Westfield 17 - Madison 7

[falcettik]

Rain made notetaking impossible so a few thoughts and observations.

Westfield offered to move this game to 7:00 pm today but Madison declined. IMO, this was probably due to the fact that MAD relies on their ground game whereas WF has a stronger passing game, and the weather would certainly have an influence. It almost worked.

There was emotion on both sidelines right from the beginning of the game but the emotion on the MAD sideline was really, really high from the opening whistle. After WF fumbled the opening KO and MAD recovered and went on to score quickly, it ratcheted up even higher-and that emotion would eventually start to cause issues. "Extra curriculars" occurred on both sides, but at the end of the game the emotions and unsportsmanlike conduct resulted in several penalties on MAD that killed their last gasp efforts.

MAD took the early lead on a TD that could have been waved off due to a taunting penalty (the MAD ball carrier turned around just inside the 5 yard line and pointed and said things as he ran into the end zone) but the penalty did not prevent the score and MAD was in front 7-0. Madison only threatened once more in the first half, after a WF turnover in their own end, but a 32 yard FG was short.

WF, on the other hand, had trouble handling the ball for most of the game. For the game, they had 7 fumbles, losing 3, and also a bad punt snap that gave MAD the ball deep in WF territory (technically not a turnover, but probably a 50-60 yard difference between the punt and the downed ball after the bad snap).

WF opened the second half with a quick scoring drive to tie the score at 7 all, held MAD, then went down and got a FG to take the lead at 10-7 late in the 3rd quarter. This was a big momentum swing.

In the second half the WF defense really put the clamps on the MAD offense and, coupled with a few unsportsmanlike penalties on MAD, kept MAD from ever threatening again. Up until late in the game MAD had been doing very well with ball security, despite three fumbles that they recovered themselves, but midway through the 4th quarter the WF defense got to the MAD QB and, when he went to pass, the ball slipped out of his hand and WF recovered on the MAD 8 yard line. WF then scored again with about 3-1/2 minutes to go to put the game away, 17-7. MAD now had to resort to the passing game, not their strength, and they were unable to move the ball on three consecutive possessions.

 

[SPL311U]

Given how closely James Madison plays Westfield, this is starting to turn into a rivalry match up. Westfield's second half adjustments on offense (pounding the ball with Asante) and the late mistake by the Warhawks, left the game to the Bulldogs.

Yes, on the "extras curriculars" on both sides...some deserved, but, emotions being different than unsportsman-like conduct. Three consecutive penalties for one play on one team is a bit over the top to from a 1st down to 4th and 10 to 4th and 40, especially with the team on top in the players' faces; the team that pushes back always gets the flag.

 

[falcettik]

Given how closely James Madison plays Westfield, this is starting to turn into a rivalry match up. Westfield's second half adjustments on offense (pounding the ball with Asante) and the late mistake by the Warhawks, left the game to the Bulldogs.

Yes, on the "extras curriculars" on both sides...some deserved, but, emotions being different than unsportsman-like conduct. Three consecutive penalties for one play on one team is a bit over the top to from a 1st down to 4th and 10 to 4th and 40, especially with the team on top in the players' faces; the team that pushes back always gets the flag.

Yes, both teams were talking but I am confident what was said by the MAD players - and even a few coaches - was a bit over the top. And it was going on all game long. I understand emotion but you have to draw a line and control yourself, and more than one player on that sideline wasn't doing that. I could name two specific players besides the one who was ejected who were particularly foul mouthed but since they are kids I won't. The coaches did little to stop it until the sequence you mention. I suspect you did not hear some of the language on that sideline; I did. One coach in particular should not be even allowed to mentor or coach young men after what I repeatedly witnessed of his behavior and language, and he acted the same way in a JV game at WF. Even the MAD head coach kept arguing with the officials that his team was only showing emotion, despite several warnings from the officials to have his team tone it down.

For the late 4th quarter sequence you are referring to above, you are a bit off target. A MAD player on the sideline entered the coaches box and shoved a WF player in front of the MAD bench after the WF player made a tackle. That same MAD player then said something inappropriate a few seconds later and got a second flag and was ejected for two unsportsmanlike conduct calls. And by the way, that same player got into it with a WF player on the field in the first quarter but no one was flagged that time.

Again, emotion is good. Madison had tons of it. But they did not appropriately channel or control it and it cost them, deservedly.

 

[BlueFan_rivals484007]

I noticed that WF QB Noah Kim was out in one series, in fourth quarter I think. WF WR Morin took Kim's place at QB for that series. Do you know the reason for this substitution?

 

[SPL311U]

Yes, both teams were talking but I am confident what was said by the MAD players - and even a few coaches - was a bit over the top. And it was going on all game long. I understand emotion but you have to draw a line and control yourself, and more than one player on that sideline wasn't doing that. I could name two specific players besides the one who was ejected who were particularly foul mouthed but since they are kids I won't. The coaches did little to stop it until the sequence you mention. I suspect you did not hear some of the language on that sideline; I did. One coach in particular should not be even allowed to mentor or coach young men after what I repeatedly witnessed of his behavior and language, and he acted the same way in a JV game at WF. Even the MAD head coach kept arguing with the officials that his team was only showing emotion, despite several warnings from the officials to have his team tone it down.

For the late 4th quarter sequence you are referring to above, you are a bit off target. A MAD player on the sideline entered the coaches box and shoved a WF player in front of the MAD bench after the WF player made a tackle. That same MAD player then said something inappropriate a few seconds later and got a second flag and was ejected for two unsportsmanlike conduct calls. And by the way, that same player got into it with a WF player on the field in the first quarter but no one was flagged that time.

Again, emotion is good. Madison had tons of it. But they did not appropriately channel or control it and it cost them, deservedly.

Then I stand corrected...I didn't know that you would have specific sideline insight on what was said and by whom...looked quite different from the stands (or that Westfield was completely innocent throughout the game).

Given the seriousness of what you stated that you personally observed, I will ask that you convey this information in e-mail directly to the James Madison principal (Greg Hood) and DSA (John Kenney).

 

[falcettik]

I noticed that WF QB Noah Kim was out in one series, in fourth quarter I think. WF WR Morin took Kim's place at QB for that series. Do you know the reason for this substitution?

I cannot say why the decision was made, other than WF has a wildcat formation with Morin in the backfield. It worked well while it was used.

 

[falcettik]

Then I stand corrected...I didn't know that you would have specific sideline insight on what was said and by whom...looked quite different from the stands (or that Westfield was completely innocent throughout the game).

Given the seriousness of what you stated that you personally observed, I will ask that you convey this information in e-mail directly to the James Madison principal (Greg Hood) and DSA (John Kenney).

SPL311U, I am a volunteer and not an administrator or staff member. I think that the situation is better handled by the team and the school administration. A few kids were over the top and/or let the situation get the better of them. I would hope they are decent young men who just over-reacted. They play a sport that is physically and emotionally charged and, being kids, sometimes make poor choices, especially in the heat of the moment. I would be surprised if the coaching staff isn't already aware and believe they should address the situation internally, and in conjunction with the school administration if necessary.

On a side note, I agree that WF was most likely not completely innocent but I don't have personal knowledge of anything. IMO, all the trash talking and antics has no place on the field/court. It is designed to provoke and escalate. However, that is the world we live in now. Young players see it from some of their adult roles models and think it is OK. It shouldn't be.