Pudlugger
09-21-2003, 08:52 AM
La Grange dominated a spirited and physical Crystal City team in a game marked by a stark contrast between two Leopards: One is young and uncertain and at times makes silly errors while attacking its prey; the other is fast, lethal and stealthy striking with precision and poise. In the first half the Leps were held to 0 points in a 0-0 stalemate largely due to 4 turnovers and failure to convert inside the 20 twice on 4th and short. The defense bent but did not break and at times looked like the defense of years past yet twice got burrned on deep passes that could have been batted down. The team looked disorganized and at times confused. The play calling was also somewhat surprising, not going with a two TE set but splitting a 150 lb receiver wide then running to that side twice inside the 10. First on 3rd and short, then on 4th and short failing to convert in a crucial drive just before the half.
I don't know what the coaches said at half-time but a different team stepped out on the field in the third period. The Leps toally dominated a stunned Javalina defense scoring 28 points in the third period before Coach pulled the first O and started giving the second and third O some playing time. One defensive back/receiver who had turned the ball over twice on fumbled punt returns in the first half made up for this in the second half by recovering 4 Javalina fumbles and scoring on a beautiful 50 yard post pattern breaking a tackle and putting on some real jets down the sideline. The ability to come back from adversity and make big plays is the hallmark of champions and this kid individually and the Leopard team as a whole demonstrated just that last night. I hope they can go from here to gel as the team that came out in the third quarter. It looks like the Leopards finally have learned how to hunt like the big cats.
I don't know what the coaches said at half-time but a different team stepped out on the field in the third period. The Leps toally dominated a stunned Javalina defense scoring 28 points in the third period before Coach pulled the first O and started giving the second and third O some playing time. One defensive back/receiver who had turned the ball over twice on fumbled punt returns in the first half made up for this in the second half by recovering 4 Javalina fumbles and scoring on a beautiful 50 yard post pattern breaking a tackle and putting on some real jets down the sideline. The ability to come back from adversity and make big plays is the hallmark of champions and this kid individually and the Leopard team as a whole demonstrated just that last night. I hope they can go from here to gel as the team that came out in the third quarter. It looks like the Leopards finally have learned how to hunt like the big cats.