JCA Looks The Same
- Thread starter Secondo1
- Start date
You mean in the past decades where they have been arguably the most successful program in the state? I would be ecstatic if they played like the teams of the past decades. Reminder....they had one down year, ONE! How about we let the season play out before relegate the program obsolete?
Last edited:
Exactly. That program doesn't need too many football players to make that offense go.
JCA will be fine they have four good running backs. If you where under the impression that they would go spread you where mistaken. In two games under Jaws they sent out four receivers on all but two passing plays. The previous 30 years they sent out four receivers twice. So it's not a new offense or defense. It's a slight wrinkle here and there the first year. It would be very difficult in the first year as a coach to change the offense that these kids have been playing for 2-3 years.
Defensively they have not changed a ton and it kills them on a spread offense. They need to press their corners which they don't. So far all that is different in the defense so far is a few variations of blitzs they do. However, they don't need a huge change in that area they need to tweak it to be more effective.
IMO, they are slight favorites this Friday and are also favored against Marian Catholic. They will be need to spring a few upsets in the remaining games to get to 5 wins. In my view, that means they have to win 4 of their next 6, because they are not beating Marist up there in Week 9.
Agree with some of the previous comments about changes. As a new coach, it's tough to institute wholesale change when the varsity players have been in a certain system since their freshmen years. Not sure what you were expecting as far as a return to former levels of success, but I'd suggest you familiarize yourself with the lower level talent. How did the current varsity players fare in the lower levels? Is the talent level near what it was in the past? Jaws or any other coach cannot magically create players, once they reach the varsity level. Jaws' biggest challenge is increasing the numbers and overall talent level in the program. That's not an easy task.
JCA should start looking in Providence territory like Frankfort. Hit Frankfort hard and maybe make some inroads in Flossmoor too.
Poor Marian Catholic... they lost to Yorkville 49-0 last week. Yorkville lost to West Aurora 46-3 week one.
Offensively, I do not believe that they have shifted beyond 2nd gear yet and expect the shift to be gradual as the season moves along. If what we saw weeks 1 & 2 is what we see week 8 & 9, I will tip my hat to you.
Pen - totally agree. It's clear to see this team has some nice talent, and I like what I see. A few extra notes from my eyes...we have four juniors on the line...they need to develop...WN's line was their strength imo. Second, the soph rb is explosive, but now, butler is the better blocker...and may be needed more on o to make it click timing wise. We'll see more butler on D, where he will be a monster (and still on O) and more of the soph making huge plays.
I would be very surprised if the O does not click and put up many points.
There is a lot more to be developed via ground and air --- working to first get the building blocks in place.
IMHO, any mature, solid running team (like a WN, CG, etc.) was a bad early season match up for this young Hilltopper squad: They can/did eat the clock and limit Offensive possessions and the ability to get in rhythm, plus they have keen insight into defending a running game.
From a repetition stand point, most ESCC opponents Defenses will be geared to defend the Spread as that is what now dominates the conference --- which can only help the boys.
The Hilltopper Defense remains the wild card to me --- Jaws spent a lot of time on that side of the ball.
It may be a Homer's optimism, but I still have a good feel for what these guys can become.
The most important game is always the next game on your schedule and for the boys that is St. Pat's.
There is a lot more to be developed via ground and air --- working to first get the building blocks in place.
IMHO, any mature, solid running team (like a WN, CG, etc.) was a bad early season match up for this young Hilltopper squad: They can/did eat the clock and limit Offensive possessions and the ability to get in rhythm, plus they have keen insight into defending a running game.
From a repetition stand point, most ESCC opponents Defenses will be geared to defend the Spread as that is what now dominates the conference --- which can only help the boys.
The Hilltopper Defense remains the wild card to me --- Jaws spent a lot of time on that side of the ball.
It may be a Homer's optimism, but I still have a good feel for what these guys can become.
The most important game is always the next game on your schedule and for the boys that is St. Pat's.