Mid-Week Report with Coach Brian Watson
Northsantarosa.com caught up with Coach Brian Watson on a short week…Jay (3-4) hosts Graceville (0-6) Thursday night at 6pm.
Q-Last week we hosted Northview. Very good team. With that being said, you guys controlled the time of possession in the first half (over 18 minutes) and had the ball down by only a touchdown late in the 1st half. Was controlling the clock a big goal for your team last week?
A-We knew we would have trouble stopping them. They have a very talented offense and score alot of points. So, yes, we wanted to control the clock as much as we could and limit their offensive possessions. Unfortunately, we turned the ball over right before the half and they were able to add to their lead before the break. If we could have scored on that possession, tying the game, that would have set up things differently in the 2nd half.
Q-A tough couple of weeks, emotionally. Hosting rivals Baker and Northview back to back. Now you’ve got winless Graceville coming into Merle V. North Stadium. How hard is it to get the boys to transition and take preparation for this opponent to the same degree?
A-I think the short week will actually help us get focused. Got to put alot in, game plan wise, in a shorter amount of time. We’ll go a little lighter physically at practice and teach more. Hopefully, this will allow us to get a little more healthy too.
Q-How does the short week change your practices?
A-On short weeks you have to pick what you’ll focus on. We’ll spend more time on defense making sure we’re in the right position no matter what they come out in.
Q-How are we health wise?
A-We have a few still out from Baker, but that just means guys who haven’t see as much playing time will need to step up.
Q-Looking at the remainder of the schedule, what are your expectations?
A-We’ll have to play well to win and if we do that, we’ll have a chance to make the playoffs.
Q-Talk about the playoff format and how that works now.
A-Everything is based on a point system, which is largely calculated by opponents and their win/loss record. There are no districts. Just regions. 6 per regions go to the playoffs and the seeding for the playoff bracket is based off the point system.
