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Post by piquaindian on Sept 16, 2007 8:04:57 GMT -6
I'm a third year head coach (7th year coaching overall) and today we have a very big game. We are the 49ers and we're playing the Cowboys.
Last year we finished 5-2...losing twice to the Cowboys (one in the championship).
The Cowboys have not been beat since 10-16-05...700 days (counting today).
We're ready for them but...
Our starting MLB/RB is over the weight limit so he can't run the ball and he's had two days of practice as he had emergency surgery the week of our first game to remove his appendix. He'll be fine but if he's not...
His backup did very well as the replacement for each position in the first game but in practice this week, rolled his ankle. He missed a few days of practice but appears to be okay now so hopefully that works out.
Then, I'm laying in bed this morning and the phone rings. It's the dad of last week's player of the week. The kid had two interceptions (70 yards returning those), a 17 yard touchdown run and a two point conversion. He hurt his knee at a company picnic on Saturday. His dad called to let me know so I didn't find out when we got to the field (which I really appreciate) but he said he's moving around the house pretty well this morning so hopefully he'll be able to play.
It's just been a 'freaky' week when it's the biggest game of the season (though we're only in the second week). Everyone in the league has given it their all to knock these guys off since they lost 23 months ago to the day, in the championship or they would've had three straight titles.
I believe we have the team to do it today as long as no other freak accidents take place.
I'll check back in this evening with a report on how it turns out.
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Post by jazzo on Sept 16, 2007 9:32:07 GMT -6
I have a similiar situation up here with my Jr. Midget team. Good luck today with the game!
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Post by brophy on Sept 16, 2007 12:34:39 GMT -6
I'm a third year head coach (7th year coaching overall) and today we have a very big game. We are the 49ers and we're playing the Cowboys. You're not playing Kevin O'Shea, are you? That guy is one pompous mother! |
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Post by piquaindian on Sept 16, 2007 21:20:51 GMT -6
We lost the game 18-6...thanks to the officials.
I'm not one to complain about the refs as I know they are human but today was the worst I've ever seen.
We started out up 6-0. Then after a struggle they scored to tie it at 6. We threw an interception (I kick myself for that one, should've taken a knee) with 5.4 seconds left in the first half. They scored on a very poor display of tackling by our team, period. We had the running back stopped in the backfield, he broke out of that and then five other guys missed a tackle on the play.
12-6 at the half, can't complain. That's when it all went down hill.
I started off the second half by executing an onside kick that was a thing of beauty. However, we turned the ball over on the first play after that.
We were shutting down their running game when all of a sudden on 3rd down, we strip the running back and our speedster is racing towards the end zone with the ball. We are excited and the official on our sideline is watching him take off with it. The official on the far side blew the play dead and it happened right along our sideline. So there is one TD we are out.
They ended up punting and on their next possession, same situation, this time, just a loose ball fumble that we came out of the pile with and they gave possession back to them, I really didn't understand that one. Our guy had the ball and handed it to the official.
That same series, they punt the ball and we are telling our guys to get away (bad kick). Well the same speedster that had a touchdown robbed from him earlier sees no one around from the other team and the ball still rolling. He picks it up and there is literally no one around him. The Cowboys were walking back, thinking the play was over. The official on our sideline begins to run down the field with our player who is obviously going to score. Once again, the official on the far side blew an inadvertant whistle. He said he was sorry and asked if I'd like to have them kick again. I told him I'd like the touchdown and he said he couldn't do that (which I expected) but we took the ball there incase something bad happened.
Our offense couldn't do anything after we drove down to the 15 yard line. We were robbed for the final time on defense as we forced yet another fumble and wouldn't you know it, another inadvertant whistle that prevented us from getting possession one more time.
The coaches on the other team even said that had the officials been better, they would've lost that game.
It was obvious to everyone in the park.
I also asked the official after one incident listed above if he'd just give me a 15 yard penalty (to try to fire up my team) and he wouldn't even do that. I was going nuts but kept it in check so the players and parents didn't feed off of me too much.
We'll see them again in the championship but due to the fact that we got screwed over all day, I will show no mercy on the rest of the league and people can think I'm a bad guy for that all they want. I'm tired of the Cowboys winning all the time...and it's obviously not always on the field.
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Post by brophy on Sept 16, 2007 21:33:49 GMT -6
I also asked the official after one incident listed above if he'd just give me a 15 yard penalty (to try to fire up my team) and he wouldn't even do that. I was going nuts but kept it in check so the players and parents didn't feed off of me too much. could you go over the rationale on that one? thanks. |
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Post by piquaindian on Sept 17, 2007 4:36:46 GMT -6
I was calm when I asked if he'd throw a flag on me. I wanted the team to get it going.
I controlled it all though and kept my mouth quiet so that the parents didn't get fired up over it. Whenever I felt myself getting "out of line" I just walked to the other end of the field.
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Post by coachjim on Sept 17, 2007 15:42:52 GMT -6
piq, sounds like a game you will never forget, so now you see (and i'm sure with your experience you have realized this before) why at this level winning isn't important... victory is. Looks like your team had a great one. Played a great team, with adversity and character. Didn't win... and yet you did!
Those moments, games and memories are priceless.
My QB broke his fingers in a stupid scrimmage three days before our first game and we only officially were able to make roster requirment number seven weeks into practice. I know wht kinda stress that creates...
This last Sunday, game 2, we scored four times vs. the 2005 champs who had goose-egged the seven previous opponents... the adversity made the victory an emotional experience... it makes me feel like i'm walking in the clouds. We didn't win, but the victory was glorious. Like yours. Enjoy, sit back, and laugh.
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