This past weekend’s outcome was disappointing to say the least. The Crusaders were flat to start the game and it showed as Franklin returned the opening kick-off deep in our territory and scored a few plays later.
We seemed to recover. Our defense settled down and we had two big plays on offense but could only muster a field goal attempt and a touchdown out of fit. We had our chances to get back in the game and failed to capitalize.
Lou Holtz was coaching in his first year at North Carolina State in the 70’s. Early in the season they won a game against a stronger opponent in the fourth quarter. His team celebrated like they had won the national championship. The next week they were defeated by a lesser team. Holtz said you would’ve thought the entire team lost the last game of their career. He told his North Carolina State team that they were not as good as they thought they were the previous week or as bad as they thought they were after the loss. Somewhere in the middle is where reality lies. North Carolina State went on to have a winning season and appear in a bowl game.
In some respects the Crusaders are in the same situation. We are 0-2. However, we have seen some good things that we can build on. Somewhere in the middle is where reality lies. I told the team on Sunday that there is only one thing that matters. Did you win or did you lose. It does not matter what the score was. It is either a win or a loss. Either way, you work to eliminate the mistakes and play at a higher, more consistent level.
The consensus of our staff after our meeting on Sunday was to build on the things we did right and work to get the players to be more consistent. Consistency is the truest measure of performance and we have been very inconsistent in our play. We also discussed personnel moves so we will see how that plays out this week in practice for the St. Joe game on Saturday night. Consistency in practice is what will get you on the field in the home opener on Saturday night.
Our team leadership counsel addressed the team regarding their overall performance in practice and in the game on Saturday. While I cannot share their thoughts with you I am pleased with their thoughts and their challenge to their teammates.
We did have some good individual performances again this week. Here are our Players of the Week for Franklin:
Defense – Eli Crawford – DB
Special Teams – Greg Wood – Punter
Defensive Prep – Clifford Brooks
Offensive Prep - Kevin Montgomery
It’s a new week with a new opponent to prepare for. I hope to see Brown Field packed for the first night game on campus. Remember:
IT’S A NEW ERA FOR CRUSADER FOOTBALL!