Only in his second year as HC, Shramek's Germantown team is progressing while Hall's MC team appears stagnate or regressing. Shramek's team seems more disciplined, exhibits sound fundamentals in assignments and tackling, and also seems better conditioned.
Without QB Schwartz and WR Keith Williams, MC would be 0-6. Special teams continues to be a weakness (something Hall admitted during a recent booster club meeting). Hall touted this season would display a smaller roster, but more athletic and "really, really, fast". This year includes a Jr class which has dominated their opponents in every game during their 8th, 9th, and JV seasons. However, that has not translated to the field. Remember, those 8th, 9th, and JV players from other schools the MC Jr's crushed are the Jr's on the teams they face now. The offense is clearly carrying the team lead by Schwartz and Williams. The defense tackling is very weak and does not appear to be on track to get better. With tackling on defense and special teams a glaring weakness, the defense spends a grand total of 15 minutes on tackling drills during weekly practice. That's not per day, that's cumulative for the week. Defense is such a weakness, that after the West Monroe beat down, Hall, who is usually hands off on the defense, spent two days working with the defense at practice. Injuries, a sign of poor conditioning, are also staring to take a toll. But because there is not depth being developed, players are being shifted to other positions with some moving from offense to defense and vice versa. Weekly practices consist mostly of walk-throughs in preparation for Friday night with about 75 players standing on the sidelines watching or acting a blocking dummies.
The primary cause appears to be the loss of Mangum as the DC and the addition of the new DC and LB coach. This will be a down year and worse next season as there is virtually no talent coming up through the ranks. Last week, the 8th grade team, coached by the new LB coach, was thumped by Clinton by four touchdowns. Clinton scored on virtually every possession. The 9th grade team was also thumped by Clinton. The JV team is playing great, but it consists of mostly Jr's as there are not enough 10th graders to field a team.
Contrast that with Shramek whose roster consists primarily of players discarded by MC. QB Shell is growing in his position, the backs run downhill behind their pads, the defense can tackle in space, and their practices are more physical. The GHS coaches are also building depth as there is very little standing around just watching. Player attitude is different as well. GHS players are playing with confidence and pride while MC players, at times seem less than enthusiastic.
MC will probably win their region, but benefit primarily because it is usually weak. GHS however, is being talked about in the media as the favorite to win their region in only Shramek's second season.
This may seem like I'm just trashing a program. That's not the case at all. At MC, the expectations are high and with the facilities, money, boosters, players, this team should be clicking on all cylinders and it is not. Don't take my word for it, practices are open at both MC and GHS. Go watch each and draw your own conclusions.
Without QB Schwartz and WR Keith Williams, MC would be 0-6. Special teams continues to be a weakness (something Hall admitted during a recent booster club meeting). Hall touted this season would display a smaller roster, but more athletic and "really, really, fast". This year includes a Jr class which has dominated their opponents in every game during their 8th, 9th, and JV seasons. However, that has not translated to the field. Remember, those 8th, 9th, and JV players from other schools the MC Jr's crushed are the Jr's on the teams they face now. The offense is clearly carrying the team lead by Schwartz and Williams. The defense tackling is very weak and does not appear to be on track to get better. With tackling on defense and special teams a glaring weakness, the defense spends a grand total of 15 minutes on tackling drills during weekly practice. That's not per day, that's cumulative for the week. Defense is such a weakness, that after the West Monroe beat down, Hall, who is usually hands off on the defense, spent two days working with the defense at practice. Injuries, a sign of poor conditioning, are also staring to take a toll. But because there is not depth being developed, players are being shifted to other positions with some moving from offense to defense and vice versa. Weekly practices consist mostly of walk-throughs in preparation for Friday night with about 75 players standing on the sidelines watching or acting a blocking dummies.
The primary cause appears to be the loss of Mangum as the DC and the addition of the new DC and LB coach. This will be a down year and worse next season as there is virtually no talent coming up through the ranks. Last week, the 8th grade team, coached by the new LB coach, was thumped by Clinton by four touchdowns. Clinton scored on virtually every possession. The 9th grade team was also thumped by Clinton. The JV team is playing great, but it consists of mostly Jr's as there are not enough 10th graders to field a team.
Contrast that with Shramek whose roster consists primarily of players discarded by MC. QB Shell is growing in his position, the backs run downhill behind their pads, the defense can tackle in space, and their practices are more physical. The GHS coaches are also building depth as there is very little standing around just watching. Player attitude is different as well. GHS players are playing with confidence and pride while MC players, at times seem less than enthusiastic.
MC will probably win their region, but benefit primarily because it is usually weak. GHS however, is being talked about in the media as the favorite to win their region in only Shramek's second season.
This may seem like I'm just trashing a program. That's not the case at all. At MC, the expectations are high and with the facilities, money, boosters, players, this team should be clicking on all cylinders and it is not. Don't take my word for it, practices are open at both MC and GHS. Go watch each and draw your own conclusions.
