Health & Fitness
You Gotta Believe
Maple Grove Senior High football has a new coach and a new attitude. In finding where they rank on the field, they may have learned a more important lesson.
In the circles of high school football, there is one fundamental difference between the teams that win, and teams that don't.
That one thing doesn't have anything to do with the size of the school or the offensive or defensive game plan. The one thing is so obvious, yet few teams seem to be able to grasp it. Those that are mentioned every year as favorites to win a state title share one common trait.
They believe.
It is a state of mind that from the minute they step onto the field it isn't a question of if, it's only a matter of math.
Find out what's happening in Maple Grovefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Matt Lombardi led the Crimson onto the field for the first time as a head coach in a four team scrimmage at Bloomington Jefferson High School. The other teams taking part? Bloomington Jefferson, St. Paul Central and perennial title contender Totino-Grace.
It isn't just the playbook that has changed in the short time Lombardi has been at the helm. He has started to change the culture of the Crimson into a team that not only has talent on both sides of the ball, but is also beginning to believe.
Every pair of eyes were squarely on their coach following their day of work.
"Valuable lessons learned today. More than you know," said Lombardi. "We played two teams today you felt you could come out and beat, and you dominated them. Then you played a team who has won maybe five state titles, and you approached them like they had won state titles. You know what? They have, so what."
With his players hanging on every word, Lombardi continued.
"I wish this scrimmage was Totino-Grace, Eden Prairie and Cretin (Derham-Hall). That would be an enjoyable scrimmage for me."
The Crimson offense scored on the first play from scrimmage on passing plays against Jefferson and St. Paul Central, and the defense played fast, attacked the ball and suffocated the opposing offense.
It was a different story against Totino-Grace. The Eagles scored twice on offense in the first two minutes. Lombardi knew exactly what was happening and stepped in to try to stop it. When his defense made a stop, he ran back to the huddle screaming 'come on, let's go'. His team responded and held the Eagles to one more score in the remaining 12 minutes of action.
It is just another lesson for a program that is growing on a daily basis. The Crimson will continue to learn the new offense and defensive game plans. Their new head coach has established expectations of football in "The Grove".
You must first believe.
