Wildcats Offense
For a third straight week, the Wildcats’ offense struggled last Friday night. Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young called the Whithouse loss disappointing. He said the opportunity was there for the offense to score points because of the way the Wildcats’ defense played. One series epitomized what’s been going on for the Wildcats’ offense lately. The series got underway early in the fourth quarter after Wildcats’ safety Austin Dodd caused and recovered a fumble. Whitehouse led only 21-6. On the first play, Coach Young said the Wildcats went with a running play they had used six times before and had averaged eight yards per carry. On this drive it lost a yard and Coach Young said two players missed blocks. Next Coach Young said the Wildcats ran what was their best running play on this night. In this series, it gained a yard setting up third and ten. The Wildcats did not convert and had to give up the football. Coach Young said his offensive coaches continue to emphasis the need to be consistent, to value third down and the importance of everyone executing. Coach Young said more competition for playing time at some positions is being used as an incentive. He said Pine Tree, this Friday’sopponent in the district opener at The Prim, had two very good defensive ends. Inside he said they rotate in a lot of bodies. Coach Young said Pine Tree has been trying lots of guys in the secondary but they seem to like the ones that have been playing there lately.
Wildcats Defense
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Triston Abron said he wished his defense had played every quarter against Whitehouse last Friday like they did in the third quarter. Still his bottom line was that the Wildcats defense did slow down the Whitehouse offense. Whitehouse was held to just 28 points and they have scored 50 plus points on the Wildcats in some recent years. Still he said the defense had to do better. He wants better tackling and more physicality when defenders reach ball carriers. Coach Abron was pleased his defense got their first turnover of the season. Safety Austin Dodd caused and recovered a fumble. He also said the secondary actually played well despite giving up some big plays to a very talented receiver. When asked who played well Friday, he listed almost the entire defensive unit. The Wildcats play Pine Tree Friday and Coach Abron said the Pirates’ offensive line reminds his defensive coaches of ones at Avalon and Paris. He said Pine Tree uses two quarterbacks include one who can really fly. He said their running backs do a good job and their receivers can put you in a bind. Coach Abron said the Wildcats’ defense will have their work cur out for them Friday night.
