What does it take for a team to get ready for a game Friday night?
That is the question I went in search of this season when I spent a week watching Cayuga prepare for its game against Overton. The story has been published in Sunday’s edition of the Herald-Press and has been posted on our web site, along with numerous pictures.
We all know football teams practice during the week to get ready for a game. But there is much more than practice and that is what I wanted to show our readers.
I first had this story idea about six years ago, but the timing never worked out until this year when Cayuga head coach Tommy Allison opened the doors to the Cayuga Wildcat football program.
From the hours spent by the coaches over the weekend coming up with a game plan to practices during the week and even pregame speeches just minutes before the start of the game, I got an inside view that most don’t even realize goes on.
First I want to thank coach Allison for granting me the unlimited access to his team. I also want to thank the Wildcat coaches and players for welcoming me that week.
Through my years of covering high school football, I have seen bits and pieces of what a team goes through to get ready for a Friday night. But this was the first time I have seen it come together and even I was amazed by what I witnessed.
• The number of hours the coaches put in. During the football season, coaches work seven days a week. They work half the day on Saturday and Sunday and even more during the week. From Monday to Wednesday, they are at the school until at least 8 p.m. Thursday can be a very late night, especially if there is freshman and junior varsity games on the road.
• I have been to my share of practices but never saw how each practice builds off the one before. It starts Monday with the players working on their specific positions and then just builds from there, one level at a time.
• The amount of information players have to absorb each week. While most of the schemes, formations and plays that Cayuga runs were installed in the offseason and two-a-day practices, each week things get altered for that week’s opponents. In three days, the players have to understand all the changes that are made and execute them and then that will all change the following week.
• How different pregame is when I was not on the field. Maybe the strangest thing for me during that week was pregame and halftime. I am used to hearing the bands play, watching the crowd fill up the stands — the whole atmosphere of a Friday night game. But being in the lockeroom before the game and at halftime, it was like none of it existed. At halftime, it was like the game never stopped as I listened to the coaches talk about what adjustments to make and talk to the team about how the first half went. Funny thing is that football coaches have a hard time adjusting to this when they are spectators at games. The next week, the Cayuga coaches were at Carlisle, being spectators at a game, and at halftime, they looked lost, not sure what to do for those 30 minutes that football was not going on.
The week I spent covering Cayuga was a great experience. I learned so much more than I thought I would and I hope that knowledge has been passed on to the readers through the story and photos.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Westwood at Madisonville - Live Updates
WESTWOOD WINS 36-21
4th Quarter
1:37 - Westwood defense stops Madisonville just short on fourth down on a long pass to get the ball back and ice this game.
4th Quarter
3:22 - 36-yard field goal attempt hits the cross bar and comes up short. Westwood leads 36-21 and took nearly five minutes off the clock.
---Area score update---
Palestine 34, Van 21
---Area score update---
4th Quarter
8:10 - Madisonville's Brock Taylor gets into the end zone on a 31 yard run and the PAT makes it Westwood 36-21.
4th Quarter
9:04 - Westwood fumbles on a QB to RB exchange, giving Madisonville ball on the Westwood 29-yard line
4th Quarter
10:27 - Westwood stops Madisonville on fourth down to take over at their own 25 yard line.
End 3rd Quarter
Westwood leads 36-14 but Madisonville is driving, getting to the WW 25-yard line and has second and nine.
3rd Quarter
2:10 - Cameron Shead breaks free for a 45-yard touchdown run as he breaks several tackles for touchdown. Then on bad snap on PAT, holder Bryce Lyman heaves a pass to Kendrick Reeves, who makes the catch for two points. WW leads 36-14.
3rd Quarter
2:58 - Madisonville quarterback Howard Harris has a 38-yard run but fumbles at the end and Westwood recovers.
3rd Quarter
3:32 - Madisonville just misses an interception attempt that would have been returned for TD. Forces a punt and Westwood boots a 43 yard punt.
3rd Quarter
4:42 - On fourth and 13, Madisonville throws a 30-yard TD pass over the hands of the defensive back in the end zone. PAT is good and Westwood leads 28-14.
3rd Quarter
7:14 - On what was suppose to be a punt, Westwood was stopped for a loss giving Madisonville on the ball on the Westwood 27
3rd Quarter
7:28 - Cameron Shead breaks a long TD run but it is called back on a 10-yard holding call. The hold looked to come after Shead already was through the line of scrimmage and gone.
3rd Quarter
9:14 - After a long kickoff return by Howard Harris for Madisonville, but the Westwood defense comes up with the stop, shutting down the Mustangs on fourth down.
Halftime
Westwood has opened up the passing game in the rain, throwing for 224 yards and three touchdown passes of over 60 yards. The Westwood defense allowed one long TD run of 61 yards but has held Madisonville to only 72 more yards.
End 2nd Quarter
Westwood scores on the final play of the game, a 67-yard TD pass from Tevin Watson to Cameron Shead. PAT good and WW leads 28-7 at halftime.
2nd Quarter
2:44 - TD WW. Tevin Watson a long pass to Domanick Turner down the sideline and a cutback and blocks gives way to a 69-yard TD. 21-7 WW.
2nd Quarter
5:40 - Tevin Watson throws his first interception of the game as Mustangs get ball on their own 46.
2nd Quarter
6:21 - Westwood continues to drive in Madisonville territory as rain falls
2nd Quarter
8:19 - Rain coming down hard as Madisonville is facing a third and 20 at their own 19-yard line.
----Area Score Update----
Palestine 15-6 over Van, end 1st
---Area Score Update----
2nd Quarter
10:18 - Another scramble and another score for Westwood. Tevin Watson avoids pressure and finds Nick Morrow, who gets the catch and weaves into the end zone for a 22-yard TD. Westwood leads 14-7.
---- Area Score Update ----
Buffalo leads Elkhart 7-0
---- Area Score Update ----
End First Quarter
Westwood recovers a fumble on a bad snap by Madisonville. Panthers have ball on Madisonville 34-yard line, 2nd and 11. Game tied 7-7 after first quarter.
1st Quarter
26 sec - Westwood gets on the board with a Rodney Watson 1 yard run. It was set up with a third down play as Tevin Watson escaped trouble and found Domanick Turner for a 33-yard gain to the 1. Tyler Dillon adds PAT. Tied 7-7.
1st Quarter
4:21 - Madisonville scores first as QB Howard Harris breaks for a 62-yard TD. PAT good. 7-0.
1st Quarter
5:25 - A quick three and out by Westwood fores a punt
1st Quarter
Madisonville gets a 22-yard run by QB Howard Harris on the option, but Panther defense forces a 16-yard punt.
1st Quarter
Westwood gets a 45-yard kickoff return by Domanick Turner but the Panthers drive stalls on the Madisonville 28-yard line as the Panther turn the ball over on downs.
7:10 - 20 minutes to kickoff. Rain continues to fall here. Not too hard but a constant rain that looks to be lasting all night.
6:55 p.m. - Get live updates right here for the Westwood at Madisonville game tonight. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
4th Quarter
1:37 - Westwood defense stops Madisonville just short on fourth down on a long pass to get the ball back and ice this game.
4th Quarter
3:22 - 36-yard field goal attempt hits the cross bar and comes up short. Westwood leads 36-21 and took nearly five minutes off the clock.
---Area score update---
Palestine 34, Van 21
---Area score update---
4th Quarter
8:10 - Madisonville's Brock Taylor gets into the end zone on a 31 yard run and the PAT makes it Westwood 36-21.
4th Quarter
9:04 - Westwood fumbles on a QB to RB exchange, giving Madisonville ball on the Westwood 29-yard line
4th Quarter
10:27 - Westwood stops Madisonville on fourth down to take over at their own 25 yard line.
End 3rd Quarter
Westwood leads 36-14 but Madisonville is driving, getting to the WW 25-yard line and has second and nine.
3rd Quarter
2:10 - Cameron Shead breaks free for a 45-yard touchdown run as he breaks several tackles for touchdown. Then on bad snap on PAT, holder Bryce Lyman heaves a pass to Kendrick Reeves, who makes the catch for two points. WW leads 36-14.
3rd Quarter
2:58 - Madisonville quarterback Howard Harris has a 38-yard run but fumbles at the end and Westwood recovers.
3rd Quarter
3:32 - Madisonville just misses an interception attempt that would have been returned for TD. Forces a punt and Westwood boots a 43 yard punt.
3rd Quarter
4:42 - On fourth and 13, Madisonville throws a 30-yard TD pass over the hands of the defensive back in the end zone. PAT is good and Westwood leads 28-14.
3rd Quarter
7:14 - On what was suppose to be a punt, Westwood was stopped for a loss giving Madisonville on the ball on the Westwood 27
3rd Quarter
7:28 - Cameron Shead breaks a long TD run but it is called back on a 10-yard holding call. The hold looked to come after Shead already was through the line of scrimmage and gone.
3rd Quarter
9:14 - After a long kickoff return by Howard Harris for Madisonville, but the Westwood defense comes up with the stop, shutting down the Mustangs on fourth down.
Halftime
Westwood has opened up the passing game in the rain, throwing for 224 yards and three touchdown passes of over 60 yards. The Westwood defense allowed one long TD run of 61 yards but has held Madisonville to only 72 more yards.
End 2nd Quarter
Westwood scores on the final play of the game, a 67-yard TD pass from Tevin Watson to Cameron Shead. PAT good and WW leads 28-7 at halftime.
2nd Quarter
2:44 - TD WW. Tevin Watson a long pass to Domanick Turner down the sideline and a cutback and blocks gives way to a 69-yard TD. 21-7 WW.
2nd Quarter
5:40 - Tevin Watson throws his first interception of the game as Mustangs get ball on their own 46.
2nd Quarter
6:21 - Westwood continues to drive in Madisonville territory as rain falls
2nd Quarter
8:19 - Rain coming down hard as Madisonville is facing a third and 20 at their own 19-yard line.
----Area Score Update----
Palestine 15-6 over Van, end 1st
---Area Score Update----
2nd Quarter
10:18 - Another scramble and another score for Westwood. Tevin Watson avoids pressure and finds Nick Morrow, who gets the catch and weaves into the end zone for a 22-yard TD. Westwood leads 14-7.
---- Area Score Update ----
Buffalo leads Elkhart 7-0
---- Area Score Update ----
End First Quarter
Westwood recovers a fumble on a bad snap by Madisonville. Panthers have ball on Madisonville 34-yard line, 2nd and 11. Game tied 7-7 after first quarter.
1st Quarter
26 sec - Westwood gets on the board with a Rodney Watson 1 yard run. It was set up with a third down play as Tevin Watson escaped trouble and found Domanick Turner for a 33-yard gain to the 1. Tyler Dillon adds PAT. Tied 7-7.
1st Quarter
4:21 - Madisonville scores first as QB Howard Harris breaks for a 62-yard TD. PAT good. 7-0.
1st Quarter
5:25 - A quick three and out by Westwood fores a punt
1st Quarter
Madisonville gets a 22-yard run by QB Howard Harris on the option, but Panther defense forces a 16-yard punt.
1st Quarter
Westwood gets a 45-yard kickoff return by Domanick Turner but the Panthers drive stalls on the Madisonville 28-yard line as the Panther turn the ball over on downs.
7:10 - 20 minutes to kickoff. Rain continues to fall here. Not too hard but a constant rain that looks to be lasting all night.
6:55 p.m. - Get live updates right here for the Westwood at Madisonville game tonight. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Week 1 Matchups
Each week, I will try and give my thoughts on the weekly area games. This is not meant as criticism, just my thoughts after talking to coaches and getting a feel of each team's opponents. Good luck to all our Dogwood Circle teams.
Navasota at Palestine
This is the start of four straight games where we really get to see what Palestine is made of. Starting with Navasota, Palestine plays four very tough teams with Van and Class 4As Jacksonville and Kilgore to follow.
Navasota is the most athletic team Palestine has faced so far including scrimmages against Lindale and Henderson and last week's opener against Rusk. The Wildcat defense is going to get tested and how they handle it could be indicative of what will be seen down the line.
Bullard at Westwood
How is Westwood going to respond a week after missing a win by 1 yard when the Panthers' two-point conversion was stopped short of the goal line with 20 seconds left?
Westwood can show its is over last week by coming out quickly both on offense and defense. We saw the Panthers' come out quickly against Chapel Hill (two touchdowns on the first three plays), but the same could not be said for the defense, which allowed an opening drive touchdown. The best thing for the Westwood defense is to make a couple of early stops against a Bullard team who has not played a game yet and has some questions on offense after players moved around from last year's team.
Elkhart at Huntington
Speaking of rebounding from a loss, Elkhart looks to do the same thing, but will have to do it on the road.
After opening up at Malakoff last week, the Elks travel to Huntington Friday night and that is not a fun place to play. While it has been a couple of years since I have covered a game in Huntington, if nothing has changed, visiting fans won't have much room to sit as it will be tight on the visitors side.
If Elkhart can find a way past a Huntington team that has lost 18 straight, then the will be in good shape heading home for two straight games.
Grand Saline at Cayuga
Despite what you may have heard, the sky is not falling in Cayuga after the Wildcats' loss to Frankston.
Bottom line, Cayuga lost a game. It was only one game and not the end of the world.
The bigger problem for the Wildcats is on the injury front, where several starters are hurt, but the Wildcats still have some time before the start of district.
As for Friday night, expect to see a different Wildcat squad than a team that turned the ball over four times against Frankston.
As the season continued and the new offensive line keeps working together, Cayuga is going to get better and better, which could be very scary.
Brownsboro at Frankston
The biggest injustice from Frankston defeating Cayuga last week was that the Indians did not receive a single point in the AP poll. Frankston defeated the Class A No. 1 team in the state and got no recognition for it from the AP voters in the state. That is all I am going to say about the voters because I could go on and on about the problems with that poll.
But Frankston is not concerned about the poll, just about its next opponent, Class 3A Brownsboro. Are the Indians going to be able to bring the same kind of intensity as they had last week?
Frankston's defense will be tested against a passing attack from Brownsboro. The Bears return both quarterback and running back and like to use a lot of different screen packages, which could foil the attacking style Indian defense.
Grapeland at Grace Community
While Grace Community may be a TAPPS school, don't let that fool you. Grace Community has played our area schools very well over the last few years including a close game against Grapeland last season. Add to the fact that this year, the game is in Tyler at Grace Community's new stadium and the Cougars will have a lot to play for.
And that should be a good thing for Grapeland. The better competition the Sandies see in non-district play will go a long way in helping Grapeland when it comes to district and the likes of Alto, Cayuga and Overton.
Phoenix Greenville at Oakwood
Maybe one of the toughest things for a coach coming into a week is not knowing anything about the team they are playing. That is the case for Oakwood, who does not have any film on Phoenix Greenville, a team who got a new head coach last week.
Therefore, Oakwood is going to just need to go out Friday night, do what they do best and make adjustments during the game if need be. Sounds like what every team does even if they know everything about their opponent.
Navasota at Palestine
This is the start of four straight games where we really get to see what Palestine is made of. Starting with Navasota, Palestine plays four very tough teams with Van and Class 4As Jacksonville and Kilgore to follow.
Navasota is the most athletic team Palestine has faced so far including scrimmages against Lindale and Henderson and last week's opener against Rusk. The Wildcat defense is going to get tested and how they handle it could be indicative of what will be seen down the line.
Bullard at Westwood
How is Westwood going to respond a week after missing a win by 1 yard when the Panthers' two-point conversion was stopped short of the goal line with 20 seconds left?
Westwood can show its is over last week by coming out quickly both on offense and defense. We saw the Panthers' come out quickly against Chapel Hill (two touchdowns on the first three plays), but the same could not be said for the defense, which allowed an opening drive touchdown. The best thing for the Westwood defense is to make a couple of early stops against a Bullard team who has not played a game yet and has some questions on offense after players moved around from last year's team.
Elkhart at Huntington
Speaking of rebounding from a loss, Elkhart looks to do the same thing, but will have to do it on the road.
After opening up at Malakoff last week, the Elks travel to Huntington Friday night and that is not a fun place to play. While it has been a couple of years since I have covered a game in Huntington, if nothing has changed, visiting fans won't have much room to sit as it will be tight on the visitors side.
If Elkhart can find a way past a Huntington team that has lost 18 straight, then the will be in good shape heading home for two straight games.
Grand Saline at Cayuga
Despite what you may have heard, the sky is not falling in Cayuga after the Wildcats' loss to Frankston.
Bottom line, Cayuga lost a game. It was only one game and not the end of the world.
The bigger problem for the Wildcats is on the injury front, where several starters are hurt, but the Wildcats still have some time before the start of district.
As for Friday night, expect to see a different Wildcat squad than a team that turned the ball over four times against Frankston.
As the season continued and the new offensive line keeps working together, Cayuga is going to get better and better, which could be very scary.
Brownsboro at Frankston
The biggest injustice from Frankston defeating Cayuga last week was that the Indians did not receive a single point in the AP poll. Frankston defeated the Class A No. 1 team in the state and got no recognition for it from the AP voters in the state. That is all I am going to say about the voters because I could go on and on about the problems with that poll.
But Frankston is not concerned about the poll, just about its next opponent, Class 3A Brownsboro. Are the Indians going to be able to bring the same kind of intensity as they had last week?
Frankston's defense will be tested against a passing attack from Brownsboro. The Bears return both quarterback and running back and like to use a lot of different screen packages, which could foil the attacking style Indian defense.
Grapeland at Grace Community
While Grace Community may be a TAPPS school, don't let that fool you. Grace Community has played our area schools very well over the last few years including a close game against Grapeland last season. Add to the fact that this year, the game is in Tyler at Grace Community's new stadium and the Cougars will have a lot to play for.
And that should be a good thing for Grapeland. The better competition the Sandies see in non-district play will go a long way in helping Grapeland when it comes to district and the likes of Alto, Cayuga and Overton.
Phoenix Greenville at Oakwood
Maybe one of the toughest things for a coach coming into a week is not knowing anything about the team they are playing. That is the case for Oakwood, who does not have any film on Phoenix Greenville, a team who got a new head coach last week.
Therefore, Oakwood is going to just need to go out Friday night, do what they do best and make adjustments during the game if need be. Sounds like what every team does even if they know everything about their opponent.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Making a gutsy call
The Westwood coaching staff made a gusty call Friday night against Chapel Hill in the season opener. And it was not the call to go for the two points and a win with about 20 seconds left on the clock.
The two-point conversion call was not a complete surprise. I have seen that call many times at the high school level as the teams want to go for the win instead of trying their luck in overtime. With the way Westwood was moving the ball on offense, it was not a bad call, it just did not work out in the Panthers' favor.
However, the gusty call that did work out in Westwood's favor was the play before the two-point conversion attempt. It was the screen pass that was called on a fourth down and 15 and the Panthers had to get to the 3-yard line for the first down or into the end zone to get within one point.
That was a do or die call because on the screen pass, the ball only travels a few yards and the rest of the play is up to the ball carrier and the blockers trying to get past the line of defensive players protecting the end zone.
The play call ran through my mind while Westwood took its timeout but I waved it out of my head just as quickly as it came in, thinking it was too risky to try. But Westwood did it and Cameron Shead got the screen pass in the middle of the field, turned around and had three defenders that had him in their sights and were ready to attack. But Shead made a quick cut on the damp turf, got the the outside and scampered into the end zone.
If it was not for the risky play call, Westwood never would have had the chance to make the decision to go for two points or not.
The two-point conversion call was not a complete surprise. I have seen that call many times at the high school level as the teams want to go for the win instead of trying their luck in overtime. With the way Westwood was moving the ball on offense, it was not a bad call, it just did not work out in the Panthers' favor.
However, the gusty call that did work out in Westwood's favor was the play before the two-point conversion attempt. It was the screen pass that was called on a fourth down and 15 and the Panthers had to get to the 3-yard line for the first down or into the end zone to get within one point.
That was a do or die call because on the screen pass, the ball only travels a few yards and the rest of the play is up to the ball carrier and the blockers trying to get past the line of defensive players protecting the end zone.
The play call ran through my mind while Westwood took its timeout but I waved it out of my head just as quickly as it came in, thinking it was too risky to try. But Westwood did it and Cameron Shead got the screen pass in the middle of the field, turned around and had three defenders that had him in their sights and were ready to attack. But Shead made a quick cut on the damp turf, got the the outside and scampered into the end zone.
If it was not for the risky play call, Westwood never would have had the chance to make the decision to go for two points or not.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Dogwood Circle Football Magazine
The Dogwood Circle Football Magazine will be hitting the stands on Sunday. The magazine was scheduled to come out on Wednesday, but we got the magazine earlier than expected from the printer so we decided to get it out to the public earlier. Hope you enjoy it.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Six-Man Football
Headed out to Oakwood today on my tour of two-a-day practices in the area and got my first taste of what six-man football is all about. And it has a lot different feel than what I am used to seeing on the football field.
But before I get to that, let me say how nice and courteous the young men at Oakwood were to me. I have the opportunity to sit down and talk to the five seniors on the Panther team and afterwards they thanked me for coming out. Class acts all the way.
As for the six-man football part, I am not sure how to explain it. A mix of the good old days when playing football on the street combined with 7-on-7 football and the a whole lot of hard hitting.
With only six men on both sides of the ball, it makes for an interesting strategy. Watching Oakwood practice, when the offense was on the field, all six players took up an area of a 5 yard by 5 yard box. Oakwood also did some other things in practice, but don't want to give any secrets away since the coaches were kind enough to let me stand around and watch for more than an hour.
I know Oakwood lost two of its top players from last year, but after Tuesday I don't think that will matter much this season. I can tell that the returning players have a great understanding of six-man football and this year the Panthers should make a push for one of the playoff spots.
But before I get to that, let me say how nice and courteous the young men at Oakwood were to me. I have the opportunity to sit down and talk to the five seniors on the Panther team and afterwards they thanked me for coming out. Class acts all the way.
As for the six-man football part, I am not sure how to explain it. A mix of the good old days when playing football on the street combined with 7-on-7 football and the a whole lot of hard hitting.
With only six men on both sides of the ball, it makes for an interesting strategy. Watching Oakwood practice, when the offense was on the field, all six players took up an area of a 5 yard by 5 yard box. Oakwood also did some other things in practice, but don't want to give any secrets away since the coaches were kind enough to let me stand around and watch for more than an hour.
I know Oakwood lost two of its top players from last year, but after Tuesday I don't think that will matter much this season. I can tell that the returning players have a great understanding of six-man football and this year the Panthers should make a push for one of the playoff spots.
Monday, August 3, 2009
First Day of Practice
Got out to the first practices this morning for Westwood and Palestine. This is one of the best days of the year, even if I do have to get up hours before I normally do. It is a new start for every team, no matter what they did last year.
At Westwood, I got there as the team started doing their first individual conditioning workouts. The players had to go from station to station, including rope and ladder drills, agility workout and even running around and over a line of logs. The coaches were working the players hard and it could be seen which guys had been working out this summer and which ones have not. Got to love two-a-days.
Over at Palestine, got there in time to see some team offensive drills. The Wildcats were going through their base offensive formations and plays and looked sharp doing so, even though cannot tell everything until those pads come on and they start hitting on Friday.
Will continue the updates on two-a-day practices as I travel across the Dogwood Circle area this week.
At Westwood, I got there as the team started doing their first individual conditioning workouts. The players had to go from station to station, including rope and ladder drills, agility workout and even running around and over a line of logs. The coaches were working the players hard and it could be seen which guys had been working out this summer and which ones have not. Got to love two-a-days.
Over at Palestine, got there in time to see some team offensive drills. The Wildcats were going through their base offensive formations and plays and looked sharp doing so, even though cannot tell everything until those pads come on and they start hitting on Friday.
Will continue the updates on two-a-day practices as I travel across the Dogwood Circle area this week.
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