Coaches see progress in early going – The-review

Mike Keating| mkeating@the-review.com

After the game concludes, high school football coaching staffs begin reviewing the tape to study what transpired during the heat of competition, and critique how the team played collectively and also how players executed individually.

While winning or losing is the bottom line, their method of evaluation extends beyond the final score and statistical numbers.

The goal is progress.

Legendary Ohio State coach Woody Hayes often said, A team never plays the same from week to week; it either gets better or it gets worse during the course of a season.

In the opinion of four area coaches, their teams got better in their second regular-season game and are moving closer to the type of team that reaches sustained success in all facets.

Alliance is 0-2 overall and 0-1 in the Eastern Buckeye Conference after dropping three-point decisions to Marlington and Bedford. While the setbacks were disappointing, Alliance coach Seth Whiting noticed how well the offense moved the ball during both games.

We've been able to run the ball well and throw the ball well, he said. We've driven the ball well in both games; we just need to finish more of those drives."

Marlington slipped to 1-1 overall and in conference play following a 32-24 loss to visiting Carrollton one week after edging Alliance. When on offense, the Dukes want to stress the running game and were successful with it against the Aviators, but the Warriors essentially took that element away, forcing an offensive adjustment.

Turning to the pass, Marlington countered successfully, finishing with more than 300 yards and three touchdowns with first-year starting quarterback Connor Evanich spreading the ball to four wideouts, who combined for 24 receptions.

We want to throw the ball when we want to throw it, not when teams force us to throw the ball like Carrollton did, Marlington coach Mark Gulling said. We didnt like losing, but I liked the improved play of our quarterback and our receivers, and the production they gave us, giving us a chance to win the game.

With 13 first-year players, transitioning to a different offense and competing against two talented and experienced Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference opponents (McDonald and Mineral Ridge), Sebring coach Matt Seidel watched the Trojans take a minor step upward.

We didn't make the same mistakes against Mineral Ridge that we made against McDonald, and those are the type of things you need to see happen with a young team with a lot of players who never played a down of varsity football, Seidel said. We're trying to be more football smart and aware, and that type of progress is something we hope to build on as our kids gain more experience.

West Branch started 2-0, both against conference opponents, and is averaging 44 points in those two wins. While the tape revealed some flaws in certain areas, second-year coach Ken Harris has been pleased with the development and the cohesiveness of a youthful offensive line, anchored by center Caleb Adams, its lone senior starter.

We've had several holding penalties in those games [against Salem and Minerva], but we've only had one called on our offensive line, Harris said. We have lighter kids who can move their feet. They also are a smart group of kids who have a good knowledge of the game and communicate well.

In its first two games, West Branch matched its 2019 overall and conference win output. Starting the season on a positive note not only reflects team progress on the field, but also with team mentality.

We developed a confidence level that is pretty good, Harris said. We won both games, but neither win was easy. Salem rallied against us, but we were able to pull away (scoring the final 14 points) and in the Minerva game, we started slowly and had several penalties, but we settled down and executed better (scoring the final 28 points in a 49-13 win). We were challenged in both games, but we didn't get rattled and that's a sign of maturity.

It's also a sign of progress.

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Coaches see progress in early going - The-review