No matter how long you are involved in football it is always difficult to watch your team lose any game – but especially a close game that was within your reach. I’m sure that there wasn’t a Moravian player, coach or fan who left that game both frustrated and excited at the same time.
Frustrated because we all saw a game we could win slip away. In a tough and very physical matchup at Kings College – we saw our opener get away 30-27 on a late field goal.
But also excited because we saw so many promising moments. Moments created by some outstanding individual exploits and some great team effort. I think as we move along through this season you will see a steadily improving team on and off the field
No disrespect to the Monarchs – who earned the win as much as we let it slip through our fingers. But, we had every chance to walk away (Drive away I guess??!!) from Wilkes Barre with a nice victory in our pocket. We threw away several points, missed critical checks, had some missed tackles, and had some vital mental lock ups.
These Hounds are a young and developing team and this is a group that will undoubtedly accomplish great things before they are finished. The errors we committed and problems that happened on the field are correctable and will help us to become a much better team in the future. (I do mean “we” as well….I certainly had as much responsibility for the loss as anyone playing….and I’m sure each coach would echo that.)
We played with some brand new players as well as inexperienced guys. Someone mentioned that 10 of 11 players on offense were new. I haven’t really checked that out. But it sounds pretty close.
Then we had another five new starters on defense.
And when you start guys like this you expect some rookie mistakes. As a group we certainly had them. Our second half errors that basically allowed Kings to take the game day from us.
But, despite our shortcomings – we had just as many bright spots in our performance.
Look at Nick Petros running for a long gain from punt formation – three days ago he just thinking about playing wide receiver and not even considering being the punter against Kings. Now future opponents have to be concerned of our potential offensive threat on punting situations.
Doug Erney looked fast in practice…but in his first game as a Hound he was even faster. Everyone knows the John Harrison and the offensive coaches will continue to improve his presence as a passer but his legs offer another source of offense. Wait till we shake the explosive Eli Redmond loose! Just a matter of time.
You can expect this offense to be explosive as they mature together because that offensive line is going to be really strong. As in the past this will certainly be the backbone of the offensive team. Just a matter of time until Coach Leavenworth has them operating on all cylinders.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when you see the group of receivers that are available.
Defensively we were pretty firm up front (Captain Foud Haddad and Nick Tone were tough along the line….. and with their mates they were hard on the running game while adding a few sacks.) Now the QB from Kings was effective running the ball and we have to solve that. But, you can count on Jim Newhard getting that group revved up before we get out there again..
These are just some of the points to be excited about. Not even talking about Junior captain Nick Zambelli and the secondary. Before the year is out the entire defensive unit will be very tough to handle.
So, yup….we are frustrated….yup we are excited. Don’t worry when Jeff Puksyzn gets this bunch rolling – it’s going to be fun to watch.
Me…….I see this team being really a great bunch to be around!