Finally back in the states – unfortunately arrived to the nor’easter and got to stand in the wind and rain in Lancaster watching the Hounds fall to Franklin and Marshall. It was a hard and frustrating afternoon.
But, we get back after it and just “do what we do.” We view the video, fix the mistakes and move on. That is what you have to do in athletics – if you spend time being frustrated and angry you fall behind in your prep time for the next game. You simply cannot afford to do that.
When you are a young coach – sometimes it is hard to let go of a particularly painful or large loss (by the way I am old). Over the years you learn how to let go of the emotional baggage following games.
However that doesn’t mean you forget what happened and review how you coached, how the tempo and attitude of practice was, you look back over your checklists of preparation and how you delegated your time etc.
From the outside you learn many great insights. People are willing to give you as much advice as they can. Generally that advice/criticism is given in a high octave peppered with a few expletives. You learn to be polite, nod your head and move on.
You realize that most of these advisors know much more than you do about who should be in the game, what specific plays to call, and which players actually have attended meetings where they learn the plays. (Yeah…some guys miss meetings – then when they do get in the game they make mistakes that hurt the other 10 guys on the field – so we have to keep them on the sidelines despite their talent level).
While they are working at being doctors, lawyers or cowboys our outside help has been studying game film and working on tackling drills. So as a coach you just see these distractions as part of your job description.
We also realize that these are their sons, brothers and friends and you can understand their feelings. In coaching you do “get it” and do care about the troops and their families. But, there is no way to keep everyone happy and no way to make sure that everyone gets their way. So you learn to hear what is important and delete the rest of the outside noise.
Anyway…great to be back.
************************I really don’t know the significance of the picture – but it caught my eye….and it is my blog right******************************************
This weekend we will travel to Carlisle, Pa. to play the revitalized Dickinson College Red Devils. I use the word “revitalized” because this is an up and coming team that has been playing very well despite a 3-5 record.
Dickinson is playing hard under second year coach Brad Fordyce. Two overtime losses (Washington Lee and Susquehanna) and losses to the top three teams in the CC (Johns Hopkins, Muhlenberg and F&M) have created their five losses.
Statistically they are similar to us here in Bethlehem. One big area that has kept us playing in front of may teams is turnover differential. We stand at +6 which is very good. In fact it puts us in the top 50 teams in the country.
It also means that our offense continues to do a great job of taking care of the ball and defensively we are tackling hard and getting the ball loose from our opponents. Obviously this is always an area of emphasis and it is satisfying to see the squad performing on the field the way they are coached.
Dickinson has become a physical team on defense and they are paced by captain James Turner (26) who is a ball hawk from the secondary. Turner (26) is a tough tackler who is always around the ball and shows great production with a interception return for a TD as well as three sacks.
Johnny Knight (33) leads the team with three interceptions and secondary mate Matt Butz (27) has recovered a pair of fumbles. Up front senior John Minicozzi (54) has five sacks from his tackle position.
Overall the Red Devils are second in the CC allowing under 300 yards per game (183.4 passing yards per game and 114.8 rushing yards per game. Also, Dickinson stands fifth with 21 sacks in eight games.
Offensively the Devils have gone back to their former starting quarterback Billy Burger (8) a multitalented thrower and punter. A four year player for Dickinson he has been outstanding at times for our opponent.
He ranks sixth in the CC with 123 yards passing per game and he is also at the same spot with 10 TD passes. His backfield mate is sophomore Phillip Butler (2) a downhill and hard running player who has rushed for 543 yards which ranks him at fourth in the conference.
He plays in tandem with a bigger (6-0, 200) back – Jeremy Walsh (9). Walsh has rushed for 434 yards this season and as a junior has crossed the 1000 yard mark for his career.
Burger (8) was pressed into service with an injury to Robert Geiss (7) in the team’s second game of the season. Before that game it was expected that Burger (8) would play primarily just as the punter.
He has done a good job punting (38.6) yards per punt with a 74 yarder to his credit. Unfortunately for the Red Devils he has had four blocked along the way as well.
His favorite receivers are senior Jake Walbert (1), sophomore Christopher Longo (4) and junior Daniel Salmone (21). Salmone also returns both kicks and punts for Dickinson.
DICKINSON COLLEGE
2018 RECORD: 3-5
Washington and Lee 16 – Dickinson 10 (Overtime)
- James Turner (26) had record setting day statistically for tackles.
- Dickinson held W&L to 238 yards total offense, but were limited to only 140 themselves.
- Robert Geiss (7) was 9-18 for 55 yards and Phillip Butler (2) rushed for 62 yards.
Muhlenberg 14 – Dickinson 3
- Dickinson played very well defensively for the second consecutive week limiting the Mules to 199 yards passing and 129 yards rushing.
- Billy Burger (8) continues to be one of the most consistent punters in the CC – had three punts of more than 50 yards.
- After gaining a 3-0 lead at the end of the first period Dickinson was unable to score again as their offense was held to just 39 yards rushing in the game.
Dickinson 30 – Gettysburg 7
- Billy Burger (8) got his first start of the season at QB and responded with a 22-36 (61.1%) performance throwing 2 TD’s against 1 INT.
- The Dickinson defense had 4 sacks. They held the usually high powered Gettysburg running game to just 76 yards.
- Captain James Turner (26) had an interception for a TD.
- Matt Butz (27) had a interception and a fumble recovery and was in on five solo tackles.
Johns Hopkins 62 – Dickinson 14
- Billy Burger (8) finished 13-27 for 134 yards and 2 TD’s.
- Johnny Knight, James Turner and Ethan Warrick had outstanding defensive games notching at least seven tackles each.
- The Red Devils slumped to 1-3 following the loss.
- Hopkins outgained Dickinson 507-262 yards.
Susquehanna 30 – Dickinson 24 (Overtime)
- Susquehanna came from behind to defeat the home team scoring on a 22-yard pass.
- Burger (8) 10-24 for 114 yards and ran for 84 yards with a 42-yard TD run. He also was effective punting again with a 38.5 yard average.
- Phillip Butlerrushed 25 times for 152 yards and 1 TD.
- John Minicozzi (54) totaled 1 and a half sacks for the Red Devils.
Dickinson 27 – McDaniel 20
- Dickinson pulled out of a two game losing streak with a win over the host Green Terrors….despite allowing 5 sacks on Billy Burger (8).
- Jeremy Walsh (9) led the rushing attack with 97 yards on 18 attempts. Phillip Butler (2) chipped in 51 yards as well.
- James Turner (26) continued his outstanding defensive play with 6 tackles. Matt Butz (27) and Johnny Knight (17) added interceptions for the Red Devils.
- Billy Burger had a very good day [punting with a 42.5 yard average on five punts. He also through for 145 yards (16-30).
Franklin and Marshall 35 – Dickinson 14
- Red Devils dropped to 2-7 with a 35-14 loss to Franklin and Marshall in Carlisle.
- Billy Burger ran for 92 yards and was 18-40 for 205 yards. But he had an interception and lost a fumble through the game. Burger had another solid game as the punter as he averaged 39.5 yards per punt including A 60 yarder.
- Brian Snow (33) had 11 tackles including 7 solos and 2 tackles for a loss.
Dickinson 47 – Juniata 14
- John Minicozzi (54) had three sacks and forced two fumbles to lead a strong defensive effort for Dickinson (3-7).
- Dickinson held host Juniata to minus four yards rushing and a total of 137 yards in total offense.
- Billy Burger threw for three touchdowns completing 18 of 30 passes for 180 yards.
- Phillip Butler (2) rushed for 156 yards and 1 TD and Jeremy Walsh (9) added 83 on 18 tries.
2017 RECORD: 3-7
COACH: Brad Fordyce (Springfield ’97), 2nd season (3-7).
OFFENSE: ( Returning Starters)
Quarterbacks:
- Robert Geiss(7) 6-2, 181 55.7% – 965 YDS
Receivers:
- Christopher Longo (4) 6-2, 194 39 REC – 449 11.5 AVG
- Daniel Salamone (21) 5-10, 175 44 REC – 333 7.6 AVG
- Jake Walbert (1) 6-2, 206. 41 REC – 661 16.1 AVG (2016)
Runners:
- Jeremy Walsh (9) 6-0, 200 179 ATT – 626 YDS 5TD
Offensive Line:
- LT Justin Hilliard (64) 6-2, 291
- LG Marcus Witherspoon (50) 6-2, 262
- RG Cuba Birnbaum (53) 6-2, 265
- RT Jack Williamson (78) . 6-4, 275
DEFENSE:(7 Returning Starters)
Defensive Line:
- NG John Mincozzi (54) 5-10, 286 2 Sacks 84.5 TFL HM – Cent Conf
- DT Justin Schettino (51) 5-11, 250
- DE Thomas Nocka (65) 6-1, 224 4.5 Sacks
Linebackers:
- James Turner(26) 6-0, 220 13 TFL, 2ndTeam ALL CC
Secondary
- Taj DeFrance CB (28) Soph 5-11, 176 2 INT, 2 FR
- Jordan Hollander(19) 6-0, 185 2 INT
- Matt Butz FS (27) 6-1, 192 2 INT
SPECIALISTS
- Ethan Fusco PK (34) 5-11, 186 1-3 FG, 12-17 XP
This will be a tough game with much at stake. However, when you think about it – which game isn’t important. Every time the team lines up to play it is significant and the results are crucial to everyone involved.
But, that is what makes competition so great. It elevates our level of consciousness. We become more excited, more connected and more aware of everything around us.
In short…this is what makes the game so awesome and it is the reason we spend so much time preparing for play in front of our friends for just a few hours each week.
GO HOUNDS!