southeastern
(*?) Unity (but would they still have jumped ship for the WIVC after Bunker Hill's departure even with my alternate WCC scenario?)
*West Hancock
Western (Barry)

wolverine55

09-30-2011, 12:54 PM

I couldn't find the post, Photoguy, but you said something about Triopia's enrollment earlier. Still not as big as you originally thought, but next year they should be right around 3OO as they are getting Virginia in a co-op and the IHSA lists Virginia at slightly more than 1OO students. At least I think that will be a new co-op--all of this conference stuff coupled with co-op questions is starting to make my head spin!

bluefan73

09-30-2011, 02:45 PM

I don't think "blame" is the right word. Schools have to do what they think is best for their kids/programs and that 's what B'town and R'ville did. If you want to "blame" anyone, blame IW. If Carthage was the 800 pound gorilla in the WCC/WPT, then IW is the 1200 pound gorilla (most years). It's ironic that the year after a Camp Point team beats any team involving Carthage for the first time in 40 years they also jump ship. It remains to be seen whether a move to the WIVC is good for them but there are very few small school conferences that are better. With the WCC in constant flux and the long road trips, I sure can't "blame" them for taking the opportunity to be a part of something more stable with reasonable travel. After all, that's what we'd all like, right?

I agree with the QND guys who are saying a move to the WCC (or whatever replaces it) doesn't make much sense from a competitive point of view for their football team right now. The WCC teams would benefit most from that addition but I'm not sure they all see it that way. It would be letting another gorilla into the cage.

Could the blame for the WCC's mess be placed at the hands of Rushville-Industry and Beardstown jumping ship for the Prairieland? WHY did the Rockets and Tigers leave the WCC in the first place (other than perhaps the enrollment issue compared to Pittsfield, IW, WH, etc.). And did the R-I and Beardstown defection from the WCC occur before or after Macomb decided to switch from the Oly to WCC for all sports (spring '09 IIRC)?

And what if the Big Rivers move of Orion, Rockridge and Sherrard had occurred for last season (2010) rather than potentially 2013-14? Could we have ended up with this WCC arrangement (as it would have meant the end of the Oly) with football teams in asterisk (*)--IF R-I and Beardstown had stayed:

WEST CENTRAL NORTHEAST
*Beardstown
*Farmington (?)
*Illini West
*Macomb
*M-R
*R-I

WEST CENTRAL SOUTHWEST
*CPC
Griggsville-Perry
Liberty
Payson Seymour
*Pittsfield
Southeastern
(*?) Unity (but would they still have jumped ship for the WIVC after Bunker Hill's departure even with my alternate WCC scenario?)
*West Hancock
Western (Barry)

German/Irish_67_9

09-30-2011, 09:36 PM

I don't think "blame" is the right word. Schools have to do what they think is best for their kids/programs and that 's what B'town and R'ville did. If you want to "blame" anyone, blame IW. If Carthage was the 800 pound gorilla in the WCC/WPT, then IW is the 1200 pound gorilla (most years). It's ironic that the year after a Camp Point team beats any team involving Carthage for the first time in 40 years they also jump ship. It remains to be seen whether a move to the WIVC is good for them but there are very few small school conferences that are better. With the WCC in constant flux and the long road trips, I sure can't "blame" them for taking the opportunity to be a part of something more stable with reasonable travel. After all, that's what we'd all like, right?

I agree with the QND guys who are saying a move to the WCC (or whatever replaces it) doesn't make much sense from a competitive point of view for their football team right now. The WCC teams would benefit most from that addition but I'm not sure they all see it that way. It would be letting another gorilla into the cage.

Well said. Not to mention.. and this is simply what I forsee happening.. is that if QND were to join the WCC or it's offspring, than the area would turn into a big "QND this/QND that" party. No one would be happy with that situation. The "have nots" or bottom-feeders would likely fear a game vs QND annually. Injuries, depth are both a couple of the many reasons QND should not be playing that type of competition. It just doesn't make since from any standpoint. No matter how you look at it, other than travel. And if I were the AD/Coach at QND, I'd be striving to avoid that mess. Not to mention who knows how long something like this would last, the MS6 has done wonders for QND scheduling and gaining quality opponents. A risky, yet closer, WCCish conf doesn't give them much to work with, probably ZERO out-of-conf games.. I don't see that going well with QND supporters and administrators. I know I'm beating the bush here but QND joining a league like this would be big bad news bears for everyone involved. QND and the fellow conf schools. Listen to Bill Connell talk about playing Richwoods and teams of that caliber and you'll know why QND probably won't ever look down in size to field a schedule. Not to mention, those Missouri schools are great competition and playing out of state teams is a fantastic thing for QND to be having each year.

bpcbroadcaster

10-03-2011, 01:53 AM

The current West Central Conference was set to fail from the beginning....HOWEVER, it was this or have your school try to piece together 5 non-conference games. The old West Central Conference was falling apart with the exodus of West Prairie, Rushville-Industry, and Beardstown. The Olympic Conference fell apart with Knoxville and Farmington leaving.

The remaining Olympic schools (Macomb, Monmouth, Orion, Rockridge, Sherrard) sought other conferences to allign with, the remaining West Central schools, the Big Rivers, and the Lincoln Trail. The Big Rivers declined (which makes their invitation to the trio of schools a little odd), and the LTC also declined (due to the enrollment differential).

It's not like these schools can wave a magic wand and team up with neighboring high schools to form a conference or schedule football games.

Also, the name West Central Conference was just a hold over from the previous incarnation, not in regards to any geography of the schools involved.

German/Irish_67_9

10-03-2011, 05:08 AM

Or, we could just put all the local schools larger than 1A in a hat and draw random spots and form 2 separate conferences..

Otherwise, the larger schools with tradition like Macomb, IW, etc better start looking for something quick.. Ask a QND fan or coach how tough scheduling games in this area was when they were independent.. unless of course you like driving..

guest07

10-03-2011, 10:08 PM

bpcbroadcaster

10-04-2011, 12:02 AM

No offense, but Macomb has football tradition?

It's not Carthage/Illini West tradition, but the Bombers have made the playoffs 9 out of the last 10 years, and prior to that run made a semi finals berth in 1998.

German/Irish_67_9

10-04-2011, 03:08 AM

It's not Carthage/Illini West tradition, but the Bombers have made the playoffs 9 out of the last 10 years, and prior to that run made a semi finals berth in 1998.

Thanks bpc.. that's what I was getting at.. Kelly Sears has built a wonderful program in Macomb.

guest07

10-04-2011, 05:24 PM

It's not Carthage/Illini West tradition, but the Bombers have made the playoffs 9 out of the last 10 years, and prior to that run made a semi finals berth in 1998.

It's all good, but "making the playoffs" is a pretty low bar.

They've won 2 playoff games in the last 9 years. It's a fine program, but I'm not sure there's much "tradition" there.........and lumping them in with IW seems a bit odd.

da bears

10-04-2011, 05:38 PM

I don't think he was lumping them in with IW, but Macomb does consistently have a team that competes, it wasn't too long ago when Macomb and QND went back and forth every year to start the season. I don't know too many other schools in the area that have made the playoffs 9 out of the last 10 years besides IW, QND and R/I. I'lll agree that they haven't had much success in the playoffs but to be fair they have also been one of the smallest schools in 4a a very strong class top to bottom in the playoffs.

bpcbroadcaster

10-04-2011, 07:54 PM

They've won 2 playoff games in the last 9 years.

And they've won 4 playoff games in the last 10 years. How was I "lumping" them in with Illini West? I stated that they didn't have Illini West-like tradition, which means the opposite of "lumping" them in together.

bpcbroadcaster

10-04-2011, 08:04 PM

Playoff Wins of WCC Schools Over Last 10 Years

Illini West - 28
Hall - 8
Mendota - 8
Orion - 7
Macomb -4
Princeton -3
Pittsfield -2
Sherrard - 2
West Hancock - 2
Central/Southeastern - 1
Monmouth-Roseville - 0
Rockridge - 0

guest07

10-04-2011, 09:04 PM

And they've won 4 playoff games in the last 10 years. How was I "lumping" them in with Illini West? I stated that they didn't have Illini West-like tradition, which means the opposite of "lumping" them in together.

And they've won 1 playoff game in the last 5 years.

I think for most of our recent history, Macomb has competed in the Olympic, against teams mostly smaller than themselves. They've gone well to make the playoffs most of the time, but they really haven't had much playoff success at all.

Like I said, they have a fine program, but when I think "football tradition", I guess I don't really think of Macomb.

tiredoldman

10-04-2011, 10:26 PM

It's all good, but "making the playoffs" is a pretty low bar.

They've won 2 playoff games in the last 9 years. It's a fine program, but I'm not sure there's much "tradition" there.........and lumping them in with IW seems a bit odd.

It may be a low bar to you Guest, but to high school kids its their goal all season long is to make the playoffs, then once they are there its to win playoff games to get to state. But alot of kids it is a very high goal. My oldest son played for coach replinger in hamilton on varsity for three years and they never made the playoffs, so he never had that feeling of knowing what a playoff felt like. ( this isn't a knock against coach replinger,cause he was a very good coach, but just didn't have enough studs to make the playoffs) My youngest son played here in macomb and made the playoffs all three of his varsity years and won a playoff game and then had the bad luck of facing IW in second game who won state very easily that year. And if you would ask my oldest son today about high school is that he would of loved to play in the playoffs. To him that wasn't a very low bar.

guest07

10-05-2011, 01:01 AM

It may be a low bar to you Guest, but to high school kids its their goal all season long is to make the playoffs, then once they are there its to win playoff games to get to state. But alot of kids it is a very high goal. My oldest son played for coach replinger in hamilton on varsity for three years and they never made the playoffs, so he never had that feeling of knowing what a playoff felt like. ( this isn't a knock against coach replinger,cause he was a very good coach, but just didn't have enough studs to make the playoffs) My youngest son played here in macomb and made the playoffs all three of his varsity years and won a playoff game and then had the bad luck of facing IW in second game who won state very easily that year. And if you would ask my oldest son today about high school is that he would of loved to play in the playoffs. To him that wasn't a very low bar.

Good post, tiredoldman.

Like I said, I wasn't intending to take anything away from Macomb. When I think of Macomb, I think "basketball tradition", but not so much football. But they have a real good football program too, no doubt.

German/Irish_67_9

10-06-2011, 12:08 AM

Macomb has fallen off the wagon as of late.. but they're easily the only decent thing besides IW to brag about in that mess of a conf in any given year.. The WCC is undoubtedly weak.. Mendota has made the West Central tolerable at best..

Point was.. Macomb is on the larger end of the WCC.. as is IW.. Macomb needs to ride on IW's coat tails as long as they can.. b/c without IW on the schedule they got notta..

Comparing Macomb to QND and IW isn't exactly easy when it comes to football. They certainly do win games though.. and that to me is somewhat of a tradition. Spoken like a true loser who's alma mater can't win a title.. believe me, i know.. but schools like IW come along in the rarest of cases throughout history.. they're what you call a "freak" in the good sense. Addison-Driscoll comes to mind in the likes of the Chargers/Blueboys era.. (not to mention, i have to get my digs, that IW was hardly playing against schools like Rochester, BMD, BCC, and Mahomet-Seymour every year in the playoffs)

wolverine55

10-06-2011, 02:49 AM

German/Irish_67_9

10-06-2011, 05:11 AM

I don't know how much credit Mendota gets for making the conference "tolerable". Yes they made it to the quarters last year, but that was with a very favorable draw and they entered the conference knowing from the beginning that they were a "one and done" even before the latest realignments.

They're a playoff qualifier for starters.. as I let out a sigh followed by a chuckle.. and, if we want to get into it.. other than IW, no one from that conf has been farther than the quarters (or even made it to the quarters) in recent history.. to the best of my knowledge at least.. so to say Mendota DID NOT improve the overall image/stock/worth of the WCC is also a sub-par and mildly intolerable statement..

wolverine55

10-06-2011, 01:09 PM

To be fair, one of the reasons no one has made it to the quarters is the quad system. Macomb and CSE have both had teams in recent memory--like the last two or three years--that were probably "quarterfinal-worthy" but they had to play IW in the first or second rounds. My only point on Mendota was that nothing they've accomplished, besides whatever the accomplish this one year, has been or will be under the WCC flag. Unless they win state--which we all know won't happen for them in 4A--I'm not sure how much of a boost they are providing considering they will be a WCC member for all of nine games.

RadioGuy

10-06-2011, 01:19 PM

....and lumping them in with IW seems a bit odd.

Really, who CAN you lump in with IW and it not be odd. Driscoll? Sure. Not many others.

bluefan73

10-06-2011, 01:27 PM

Orion made the quarters in 2009, semis in 2007. I suspect they may have the best chance of any team in either division of the WCC to make a deep run this year. Measuring the worth of the WCC is an exercise in futility. It will be dead soon.

They're a playoff qualifier for starters.. as I let out a sigh followed by a chuckle.. and, if we want to get into it.. other than IW, no one from that conf has been farther than the quarters (or even made it to the quarters) in recent history.. to the best of my knowledge at least.. so to say Mendota DID NOT improve the overall image/stock/worth of the WCC is also a sub-par and mildly intolerable statement..

wolverine55

10-06-2011, 01:43 PM

Good point. Even if the name "WCC" exists after this year, it won't be the same conference.

wolverine55

10-17-2011, 12:57 PM

http://wrmj.com/viewNews.php?storyID=2054

The story that just doesn't go away! It seems like, even after all this time, nothing is official on the Orion, Rockridge, Sherrard front but that Hall could be gone as soon as next season. It now appears that the first three mentioned may actually be in the WCC for one more season and then leave.

quar55

10-17-2011, 03:34 PM

I live in one of these school districts and if these 3 schools decide to leave it will not take effect untill 2013.

OTHS40

10-24-2011, 03:29 PM

Playoff Contest
Does anyone know of any playoff contests that I could enter or have any interest in starting one? Any ideas? I like to pick the brackets. Thanks. Let me know. If you want to email me that would be great as well. My email is baint40@hotmail.com, Thanks.

wolverine55

11-14-2011, 10:38 PM

http://newstrib.com/articles/sports/todays-n-t-sports/default.asp?Article=86D5665901CCABDDA6C36C7D0DAB6E 830B94344DB1D21B68&aname=Hall+football+approved+by+Big+Rivers+Confere nce

Hall is now officially leaving the WCC for the Big Rivers and it IS taking effect for the 2O12 season. This leaves the conference with 9 teams and, I assume, each team now has a non-conference game to seek out to complete the 2O12 schedule. Kind of related note is that Hall is also looking for a new head coach. As of now, I believe that is the only coaching opening out of the teams who competed in the 2O11 version of the WCC.