Archives > Sports Update
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Football: Physicality the key in first spring under coach Dane Johnson
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
First-year Flower Mound head football coach Dane Johnson said the Jaguars had one goal during spring practice: to be more physical.
If the second play of Thursday's Spring Game was any indication, then mission accomplished.
Defensive back Nathan Liebsch delivered a jarring hit to break up a pass on the second play from scrimmage, setting the tone for a physical contest that his Silver team went on to win, 21-12.
"Tonight was just for fun," Johnson said. "We've put in a lot of work this spring, so tonight we just wanted to split the teams up evenly and create a little competition between the two and see the kids get after it. We wanted to make sure it was in a game situation, though, so we could get a little better idea of who we could count on and who has developed. I loved the effort tonight. I loved the physicality. I thought we did a good job tonight and I thought we had a real good spring."
While Liebsch set the tone defensively for the Silver team with a big hit, it was a little razzle-dazzle that got the offense rolling.
After holding Navy to a turnover on downs on its first possession -- each team had three plays to gain first-down yardage with no fourth down attempts or special teams during the game -- the Silver squad got on the board on its second offensive play when Delvin Holmes connected with Liebsch on a halfback pass for a 6-0 lead.
Navy evened the contest two possessions later when quarterback Tim Millard darted in from 8 yards out. The score was setup by a 26-yard leaping catch down the sideline from Foster Finn.
After the squads traded stops, the Silver team regained the advantage when received Charles Hammit got behind the defense on a delayed streak and hauled in a 55-yard touchdown reception from quarterback John Hoffmeister. Silver had another lengthy drive on its following possession, but the drive stalled when Chase Gallagher made an interception for Navy.
Silver doubled its lead when Hofmeister converted a third-and-long to Liebsch before plunging on a quarterback-keeper for an 18-6 lead.
Each squad would tack on one more score during the contest, with Navy finding the end zone on a 35-yard touchdown run by quarterback Matthew Hirst -- just two plays after having a 47-yard touchdown run called back because of a penalty.
Silver, meanwhile, finished with a 41-yard field goal on the final play by Kyle Edmiston.
"We had a great game with a great crowd and we appreciate their support," Johnson said.
While the Spring Game was a big step, there are still nuances to learn and adjust to under a new coaching staff. But Johnson believes there is still plenty of time to do so. For the spring, it was all about hitting.
"Our whole focus has been about mental and physical toughness and attitude," he said. "That's all we were worried about. We want them to learn our system. But the No. 1 thing is we want to learn to play physical football. That's what it's going to take to win our district. To make the playoffs, you're going to have to be the most physical team. We looked at that offensively and defensively. We went out there and hit everyday and our kids did a great job. They want to do well. They want to be coached up and they want to win. I'm real pleased with the progress."
Johnson has also been impressed with the leadership he has seen despite a rather youthful roster.
"It is a young group," he said. "We're very inexperienced, but we have a strong senior class and you're only as good as your seniors. We might not have a lot of experience, but we have five games before district to get that. It doesn't matter what we do in those five games, it matters what happens in those five after that. We can use all of that time to gain experience. But we do have a strong senior class and a bunch of leaders, so I think we're going to be alright.
"You can tell with the seniors that it means more right now. They know it's their last go-around and they need to step up and they did."
Flower Mound also came away from spring ball rather healthy despite stressing the importance of physicality.
"We were very fortunate," Johnson said. "We had a couple of injuries here or there, but nothing that will hold anybody out all year long. We were able to understand the physical play we want within the offense and defense but stay healthy at the same time."
Flower Mound will continue preparing for the 2012 campaign during the summer when it implements a weight program as well as competing in a few 7-on-7 leagues.
"Now it's about trying to get in shape," Johnson said. "We'll do a little 7-on-7, but we throw the ball so much now, there isn't a premium on it like there used to be. They do it all the time. Now it's lets get healthy, stay in shape and improve."
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 ^
