The Trevails of a Young and Inexperienced Team

Boy was Friday night a setback. I had no idea that Morton was going to be able to physically whip us like they did. We showed that we were a very inexperienced team. We had individual breakdowns in all of our blocking schemes on offense. Defensively we never got Morton stopped. Granted their QB and receiver mad some huge 3rd and 4th down throws and catches, but we were most dissappointed in the fact that our kids did not compete at a level even close to the way we did vs. Galesburg the week before. Thus we are 0-1 in the conference and looking down the barrell of a very tough stretch in our schedule. Perrenial power Metamora is our home opener this Friday and if we approach the game the same way that we did this week it will be an incredibly long night. I feel very confident that after this week our kids will understand that every night you must give your best whether it be in practice, games, classroom, or whatever you may be doing.

Metamora will challenge us in every way possible. They are a team that features a very strong off-tackle running attack. They will exploit any weakness that we may have at LB, and along our defensive front. Defensively they will feature a reduction 50 front with a cover 2 shell behind it. They will be extremely quick laterelly, so this is a team that you are better to go straight at but then you need to match up physically with them. I know that these are the challenges that you must relish to be successful at things in life.

Alex's Night

One of our old players had a traumatic brain injury this winter and has had a long recovery process, but has overcome incredible odds to get to the point that he has. The school is going to have a tailgate fundraiser, auction and several deals to help the family with the vast expenses that they have incurred. If you look up high school football player in a dictionary, Alex Shelton's picture would have to be there. He was about as spirited a kid in high school as there is and it is that spirit that has got him to this point in his recovery. I can't wait to see him. I visited him in the hospital last May and he was doing well then, but was unable to go home. He has set a goal to hand deliver the game ball to the official before the game and there is no doubt in my mind that he will get it done. You talk about a competitor!!! That is what learning to compete teaches you. How to overcome all odds. We are all so proud of Alex and I can't wait for him to be a part of things Friday.