Bill Motta and his staff appear to have a challenging summer in store as they prepare St. Ed’s varsity football team for an August 22 preseason classic that preludes the 2014 regular season.
The first order of business is to find an offense that was kept off the board in the spring game and chalked up only five non-penalty related first downs.
A 25 yard pass from Johnny Schwerer to Brian Carter and a 13 yard run by Danny Walsh were the only two offensive plays of note in the 12-0 shutout administered by Agape Christian Academy of Orlando.
“We sat down to watch the film and I had the players grade part of it,” Motta said. “Details matter. The No. 1 thing that we have to work on is blocking. That’s the most important thing across the board for any high school team.
“Our blocking was deficient. We don’t really have any depth anywhere, but we’re really shallow and thin on the offensive line. It’s tedious (to work on blocking techniques) and not really fun in practice, but that’s what you have to spend the most time on. The learning curve is a very steep.
“The other glaring weakness was the concept of edge play, which is always a thorn defensively. It’s hard to comprehend the responsibility of contain versus a pass rush. When there’s flow in the other direction you have to stay home and be ready. We gave up the edge and that hurt us on a couple of plays that would have ended drives.
“Those are all correctable problems and the game film is really a great teaching tool for that.”
Emphasis on fundamentals is something Motta will preach as long as wears a headset on Friday nights. To that end, he is counting on close to full participation in the weight room over the summer before everyone pads up when training camp opens in August.
As Motta enters year five as head coach, the transfer of key players (Brock Miller and Cameron Hendricks) and a perennially short roster continue to thwart continuity. Only 18 players suited up against Agape.
“I’m not really discouraged; there are going to be ebbs and flows to everything,” Motta said. “You lose some good players, but one man does not make a team. That’s a concept everyone learns as life goes on. These boys understand that no matter how good you are, no one person is bigger than the team. And they know that’s true in football more than any other sport.”
As the roster is currently set, nine sophomores and two freshmen will likely determine how successfully 2014 unfolds and they develop under the watchful guidance of a handful of experienced upperclassmen.
“As far as leadership goes, two returning seniors that come to the top of my head are Ian Leveton and Johnny Schwerer. Those are the two big leaders. They have really stepped up and embraced that role.
“Leveton put together a really nice game. On defense I was pleased with his play at safety and outside linebacker. On offense he’s still carrying the ball like he did last year. He’s a very tough runner, churning to get every tough yard he can. He just keeps bringing it, play after play.
“Brian Carter is probably going to be our marquee player. He certainly passes the eyeball test at six foot three, 220 lbs. He’s gotten a lot of Division 1 interest. He had a great game on defense. He’s independently motivated and a leader in his own right.
“He’s not a verbal guy, but he’s a very high character young man. That’s really important and hopefully the younger players will learn something from that and follow his initiative to do well.”
Carter caught a pass, was the lynchpin on blitz packages at linebacker, and filled in at offensive tackle when another player was injured. That type of versatility is a must for this team, as is the need to avoid injuries with so many two way players.
“The boys don’t gripe,” Motta said. “They understand we’re in this together and we’re going to do what we’ve got to do to make the whole better.”
Motta singled out Mason Heim as a “real bright spot” at linebacker and as the long snapper. John Ferro was described as “a little guy who just played his butt off at the nose guard spot.” Danny Walsh pitched in favorably at safety, linebacker and running back, prompting his coach to say “I believe he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with.”
The highlights of the night were provided by Zane Zudans. He intercepted two passes and broke up two more using a cushion technique from his defensive backfield position. Motta said “he was consistently good and he understands what we’re trying to teach.”
What Motta is really trying to instill in his players is the importance of investment in the team and responsibility for everything they do. He thinks his guys are getting it.
“The character that these boys develop is way more important than wins and losses. The boys here are mature and they are responsible. The lessons they learn on the football field and the camaraderie they are building out there translate immediately to life.”