This time we lost 20-0. It was an ugly showing from the offense, and we couldn’t get anything going. I think we need to work on the positive mindsets that you have to practice to achieve. We looked defeated early, but we weren’t out of it at all.
As a coach, this team we played was certainly beatable. They weren’t better than us. They literally wanted it more. I think a lot of our guys treat it like a game. And while it is, it’s still important. I know it’s just middle school football, but if they really are as serious as they say, we need to find a way to get their best out of them.
I think from a pure Xs and Os standpoint, we need more inside runs still. We only have a few off tackle runs, and they were working, but you can’t give the same motion into the same play for 10 plays in a row and expect it to work.
They had a pretty good edge rusher who was significantly bigger and more athletic than a lot of our guys. We tried to block him head on but we kept getting beat when we ran away from him. Because he would chase down the ball carrier for a tackle for loss.
I think if you find a guy like that, make sure you run the ball at him. Run options and even some screens and little bootlegs toward his side. He isn’t going to be used to having to make decisions like that. Now, the offense will have to figure out how to do that, but middle schoolers can run options and screens and bootlegs after some practice. That’s how you can slow down young but athletic kids. They will be used to being double teamed, so they will come up field fast.
As contrary as it sounds, you run towards their best player. If he’s at backer, you got to combo to him. They’re going to get tired and they aren’t going to be used to being put in conflict.
Anyway, put some options in the playbook for me this week. Thank you for reading.