2 completely different games, Same result.

Sorry it has been so long since I have put a post here, It's been a fairly hectic couple of weeks for me. Now to the team.

On 9/19 we played West Bend East. A team that we had scrimmaged before the season and were confident that we could compete with. We knew that they had some speed, and we would need to contain them on the outside to come out on top. Well early in the game they broke the outside on us twice, and we had a big hole to climb out of. We started the climb but just before the half, I made a coaching decision that maybe I should take back. With 4th down and long on our own 20. we tried some trickery and it backfired. Shortly afer that they scored and at the half it was 20 - 7 WBE. Our kids played with determination and we fought back, all the way to the point of taking the lead with 1 Min left on a Hartford staple. The 60 Hitch & Pitch run to perfection by the team. All we needed to do was hold on for 60 sec. We were doing well, then with 20 sec, one of their speedsters caught the corner and ran for the winning score. So close and the kids played so hard and we couldn't be prouder of them.

On 9/26 we had our first home game, a chance to start building our house. We hosted Oshkosh and they had played the same 2 teams that we had already played. They beat WBE 7 -6, and lost to Lake Country Red 13-12. This game aligned to be just as competitive as the first 2. Once again as in the first 2 games, our opponents broke out to 2 early scores. We did have a nice drive in between those scores, but could not finish it. Through most of the game our defense played tough but gave up a late score as well. Our offense never really got on track as we made many mental and physical mistakes that we have not made in the past. It seems that the team as a whole was just not there today. I guess we all have those days. Lets hope that they all had it the same day and we can move forward from here. There were still a lot of nice plays on both sides of the ball, and we can be encouraged that we can get back to our earlier level of play from this point forward. Now that the real football weather is here, let's see what teams step up and play hard in the cold and yuck.

Keep the faith, things will get better, We as coaches are.
Coach Dave

1st Game in the Books

It wasn't the complete outcome we all had hope for but considering the level of competition and playing on the road, starting an hour late on a Hot day, I believe that our 1st game experience was a complete success. We (as coaches) could not be prouder of how our kids performed. This will be one of the toughest teams that we face all year and went toe to toe with them. Each team had a couple of big plays, they just capitalized on a few mistakes a little better than we did on their mistakes.
There are definately areas that we still need to improve on and many areas that we performed well at.
In general, our line blocked well. Our backs ran hard and we were 2- for-2 passing. Including our first successful Hitch-n-pitch.
Special teams performed well with 2 great runbacks and we did not give up any long ones. Defensively we only had 2 or 3 let downs but this can be improved and actually in the second half it was.
Overall it was a great and exciting game. I believe that everyone had a good time, played hard and we put on a great show for our parents. Even the referees stated that this game was one of the funnest that they have been part of in a long time.
This one is in the books, it's now time to get ready for West Bend East. If we play at this level or a little higher it will not only be a fun season, it will be a great one. Keep it up team.
Coach Dave

PS. parents and players please feel free to post your replies and comments at anytime. Any and all feedback is welcome and encouraged.

First Game of our Career

It's the first game for many if not all of the players in what we hope will be long and storied careers in Hartford Football, and for some, possibly beyond. With our scrimmages behind us and although they were fairly successful, we need to know that once the season starts it becomes a Whole New Level. The intensity picks up and everyone on every team has a few more hits under their belt and realize that they can dish out the punishment as well as everyone else.
This was very evident by the progress of our own defense in practice. When practices started, our skill position players excelled and ran somewhat at will on our tentative defense. Over the last few weeks and with the scrimmage experience, our defense has really stepped up and does a fine job of containing what we hope will be a very potent offense.
This Sat will be a great test as Lake Country Red is historically one of the top teams in the league every year. I hope that we will have an exciting game and everyone enjoys the experience.

Reminder Game starts approx. 1:30 PM on Sat Sept. 12th. Be there for warm-up by 12:30 PM.
Location: Arrowhead High School. See map attached to the schedule.
Wear white game away jerseys and black game pants.

I hope see everyone there and hear all you parents cheering us on wildly. But please stay within the league code of conduct.
Enjoy the season. It's here now!!!!

Gooo!!! Hartford!!!!

Coach Dave