AB Football: Return to Glory Part II

The journey continues for the AB Colonials in their hope for a DCL Championship and a run to the Super Bowl. 

What’s Happened:

The Acton-Boxborough Colonials are now 5-1. Since my last update, the team beat Boston Latin 35-14, Marshfield 41-16, and Wayland 18-17. The game against Marshfield, AB offense’s dominated the inexperienced, young Marshfield team, while in the Wayland game, Jack Perry kicked a 25 yard field goal with no time remaining to edge out the Wayland Warriors by one point. It was the first time in AB history that there has been a game winning field goal with no time left. The game against Boston Latin, again the running game dominated led by great offensive line and backs Will Tejeda, Billy Jackman, and Thomas Sapanaro who took advantage of the holes.

Analysis:

Offense:

Offensively, the AB has looked strong throughout the season against teams it is supposed to beat. Already, the offense has racked up two forty-point games.

The team is running a lot of wing formation, executing some classic plays like the Delaware sweep, and the power very well. AB has tried to run more of the flex and I-formation, and both have been a little shaky. The team definitely needs some more reps on both sets; there were several procedural calls against AB (i.e. illegal motion). Additionally, there were some mistakes by personnel; for example, on one play action- roll out in the Wayland game, Hunter Arnold rolled out to the side where there were no receivers and was forced to throw an incomplete pass. I’m not sure if the players mixed up the plays, either way, the execution needs to improve. The other somewhat seldom used formation is trips; this has mostly been used for passing situations.

The biggest issue I see once again with the offense is passing. The problem isn’t that we can’t pass. Joe Euele, Billy Jackman, Dan Linker, Michael Murphy and Jack Perry form a formidable bunch; it is just that the team has not called enough passing plays. To be honest, the team has started to make passing more frequent but it hasn’t been consistent on each drive. Quite frankly, that won’t hold up. Certainly, AB can beat weaker teams, team in rebuilding phase (like Lexington) by just running the ball 90% of the time, however, for the good teams, those that are more equally matched with AB, that this strategy will not work. AB needs to start have just around 1/3 of its play to be is passing if they really want to start beating some of the better teams.

In AB’s one loss against Chelmsford, Chelmsford put 10 men in the box (meaning the defense had one safety) and the running game stalled. More importantly, that defense means Chelmsford really has no respect for AB’s passing game. If AB can start mixing up its plays, no defense will try to do that again. Even in the game against Wayland, the team’s running backs had trouble when Wayland changed to a more aggressive defense (5 -3). Teams that scout well can always use this tactic to stop AB’s offense.

AB needs to start running more slants, screens, and play action plays. The slants can get AB anywhere from five to ten yards a catch. In fact, in two of the three drives AB scored against Wayland, the passing play was the key play to the drive. The second touchdown drive in that game was capped by twenty yard streak pass from Hunter Arnold to Joe Euele. In the last drive at the end of the game, Arnold threw a thirty yard pass to Dan Linker bringing the Colonials much closer into field goal range.

One minor thing I have noticed as well is that the team has had some questionable play calls. For example, in the second quarter of Wayland game, the team decided to go for it on a fourth and three when the team was already in field goal range for Jack Perry (the offense didn’t convert). Also, in that game, the team ran the ball on a third and eleven when the offense. On a third and long play, running the ball probably isn’t the best option.

Defense:

The defense looks strong. AB has really found a rhythm in terms of player personnel and understanding the role of the position. AB has moved from its traditional 5-2 lineup to a 5-3 lineup, which adds one more linebacker, and helps with defending the opponent’s run game.

The change in defense has seemed seamless and has proved effective. In the last two games, the team has given up an average 16.5 points a game, which by no means is off the charts but certainly very good and respectful. Against Wayland, Joe Euele and Zach Adgate each had an interception.

The defense needs to work on defending drag screens, and quarterback sneaks/keepers. The games this was most relevant was the Chelmsford and Wayland. Throughout the season, there have been several instances where a little screen can go for twenty yards or the quarterback might run for five yards and pick up a first down. This will be even more critical in the Thanksgiving game against Westford; Westford’s quarterback, Justin Mount, loves to run keepers to the outside.

Special Teams:

As usual, Jack Perry’s kicking has been flawless. He has consistently punted the ball within the opponent’s ten yard line and his field goal kicking has been on point. Chris Williams in particular has had a knack to tackle the opposing punt returner. The special teams unit outside of him has looked pretty good. The punting unit struggled a little against Wayland, for example the unit almost gave up a punt return, however, all in all the team looks good. The field goal unit converted a fake extra point pass (Billy Jackman completed a pass to Thomas Sapanaro).

New Strategies:

Big Fullbacks as Lead Blockers

One strategy that last year’s team employed was using its strongest players as full backs in the flex formation; last year’s team often used Brooks Poulin and Matt Marcotte as lead blockers for Kyle Sweeney. This may be one strategy AB might want to try out. AB has used Gabe Cormier in the flex formation for this role; I think it might even want to use add another strong, quick full back. Junior Nick Moore or Senior Dan Linker could fit the role perfectly. Both Moore and Linker certainly have the body, and the energy for the role, and I think this is a strategy that could be really utilized on fourth and short.

Spread Offense

AB ran this offense two years ago when Eric Apgar and Michael Morris were captains. That year it usually featured quarterback Ethan Dukes or Michael Morris, and then Apgar as the fullback along with three wide receivers. This formation was very effective in keeping the defense on its toes; the team could run a mix of running back draws, screens, and downfield passes.

Concerns:

Substitutions: Once again, I think AB needs to use more rotations with its personnel. If you just looked at the numbers out on the field before a play started, (outside of Hunter Arnold’s #12), you really wouldn’t know whether AB was playing offense or defense.

Pretty much all of the team’s offensive personnel is also playing defense. Most noticeable is the offensive and defensive line. The line which contains Thomas Cotter, Sean McGavick, and Ciaran Stewart has played phenomenally but it may be in the coaches’ interest to sub these players out just to make sure they don’t tire out too much and to prevent injuries such as crampings. The big benefit is that the players who are taking their place will not be pacing themselves (they will be going all out) and this certainly can add some energy to the defense. For example, in the Wayland game, late in the second, Emon Purkayastha was put into the game on a goal line stance. As if on cue, Purkayastha made an incredible playing stopping a Wayland run behind scrimmage forcing Wayland to settle for a field goal.

Most Improved Players:

Another important thing to note is that Billy Jackman is back to 100%. After sitting out against Lexington, and getting some plays in against Marshfield, he played much better against Wayland. Look for AB to utilize Jackman more in the open field; Jackman is one of those players who you know that every time he touches the ball, he always has a chance of going all the way for a touchdown if he gets a couple good blocks. He showed this ability in the Wayland game, when on fourth and two in the first quarter, he ran 43 yards for a touchdown.

Another key contributor to the defense has been Andrew Sweet. Sweet has played terrific at defensive end, and sometimes at linebacker. He has consistently been able to put pressure on the quarterback when he blitzes is in from the right side. Against Wayland, Sweet recovered a fumble when Wayland was in the red zone.

Updating Injuries

• Dan Joyce hurt his knee and has been out. Joyce did a great job contributing as a running back in Maver’s rotation
• Barry Wolfson sprained his ankle and looks to come back within two weeks. Gabe Cormier took his place at defensive line backer, and played well. Offensively, Rick Kronenwett and Nick Moore also played well in his place.
• Joey Peduto looks to be ahead of schedule on coming back. His first game might come next Friday against Concord-Carlisle. Peduto adds on another six foot two, two hundred thirty pound lineman to already the huge line.