The New England Small College Athletic Conference football season is eight games, but for Colby, Bates and Bowdoin, everything really boils down to their CBB series. The three-team rivalry begins Saturday, when Bates plays at Colby.
The series continues next weekend when Bates hosts Bowdoin. It concludes on Nov. 14 when Colby travels to Bowdoin for the season finale.
Bates is going for its second straight CBB title. The Bobcats haven’t won the crown two years in a row since 1966 and 1967. In three of the last six seasons, the rivalry has ended in a three-way tie. Bowdoin last won the CBB title in 2010. Colby last won it in 2005, and the Mules current nine-season drought is their longest since the series began in 1965.
Colby head coach Jonathan Michaeles said the start of the CBB typically means he gets more email from alumni, wishing the team luck and sharing stories of their days playing for the Mules. With Colby coming off a win at Hamilton, its first win of the season, Michaeles’ inbox has been more full than usual.
“It’s compounded. You win a game, and then you’re going into Bates week. By now, I’d say I’ve had 40, 50 coming in,” Michaeles said. “It’s neat. You’ve got to remind these guys that they’re part of something much, much bigger than themselves, and I think they understand and appreciate that. They’re playing not just for themselves, but for a flock of alumns as well.”
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Last week’s 24-19 win at Hamilton was the culmination of a lot of work put in during the first half of the season, Michaeles said.
“We stuck to a game plan and finally executed it. (Hamilton) had some chances. They certainly didn’t go away. They took it right down to the final wire,” Michaeles said.
Colby (1-4) led 17-0 midway through the third quarter, before the Continentals rallied. The Mules hung on by doing to the little things, Michaeles said. For example, after Hamilton scored on a 59-yard touchdown pass midway through the third quarter, Colby mounted a seven play, 60-yard touchdown drive, culminating in Mark Snyder’s 16-yard scoring pass from Gabe Harrington.
“As a team, we played complementary football,” Michaeles said. “Special teams blocked a kick, they got us field position on a kick return. Things like that we haven’t quite been seeing in the season so far.”
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In Bates, Colby faces an one of the top rushing teams in the New England Small College Athletic Conference. The Bobcats average 185.4 yards per game on the ground, but the Bates backfield has been hit by injuries.
Mike Decina and Sean Peterson are expected to start at slotback in place of Lawrence High alum Shaun Carroll, Frank Williams and Mickoy Nichol. At wide receiver, newcomer Marcus Ross will start in place of Lani Eversage. Michaeles cited Bates quarterback Patrick Dugan as a player Colby must contain.
“They had a shootout last week with Middlebury (a 41-27 loss), and they do a lot of things well,” Michaeles said. “They run the ball, but they’ve got some gifted receivers. It’s going to be heck of a challenge, as it always is.”
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This week, Lawrence graduate Josh Doolan received some good news on the foot injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season. The Maine Maritime Academy junior learned he will not need surgery to repair the ligaments damaged on Oct. 3 against Coast Guard.
“Still have 5 (sic) torn ligaments and potential nerve damage, but I have received the green light to start rehab therapy,” Doolan posted on his Facebook page.
Since he is considering pursuing a master’s degree program at MMA, Doolan and Mariners’ head coach Chris McKenney are looking into petitioning the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility.
“If I can’t get it, or I do not enroll in the masters program, next year will be my final season,” Doolan said.
The Mariners (1-5) host Curry on Saturday in a New England Football Conference game.
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So far this season, Husson has yet to play a close game in Eastern Collegeiate Football Conference play. The Eagles (5-1, 4-0 ECFC) have won their conference games by an average score of 47-13.
Husson’s conference win streak now stands at 11 consecutive wins, including last season’s 7-0 run through the league. On Saturday, Husson hosts SUNY-Maritime (3-4, 1-3 ECFC).
The Eagles are now fifth in the nation in total defense, allowing just 205.5 yards per game.
Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242
tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @TLazarczykMTM
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