We knew going in to tonight that it would be an interesting game. Before we arrived at the stadium tonight, we knew that several of Friendswood's starters would not be playing. Hayden Gardner was injured before the season began. To the best of my knowledge he will be out for the entire season, regular and play offs. Last week, during the game against West Orange Stark, we lost Tyler Dement to a torn ACL, Dillon Hoke to a torn MCL, Matt Lewis to turf toe and Troy Griffith to a separated shoulder. While watching the players warm up, we saw other starters who were wearing their jerseys and shorts - Justin Battle, and Hunter Stock. Justin Madera were out as well. Matt Lewis was dressed and looked ready to play, but I never saw him step onto the field.
Interesting fact, last year, during the WOS game, 3 players suffered injuries. This year, 4 players suffered injuries. The circumstances were different the injuries.
So, how well did the Mustangs play with 6 players who were starters last week watching from the sidelines? In a word - poorly.
During the opening drive, our offense looked good, and I thought we were going to be able to easily work around the injuries. It took 2 minutes 30 seconds for Jordon Wood to find the end zone after a nice catch by Stevens and some fancy foot work by Holle (been taking lessons from JJ?). 9:30 left in the 3rd quarter and the score was Spartans 0 - Mustangs 7.
But then our defense took the field . . . .
I realize that most, if not all, the starters we lost to injuries play defense (okay, in reality, almost everyone who plays plays both offense and defense). But I had hoped that with a week of practice that some untapped talent had been discovered, or some players who haven't seen as much playing time would be ready to play to the level that all Friendswood players and fans have come to expect. I did see some improvement in a few players. But as a whole, our defense was terrible tonight.
One problem, something I have commented on many, many times, was that we were covering the receivers a few (too many) steps off. During the first half, the receivers were easily able to complete (too) many passes. Our defense was hitting hard. And the receivers generally didn't get far after making the catch. However, if our defense had been playing those receivers a little tighter, some of those passes would not have been caught.
Something I haven't seen before, Matt Morris, who had played quarterback during the Angleton game, and some of the WOS game, was playing as a receiver tonight. When he caught the ball, he looked great. But he didn't always catch the ball. That was true of more than just Morris. At one point in the 4th quarter, I wondered if our players had put Vaseline on their hands/gloves. I don't know what Jordan Wood's stats for tonight will be, but he played better that it will look.
During the last drive of the 1st half, I saw the coach(es) and the players talking. It looked like some decisions were made on how to improve the defense. When they came back after halftime, the defense did play better. They only allowed one touchdown in the second half. And if our defense had be set, that one wouldn't have happened. But there were still too many plays where it took at least 10 Mustangs to stop the running back.
Speaking of half time, I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall in the field house. After the way they played in the first half, I wouldn't be surprised if everyone in the field house heard what was being said in the locker room.
During the second half, Caleb Taube played great defense. He was never more than an arm's length from the receiver he was covering. He prevented many receptions and he seemed to always be in the right place at the right time. I didn't really notice him much in the first half, but he was everywhere during the second half.
Of course, JJ was a "running fool" tonight. He finally changed his tactic of running parallel to the goal line in order to get to the outside. He made alot more forward progress tonight. He even got to pass the ball once. Unfortunately, that's probably the first time he's ever thrown an interception. His throw was right on target for Wood. But Wood was under double coverage. I think the Spartans were expecting that play. Johnson wasn't the only one to throw an interception tonight. Wood threw 2 interceptions.
Unlike many quarterbacks, Wood can do alot more than hand off or throw the ball. Wood can run, catch and tackle. I think (If I'm wrong, someone please correct me) he led the team in interceptions last year. He also had many catches for us. Tonight, he showed that he can run, and slip through tackles. (If they gave awards for best player in each position, they might have to institute a rule that the same person can't win for every position. Because Wood could win most of those awards. When asked, what position does he claim? Quarterback, receiver, safety, I wouldn't be surprised if he can kick, too.) During the last quarter, especially, the offense looked like the Wood and Johnson show. They both played well, but it takes more than two players to win a game.
Penalties really hurt us again this week. We were called for illegal shift at least 3 times. We were also penalized for illegal procedure and holding. The Spartans had a few penalties, but not as many as we did. Was that a result of Friendswood playing more back-up players? If it was, it shouldn't be. In order to be on varsity, I would imagine that they have been playing long enough to know the rules.
The game ended 2 hours and 35 minutes after it started with the Spartans taking a knee. The final score was Stratford 28 - Friendswood 13 (Montalvo's point after kick on our second touchdown was no good).
Overall, Friendswood knew that even though Stratford came in to tonight's game 0-2, it would be a hard game. The team was already struggling to find it's identity when about 1/2 the defensive starters were injured in one week.
Our offense is continuing to improve. Or rather, Wood is continuing to improve as a quarterback, Johnson is continuing to improve as a running back. Our receivers are getting faster, but not coming up with all the catches they should. The ball went through their fingers or bounced off their hands too many times. The best fix for that is practice. And maybe, if someone appears to be having an off night, let someone who doesn't get much time have a shot. Maybe he will be on fire that night and really make a name for himself. While Wood and Johnson are great players, you can't run the Jordan and JJ show and expect to win.
Our defense has alot of work to do. After half time, the did look better. Whatever adjustments were made were effective. But they weren't good enough. I suggest spending this week looking at more players to fill the spots of the players that were injured. Do some experimenting. Someone may surprise you, in a good way. Whatever you do, don't take Taube away from covering those receivers. If he's not good at catching, let him practice (Jordan Wood is great at intercepting the ball, perhaps he can help Taube to learn a few tricks). He was in the right place, at the right time. And, with some practice, could probably turn some of those incomplete passes into interceptions.
Next week, the Friendswood Mustangs travel to Galena Park stadium to take on the Channelview Falcons on Saturday, September 17. Kick off is scheduled for 7:00pm I hope that some of our injured players are ready to return to the field next week and that everyone improves over the next week. I also hope that our defense figures out how to compensate for those missing players.
Also, I hope Coach Van Meter continues to improve and is back to 100% soon. I can tell by watching him that he's not back to his usual self - his hat has yet to hit the field. I actually did see him take it off once tonight - when he sent Wood in on defense. But other than that, the hat stayed on his head for the whole game.
Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that I am watching the game and "taking notes" by twittering during the games. I am at each game with at least one of my kids, if not both. Sometimes, my husband is able to attend with us and sometimes I have other family with me as well. My football education is from attending high school football games for 30+ years and sitting between my dad and my grandpa for the first 12 of those years. I was 3 when my parents bought my first season ticket. I missed 2 home games from the time I was 3 years old through junior high, and started traveling (not missing a single game) during high school. I started taking my kids to games before they could walk and have been taking them ever since.
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