Let's give an honest assessment of the team.
First, three goals that I was aware of (going 10-0, winning the GBC, and making the playoffs) were not accomplished. However, they should be proud of an 8-2 record.
----
Offensive Line: (Grade: A) Let's be honest, these kids gave Foos plenty of time to throw most of the season and also provided a solid line for Spencer and others to run through.
Wide Receivers: (Grade: B- ) I think most were disappointed in the numbers put up by highly touted Davis. Mierke stepped up from the Findlay game on. Jones and Brown were also effective receivers. However, there is still some work to do on dropping some easy catches.
Backfield: (Grade: A) - Spencer did a fabulous job and so did Trautwein at times during the season. Credit that to the O-Line as well.
QB: (Grade: B) - Foos had a decent year and his INTs were down most of the season. He struggled at times at not getting rid of the ball and taking a sack instead. Also struggled at hitting his target early on in the year. With that said, he also did a good job leading the team and running the ball on plays called in his direction.
Defensive Line: (C) - After the first 5 weeks I'd have given the D-line a better grade. Probably a B+ They held strong against the early part of the schedule and Urbania from Benedictine. However, we all know things changed drastically in GBC play. We also need to learn how to tackle. That's been a problem for years.
Defensive Backfield: (B-) : I don't think they did bad at all. One player struggled a few weeks in a row turning and reading any pass plays coming in his direction but Trautwein was solid and Harvey did a good job as well after coming back from his injury.
Punting: (C) : Can we start training a few kids in the younger age brackets to punt?
FG/XP Kicking: (D): Again, what about training some kids to kick? I honestly feel Hamilton did just fine when the snaps were there and placed; however, it was very inconsistent. We're a D1 school and should have at least one person who can kick from 35-40 range fairly consistent.
Kickoffs: (C +): Again, I'd love to see us kick off to the endzone like Findlay's kicker, but I'll also be honest and say those little pooch kicks worked at least half the time for fumbles or keeping the other team from setting up a kick return for a TD.
Special Teams/Punt Returns: (B): They had bright spots but the grade could go much lower. Most high schoolers struggle with catching punts at times or knowing when to catch it or let it go. We definitely struggled with that.
Coaching: (B): Overall, I am very pleased at where Kidwell has us. We have an effective passing game. We now have an effective running game so we can mix up our play calls. Defensively, we know we need to get bigger and stronger. That's not a bash on those kids, but they were under-sized. The ONLY negative comments I think should be brought up are so marginal. We make some dumb play calls from time to time but you can't blame that solely on the coach as those types of plays are needed, but perhaps the execution of those plays are what fails them. The ONLY thing I'll say is this: Let's stop that pitch play in tight games (i.e. Whitmer, Benedictine, Napoleon, etc.). Otherwise, all LG fans should be happy that we are 8-2 (even without the playoffs) instead of 0-10, 1-9, or even 5-5.
Thanks for a fun season FRLGs.
First, three goals that I was aware of (going 10-0, winning the GBC, and making the playoffs) were not accomplished. However, they should be proud of an 8-2 record.
----
Offensive Line: (Grade: A) Let's be honest, these kids gave Foos plenty of time to throw most of the season and also provided a solid line for Spencer and others to run through.
Wide Receivers: (Grade: B- ) I think most were disappointed in the numbers put up by highly touted Davis. Mierke stepped up from the Findlay game on. Jones and Brown were also effective receivers. However, there is still some work to do on dropping some easy catches.
Backfield: (Grade: A) - Spencer did a fabulous job and so did Trautwein at times during the season. Credit that to the O-Line as well.
QB: (Grade: B) - Foos had a decent year and his INTs were down most of the season. He struggled at times at not getting rid of the ball and taking a sack instead. Also struggled at hitting his target early on in the year. With that said, he also did a good job leading the team and running the ball on plays called in his direction.
Defensive Line: (C) - After the first 5 weeks I'd have given the D-line a better grade. Probably a B+ They held strong against the early part of the schedule and Urbania from Benedictine. However, we all know things changed drastically in GBC play. We also need to learn how to tackle. That's been a problem for years.
Defensive Backfield: (B-) : I don't think they did bad at all. One player struggled a few weeks in a row turning and reading any pass plays coming in his direction but Trautwein was solid and Harvey did a good job as well after coming back from his injury.
Punting: (C) : Can we start training a few kids in the younger age brackets to punt?
FG/XP Kicking: (D): Again, what about training some kids to kick? I honestly feel Hamilton did just fine when the snaps were there and placed; however, it was very inconsistent. We're a D1 school and should have at least one person who can kick from 35-40 range fairly consistent.
Kickoffs: (C +): Again, I'd love to see us kick off to the endzone like Findlay's kicker, but I'll also be honest and say those little pooch kicks worked at least half the time for fumbles or keeping the other team from setting up a kick return for a TD.
Special Teams/Punt Returns: (B): They had bright spots but the grade could go much lower. Most high schoolers struggle with catching punts at times or knowing when to catch it or let it go. We definitely struggled with that.
Coaching: (B): Overall, I am very pleased at where Kidwell has us. We have an effective passing game. We now have an effective running game so we can mix up our play calls. Defensively, we know we need to get bigger and stronger. That's not a bash on those kids, but they were under-sized. The ONLY negative comments I think should be brought up are so marginal. We make some dumb play calls from time to time but you can't blame that solely on the coach as those types of plays are needed, but perhaps the execution of those plays are what fails them. The ONLY thing I'll say is this: Let's stop that pitch play in tight games (i.e. Whitmer, Benedictine, Napoleon, etc.). Otherwise, all LG fans should be happy that we are 8-2 (even without the playoffs) instead of 0-10, 1-9, or even 5-5.
Thanks for a fun season FRLGs.
