PLYMOUTH – Focus continues to be the word of choice around the locker room at Plymouth as a big win over Concord a week ago only means that this week Goshen stands in the way of an NLC title.
“(Coach) Bob Garrity made a point the other night at practice – he told me that we should probably remind them that the only thing they are guaranteed right now is a 7-3 season,” said Plymouth coach John Barron. “We’ve gotten a lot of kudos this week from a lot of people. We need to control what we can control which is our effort in practice.”
Breaking down film from an outstanding performance at Concord a week ago was a pleasant experience as the Rockies could do little wrong after the first 20 seconds of the game.
“We wanted to shut the run down,” said Barron. “I felt going in if they were going to do what they do and we would do what we do we’d be okay. We had to adjust to their physicality of their zone play and the cut back. But preparing for it and playing it are two different things. Our front seven guys (on defense) are doing a great job.”
And that defense – with all it’s preseason question marks – has literally been the story of a great season for the team, after an initial blip at Rochester. The Zebras have gone on from that point to show just how good they are, but the head coach also looks in the mirror regarding that shoot out.
“(Jacob) Howdeshell is good and they (Rochester) are good but I have to be honest I think that I don’t think I put us in the right position,” said Barron “I got us out of our base front and felt like I had to put Splix and (Matt) Friar inside the end on their side of the line of scrimmage and put their hand down and that’s not the way they play. They are better on their feet – better coming from the edge.”
It also appears that the addition of Kyle Lacefield full time at safety has been another reason for the domninance of the Plymouth defense.
“We needed a security blanket over there,” said Barron “We needed a tough kid. I think having him back there as an every down guy was one of the best adjustments we’ve made.”
Meanwhile the offense has continued to grow and evolve.
“Two things have emerged from Friday (offensively),” said Barron. “Jeremy Splix adds to some things that (Offensive Coordinator) Mike (Kershner) wants to do on offense and Justin Drudge in the ‘I’ is something we are going to see more of.”
“He actually got better running the ball – as we broke down the film – as the game went on,” said Barron. “He’s always been a perimeter guy that’s run away from people and made people miss but you put him in the ‘I’ and run him between the tackles and he’s pouring it up in there like he’s Emmitt Smith.
“That’s a different mindset. I’m amazed at what he can do on a football field. If we really want to get him the ball, we’re just going to get in the ‘I’ and hand it to him.”
Goshen will try to have something to say about the Rockie season.
“They’ve gotten better every week,” said Barron. “They do a lot of stuff. We have to keep them in front of us and not turn the ball over.”
