Early Saturday morning we will hop on a bus for the long ride to Gettysburg to take on the Bullets for their Homecoming game. It is a big game fo each team since we are both looking for our first win of the year.
Obviously this is not the position we envisioned our squad to be in at this point. However, this is where we are as we prepare to get after Gettysburg this weekend.
Whenever you struggle in football you look at the many facets of your team. (I imagine it is similar in most businesses or jobs for that matter – but my only background is football!)
For instance as a staff you sit down and examine how you practice – from the length of the schedule to the details of each period in that framework. You look at injuries, how you are training in the weight room, meeting time with players etc. – there are many details to look at and you are just trying to find a way to improve your results on game day.
Your video study of game and practice becomes even more critical as you search for ways to help your team. Time normally spent on your opponent is now focused on self-improvement.
One key thing is your interaction with the members of the team. As a coach you have to remember they are actually living the game as they play it. We are simply directors – well coaches – we instruct, motivate and try to guide the players in the proper ways to succeed.
The guys who are wearing the uniforms obviously are the most important part of the organization. They are the heart and soul of your team – they are the engine that drives our team. It is their team!
So, it is critical that they have input in our self scout of Moravian football. Their ideas and feelings are paramount to our success.
Really after this on-going hard assessment of our program – we realize that there are things to massage in many areas, adjustments that need to be attended to and a focus of our energy in some other places.
But, when it comes right down to the bare facts – success on the scoreboard is the direct result of the “execution of fundamentals!”
Generally when you go through your self scout you come right back to that simple concept. “Execution of Fundamentals!”
In football it always comes down to blocking and tackling, running, throwing and catching and kicking. You must always work on those areas in preparation and then when the game is played you have to “Trust” your training.
In other words as coaches we need to emphasize those areas in practice (and we do!) and the players must focus on this as they practice (and they do!). We always need to go back to those basics and “train the troops!”
The object of practice is to train the team to perform their basic tasks without having to think about them during the game. It needs to be an automatic reaction that is triggered unconsciously so the athlete can concentrate on assignments and counter the opponents game plan.
Simple idea – not always simple to do. But, that is the challenge of the game – always trying to find a way to get better on and off the field.
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As many parents, family members and friends already know this – it is the middle of the first semester. I would encourage everyone to check on their own Hounds.
Simple questions about mid term grades and assignments can give you an understanding of the academic progress your Hound is making. Better to find out now than be surprised later!
By now they should all know where they stand….we check on them – work with them, encourage them etc. But when it comes down to it…it is up to them to stay on top of their work!
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Heres a quick look at the Gettysburg Bullets.
GETTYSBURG COLLEGE
2019 RECORD: 0-4
Bridgewater 41 – Gettysburg 10
- Big plays hurt the Gettysburg defense as host Bridgewater College scored on a 41 and 58-yard pass and a 93-yard run to jump out to a 20-0 first quarter lead (Gettysburg went 1
- Gettysburg was never really able to mount a steady offensive attack throughout the game. For the losers Logan Edmond (3) managed 9 of 24 for 94 yards – but he was sacked three times and threw three picks. Matt Harris (12) went 7-19 for 142 yards in relief. Both quarterbacks were sacked a combined 7 times.
- The Bullets also struggled defensively allowing 224 yards passing and 204 on the ground.
- Defensively Ryan Greene (53) had 7 tackles and Justin Lessel (24) added six stops with a fumble recovery.
- Alex Reimondo (95) had two sacks for the Bullets.
Ursinus 48 – Gettysburg 10
- Throughout the game visiting Ursinus steadily scored building a 21-3 halftime advantage that ballooned to 41-3 before Gettysburg scored their lone TD on a 23-yard pass from Matt Harris (12) to Kevin Benavente (18) late in the game.
- The Bullets again played an uneven game as they were unable to mount a steady offensive effort. Ursinus held the host team to 239 yards in total offense and just 80 yards rushing.
- Gettysburg allowed eight sacks, had three interceptions and lost three fumbles.
- Matt Harris (12) started and played most of the game for the Bullets. He threw for 150 yards (14-34 with 2 INT and 1 TD) but was sacked seven times. Logan Edmonds (3) also played behind center but was just 2 of 7 for 9 yards – but he was the leading rusher for Gettysburg as he ran for 51 yards on 5 attempts.
- Matt Lajoie (5) played well with five catches for 72 yards including a 22 yard catch.
- Sophomore Linebacker Alex Stillman (33) led the defense with seven stops and an interception. Justin Lessel (24) also chipped in an interception for the Bullets.
Dickinson 56 – Gettysburg 20
- Dickinson improved to 2-1 by amassing 596 yards in offense as they rolled to a 56-20 win over host Gettysburg.
- Gettysburg racked up 264 yards in the first quarter taking advantage of Dickinson turnovers as they jumped to an insurmountable 24-0 lead.
- Gettysburg again used two quarterbacks as Logan Edmond (3) completed 12 of 21 passes for 155 yards. He also ran the ball for 46 yards and had a rushing TD. Matt Harris (12) completed four passes, but he had three interceptions.
- Mike Welsch (2) carried the ball 18 times for 71 yards and scored on a one yard run in the fourth quarter.
- Justin Lessel (24) paced the defense with 5 Tackles, an interception and a pair of pass break ups.
- Gettysburg dropped to 0-3 for the season.
McDaniel 32 – Gettysburg 22
- McDaniel managed two TD’s in the fourth quarter to finally seal a 32-22 win over visiting Gettysburg.
- The Green Terrors controlled the ball for 15 more minutes than Gettysburg and outgained the Bullets 425-310.
- The QB pair of Matt Harris (12) and Logan Edmond (3) combined for 174 yards passing….but they were sacked 7 times as well.
- Linwood Nicholas (1) caught 3 balls for 103 yards and had a 51 yard score in a losing effort.
- Alex Stillman (33) and Matthew Lynch (35) each had 16 tackles for the Bullets with Lynch racking up a sack as well.
2019 RECORD: 0-4
COACH: Kevin Burke (Gettysburg ‘90), 2nd season (1-9 at Gettysburg, 26-44 overall).
Returning Starters:
| OFFENSE | |||
| Quarterbacks: | |||
| Recievers: | 1. Sal DeBenedetto (16) | So. 5-10 170 | |
| Runners: | |||
| 1. Mike Welsch (2) | Jr. 6-1, 205 | Starter at QB for six games in 2018 | |
| 68-170 for 784 passing (6 TD) | |||
| Rushed for 251 yards and 3 TD | |||
| Offensive Line: | |||
| 1. Ethan Kendzulak (66) | Sr. 6-3, 290 | 2 Year starter. | |
| 2. Alex Scott (64) | Sr. 6-0, 275 | 2 year starter. | |
| DEFENSE | |||
| Secondary: | 1. Justin Lessel (24) |
Jr. 5-11, 190 |
2018 had 42T and 1 BK |
| 2. Joe Lamore (8) |
Sr. 6-0, 175 |
2018: 35T, 2 FR, 5PBU | |
| 3. Thomeir Richardson (15) | Jr. 5-7, 170 |
3rs Year as starter 2018: 26T, 4 INT, 10 PBU |
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| Linebackers: | |||
| Defensive Line | 1. Ryan Greene (57) | Sr. 5-10, 225 | 45T with 4 Sacks |
| SPECIALISTS | |||
| Punter: | 1. Evan Tannenbaum (90) | Sr. 5-11, 180 | 3rd year as punter – averaged 38.2 |
| on 59 punts last season |