#SWARM - The Reboot

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

Eyyyy I went to school near Westlake. I'll be following for sure.

Glad to have you on board. I'll be following your Central Indy dynasty as well, haven't got around to submitting a player yet.

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[SilverBullet19]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

Tough loss, I was hoping the two picks would give you guys a momentum boost. Never underestimate a QB, but its hard to prepare for a guy who is #3 because he's got no tape. I like the chances against Ohio though. Don't take them lightly just because they're 4-6, come in prepared and take a W at home to finish the regular season strong.

Henderson is the JUCO if I remember right? Hopefully you nudge out Tulane for him. I just get a feeling his accuracy will be key while the freshman can improve behind him.

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

Tough loss, I was hoping the two picks would give you guys a momentum boost. Never underestimate a QB, but its hard to prepare for a guy who is #3 because he's got no tape. I like the chances against Ohio though. Don't take them lightly just because they're 4-6, come in prepared and take a W at home to finish the regular season strong.

Henderson is the JUCO if I remember right? Hopefully you nudge out Tulane for him. I just get a feeling his accuracy will be key while the freshman can improve behind him.

Yo Abrams is snapping. It's like he heard you say he shouldn't go pro the other day... [emoji23][emoji23]

When he went down we were screwed. My FS Oliver is actually higher rated, but Abrams just plays so well. Line was complete garbage today, I'm shocked Hearn isn't seriously hurt. Gonna play the Ohio game now, and probably get the recap out tonight too. Might even play the next one, which is already our last regular season game which is crazy.

Henderson is the accurate JUCO QB. It's looking like it's gonna be him and Walker that we get, and then Walker will redshirt and compete for the job in 2016. Don't even really want Fisher, cause I'll have to slow down and dumb down my offense. And McKinley will likely go to Kent. I feel like we need Henderson too, cause the other guys are all more talented but not so polished yet.

Stay tuned for Ohio...

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[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

Y2, G11 - vs Ohio

November 16th, 2014

Swarm become bowl eligible in 50-47 thriller on Senior Night

Dionte Norton sets school records with 169 yards, 4 TD on just 12 carries -- Wendell Hearn plays with broken finger, puts up over 400 yards, 3 TD including go-ahead score with 3 minutes left -- Swarm climb out of 23 point hole to win

Dionte Norton was special today, averaging 14 yards a carry and scoring 4 times.

Westlake, OH -- On the surface, Westlake State's 2014 campaign looks to be nothing special. The team sits at 6-5, 4-3 in MAC play. Aside from Bednarik, Nagurski and Thorpe contender Deonte Abrams, no one on this roster has been exceptionally good. But this season is no average season. No, this second year program has become bowl eligible, with 5 of their wins coming by one score or less, beating the then #6 (and now #9) Kansas State Wildcats, coming back against division leaders UMass, edging out Kent State by 2 points, and now coming back from being down 30-7 halfway through the second quarter to win 50-47 against Ohio.

Note: I'm not going to count Abrams' awards, because while he's been really, really good, I looked and they just don't give these to any non-P5 players. A Cincy linebacker won the Nagurski and Bednarik but even that's the American. He is gonna go in Madden though as a UDFA, I'll probably just run the CFM by 2016 even if the ratings will be kinda wonky for some guys. 99 total tackles, 10 for loss, a sack, 6 picks, 3 deflections, FR through 11 games. I know the game favors the user, so I won't always count the awards and AA selections.

Quinton Maxwell and his offense lit up the Swarm all night, and the first drive of the game was a quick one that ended in a 25 yard score to WR Cam Odom. Westlake State punted, and Ohio needed just 3 plays to score again as Elijah Ball caught a screen in the flat, stiff armed Donte Oliver and ended up with 54 yards. A.J Ouelette ran for 15 yards, then Maxwell went back to Ball for a 19 yard score.

Westlake State calmed down, and Wendell Hearn marched his team downfield for a long scoring drive, ending with Louis Dowdell punching it in. 14-7. And this is when things got crazy.

Ohio punts, and pins Westlake State back at their own 8. Wendell Hearn
drops back and is flushed out immediately. He throws it backwards to Dowdell on a swing, and he has nowhere to go. Rather than take the big loss, he spins away, going backwards, and goes down in his own end zone for a safety.

Ohio punted again, but corner Jalen Fox was able to intercept Hearn around midfield. Fox got all the way to the Westlake State 27, and Maxwell would run in an 18 yard score on the drive's second play. Westlake State turned it over again, this time on a Stanley Wayne fumble, and Ohio takes advantage, with Maxwell completing a pass for 31 yards then finding Odom for another score. At this point, it's 30-7 in Ohio's favor, and after Hearn throws another pick, it looks like Westlake State are gonna get blown out on Senior Night.

LEFT: Hearn INT
RIGHT: Wayne fumble

But, the defense forced a punt, and Hearn who had 38 passing yards to this point, completed a 23 yard strike to Calvin Foster. A few plays later, Hearn pitched it to Dionte Norton on the triple option, and Norton showed off his speed, taking it 38 yards to the house. No one else would score before the half, and the score was 30 to 14.

Westlake State deferred to start the game, so they had the ball to start the 3rd quarter. A good drive ended with Adam Reid catching a touchdown to cut the Bobcat lead to to just 9 points. The defense held Ohio to a field goal, but then on the second play of the next drive, Hearn was pressured, ripped down, and fumbled the ball. He would sit out a series, and was actually diagnosed with a broken index finger on his left hand after the game. Ohio needed just one play to score, with wideout Alex Meyer taking an end around to the house from the 14. 40-21, Ohio.

Hearn fumbles and Alex Meyer celebrates in front of Ohio's section

On Westlake State's next drive, a facemask call set them up with solid field position. But nothing was going for the offense, and they faced a 3rd and 14.

It was gonna take a miracle to win this one, and the fans in The Hive had gone silent. Ohio players were talking trash, with Jalen Fox being heard yelling at Hearn presnap: "Go play baseball 7! Football ain't for you, you a b---h!"

And sometimes, miracles do happen. Wendell Hearn fired a pass that probably should have been picked. But Ball dropped the INT, and Stanley Wayne scooped the tipped pass out of the air for a 17 yard gain. 2 plays later, Dionte Norton found a crease on an outside run and went 52 yards, being dragged down inside the 1. He would punch it in on the next play, and there was some hope.

Stanley Wayne grabs the ball out of the air for a 17 yard gain

Another Swarm stop, and they needed just 4 plays to score, with Hearn scrambling for 14 yards, then throwing to Adam Reid for a 44 yard score, the wideout's second on the day. That took us to the 4th, with the score at 40-35 for Ohio, but Westlake State was coming.

The defense forced a quick 3 and out. Swarm ball, with a chance to go up. But Ohio wouldn't give it up, forcing a 3rd and 6 from the Westlake State 36. The Swarm came out with split backs out of the shotgun, and dialed up a triple option. Hearn kept it until the last second, where he pitched it to part-time tailback Maurquice Peason, and he ran for 27 yards. Dionte Norton would then show his speed again, bursting through the line for 25 yards and the score. The 2-point conversion was good, and Westlake State led by a field goal.

Ohio had given up the lead, but they took it right back. Maxwell sliced and diced the Swarm through the air, ultimately finding freshman Mike Roth for a 9 yard score. 47-43, Ohio.

Do or die. Wendell Hearn, in his last home game, down 4 after coming back from a 3 possession hole. He was helped out by Stanley Wayne getting to the 40 on the return, and completed a nice pass to Norton on an angle route. He only needed one more play. Hearn kept it on a read option and outran everyone for a 42 yard, go-ahead score with 3 minutes to go.

50-47, Swarm. Maxwell and the Bobcats had a chance to win the game, but would go 3 and out, with Maxwell being pressured into an incompletion on 3rd and 12. They punted with 2 minutes left and all 3 timeouts. All Westlake State needed a first down, and Dionte Norton got it. They trotted out an all senior victory formation, with Wendell Hearn giving the ball to backup Jeremy Ostrander for the final kneeldown, capping off a game that along with this season, I'm sure will always be remembered.

LEFT: Maxwell is pressured and the pass would fall incomplete
RIGHT: Jeremy Ostrander takes the snap on the game's last play

Wendell Hearn thanked Ostrander and the rest of the program after the game.

I just gave Jeremy the ball [for the last play] cause I wanted to let him be the one out there ending it off on Senior Night. He's been the best backup anyone could ask for, me and him watch a ton of film, stay after practice and throw to each other, he's been nothing but a great guy, great teammate, and a good friend to me. Yeah I took the job in preseason, but he was always there pushing me, always kept me on my toes and stayed ready when we needed him. Watching the way he carries himself helped me grow up from last year to now, and I just wanna say thank you to him, the rest of the team, my coaches, our fans, and anyone involved with Westlake State football. We got 2 more games this year, and I plan on winning them.

Hearn's transformation has been remarkable. Last season, he was benched following a loss to Miami OH, and playing time was split between him and Ostrander. A majority of the team didn't really like Hearn, as they found him to be arrogant and selfish. He worked on his game, hit the weight room and came into camp a new man. He threw for just 819 yards last year on 43% passing. 4 scores, 8 picks. This year? Hearn ranks in the top 25 nationally for passing yards, with 2267. He's completed 56% of his throws, and has thrown 13 scores to 11 picks. He's tacked on a team-leading 732 yards and 5 more scores on the ground.

Dion Barkley said as much, calling Hearn the catalyst for this year's success.

Wendell's been great this year. He's really been the guy most responsible for changing the culture from last year. Our defense has got their stops, Deonte has been exceptional, but the majority of offenses start and end at QB. Wendell has been reliable all year, and will no doubt be remembered, especially when we get this bowl win.

Westlake State will travel to Oxford to play Miami OH (4-6, 3-3), where they suffered a tough 30-23 loss last year.

Forgot the safety in the scoring summary, the summary was actually glitched a bit in the game. And the layout in preview vs the actual post ends up different, which is annoying. I'll make the pics smaller next time I want them to go side by side.

[SilverBullet19]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

Awesome comeback win, that second half was huge. Congrats on bowl eligibility and at least a .500 record through the regular season. They really couldn't stop the run at all! Awesome game, Hearn made them pay for the trash talk lol.

I've noticed its tough to get side-by-side pictures unless they're tiny. Mine also wouldn't let me do it, I edited it to just put the pics one at a time like I normally do.

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

Awesome comeback win, that second half was huge. Congrats on bowl eligibility and at least a .500 record through the regular season. They really couldn't stop the run at all! Awesome game, Hearn made them pay for the trash talk lol.

I've noticed its tough to get side-by-side pictures unless they're tiny. Mine also wouldn't let me do it, I edited it to just put the pics one at a time like I normally do.

Yeah our run game was insane. These MAC defenses aren't very good, and with Hearn's speed he can get by 90% of guys in that front 7. We need mobile QBs right now cause our line is hot garbage. It started off horrible though, the lower RBA was tough. Norton's speed shined through in this one, and I got very lucky with several big blocks to spring runs. We've been really good at home, haven't lost since week 2 vs FIU. On the flipside I think Kansas State was the only team we've beat on the road. There's definitely some home field advantage even with HFA off, even if it's just in my head lol. This year's been crazy, we're a few plays away from being a 3-4 win team. I expect to regress quite a bit next year honestly, with our safeties and linebackers graduating, Hearn going to play baseball.

As of right now, we're not projected to make a bowl though, so looks like this last game is gonna decide it. About to go play it, thanks for checking in bro.

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[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

Y2, G12 - @ Miami OH

This is gonna be a short one cause this game was pretty sloppy, and it felt like both teams were seeing who could give the game away

November 23rd, 2014

Swarm will miss bowl game after missed PAT ruins comeback

Grant Marquardt looks on as he sails a PAT wide, killing the Swarm's bowl hopes

Ugly end to the year as Green turns on Marquardt in the locker room -- Marquardt's miss ruins brilliant drive from Hearn -- Miami OH will play in a bowl

Oxford, OH -- What a season. Westlake State became bowl eligible last week after yet another dramatic win, coming back from 23 points down to beat Ohio 50-47. Then they came into Oxford this week in what was essentially a playoff game - if Westlake State had won, they would likely be facing off against 6-6 Rice in the Beef O'Brady's Bowl. But since they lost in Oxford, the Redhawks have the superior conference record at 5-3 and will take that spot.

It honestly looked like it'd be a blowout. Wendell Hearn and the Swarm had just 39 yards of offense after the 1st quarter. Kenny Young, who ran for 166 yards and 2 scores on just 24 carries, had 2 scores early on in this one, and it was halfway through the second quarter before the Swarm scored, with Calvin Foster getting behind the defense for a 37 yard score. Westlake State forced a punt, but the punt was excellent and Miami ended up with a safety. On the ensuing drive, Sam Sloman would kick a 52 yard field goal to put the Redhawks up 19-7. Grant Marquardt kicked a 23 yarder after the Swarm's 2 minute drill came up short.

Kenny Young

Another field goal from Marquardt was the only score in the 3rd quarter, as Sloman missed a pair of field goals, from 29 and 41 yards.

Miami would score early on in the 4th, with Gus Ragland finding Jake Sorenson for a 12 yard score after a good drive.

Louis Dowdell punched in a TD after the Swarm marched down the field, with Dionte Norton gaining chunks of yardage. A few punts were exchanged, and Westlake State found themselves down 27-20 with 2:21 left and 1 timeout. Wendell Hearn walked onto the field for what he knew could be the last time, and came up huge. After a sack and a run play that went nowhere, Westlake State faced a 3rd and 11 deep in their own half. Hearn dropped back, stepped up to avoid the rush, and threw to an open Dionte Norton for the first. He then completed 4 straight passes, for 8 yards to Calvin Foster, 5 yards to Brodie Norman, 21 yards to Daniel Thompson, and 17 yards to Foster once again. Westlake State were in the redzone, and a read option went for 12 yards, putting them at the Miami 10 yard line with 31 seconds and still 1 timeout. An option got them 6 yards, then Hearn had 2 passes go nowhere. 4th and 4. Season on the line. Hearn drops back, fires a quick strike... CAUGHT! Brodie Norman hung on, and a PAT would send it to OT. And then... Grant Marquardt put it wide. He's been bad this year, but this is a new low. One more kick, and we have a shot at a bowl. Miami recovered the onside kick, and that was it.

Wendell Hearn was clutch in his last college game

Marquardt's teammates were upset, but no one took it out on him. He looked on the verge of tears. No one took it out on him... except for Thomas Green. Green had his season cut short after he suffered his second concussion of the year against Buffalo. He berated Marquardt and a few others, saying if he would have played, they would have won. Coach Barkley came over to calm him down, and Green shoved him and asked him what he would do. Barkley stepped towards him, and the pair stared each other down for a few seconds, before Wendell Hearn came in and pulled Green away. It is unknown what disciplinary action Green will face, if any at all. He was suspended earlier in the year following an altercation after Westlake State played Kansas State.

Barkley was proud of everyone, despite the disappointing result.

We're a second year team, guys. Second year. 6-6 is something to be proud of. There's old programs that haven't done that in years, hover at 4-5 wins. Grant missing a PAT sucks. But you gotta remember that they missed 2 field goals, their kicker missed one from 27. We shouldn't even have been in the game. I really feel for all the guys leaving who won't get to play a bowl honestly, this loss can just roll off me cause I think we'll get there next year. We lost, it sucks, I can be mad about it for a day or 2 then we're on to 2015.

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

So that's the year. Expect the offseason and preseaon to be done by next Tuesday. Gonna recap the year, show you how the MAC turned out, MAC bowl games this year, so it won't just be my team stats and the Heisman/natty. The offseason will be more detailed as well, I'll look more in-depth at how recruiting shakes out, especially for MAC teams.

I said I would be gradually improving the depth, and 2015, maybe 2016 won't have as much because I'm not in school and I can play more games, but by 2017 I'll be back in school, and I'll be doing previews and wrap ups every week. Once school starts back up I'll probably get about 5 games done every 2 weeks, and depending on whether or not Madden turns out well this year I may take a break here and play some of that. For next season I'll just do Around the Nation every 4 weeks, I think, and I'll preview the general college football and the MAC landscape in addition to my team. I think I'll start running a CFM alongside this after the 2015 season., but I'll save this year's class and import it when I start. 2016 will be a really interesting year.

I'm having so much fun with this right now, I can see myself playing a good 15-20 seasons in this one. Season recap out tomorrow.

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

December 3rd, 2014

Quarterbacks McKinley, Walker commit to Westlake State

Wendell Hearn has suited up for the last time. Now we look towards his replacement. While transfer Ricardo Marble will be eligible to play next year, he probably won't start.

3 star recruits Jacourey McKinley and De'Aaron Walker have signed letters of intent to play football here in Westlake. McKinley right now profiles very similarly to Wendell Hearn, just not as big. He's 2 inches taller, standing at 5'11, but weighs just 187 pounds. Injuries would be a concern, especially behind this offensive line. Walker just looks like a football player. 6'2, 220, fast, strong, big arm and can run. He's inaccurate though, and he's a guy who makes one read and takes off if it isn't there.

Marcus Henderson has been interested all year, but hasn't committed, and scheduled a Week 15 visit to Tulane. He will decide closer to Signing Day.

Fonzo Fisher committed to Kansas on his official visit. Guard Johnny Ham, one of the better guard prospects in the state, will attend Miami of Ohio. He was actually in attendance for the Swarm's loss to the Redhawks in Week 13.

[SilverBullet19]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

Tough break to end the season, Marquardt must feel awful. Hopefully the kicking game can improve. I can also see Green getting the boot after getting physical with a coach, that's a big no-go.

Still, 6-6 in year two is damn good. It sucks you won't see a bowl, but oh well. At least it's a .500 season. Now the big question is how things go with Hearn gone.

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

Tough break to end the season, Marquardt must feel awful. Hopefully the kicking game can improve. I can also see Green getting the boot after getting physical with a coach, that's a big no-go.

Still, 6-6 in year two is damn good. It sucks you won't see a bowl, but oh well. At least it's a .500 season. Now the big question is how things go with Hearn gone.

I finally got the hang of that kicking system Tuscaloosa made up, and I then I go and miss a PAT to kill our season. Just wide too, I was in disbelief. But yeah, .500 year is awesome. One of the most fun seasons of dynasty I've ever played for sure. We will be going after kickers hard next season for sure, Marquardt is quite bad.

Thanks for following, and watch out for the offseason in the next couple days.

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

December 5th, 2014

Thomas Green to miss first 6 games of 2015 season following altercation with Barkley

Thomas Green has been suspended for the second time in his short Westlake State career, again for fighting. This time, it was an altercation with his head coach after the team's 27-26 loss to Miami OH.

Athletic director Joey Williams was initially going to suspend Green for the whole year, but Barkley intervened, asking Williams to be lenient.

Barkley defended Green, saying that he can be redeemed.

I don't think Thomas is a bad dude honestly, he just can't control his temper. We suspend him the whole year, I think he probably transfers and does the same thing. I want to keep him here in a spot where he gets one last chance.

But, with all that being said, trying to fight your coach is a really bad idea and we have to set a precedent. You let this slide, players think they can do whatever. Thomas can leave if he wants, but he's gonna sit regardless so he might as well stay.

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

MAC Bowl Games

Miami OH def. UAB (6-7, 5-4) 38-21 in Beef O'Brady's Bowl

NIU def. Houston (10-3, 7-2) 42-28 in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

#14 SMU (11-2, 8-1) def. UMass 52-17 in Little Caesars Pizza Bowl

Army (7-6, 0-0) def. Kent State 28-14 in Military Bowl

Louisville (8-5, 5-4) def. Toledo 42-17 in Belk Bowl

Western Kentucky (8-5, 5-2) def. Ball State 31-17 in GoDaddy.com Bowl

BCS Bowls

Orange Bowl: #2 Florida State (13-1, 9-1) def. #12 Navy (12-2, 9-1) 38-17

Sugar Bowl: #5 UCF (12-2, 8-2) def. #10 Alabama (12-2, 8-1) 42-24

Fiesta Bowl: #8 Notre Dame (11-2, 0-0) def. #15 Oklahoma (10-3, 7-2)

Rose Bowl: #3 Washington (11-2, 7-2) def. #9 Ohio State (11-3, 8-2) 39-28

Westlake State Individual Honors

All-Americans

1st Team: SS Deonte Abrams

All-MAC

1st Team: DT Derron Swan, MLB Sergio Keith, ROLB Arnold Godfrey, SS Deonte Abrams

2nd Team: FS Donte Oliver

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

2014 Coaching Carousel

No changes for Westlake State

Not too much happened. Gary Patterson was fired from TCU after a 3-9 year, and will bring his 4-2-5 defense to Nebraska. Utah fired Kyle Whittingham and hired Ball State HC Mike Neu. Ball State then promoted DC David Elson, and hired fired Texas State DC Mike Freeman.

In the MAC, Kent State have a new HC, former Stanford DC Pat Narduzzi, after David Yost left to be Syracuse's HC.

The 2015 season will mark the debut of CAC in this dynasty. I'll have CAC sign ups open throughout every regular season, I'll post the form when I start the new year.

For 2015, we will have Bryson Post (thesportsguru11) begin his coaching career as the OC at Bowling Green. Paul Lees (SilverBullet19) will begin his career as the OC at Central Michigan.