cross99
Climbing Mt. St. James
Posts: 85
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Post by cross99 on Nov 17, 2023 11:59:26 GMT -5
I keep asking myself, "What if we didn't have THIS many injuries?!" I have never seen a team as beaten down with injuries as this year's team. Further, these injuries aren't just to rotational players -- our injured players could be a "Who's Who" of FCS football players. Further further, these injuries aren't "soft tissue" injuries, they are season ending/career altering injuries. I suppose I am frustrated/disappointed/angry that a season, in which we had so much promise, is ending with a whimper. Please, talk me off the ledge.
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Post by efg72 on Nov 17, 2023 12:30:46 GMT -5
Your disappointment with injuries is understood. With that said, every young man has stepped on the practice and game field, giving it all for Holy Cross. I certainly would have liked a different record, but the players and coaching staff have done this with mirrors, don't complain, and keep coming out to fight for the W. What a tremendous group we have representing Holy Cross.
There is so much good that I see every week. I am not disappointed but genuinely appreciative of the effort.
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Post by hc1998 on Nov 17, 2023 12:51:33 GMT -5
I keep asking myself, "What if we didn't have THIS many injuries?!" I have never seen a team as beaten down with injuries as this year's team. Further, these injuries aren't just to rotational players -- our injured players could be a "Who's Who" of FCS football players. Further further, these injuries aren't "soft tissue" injuries, they are season ending/career altering injuries. I suppose I am frustrated/disappointed/angry that a season, in which we had so much promise, is ending with a whimper. Please, talk me off the ledge. Its not over yet...maybe since so much of what we expected or hoped would happen didn't, the same will happen to Lafayette tomorrow. In any event, its been an honor to watch these kids compete and so many members of this team will long be remembered as all time HC greats |
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 17, 2023 12:53:01 GMT -5
It's okay to be disappointed with the result and outcome, but incredibly proud of the staff and players.
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Post by hchoops on Nov 17, 2023 13:51:36 GMT -5
The two games I saw in person were very exciting and rewarding.
The BC game was a roller coaster ride that prolonged, and prolonged hope until the final whistle.
My favorite HC football game that was a loss.
The Fordham game was another emotional roller coaster that was also exciting, but had a satisfying end. Thanks to many, especially Joe P.
As the Wide World of Sports said, “ The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat.”
The positives and negatives of a true fan(atic).
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Post by longsuffering on Nov 17, 2023 13:53:18 GMT -5
It's impressive how Joe P. stepped in and guided the team to two wins. Only a three point loss to Lafayette separates HC from an undefeated league record. I think feeling frustrated is understandable but I can't say I'm disappointed because each game has been appointment viewing and exciting. Under Chesney the goal of a national championship remains legitimate each season going forward. This season may end sooner than hoped for but HC FB has been part of the national FCS conversation for two years now which has been very enjoyable to follow even during the "hot stove" off-season, and should continue to be.
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Post by HC92 on Nov 17, 2023 14:26:18 GMT -5
When I get on the ledge, I think of where we were not that long ago and come back inside and enjoy a cold beverage. Almost nothing has gone our way this year. Last year, most things went our way with the exception of the Dobbs injury. The future is bright for HC football. The present requires a little help from my new second favorite PL team.
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Post by newfieguy74 on Nov 17, 2023 16:36:55 GMT -5
Echoing other comments made above, I try to get past any disappointment and look at the season from 20,000 feet, from which I deeply appreciate the effort and character of all the players and coaches. They are a credit to HC.
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Nov 17, 2023 19:24:45 GMT -5
The sentiments that cross99 laid out in the initial post kind of echo how I felt walking out of Michie Stadium last weekend, especially as I had the waning moments of the Fordham-Lafayette game on my phone as I boarded the bus to the USMAPS parking lot. I kept replaying key moments in the 4 games we lost, thinking about how if we had just gotten the right breaks in ONE of those games, the feeling would be totally different. And after a while, the feelings turned to how proud I am of this program and everything its accomplished the past 5 years, even if the 2023 season falls short of expectations. More specific to the day at West Point, one day I will look back and think of how lucky I was to watch such a great battle that day. For a Patriot League team to compete to the final whistle with any FBS team is an accomplishment. Bob Chesney's group has done that over and over. 15-20 years from now, a middle-of-the-road Holy Cross team will play Army again, and we'll watch the Cadets roll up 500 rushing yards while our ears ring from the constant cannon fire. And we'll think back to how lucky we were to battle them possession for possession in the 2023 game. And of course, those of you who either watched or played in the 2002 game will be lucky enough to recall that one as well.
No matter what happens this Saturday at Fitton, Goodman and/or in the conference room where the committee picks the playoff bracket, this squad has truly given us a season to be proud of, especially when factoring the key injuries and our young defense having to learn on the fly to play at a championship level. While I will likely for the rest of my life wonder "what if" Matt doesn't step out of bounds against BC, that hot (and then stormy) Saturday was one for the ages for Holy Cross sports. This team cemented a legacy that afternoon that cannot be taken away, regardless of what happened in the FCS rankings as the season wore on. Even more credit is due this team for how they stepped up with three ALL-AMERICAN star players all missing significant time. We won two pivotal conference road games back-to-back with our 2nd string QB playing, and with Dobbs missing the Lehigh and Army games.
Beat Georgetown! Let's not forget that although we need outside help to win the auto-bid, we still control our own destiny when it comes to winning a share of the league title. Let's get those rings.
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Post by longsuffering on Nov 18, 2023 1:12:26 GMT -5
Excellent post. In 15-20 years the only thing I will be able to hear is a cannon. This season has been terrific and I would just like to see it continue any way possible. If it ends tomorrow it still will be one of the great HC seasons.
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Post by td128 on Nov 18, 2023 4:44:54 GMT -5
The 2023 HCFB Crusaders display real pride even in the face of adversity. Beyond that, they also embrace the mission: a commitment to excellence in winning on and off the field. They bring real honor to Alma Mater.
Savor it. Great days to be a Crusader.
Beat Georgetown!!
LET’S WIN!!
✝️👊🏻🏈👊🏾✝️
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Post by hcpride on Nov 18, 2023 6:21:36 GMT -5
This season was a lesson for those who forget all that goes into winning (including lucky breaks, health, strength of opposition, attitude, etc) and think that if a lot of key players return than the next season’s W-L will be just as good or even better.
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Post by sader1970 on Nov 18, 2023 7:14:41 GMT -5
This season was a lesson for those who forget all that goes into winning (including lucky breaks, health, strength of opposition, attitude, etc) and think that if a lot of key players return than the next season’s W-L will be just as good or even better. Agree 100% with the above. However, THIS was the season that we (me, anyway) expected this all to happen. Last season, Jake Dobbs got injured, the key component to our defense. There were other injuries as well and expected the stars were going to align this season with Matt and Jake back along with a greatly experienced and talented offensive line and some great receivers (think Coker and Shorter, just two) and a talented backfield. We were pre-season ranked #5 and the BC game, as an example, showed it was warranted. We can feel two things at once: great disappointment at our record while great pride in our players and staff for never giving up or submitting to the disappointment over the bad bounces and key injuries that resulted in so many close loses. I'm the superstitious type and believe in silly things like "lucky caps" and gut feelings. The former has fallen from its lofty perch in (on?  ) my head but I've had a couple of gut feelings that things are going to break for our Crusader team both at Fitton and down in PA. In any case, today is a day to salute our departing 4th and 5th year seniors however things turn out as they've had a great and unprecedented run. |
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Post by rgs318 on Nov 18, 2023 9:29:43 GMT -5
Agreed! Thank you to all of them - and to the fans who supported them reagardless of outcome. |
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Post by cruskater31 on Nov 18, 2023 11:23:05 GMT -5
Thought a lot about this as my eyes were growing heavy and tired late last night. From injuries to 4 and outs in the 4th quarter, I completely understand. After our 11-0 regular season, with 2 winnable FBS games and a contingent of seniors and 5th years, I thought we had a shot this weekend to earn a top 4 seed. We've had so many close loses, it is real easy to say "if we just had one of those we would not be on the bubble." I feel bad for the 5th year guys who have given their all for the last 5 seasons.
More than anything, I have a profound sense of gratitude for the team, coaches, fans, and all of you on here. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning, I woke up eager to see what insight some Crossports poster put the night before. When nycru, joe, Midwest, CrossisBack, and I are all driving our golf carts around the retirement community someday we can remember the Fordham game in 2022. We can talk about the crowd and storm at the 23 BC game. We can reminisce about the atmosphere at Michie in 23. Hoping for more memories this year and in the coming years. It ain't over till the fat lady sings! Let's hope she's wearing royal purple and white.
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Post by cruskater31 on Nov 18, 2023 16:39:42 GMT -5
5th straight PL title. Dobbs and the 5th years can celebrate a title each year of their HC careers. Some great Saturdays and a lot of "what ifs." Glad we don't play in the Ivy League and happy we don't have a short NESCAC schedule. I would rather take some disappointment rather than patting ourselves on the back each November and sitting out the postseason.
Thank you to the seniors and 5th years. Hope we see some of those seniors back next year for another PL title defense and run at Frisco.
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) my head but I've had a couple of gut feelings that things are going to break for our Crusader team both at Fitton and down in PA. 
