The I thing was a happy accident. Lonnie really wanted a waggle pass, so I told him you needed a run to the back side to have any chance of working. So we installed Ace left in about 30 seconds, then the boot leg, then the boot leg pass in about 2 minutes. Worked against the Spartans, so we kept it.

Then, we had 3 teams in a row (including Troy) who ran a 202 with a 9 tech, so I moved a wing back to a FB and taught them how to run iso in about 30 seconds. That turned out to be one hell of a play, especially when we run a ton of Beast and Empty. I don't know if you saw, but we ripped off a huge iso yesterday and WR called timeout. I told Lonnie to go back to Beast after the timeout and we scored. If you change your defense to defend something, you are kinda screwed if the offense refuses to cooperate.

Then, we did that FB dive because we were facing Lakewood and I told Lonnie that if he wanted one, then now is the time to install it. Then, told him not to run it against LW because I didn't want WR to see it. Lonnie was running that dive with some weird jab step and the TB basically following the FB, so I killed that chit. TB always goes opposite the FB on a dive. Lonnie asked, "what should the TB do then?". I said, "I don't know, have him run off tackle, fake a toss sweep. Lonnie replied "Can we run Hot Rod (our option)", and I said, "sure". Funny how things go full circle sometimes. We started out with Flexbone, so ran quite a few option reps. I'm convinced it works a ton better out of the I because teams simply don't expect it. In flexbone, they can easily see that something is coming to the edge. After a few iso's and FB dives, they are lost when we hot rod to the opposite side.

Posted by: @gumby_in_co

Funny how things go full circle sometimes.

Discoveries are the best. Im going to scribble up a few ideas for you to look at....see what you think. When I first started coaching semi pros I worked with an "I" genius at OC and really learned to appreciate the formation. Once you establish iso there are a few very nice compliment plays. ? 

@mahonz

Counters are a bit limited, but we still have a WB and there are million things I can do with a WB.  Draw up that sucker trap for me.I was thinking Wham with the WB, but I'm having a hard time getting the timing figured out in my head. First, I need to upload the RM scout. No point in figuring out anything until I see their front and key defenders.

Watching film of yesterday's game, so here's a better recap:

They win the toss and defer. They onside to us and we field it on the run and make about 5 yards. Start at midfield. We struggle a little on Beast on this drive until I figure out the blocking. They are in an alignment we hadn't seen before and had a very good DT head up on our Power tackle. They were still head up on our short guard, C and long guard, then a 9 tech. I had our long end double the stud DT and we busted a long run on 4th down to take the ball down to the 5. Next play scores easily. Bad kick on PAT. Kicker left early.

6-0 us

Barely miss recovering onside kick. they take over just shy of midfield. They did not run what we had seen on film and I had the wrong guys in. they ran up the gut and scored a long TD through the A gap. Conversion good. 

6-7 them

They attempted an onside kick, and caught it at 7 yards. Their coaches celebrated, then called BS when they were flagged for illegal procedure. We take over about midfield. Power back runs a beast blast through a wide open hole and takes it down to the 2 or 3. Then the snap monster returned and we had a TOD.

They took over and drove the ball methodically to about midfield (60 yard field). We adjusted and they had a TOD. We take over at midfield.

Our speed back took it to the house on about the best blocked beast blast I've ever seen. OC pulled the trigger on Beast blast instead of kick while my attention was elsewhere. Snap monster came back and PAT failed.

12-7 us

Onside kick took a funny bounce and didn't go 10 yards. They take over at midfield. They tried running Beast at us, but like most teams, they tried to run it as a sweep. Defense is crushing them . . . Then they throw a Hail Mary on 4th and long, which they of course catch. 1st and goal on the 1. They run right and tackle my DE and OLB to score. I had a conversation with the white hat and thought we came to an understanding. These were 2 blatant take down holds at the point of attack. One of my players told me after failed PAT that the white hat (Brad) told our defense that I was a "whiny baby".

12-13 them

They onside again and the ball hits one of their players at about 7 yards. We take over about 5 yards shy of midfield. ISO left for 15 yards. It's around this time that my players are complaining about #14, a very big and aggressive NT. I have him on film repeatedly punching my C in the stomach for blocking to the whistle. 1st and 10, but bad snap on Beast Blast for -15 yards. #14 has now taken residence in my C's head. 2nd and 23. Iso left for 5 yards. 3rd and 18 from midfield. Iso right for 30 yards and a TD as my speed back breaks 3 tackles. See below for picture of #14 punching my C about 20 yards behind the play. PAT misses wide right.

18-13 us

Almost recovered the onside kick. They take over about midfield. They ran a  beast play at us that we crushed, then threw out of beast. Our ILB gets his first INT of the season and maybe his career. CBs are in perfect position behind the receiver. I make sure to tell them how proud I am that they did their job, allowing the LB to play the ball aggressively. During this defensive series, my C is crying hysterically that his head hurts because #14 is punching him and targeting his head. He had been punching my C in the stomach and head earlier and would shoulder butt anyone nearby, but mostly within the whistle. C missed a month of football due to a concussion, so I took his helmet. He cried for the rest of the game, begging to be let back in. I did not let him back in.

We take over on our own 20. Beast blast to our QB from under center for 10. Repeat. This time, their DE crashes down leaving an obscene amount of grass. QB cuts back, changes his mind and cuts right, breaking 2 tackles for a 30 yard score. Bad snap on PAT, but my holder (QB) scoops it and scores.

25-13 us

We recover the onside kick and take over on their 25. At this point, I believe there is 1 play left in the half. They call timeout and my OC tells the backs to run a counter, but as an outside handoff. He and I have been going back and forth on this all season. I want an inside handoff, he wants outside when we are under center. Counter falls apart, but my QB keeps it and follows the other backs for 5. OC tells me sternly, "WE DON'T PRACTICE IT THIS WAY." I am not a happy camper.

25-13 us at halftime.

Onside kick is barely unsuccessful. They take over about 7 yards shy of midfield. Defense is starting to snarl. #14 had been picking on some of our softer bigs, then started some crap with a fire-breathing dragon who slammed him to the ground. They pass on 4th and 5 and again, my CBs and S are in perfect position behind the receiver and my ILB gets his 2nd pick. Caught my nephew on film kicking a kid in the nuts. I will have a talk with him and our entire team about that. They were crying all game about how dirty #14 was, but I did see him karate kick anyone in the nachos.

We take over just shy of midfield. 

Beast blast under center for 8 yards. Beast blast from under center for 5 yards. Now that we are under center and have banished the snap monster, it's looking like we can't be stopped. Ha Ha. On the next play we ran Beast blast from under center and #3 (who later turned out to be an illegal player) stripped the ball from him and took it to the house. #14 ramps up his punching game. PAT good

25-20 us

They kick to the 2nd level, we bobble it and fall on it (grrrr!). We take over on our own 15. Beast blast under center to our power back for 9. They are going all in on stripping the ball and he gets 6 of those 9 after contact. Multiple penalties on both sides. Matching unsportsmanlike, and a personal foul (punch to the head) by them. Ref pulls coaches to the middle and tells us to get our guys calmed down. He tells me my nephew and #14 are exchanging head butts. Just looked at the film. #14 head butted my nephew and he returned the favor by head butting him repeatedly (about 7 times). I huddled the entire team and read them the riot act. Nephew vehemently denied head butting the kid. Sigh. 1st and 10 from their 25. Made it to the 1 yard line on about 4 plays. QB (who was stripped earlier) running Nebraska fullback style with 2 hands and 2 arms tightly wrapped around the ball. they stuffed us on the goal line and #14 punched our RB in the head from a full mount. No call. They called time out, so we came out in Beast left. They did not adjust and we walked in easily. They actually lined up heavy to our short side and ran some kind of twisting stunt. PAT failed.

31-20 us

They lined up all 11 returners within 15 yards of the ball. I called over my kicker and told him to kick it deep. We recovered it on the 1 yard line. Bootleg pass from the I was barely incomplete. Iso left got stuffed. Iso right on 3rd and goal walked in easily. Bad snap on PAT

37-20 us

Kicked deep again and they barely recovered on the 5 yard line.

End of 3rd quarter. 37-20 us.

They take over on their own 5. More headbutting from #14, but we aren't retaliating. They run a few plays and convert on 4th and 5, but we finally get our holding call and believe me, their WB made it count. Opposing coaches are going nuts about how all the calls are going against them. 4th and 11 on the 4, they attempt to pass. Illegal QB slips in the endzone for a safety.

39-20 us.

We barely recover the onside kick., but take over on their 18. (who onside kicks from their own 12?) We are now in the "3 scores, have fun" mode. FB dive from I to a reserve FB for 5. Iso left for 5. First and goal from the 9. Their entire d-line is backing up at the snap and strafing, looking for the ball. FB dive right for no gain. Option left (based on fake FB dive right). QB calls out his "option" man (telling everyone to leave him alone). Option man makes a beeline for QB, who pitches it to the TB, who walks in for a 9 yard score. PAT misses right, but it's a darn good kick.

45-20 us.

Here's where it gets interesting. I tell my kicker to kick deep. Opposing coach (who is very drunk and by some witness accounts, high as well) yells, "HE BETTER KICK IT DEEP!". Kicker did not kick it deep and opposing coach was not happy. Yelled, "YOU'RE A PIECE OF SH*T!" to audible gasps from our sideline. Then, "YEAH, GO AHEAD, FAT MAN!". I yell across the field to him that I told him to kick deep, but the kicker messed up. I drew a flag for that and Brad told both sidelines to stop talking to each other. Anyway, I put in my subs on the d-line with 9 plays left in the game. Even with the subs in, they went 4 yards on 4 plays and we took over just on our side of midfield.

On 1st down, OC called a bootleg pass that was barely tipped. Otherwise it would have been an easy TD. I told OC not to do that again. 2nd down, ran Iso to the kid who regularly plays FB and a munckin at FB for 5 yards. Iso right to another munchkin for no gain and a holding penalty. Put in the emergency QB on 3rd and 10 and ran iso left to the same munchkin for 15 yards. Sigh. Ran QB bootleg and emergency QB went the wrong way, but gained 5. Ran it again and he went the right way and got down to the 1. I put a MPP type at TB, but the ref called the game with 3 plays remaining. This really pissed me off because if plays are so important that we have a 15 play MPP rule, then why in the hell wouldn't we play every down?

Whatever. Opposing HC did not join the handshake line. Some ACs and players recognized #3 and I realized that he played illegally. Reported him to the league pres, who said that it was very concerning and he will come down hard on everyone involved if it turned out to be true.

Division 2 Carnation Bowl next week for the chance to be the 9th best team in our league. Not complaining. These kids deserve something positive. 

Pre-game post.

We are in the Division 2 championship. We played a very hard schedule to go 3-5 which pitted us against the bottom 8 in the league. The team we are about to play finished 5-3, but only played 2 D1 teams, losing to both. They lost 40-0 to a team that we beat 14-6, but should have been 28-6.

They have some speed and their backfield actions are smooth. They do not have any size to speak of, their o and d lines seem to be after-thoughts, half of what the run is illegal and they are as soft as puppy poop. In their 40-0 loss to our weekly scrimmage partner, they were in the mercy rule and quit 3 games into the 4th quarter because "You guys hit too hard and we don't want to get anyone else hurt."

The motion their split ends resulting in 6 on the LOS and they throw to ineligible receivers.

Offensive game plan: do what we do and run the ball straight up their tail pipes.

Defensive game plan: absolutely beat them into submission. We made a few small adjustments against their base look. They run 3 contrarian formations, each with a unique play, so it is a definite "tell". 1) Wedge out of double tight (they don't run anything else out of double tight) with the WBs lined up behind the OGs to push the runner. We will cut that and be done with it. 2) 1 lineman to the left of center, 7 to the right, a QB under center and a TB. We will roll coverage to that (like we always do vs overloads) and send one DE over. 3) a "trips" look with 3 guys on the LOS in a 3 man bunch (all on the LOS) and throw a bubble to the middle (ineligible) guy. We will roll coverage to that and try to intercept the bubble screen.

Special teams: They onside kick and do it well. We put our man-child on the right sideline with instructions to destroy their fast gunner who tries to recover the onside kick. Our front line sees at least 20 onside kicks per week. Everything else is business as usual.

Overall game plan: Hit the ever living crap out of everything that moves. Double digit Mojo score.

I am thrilled that my guys have the opportunity in front of them, but I am far from satisfied. D1 Championship appearance by 8th grade is still the goal. This team has taken a GIANT step forward and 95% of the credit goes to them. 5% goes to the staff raising the bar high enough that 3 trick or treaters decided it wasn't for them.

Love it. I can hardly wait and the weather is going to be perfect. ? 

Won the D2 championship 30-0. Game went almost exactly how I thought it would, minus the several TDs called back for holding. We absolutely overwhelmed them with physicality and aggression and had their well-coached and talented backs in fear by their 2nd possession. It was clear to me early on that they did not scout us at all.

What does this mean? It means we are the 9th best team out of 16. I am thrilled that our players got to experience the pageantry of a championship, but I am even more thrilled at the progress we made as a team. One of the most satisfying (for me anyway) aspects of coaching is that moment when your players take over. They accomplished that this year.

Next up is Spring tackle football. Not 100% sure this is doable, but will reach out to a guy who runs a Spring league. Next year's goal is to finish the regular season high enough in the rankings to have a winnable first round playoff game. We will chip away at the gap between us and the other teams in our goal of being in a championship by 8th grade.

Saturday's game:
Instead of onside kicking, they kicked to our smallest player on the 2nd level. What they probably didn't know is that he took one to the house earlier this season and had a few other nice returns. Kick went OOB, so we took the penalty and took over on the 20.

Our ball:
Beast was on the menu and we ran 2 beast plays for 15 yards, then a third was called back for a block in the back. Upon further review, it was legit. 15 yard beast blast on 4th and 7 got is back on schedule. They stuffed us 2 plays in a row due to bad snaps. I noticed that they had rolled most of their 2nd level defenders to the long side, so we ran a beast counter on 3rd and 15 that probably should have scored, but our speed back was running nervous. Went into Beast left, away from our sideline because I doubted that they'd adjust. They did, kept their play makers on the short side. QB punched it in for the TD on 4th and 6 from the 8. PAT hit the upright.

6-0 us. Onside barely unsuccessful

Their ball:
They came out in double tight robust T. Something we never saw on film. Love it when they bring out the "special playoff playbook". To me, it means they believe their own knowledge is more important than what their players actually do. 3 plays for 0 yards. They go for it on 4th and 10 with a toss sweep for 3 yards. TOD.

Our ball:
We take over on their 25. Beast left for 6. On 2nd and 4, they bring the house while we are in 12" splits, which means were in GOB blocking. TKO would have handled it easily, so we go back to TKO. From 3rd and 7, Beast blast right. We score from 23 yards out . . . holding on the "outside guy". Watching film and it is 100% BS. Oh well. Easily pick up 3rd and 3. Score again from 19 yards out. Holding. This one was legit. We were in a part scheme and my power tackle swung a kid around by the jersey. Totally unnecessary because the DT had no prayer of a tackle.

End of 1st quarter - 6-0.

Flipped the field so we are now in Beast left. 3rd and 15 from their 19 due to the holding penalty. We run a very ill-advised counter for a loss. 4th and 15. We fake the counter and complete a deep fade pass to our wide open WR who makes a clean catch and . . . falls down on his own accord 5 yards short of the end zone and about a half yard short of the first down. TOD

Their ball:
They take over on their own 5. Toss sweep right, then left for 2 total yards. Both are nearly safeties. On 3rd and 8, they run toss sweep left again. The RB cuts back and we over-pursue badly. My sub NT gets pushed back 8 yards by a double team and somehow he makes a TD saving tackle. 10 yard gain and I believe their only 1st down of the game. I pull the DT off the field and tear him a new one. Dive for minus 1, then Toss right for minus 3. They motioned their TE and were flagged for illegal motion. We decline the penalty. 3rd and 15, they throw deep into quadruple coverage. They punt on 4th down. The punt travels 7 yards in the air, then rolls another 10. We take over just shy of midfield.

Our ball:
We go to the I formation. Iso left for 5. Iso left fo 15. 1st and 10 on their 13. Iso right into a bear front. OLB made the tackle for a 1 yard gain. 2nd and 9. FB dive right for 3. 3rd and 6. Iso right for 1. 4th and 5, we decide to go empty and run our flaker sweep. Would have been an easy TD if not for the snap monster. TOD. They take over on their own 15.

Their ball:
They run a decent toss left that was not designed as a sweep. We over pursued a little and they got 7 yards. My monster of a nephew hit their RB into the Mojo zone. We are seing signs of panic and their next toss hits the ground. Terrible spot gives them 3rd and 7. Should have been 3rd and 10. They try to throw, but our defensive line ate the QB alive. 6 red jerseys on him. We installed some blitz packages, but did not blitz all day. No need. Punter drops the snap right into his hands (panic) and we crush him. TOD

Our Ball:
We take over on their 11 with 4 plays remaining in the half. We score easily on beast left blast . . . holding. I just watched that play 7 times and there is not one player on our team who even came close to holding. 3rd TD called back for holding. Beast left for 5. 2nd and 7 due to the holding. Beast left for 7. Watching the film and you can clearly see the football hit the pylon. Oh well, they call us short. Last play of the quarter and I have my OC give the ball to our power back under center. Mahonz missed recording the play, but when we failed to score, took the time to tell me on film that it was a "terrible, terrible call". So here's the thing. I called the same play we've been killing them on. I didn't want to risk a bad snap on a huge play AND beast hits quicker for us from under center. Our power back took it upon himself to run a a speed sweep rather than a blast. So it was a good call, but poorly executed.

Halftime - 6-0 us, but feeling like this should be a laugher by now. We go into the locker room (perks of being in the 'ship') and my brother in law is reading the riot act to the boys. I cut him off and pretty abruptly. These boys know what is at stake and what must be done. They don't need a coach to yell at them to remind them.
So I quietly asked, "Did I tell you these kids were soft?"
"Yes, coach".
"Okay. We are up 5-0 on Mojo score and they are almost literally peeing down their legs every time they snap the ball. Their well oiled backfield actions are rusty and anemic because YOU have sapped them of any shred of confidence they may have had. Keep it up. Did I explain to you in pre-game the difference between a good block and a hold?"
"Yes Coach"
"Okay. Let's move our feet, keep our elbows in our belly buttons and wrists together. Simple as that. We do those two things and we will roll them."

Just then, I could hear a loud chant from the opponents' locker room?

"You hear that?"
"Yes Coach."
"Is that real?"
"NO COACH!!!"
"Is that going to help them?"
"NO COACH!!!"
"It sounds fake to me."
"YES COACH!!!"

Then they took over and did their own break down chant.

3rd quarter and we are kicking off. Again, almost recovered the onside kick. They take possession at their own 25 (60 yard field).

Their ball:
1st and 10 - fumbled the toss and barely recovered. (at this point, the backs are looking at each other and the sideline with their arms up in the "I don't know what to do or where to line up" gesture. 2nd and 13 - Toss for -1. Franchise RB is tiptoeing and literally NO ONE is blocking. 3rd and 14 - Toss sweep for maybe 3 yards. 4th and 11 - Hail Mary pass thrown from 7 yards behind the LOS under extreme duress that traveled 10 yards in the air. My ILB executed a perfect profile tackle as the ball arrived for an incomplete pass. I am now questioning myself, "Did I take this Mojo thing too far?" TOD

We take over on their 25.

Our ball:
1st and 10 - Beast right to the speed back for a TD. He hits the tunnel, then cuts back against the grain for an easy 25 yard score. No holding this time. PAT missed.

12-0 us.

I need to take a moment at this time to point out the sub situation. I was told by my team manager that the other team is keeping track of our minimum plays. I took this personally, but later learned that this is required by the league and is standard in championship games. I had 1 player in the 3rd quarter who was missing 12/15 plays, so he started the 3rd and I told my OC and o-line coach to keep him in until I say otherwise. It turns out that one of the chain crew from our opponent is old HS buddies with my OC. In the 3rd quarter, he told my OC, "I'm pissed. My son hasn't seen the field yet." I bring this up because the opponents backs also played LB. They had speed and looked like they knew what they were doing. I say they were soft because compared to what my RBs usually experience, they should have absolutely no fear of being hurt by these guys in a tackle. That's to say, they tackle well, but do not bring any "oomph" to the party. On our opening 3rd quarter scoring play, I could tell that these kids, the same ones getting punished for running the ball, or standing around instead of blocking, or just being in the wrong color jersey have had enough. This is the moment that we broke them.

We onside kick and one of their better RBs fields it cleanly at the 25, pushes forward to the 30 and we promptly relieve him of the ball. Fumble Our ball on their 28. Their RB's body language says it all.

Our ball:
1st and 10 - Beast right to our Power back for 9. Solid contact made at 4, but he went all "John Riggins" on them. They gently dragged him to the ground. 2nd and 1 - Same play, same player for 7 . . . holding. Watched the clip. Utter BS. Whatever. 2nd and 6 due to the holding - same play, same player for 3. 3rd and 3 - they show a "bring the house blitz", Same play, same player for 2.5. Power back comes out under his own power, tears streaming down his face because he was hit knee to knee. THAT is the power of Mojo. 4th and about a half yard - Beast right to the Speed back for 4 yards. 1st and 10 from their 16 - Counter left for about 12. 1st and goal from the 4 - Went back to the "worst play since Pete Carroll" Best right under center to our QB this time for 4 yards and the TD. PAT failed. Plenty of leg - wide left.

18-0 us.

Onside unsuccessful.

Their ball at midfield:
Film is going to crap because our fans are stomping their feet. They can feel the door closing. 1st and 10 - confusion among their backs. Looks like double tight, split backs with a WB, except the WB is on the LOS. Toss left for 2. 2nd and 7 (side judge is really blowing it with the spots) - fake toss sweep left, bootleg right for 2. 3rd and 5 - toss left for minus a lot, but side judge gives him "forward progress" to a spot that he never attained. 4th and 5 - Looked like one of their players was lost and was trying to shift . . . whatever. Tried to pass with 5 in the backfield, but QB fell down rather than get hit by the 4 defenders bearing down on him. TOD. Our ball at the 30 (midfield).

Our ball:
1st and 10 - From Beast right, I point out to the OC that their entire defense is within 3 yards of the LOS. We audible to a corner route to the long side TE. Easy catch and run for 27 yards. 1st tackler swings him out of bounds by about a yard, but he's still on his feet. 2nd tackler knocks him down. Flag . . . on our receiver. As he got up, he flexed on the kid who hit him late. Unsporstmanike conduct. 9 yards from the foul. 1st and goal from the 13 - Beast right to the QB for 4. 2nd and goal from the 9 - Beast right, bench route to a wide open short end for the TD. Shame on them because we subbed in a very tall, athletic receiver for a MPP and no one noticed. PAT failed.

24-0 us. End of 3rd quarter.

Told my kicker to kick deep. He is prone to stress and started to freak out because he couldn't hear. We got an email saying any artifical noise is a "no no" for the championship, but someone brought a lot of cowbells. Anyway, I ran down to about the 10, got my kicker's attention and said, "Right here!". One of their better guys fielded it and made it back to about midfield. No biggie. We don't practice covering these and we had 3 MPPs on the field.

Their ball:
I am now freely subbing my defense. All the kids who ask me a dozen times a day, "Can I play defense?" and my reply is "It depends on the situation", well, 24-0 in the 4th is that situation. My DC isn't happy. He tells me, "I really want this shut out." I reply, "Jimmy really wants to play 9 tech".

1st and 10 - They come out in trips right, then move one of them over. They either have 6 in the backfield (ball is on the 29, boot receivers forward feet are on the 28 and they are standing vertically) . . . or they are about to throw to an ineligible receiver. Ineligble receive runs a post. Guy covering him runs an "in". Hardly matters because they fumble the snap. 2nd and 11 - They motion a split end (once again giving them 5 in the backfield) and run a reverse for minus 1. 3rd and 12 - Toss sweep, but toss hits the ground for -7. Need to point out that they NEVER dropped these tosses in any of the film I have on them. Our boys had taken up residence in their head. 4th and 19 - more "where do I line up" gestures. Another "5 in the backfield" formation. Pass to nowhere. TOD

Our ball:
1st and 10 from their 20 - center was slow resulting in a false start. Told my OC that we are in "fun mode". He calls timeout to get our I formation set up. Box guy flips the numbers anyway and we are robbed of a down. 2nd and 13 - Option right keep for 6, but lousy spot. 3rd and 8 - Option left pitch for 9. 1st and goal from the 9 - Boot leg right pass. Incomplete to a wide open play side TE. 2nd and goal - Fumbled snap for maybe a yard. 3rd and goal - Option right pitch for a TD. PAT failed. My nephew got called for unnecessary roughness for launching a defender into the endzone. Then, walking back to the sideline, he chest bumped a kid and got called for another personal foul. That's 2 and he was ejected. He was crying his eyes out, but I told him, "It wasn't you. It was the ref." Just another victim of an "activist" referee trying to . . . I don't know. I told him to intimidate and that's what he did.

30-0 us. We have to kick from our own 15. Kicked deep and they fell on it at their own 24. I have the "recess" kids in on d-line.

Their ball:
1st and 10 - Toss sweep for -3. 2nd and 13 - screen to ineligible tackle incomplete. It was for the best. He had 3 red jerseys on him and a 4th coming with anger in his heart. 3rd and 13 - Attempted pass, but 3 of my "recess" kids combine for a sack. 4th and 13 - QB keep (I suppose). Broken arm kid (rookie who missed 6 weeks with a broken arm) got a solo sack. We went nuts on the sideline and he thought he was in trouble, LOL. Gave him a huge hug as he walked off the field. Mom noticed that and sent me a very nice text. TOD.

Our ball:

With 8 plays remaining in the game, I pointed out 5 players and told the OC I want them carrying the ball. We went down the line with Beast left and got 4 yards on 3 plays, then fumbled the snap on 4th and 6. TOD.

Their ball:
Finished the last 4 plays with the "recess" crew on D-line. 4 straight incomplete passes to finish the game. TOD

Summary: This was an "okay" lower tier team when they do what they do. We got them out of "what they do" and gave them a hard lesson in Mojo. We are an "okay" upper tier team. When we were assigned D2 in the playoffs, I knew that the only way we would lose it is if we screwed it up ourselves. We didn't. If you are a new coach and you are unfamiliar with Mojo, I highly encourage you to put more emphasis on it than anything else. Offense, Defense, blocking, tackling, special teams . . . all of it. It was a little bit sad what our opponents put on the field Saturday. Mahonz overheard a few ladies complaining about how "dirty" we were. When pressed about why they think that, they responded, "Well our players keep getting hurt." Here's the truth: Our boys keep getting hurt, too. We have simply trained them to accept it and move on. They have trained theirs to put on an attention-grabbing show and use it as an excuse for failing to execute.

They had 1 first down the entire game and negative total yards. We won the turnover battle 8-3 and the Mojo score 8-0.

Posted by: @gumby_in_co

Mahonz overheard a few ladies complaining about how "dirty" we were. When pressed about why they think that, they responded, "Well our players keep getting hurt." 

lol. ^

Congrats on the championship.

--Dave

That was a fun game. Your guys played very well. Congrats again !!!

As I stated in a previous post, this opponent intrigues me. They have a culture. Kids seem to be having a ton of fun. They enjoy being part of this team. Spectators are boisterous and positive. Sideline has good energy.  If that coach were to reach out to me for advice, I'd offer:

1) Learn the rules. Most of his motions were illegal. Half of his passes were illegal.

2) Fix your Mojo. We are very physical, but I don't think we're the most physical team in our league.  The only way I know to protect our players from the physical teams is to match or exceed them in that area.

3) Scout. It was clear that he didn't know a thing about us. Film your opponents and watch that film. 

4) Don't treat your o and d lines as afterthoughts. They were clearly under-coached in all the film I watched. Stop relying on your backs and defensive secondary to carry the team.

I think a buddy of mine has his contact info. Maybe I'll ask for an introduction. This is a new team and it seems like their heart is in the right place, but it could be so much better.

For what it's worth . . . here were our team goals heading into the season:

Beat the teams we should beat - Sure. Accomplished

6/7.  No one expected us to beat that 7th team. We lost 19-12, but that was one we should have won. Staff blew that one.

Beat Mountain (Troy) - Not even close

Stupid goal. I blame Mahonz for putting the idea in my head. Having a team goal of beating another team is an ego thing. We'll my ego decided to take the season off after our first scrimmage. The plain truth is that Troy has always had a better team and his guys took a bigger step forward than we did. We were close last year, losing 24-18 or something. This year, his team took their place among the elite teams.

Compete with the BIG 4 (now Big 5) - Not really, but improved.

#1 Champion - Never really a game. We did threaten to score twice before shooting ourselves in the foot. This was the first and 2nd time we actually crossed midfield against this team so . . . progress?

#2 Runner up - Down by 1 TD at half and I'd say that we competed.

#3 Troy (IMHO) - Tied at half. Moved the ball, so yeah, we competed.

#4  Self proclaimed "2020 Champs" despite no playoffs due to Covid - We used up most of the 1st quarter on one drive, then stalled. Got a 4 and out on them and drove again and stalled. So while it was a 40-0 blowout, we showed that we are capable of success against them. Now, we have to repeat it and maintain it.

#5 Cheater team who has now been kicked out of the league - Didn't play them. Would not have beaten them, but could we complete? Hardly matters now and we'll never know.

Be competitive in every game

9/11. By competitive, I mean we were in it at halftime.

Develop a PAT kick (2 points)

To make it worth our while, I think we would have to be 30% on these. We were about 20%. We'll keep at it, though. We can snap, hold and kick, which is an accomplishment on its own.

Posted by: @gumby_in_co

 

Beat Mountain (Troy) - Not even close

Stupid goal. I blame Mahonz for putting the idea in my head. Having a team goal of beating another team is an ego thing. We'll my ego decided to take the season off after our first scrimmage. The plain truth is that Troy has always had a better team and his guys took a bigger step forward than we did. We were close last year, losing 24-18 or something. This year, his team took their place among the elite teams.

 

Gotta get that signature win. Not for you but for your boyz. ?

Troy would be a good start since he is the best coach of the bunch. 

Yeah, I think breakthrough wins can be important for psychology. We got ours over BF51 this year. Never beat a top 3 team, before. It was a very emotional moment afterwards, like a giant mental millstone was cut loose.

(edit) I do think you have to be careful about giving "mystique" to your opponent by building them up, though. I fret over projecting my personal complexes (like my personal Schottenheimer syndrome) into my players. Those kids sense EVERYTHING! 

Posted by: @troy

Yeah, I think breakthrough wins can be important for psychology.

Agree with that.  

When I was coaching 7-9s, we were undefeated for 3 years but could never play outside of the conference (Pop Warner didn't allow for regional/national competition at that age level).  When we moved to Jr. PeeWee and regionals/nationals were now an option, we were excited for the opportunity.  Especially to show someone outside of our own conference that the were better than "just the local teams."  When we won the conference title at Jr. PeeWee sending us into our first ever regional play-off game we were stoked.  And when we found out it was going to be against the defending National Champions, we were even more excited.  In our first ever play-off game, we now had the opportunity to be more than just a "conference champ."  Now we were playing against a team that everyone knew and respected and was carrying the championship belt, as well.  We knew that beating them was an opportunity to make a statement, and to give our program and team national recognition.

--Dave 

Posted by: @troy

Yeah, I think breakthrough wins can be important for psychology. We got ours over BF51 this year. Never beat a top 3 team, before. It was a very emotional moment afterwards, like a giant mental millstone was cut loose.

I was there and I knew that something had changed. Atlas shrugged that day.