Well, it was not how we wanted to start a football game off this past Saturday, when we fumbled on our second offensive snap and consequently gave up a quick touchdown. That start to the first half was followed with more inability to move the ball on offense and three other touchdown runs right through the middle of our defense. I don't think anyone was feeling great about jogging to the south end zone at halftime down 26-0.
It was a good discussion however at the half and I'm sure it helped the boys understand that you can't show up to the field with no attitude and energy and expect the other team to lay down and give you the football game, the scoreboard made that very clear. There are two ways to respond at that point, either you hang your head and continue to get beat even worse or you leave the first half behind and go out and fight to win the second half.
I was very happy to see our group never give up, choosing the second option and battling through the second half. I realize down by more than 18 points it helped that we were able to receive the second half kick when it should have been West Bend's ball and again after we scored our first touchdown, we were able to receive again. None the less, we were able to find offensive contributions from some new faces which is always exciting to see kids finally "get it" and put together two nice touchdown drives with a third underway when what happens to all losing teams happened to us...we ran out of time.
The game ended a respectable 26-13, the defense also played great in the second half holding the Spartans scoreless, forcing and recovering three fumbles. All this against the same running back that scored a couple times in the first half.
It was a gutsy performance by a great bunch of kids, I was happy to see the team respond like that and I look forward to good week of practice leading up to a big game against Oshkosh West in Oshkosh this Saturday. It will be our first road game and we will be in our white game jerseys arriving at the same time as usual 12:30pm.
Coach Connors
Monday, September 20, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
GOOD START
That was a good way to start the season, I'm very happy with the way the boys played and I'm glad they were able to start the season with a win. There were many positives to the game, we didn't commit many penalties, only had one fumble, no bad qb/center exchanges, we were able to run the ball, got a number of first downs and overall the defense did a really good job. It was a great opening and now I look forward to building from here and improving with each week.
I though overall the team involvement was good, 2 kids scored, 7 ran the ball, 3 caught passes, 3 kicked, 4 had kick returns and 12 played a lot of time either on the offensive or defensive line. However, week one was a work in progress and that goes for the coaches as well, I realized it is quite challenging even with 4 coaches to rotate 28 kids, call plays and manage the flow of the game. One of the biggest surprises was that I think that we had only 5 or 6 offensive possessions the entire game (3 touchdowns, 1 punt and 1 fumble is what I recall) and I expected more opportunities to run plays and make substitutions. Just like I expect the kids to improve, I will improve as well as I know that there was limited playing time when it came to running backs and also that many of the guys didn't get to play defense and those that did didn't play much offense. That will change and the rotations will get smoother as we look to let the guys get playing time on both sides of the ball.
As of Today we are now in our set practice schedule which is Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, same times and location. I know the weather is getting cooler so the guys need to start dressing appropriately and continue to stay hydrated. Time to start preparing for West Bend West this Saturday.
Coach Tim
I though overall the team involvement was good, 2 kids scored, 7 ran the ball, 3 caught passes, 3 kicked, 4 had kick returns and 12 played a lot of time either on the offensive or defensive line. However, week one was a work in progress and that goes for the coaches as well, I realized it is quite challenging even with 4 coaches to rotate 28 kids, call plays and manage the flow of the game. One of the biggest surprises was that I think that we had only 5 or 6 offensive possessions the entire game (3 touchdowns, 1 punt and 1 fumble is what I recall) and I expected more opportunities to run plays and make substitutions. Just like I expect the kids to improve, I will improve as well as I know that there was limited playing time when it came to running backs and also that many of the guys didn't get to play defense and those that did didn't play much offense. That will change and the rotations will get smoother as we look to let the guys get playing time on both sides of the ball.
As of Today we are now in our set practice schedule which is Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, same times and location. I know the weather is getting cooler so the guys need to start dressing appropriately and continue to stay hydrated. Time to start preparing for West Bend West this Saturday.
Coach Tim
Friday, September 10, 2010
TOMORROW'S FIRST GAME
Now that the Orange team is online and I am officially last, so I've been told at practice, it is time for the 5th grade black team's first post. Sorry it took so long and first off I would just like to thank each and every one of you parents for your support of the team through this point in the season, all the guys show up on time and I have received calls and emails if they are not there for some reason, so thanks again for your involvement.
Like coach Dave said, I too think the two teams couldn't have been split more evenly and although we are coming off of a tough scrimmage in Mayville, I think it was great that the boys got to play against some older kids who already had a year of experience. It seemed to be an eye opener as to how we need to play the games, I think it led into two good weeks of practice and I am anxious to see how everyone responds in Tomorrow's game against Tosa West.
For the game Tomorrow, each player has a kickoff or kick return assignment as well as a primary offensive or defensive position. Two players won't be at the game, so with our total at 26 players and 22 starting spots that leaves four this week to rotate through their offensive/defensive positions. We will attempt to rotate as many as we can on both offense and defense depending on the flow of the game, so please talk to your player about what their roles are and especially if they are on offense quiz them as to what they have to do on each of the plays in the playbook I handed out.
Again just a reminder that everyone needs to be at the field near the town hall off hwy K by 12:30pm so we can begin our pregame routine. Please make sure that names are off the front of the helmets and they are cleaned up. We are in black jerseys and black pants, I also asked that the guys wear long orange socks, if you haven't found them white will be fine. Also, if the weather is cold or rainy, long sleeve shirts under the pads cannot have hoods and need to be orange, black, grey or white (orange or black preferably).
If you are attending the varsity game tonight, the boys are invited to wear their jersey's and form the tunnel for the varsity players before the game and at halftime like last week, they can do this for every home game. That's all I have for now, hopefully everyone is excited and the boys come out fired up for Tomorrow's game. Good luck to the orange team as they head out to Brookfield.
Coach Tim
Like coach Dave said, I too think the two teams couldn't have been split more evenly and although we are coming off of a tough scrimmage in Mayville, I think it was great that the boys got to play against some older kids who already had a year of experience. It seemed to be an eye opener as to how we need to play the games, I think it led into two good weeks of practice and I am anxious to see how everyone responds in Tomorrow's game against Tosa West.
For the game Tomorrow, each player has a kickoff or kick return assignment as well as a primary offensive or defensive position. Two players won't be at the game, so with our total at 26 players and 22 starting spots that leaves four this week to rotate through their offensive/defensive positions. We will attempt to rotate as many as we can on both offense and defense depending on the flow of the game, so please talk to your player about what their roles are and especially if they are on offense quiz them as to what they have to do on each of the plays in the playbook I handed out.
Again just a reminder that everyone needs to be at the field near the town hall off hwy K by 12:30pm so we can begin our pregame routine. Please make sure that names are off the front of the helmets and they are cleaned up. We are in black jerseys and black pants, I also asked that the guys wear long orange socks, if you haven't found them white will be fine. Also, if the weather is cold or rainy, long sleeve shirts under the pads cannot have hoods and need to be orange, black, grey or white (orange or black preferably).
If you are attending the varsity game tonight, the boys are invited to wear their jersey's and form the tunnel for the varsity players before the game and at halftime like last week, they can do this for every home game. That's all I have for now, hopefully everyone is excited and the boys come out fired up for Tomorrow's game. Good luck to the orange team as they head out to Brookfield.
Coach Tim
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