This was the NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference) championship game, as the (7-1) Ephs (pronounced "Eefs") of Williams College were edged by their traditional rivals, the (8-0) league-champion Lord Jeffs of Amherst College. The NESCAC is a mid-to-upper level DIII conference, about on a par with the Wisconsin Athletic Conference (minus Whitewater, of course) but they do not participate in post-season playoffs, and thus never get the kind of national notoriety that a Mount Union or a WI-Whitewater might get. This is a 10-team league that is usually won each year by one of these two schools or by Trinity (CT) University. All year, the Jeffs have been a horrible first-quarter team, and have actually trailed in several contests after the first quarter. They were down to Williams 14-3 early in this one, but, just according to plan, they came storming back to win under the dulcet tones of Doug Flutie who served as color man for this small-school broadcast. This was the 124th meeting between the two schools which is the longest rivalry in DIII football, extending all the way back to 1884. One legit PP in this one but a couple seniors might get looks from sub-NFL pro leagues.

SCOUTING SUMMARY:

College: Amherst Conference: Division III Columnist: Steve Martin


Game Notes
Jeff Katz 98 6' 4.0" 239 4.90 LB 2011: A FCS (Lafayette of the Patriot League) transfer who looks like Tarzan but often plays like Jane. Plays 2-pt DE in the Jeffs 4-3 alignment, but has played OLB before and that is where he projects. Is only a junior, but has the body of a pro prospect, and is pretty rangy. Tries to get by on his athleticism and doesn't give great effort. Looks like a man among boys out there in the huddle, but plays at their level. Is only listed as a PP because of his athletic potential which is actually pretty good. Is not earning a scholarship to play anymore, and it shows. Has some skills, but doesn't look like he wants to play pro ball--and there is nothing wrong with that. We'll see what he does after two years in the program. GRADE: Slightly negative

Fred Argir 3 6' 0.0" 173 4.70 S 2010: Best DB in the conference. Burned badly once today, but made up for it by stealing a call for his 6th interception of the year--a rip away from the receiver in a simultaneous possession situation when both players were on the ground--that fooled the refs into calling it a pick. Is a legit 6'0", and could easily pack on 190+. Has enough natural ballhawking and coverage skills to play in a sub-NFL league. Tough, emotional competitor. Lacks makeup speed for safety at the NFL level, let alone speed or hips for corner, which is what his current build screams. GRADE: Slightly positive

Mike Taylor 40 6' 0.2" 235 4.90 LB 2010: Animal House LB who is the small-school definition of a dedicated, tough, all-out guy. Is very, very good at this LOC, but I don't think he has quite enough to interest the NFL. You never know though. Diagnoses pretty well, gets around and into the right running lanes. Not effective dropping into coverage. Straight ahead beastie DIII missile. Tackles pretty well. Works at the game. Puts in the time. Coming into this one (7 gms) he had already 82 tkls, 10.5 TFLs and 4 sacks. I like him, and would invite him to camp, just (if nothing else) to send messages to any big school LBs on the roster that might need a message. GRADE: Positive


College: Williams Conference: Division III Columnist: Steve Martin
Name


Game Notes
Will Cronin 9 5' 11.4" 185 4.70 S 2010: Good DIII cover safety who stays with DIII WRs like glue in one-on-one. Speed is just a guesstimate. Hits OK, and usually wraps. Punts too, and hit for nets of 43, 38 and 38. Could save a roster spot for a sub-NFL league, as he could be a nickle and punter. Pretty instinctive and does cover well when he reads correctly. Can get turned, and sometimes is out of position and pays for it. GRADE: Neutral


OTHER NOTES:

Williams: #27 Matt Zanedis is another nice DII DB (#27, 5'9", 170) but was really exposed on a jump ball type situation where he just couldn't get the elevation he needed to knock away an easy PD that resulted in a TD. Ryan Lupo is a junior RB who should emerge as the class of the league next season (#23, 5'10", 185). Can catch and blocks some. #5 Patrick Moffitt is an accurate QB who needs to catch Flutie's eye, and get some one-on-one, but the kid has a good eye for the tight windows. Can't run like Flutie, at all though.

Amherst:

Senior RB Aaron Rauh (#11, 6'2", 216) has some nice size and runs hard up the middle, but has no wiggle, is probably 4.8+ish, and is a slow starter at the LOS. Junior WR Brian Murphy (#4, 6'3", 185) flashed some hands and some routes.