By Zach Buckley
The Saints are on a search far and wide for not only a way to score, but to find an identity. They have not found a way to believe in themselves for four quarters yet. Worse than that, they are still not following what they have been coached.
Head coach Terry Underwood had some things to say about that, “Our light hasn’t come on yet. I think I our kids want to do well. They play hard, but they have to play within the system they’ve been taught. In critical moments, we know better than try to field a punt inside the five. We know better than snapping the ball over the punter’s head. We know better than not running the play that was called by coaches. We have coached them not to do those things. They panicked, and I take full responsibility for that. We have had opportunities. We were in this ball game for a good three-quarters. It’s frustrating for me, and it’s frustrating for them. Until we cancel out the stupid stuff, we are not gonna be where we want to be.”
Sylva-Bay has been in situations to win or at least stay within striking distance against two good football teams, Winston and Newton Academy. This Saint team is not only young, but they are mighty thin. Their numbers are low, and it will be challenging for this slim group to keep composure for four entire quarters.
The sky is not falling on for Saint-nation just yet. They are not far off from seeing success. Their defense has a ‘bend-don’t-break’ mentality. They have made some big stops in the red zone. They held the Generals to 14 points through almost three quarters.
Offense seems to be the area of needed improvement. They were able to score 12 points on big plays. They simply have to find a way to sustain drives. Both touchdowns came from more than 70 yards out. Ty Crosby returned the opening kickoff for 82 yards. Hunter Sykes threw a 71-yd score on a bubble-screen to Casey Houston. That play alone accounted for more than half of their 125-yd output of total offense.
“Give Newton credit. They are a good physical football team. I thought we played with them for two and a half to three-quarters. They had opportunities to cash in, and they did. We had opportunities we didn’t cash in. Until we can make that kind of plays, we won’t be on the right side of the score board,” said Underwood.
Underwood and his players know they have put in good work. They also know they have plenty of good football left. Underwood has bragged on his young group about how they never give up. Mistakes are inevitable, but giving up has not been the problem. That is a positive to draw on next week.
Things will get better. The Saints will host three teams that match-up better for them. They have played three really good teams where they were not evenly matched. Brookhaven Academy will not give them anything easy. This young group could win this game if they dig deep and make big plays in the fourth quarter. They will only get better as this young season continues.
