Coaches Corner: Armstrong Football Head Coach Ryan Bartlett

The Falcons only came out with two wins last season.

Armstrong Football Head Coach Ryan Bartlett has his team halfway to that win total already at the start of this football season after only the first game escaping Maple Grove 18-16 last week.

Although the team won, Coach Bartlett thinks his team has plenty of work ahead of them.

“C+ is the grade I would give. I think we did some things above average,” said Bartlett. “But we still have still have plenty of work to do.”

But in what areas does this work need to be done?

“Special teams needs to improve greatly," he said. "Our offense needs more consistency and our defense has to eliminate big plays.”

Even though Bartlett has a long laundry list of things to work on with his team, he wouldn’t change what he is doing for anything.

“These guys are very fun to coach,” said Bartlett. “Everyone gets along, there is no segregation and they just really love football. Our staff really enjoys being around them.”

The Falcons are preparing to take on out of conference rival Minnetonka tonight.

Coach Bartlett knows tonight's game is a tall task in front of them.

“Minnetonka is as good as the come,” said Bartlett. “They are huge and have one of the fastest defenses you will see this year.”

Both teams are coming off of a win, but according to Bartlett, Minnetonka’s win was impressive.

“They are coming off of a 28-0 win over Totino-Grace,” Bartlett siad. “Totino-Grace rarely loses and to lose 28-0 says something about Minnetonka.”

Bartlett has his team giving everything they have in daily practices.

“We work hard and practice fast,” Bartlett said. “Those two things have really helped us prepare.”

With Minnetonka having a lot of experienced, skilled position players, Bartlett said he knows his team will have to be on top of their game.

“We’ll be as ready as we can be," he said. "We’ll work hard and practice hard."

All you can ask for is to be in the game at the end and make a couple big plays, he said.