Wilkinson D-2 Road to the Final Four

Well Good Day Fellow Wilkinson Coaches!!!

I had fun writing my last blog and it gave me a taste for blood and I want more!

At this point in the playoffs most of us coaches are eliminated and are focusing on their other teams in other worlds, recruiting, or taking break/recharging for next season. For me, I love looking at the playoffs games and the great teams left. I want to get to my program to that level, so I study a lot of the gamecasts to see how to get better. Which brings me to the point of this entry……If there are teams to emulate in D-2, the Final Four teams are a good start. I’m not good enough in this game to make predictions so I’m just gonna take a look at all four of these incredible teams and show how they got here.

North Bracket Winner: St Joseph’s

Coach: Gator06 has been coaching in Wilkinson since Season 76. He cut his teeth at Rockford University compiling a record of 69-14 record over 6 seasons, qualifying for the playoffs 3 times. He moved up to Division 2 in season 82 and has since won 790 games while only losing 55. He has won 42 Conference Championships and 10 National Championships. This year he was nominated for the Wilkinson Coaches Hall of Fame.

Record: 17-0 overall, 9-0 conference WIS #1 Overall Ranked Team.

Describe team in word sentence: Gator Don’t Play No Shit

Youtube comparison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU2XpOTMIYI

How they got here: Gator06 has had an incredible season so far. Even with the #4 rated SOS this year, he was able to go undefeated with only one win coming by less than double digits! All 5 of his OOC game came against playoff teams and he was able to trounce them easily. In conference play Gator06 had no problem brushing aside the rest of his SIAC teams, not even giving up a touchdown.

In the Conference Championship, he had a rematch with BigKeithDog and his Tuskegee team. He was able to easily dispatch BKD 52-0 and earn a #1 seed in the North Bracket. During the playoffs Gator06 dismantled Cheyney coached by Schoolyme 66-7 and then was able to take care of Stonehill coached by WarEagle389 42-10.

In the North Bracket Final, he faced off against ColumbusBuck and his Valdosta State. This was a rematch from their King of The South Challenge matchup in which St. Joseph’s won 32-17 but this Valdosta State team has improved vastly over the course of the year. Valdosta State tried everything and came out on top in the first half 13-10 and took a lead in the 4th quarter until miraculous 99yd kickoff return by Paul Ramirez sealed the victory for St. Joseph’s.

The Semi-Final matchup is against Coach Benzil and his Humboldt State team. Gator06 is seeking revenge for last year’s 2nd round upset at the hands of Benzil. Good Luck to him.

South Bracket Winner: Humboldt State

Coach: Benzil has been coaching in Wilkinson since Season 118. He had his start at William Paterson University and even though he “one and done” it there, he did go 12-3 and made the playoffs. He took over the machine at Humboldt State and kept it rolling by going 136-28 making the playoffs every single year. This is the furtherest his has made it in the playoffs but he has shown the moxie to advance to even the championship this year.

Record: 15-1 overall, 7-1 conference WIS #5 Overall Ranked Team

Describe team in word sentence: Benzil is looking to repeat or double punch St Joseph’s

Youtube comparison: https://youtu.be/MUKrjXxAm68

How they got here: Humboldt State has had a slow and steady climb to where he is at now in Wilkinson. Benzil’s team did finish with the #2 rated SOS and the fact he has gone 15-1 so far is a testament to how good he is. He killed his OOC opponents by an average score of 54-5!

In Wilkinson’s toughest D-2 conference (NCC), Humboldt State was able to almost go unscathed finishing 7-1 with his only loss coming to North Dakota in an overtime thriller. Even though he didn’t advance to his Conference Championship, He was able to earn a #2 seed in the South Bracket. In the playoffs, Humboldt State was able to pick up wins against NewGuy97 and his Delta State team in the first round. His 11 point 4th quarter comeback against Natidawg and his Findlay team was an absolute classic! If you haven’t looked at the WIScast of that game, YOU SHOULD!! CLASSIC!!

In the South Bracket Final, Benzil continued to roll in the playoffs against the #1 seeded Slippery Rock 42-27. He jumped out to a 10 point in the first quarter and never looked back.

The Semi-Final matchup is against St. Joseph’s is a rematch of the upset of last year playoffs. Benzil pulled it out in overtime last year but is hoping to not need the extra time to repeat the results. Good Luck to him.

East Bracket Winner: Northwood

Coach: Philfulmer98 is the “greenest” of the coaches left in the playoffs but he has been a force to be reckon with since his arrival in Season 125. His 2 seasons at Austin College were impressive as he advanced to the Semi-Finals in both years. He compiled a 34-2 record before taking on the spectacular program at Northwood in Season 127. He has improved every season advancing one round further each year.

Record: 13-4 overall, 9-0 conference WIS #14 Overall Ranked Team

Describe team in word sentence: He’s out for some Kill Bill Revenge shit these playoffs

Youtube comparison: https://youtu.be/xBenCY-gRgw?t=51s

How they got here: Northwood had a murderer’s row OOC schedule taking on 4 of D-2’s giants. Even though he lost all 4 games, he has already avenged 2 of the losses and has a chance to avenge the other 2 in these playoffs starting with his rematch against Colorado Mines tonight.

In conference PhilFulmer98 was dominant and it showed on the scoreboard. Northwood reached 60pts in 8 out of 9 games and was able to win his only close game against Findlay 34-31. In his Conference Championship he had to dispose of his SimAI opponent that we wont even mention.

Northwood was able to earn a 4 seed in a loaded bracket in the playoffs. In the first round PhilFulmer98 took care of business and earned a win against a 13-1 Tarleton State team that could've gone wrong but he came out on top 37-17. The next game started PhilFulmer98’s revenge tour as he upset two teams that beat him earlier in the year. First he beat the #1 seeded South Dakota 33-31. In the next round of the revenge tour he beat the #2 seeded Henderson State 29-22.

The Semi-Final matchup is against Colorado Mines. Earlier this season Colorado Mines beat Northwood 28-17, so this could be another stop on the PhilFulmer98 revenge tour. Good Luck to him.

West Bracket Winner: Colorado Mines

Coach: BigZeke has a hidden giant hiding in Colorado and was the highest rated team going into this season. He got his start at Nichols State in Season 64. He racked up an impressive 471-71 record making the playoffs 31 out of 34 seasons. He moved on to Colorado Mines in Season 98 and turned it into a perennial powerhouse. His record of 524-36 with 29 Conference Championships and 9 National Championships might get him a Wilkinson Coaches HOF nomination in the future.

Record: 17-0 overall, 9-0 conference #10 Overall Ranked Team

Describe team in word sentence: His 24 seniors are ready to eat!

Youtube comparison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPK90X_v8w0

How they got here: Colorado Mines went into this season as my favorite team. The only thing holding him back this year is his weak conference. This led to his weak SOS rating of 122 and only a #3 seed in the West Bracket. His OOC schedule was weak in hindsight but it’s not like teams are lining up to play him. The only challenge he faced was Northwood in which he came out on top 28-17.

In Conference play, he cruised only giving up only one td in 9 games. He had shutouts in 5 games and even broke 100pts against New Mexico Highlands. In the conference championship BigZeke had a rematch against Adams St and won 37-3.

During the playoffs Colorado Mines take care of business like a true professional. BigZeke handled Millersville 52-3 and was able to dominate the #2 seed Lock Haven 45-0. In the West Finals, he had a tough matchup against the WIS #2 overall West Liberty State. It was his toughest game all year however, BigZeke won 23-13.

The Semi-Final matchup against Northwood. In their first matchup BigZeke was able to come out on top. He’s hoping to avoid being PhilFulmer98’s next revenge victim. Good Luck to him.

I hope everyone enjoyed the entry, feel free to give some feed back