RFC Summer Semester: New England Football Conference (NEFC)--(NCAA Division III)

New England Football Conference (NEFC)

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2012 Final Standings

Looking back: In what will likely be the final championship game for the foreseeable future, former member Framingham State outlasted Salve Regina, 28-16, for the 2012 NEFC title on November 10.  While Framingham State and Bridgewater State both advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs, Endicott had to settle for a berth in the ECAC North Atlantic Bowl, defeating Norwich, 34-14.  Meanwhile, Salve Regina found itself on the outside looking in for postseason play despite winning nine games last season.

Looking ahead: With the defection of eight members to the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) during the offseason, the NEFC will operate with just one division of eight teams, instead of two divisions of eight teams, in 2013. Also, the league has a new commissioner in John Harper, who ironically, had retired as athletic director at Bridgewater State.




Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses):
   
1. Endicott (9-2):  After splitting their first four games, the Gulls finished 2012 with a flourish, winning seven straight games, including a win in the ECAC North Atlantic Bowl. Maybe, just maybe, that strong finish will carry over in 2013. Still, they'll get a good indication of just how good they might be when they play host to former NEFC member Framingham State in the season opener on September 7.

2. Salve Regina (9-2):  The sting of being left out of postseason play could serve as a motivating factor for the Seahawks this season.  Their non-conference schedule, though, will consist of a home game against NEFC runner-up and D-III playoff participant Bridgewater State (September 7), as well as a trip to Montclair State (September 14).

3. Curry (6-4):  A three-game winning streak closed out what was an otherwise mediocre 2012 season for the Colonels, who lose 12 seniors from the team that finished third in the Boyd Division last year, at 5-2 in conference play.

4. Western New England (6-4):  The Golden Bears will look to get back to the form that put them in the D-III playoffs in 2011 after a disappointing 2012.

5. MIT (5-4):  The Engineers hope to build on their first winning season since 1999, when they finished 6-4 overall.  They hope to win at least seven games for the first time ever in 2013.

6. Coast Guard (5-4):  If the Bears have any hope of contending in the downsized NEFC, they must learn to grind their way through a schedule that includes road trips to Endicott and Salve Regina late in the 2013 season.

7. Nichols (1-9):  The Bison enter the 2013 season looking to go nowhere but up, in the win column, that is.

8. Maine Maritime (0-9):  The Mariners will try to snap a 12-game losing streak that dates back to October 15, 2011.  Their last win came on October 8, 2011, when they defeated Westfield State, 36-34, in double overtime.

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