Post by CrusadingLions on Sept 29, 2015 6:47:35 GMT -6
Just a few thoughts on the Ascension Christian - Westminster game:
Might be shocking but last friday's loss to Westminster 40-20 was filled with way more positives than negatives for our program.
To clarify, The Lions lost 23 straight games from 2010-2013. Started off the 2012 season with under 20 guys dressed out, none with significant experience and even had rumors that the program was getting shut down.
Needless to say we took our lumps against most solid teams we faced and usually had the dreaded running clock in the second half against most.
Like with most programs we are building and have made steps towards becoming a credible and formidable program.
First we had to have a little success, which we did having 2 wins in 2013 and improving to 3 wins last year.
Next step was to be competitive against a solid team which we finally did on Friday. I can't give enough respect to Westminster. Very physical and very well coached team. WCA was a total class act and a very enjoyable team to watch.
The score was tied at 7 going into the second quarter. We made a few mistakes and ended up down 20-7 at halftime. Westminster started the second half and hit a bomb and scored on the first play going up 27-7. In years past we would have folded once the score got to 20-7 and would have probably ended up losing by 50+ points. Instead after they made it 20-7 we drove down inside the 10 and had a dropped pass and another overthrown pass that could have easily made the game 20-14.
Once the game was 27-7 early in the 3rd we were all wondering if the "same old" Lion team would show up where we would accept defeat and ended up losing 54-7. Instead our team stayed focus and drove down to cut the lead to 27-13. Westminster drove inside the 1 yard line and the Lion D made a goal line stand.
We ended the 3rd down 27-13 and driving. Eventually we fell 40-20.
I'll acknowledge that losing 40-20 is never a desired result. But for our program it was a big result. It showed us that we are capable of playing a solid team. The team left the field friday night and was itching to get back to practice and itching to start preparing for Houma Christian this Friday. More importantly, they now believe that they can hang with whoever else is lined up across from us and can beat teams if we just play well and execute.
It had been a tough start to the program but it finally feels like we have turned the corner. To see our home fans making a ton of noise midway through the fourth quarter on a forth down play that actually meant something was a great feeling. Seeing a few of our guys get smiles on their face from that was even better.
Of course this isn't the final step. We now know we can compete with solid teams/programs. The next step is that we have to actually beat one of the programs. Will be fun to watch how the season plays out. We are 2-2 right now and have some good momentum. It finally feels like this team believes in themselves. The challenge now will be to put it all together. Coach JP has done a great job getting our numbers up (32) and is starting to build culture and tradition at the school. Really excited to see how the rest of the season plays out.
Again I can't stress enough of how impressed I was with Westminster. Total class act and definitely look forward to travelling to WCA next year.
Might be shocking but last friday's loss to Westminster 40-20 was filled with way more positives than negatives for our program.
To clarify, The Lions lost 23 straight games from 2010-2013. Started off the 2012 season with under 20 guys dressed out, none with significant experience and even had rumors that the program was getting shut down.
Needless to say we took our lumps against most solid teams we faced and usually had the dreaded running clock in the second half against most.
Like with most programs we are building and have made steps towards becoming a credible and formidable program.
First we had to have a little success, which we did having 2 wins in 2013 and improving to 3 wins last year.
Next step was to be competitive against a solid team which we finally did on Friday. I can't give enough respect to Westminster. Very physical and very well coached team. WCA was a total class act and a very enjoyable team to watch.
The score was tied at 7 going into the second quarter. We made a few mistakes and ended up down 20-7 at halftime. Westminster started the second half and hit a bomb and scored on the first play going up 27-7. In years past we would have folded once the score got to 20-7 and would have probably ended up losing by 50+ points. Instead after they made it 20-7 we drove down inside the 10 and had a dropped pass and another overthrown pass that could have easily made the game 20-14.
Once the game was 27-7 early in the 3rd we were all wondering if the "same old" Lion team would show up where we would accept defeat and ended up losing 54-7. Instead our team stayed focus and drove down to cut the lead to 27-13. Westminster drove inside the 1 yard line and the Lion D made a goal line stand.
We ended the 3rd down 27-13 and driving. Eventually we fell 40-20.
I'll acknowledge that losing 40-20 is never a desired result. But for our program it was a big result. It showed us that we are capable of playing a solid team. The team left the field friday night and was itching to get back to practice and itching to start preparing for Houma Christian this Friday. More importantly, they now believe that they can hang with whoever else is lined up across from us and can beat teams if we just play well and execute.
It had been a tough start to the program but it finally feels like we have turned the corner. To see our home fans making a ton of noise midway through the fourth quarter on a forth down play that actually meant something was a great feeling. Seeing a few of our guys get smiles on their face from that was even better.
Of course this isn't the final step. We now know we can compete with solid teams/programs. The next step is that we have to actually beat one of the programs. Will be fun to watch how the season plays out. We are 2-2 right now and have some good momentum. It finally feels like this team believes in themselves. The challenge now will be to put it all together. Coach JP has done a great job getting our numbers up (32) and is starting to build culture and tradition at the school. Really excited to see how the rest of the season plays out.
Again I can't stress enough of how impressed I was with Westminster. Total class act and definitely look forward to travelling to WCA next year.