Archives > Sports Update
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Offensive: Wolves unable to pile up points at 7-on-7 state tourney
BY Kevin Hageland, khageland@acnpapers.com
Friday and Saturday at the Fox Sports Southwest 7-on-7 State Championship, Plano West allowed point totals of 14, 21, 34 and 28.
Those totals gave a clear indication of where the Wolves should have been.
“In 7-on-7, if you give up an average in the mid-20s, you should win four straight games and be in the championship bracket,” said Kelly Mercer, West offensive coordinator.
But don’t blame the defense.
“I can’t say enough about our defense,” Mercer said. “They played at a championship level throughout the tournament.”
The offense, however, struggled. The Wolves put up an average of 16 points per game en route to finishing 1-2 in pool play and losing in the first round of the Consolation bracket.
“I’m not pleased with how we did at state at all,” said Mike Hughes, West varsity head coach. “I thought we’d do better, but we just didn’t execute on offense. We weren’t throwing and catching like we need to and like we usually do.”
West started off well Friday at Penberthy Intramural Fields in College Station as the Wolves knocked off Arlington Lamar, 20-14.
“We played Lamar a few weeks ago and they had got us pretty good, so we were excited about getting another shot at them,” Mercer said. “And the defense really got us going in that one.”
Senior Colby Conner was strong against Martin’s inside wide receivers while junior Logan Caillouet and returning senior Grant Cooper also lifted the defense. Those performances, combined with some key conversions by the offense, got West to 1-0 in Pool D with Katy up next.
“We were excited with the win and then sat for an hour before the next one,” Mercer said. “I guess we didn’t handle the break well because we came out flat against Katy.”
West lost to the eventual pool champion, 21-14, but still had an opportunity to advance to the Championship bracket with a win over Tyler John Tyler.
“At that point we still controlled our own destiny,” Mercer said, “and the guys really thought we were going to win.”
The Wolves were bested though, 34-18, and fell to 1-2 and third place in Pool D.
“Those first three games we just didn’t get the big catch or make the big throw when we really needed them,” Mercer said. “And if you do that, you aren’t going to win, especially against teams of this caliber.”
That was a message particularly taken to heart by senior quarterback Carson Smith.
“Carson was disappointed because he’s a competitor and he wants to win,” Mercer said. “One of the things we talked about after Friday’s games is the windows for throws in 7-on-7 being so much smaller than they will be in the fall because teams don’t have to play the run. So I told him to focus on anticipating that opening, not just waiting for it.”
That strategy seemed to pay off in the Consolation bracket opener as West scored two touchdowns in the first half against Pearland.
Unfortunately for the Wolves, those were the only points they scored in a 28-12 loss.
“When you play against teams as good as these you’ve got to execute better,” Hughes said. “The offense inherently has an advantage in 7-on-7, but I still feel like our defense played very well.”
Mercer was quick to agree, adding senior Daniel Kim and junior Davis Roeschke to his list of standouts.
“Daniel had a pick and several break-ups during the tournament; he just did his thing and played hard,” Mercer said. “And Davis was around the ball all day, like he usually is.”
The performance by the defense gave West encouragement for the fall, but so did another aspect of the trip to College Station.
The Wolves spent the bulk of the trip together on and off the field, meeting in the lobby of their hotel each morning and evening for meals.
One meal in particular stood out.
“We were at Chili’s Friday night and obviously the guys were disappointed about how the games had gone,” Mercer said. “They started off by talking about the John Tyler game and then started talking about football in the fall and then just started talking about the regular things kids discuss. And they were all doing this as a team; young and old, offensive and defensive players.
“We didn’t win as many games as we wanted, but the kids bonded and represented the program in a positive manner.”
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Sports Update «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
