11, 12, and a couple of 13 yr olds on the team. B-level league. We had only enough boys to fill 2 teams. The dominant schools in our division have 5-8 teams in the same age group. Yep, we compete using the middle of the bell curve and play against the better tail.
A week ago we lost 7 players in one game. This week was the finale against the sole unbeaten team in the league. Since our QB can throw, we have two very good receivers, and our line has been quite good at passblocking, we decided to install the DC Run & Shoot.
The first practice was on a snow covered field, which was nice to outline the zones in teaching the zones and routes, but was horrible for practicing because the conditions were such that the snow clung to the ball in a particular bad way that made throwing and catching impossible.
The next night went well, and Friday night we looked GOOD.
Saturday at the game, we could not get the pass attack going. Nine straight incompletions and three punts, and we were down 21-0. (We were slightly better than 50% completion rate before this game.) We could not contain the outside rush, which prevented us from even rolling out to buy more time.
We scored once on an inside deep when our receive got behind coverage, the throw was a little short as the QB got drilled as releasing, coverage tipped, our man caught it, and got himself down to the 3, and we punched it in. We also scored on a kickoff return, but that's not important.
The opposing team played the second half with its non-starters, and we finished without being humiliated. The 12 points we scored is more points than any other team in the last three years.
Candidly, the other team had at least 8-10 players as big, good or better than our best man.
I've got a year now to learn the offense better and teach it to the QB and receivers, whom I hope I'll have again next year because there is a strong chance the A team will select them. The QB is my son, so I can keep him off the A team.
We had a surprisingly good year despite ending up 2-7. (Our A team finished 3-6) Except for the last two weeks, the games we lost were very close and not decided until the final whistle. In fact, overall we outscored our collective opponents.
I am going to miss coaching and look forward to next year.
