The home opener at Logan Rogersville for the 2024 football season was a defensive battle that didn’t go the way the large home crowd was hoping for, with the Wildcats falling to Reeds Spring 8-0.
As with any new season there is a feeling of excitement, anxiety, and expectation. Fans arrived early, checking out the new fan wear from the booster club, searching for their favorite seniors banner hanging on the fence,and watching new student directed videos on the big screen. As the crowd gathered, the weather forecast was as uncertain as the knowledge of the fans about this extremely young roster.
Many had heard the names and all about the size and speed of these new younger cats, but many had not seen them in action. Fans were in shorts and tee shirts, but yet clutching their rain gear, and knew that lightning storms were a strong possibility. The band came to the field to play the national anthem and fight song. Youth players gathered just before the tunnel to get a high five from a varsity player. The players stormed the field with patriotic flags aloft, and a number 58 jersey honoring their teammate Landin who died tragically last December. The pageantry was done and it was time for the opening kickoff.
The first half was a game of field position, and neither team could quite take the upper hand. There were several deep passing plays for the Wildcats that were just inches from completion or just off the fingertips of receivers. For each team, there were bad first punts, untimely penalties, and just a bit of a failure to launch offensively. The second half held more promise, and began a little crisper. But again, there were several teachable moments recorded, that didn’t lead to solid production on Friday night, but will give the coaching staff things to work on this week.
On defense there was a play of getting drawn off sides on a 4th and 5 play. On offense there was a 4th down play where the receiver stopped his pattern just short of the first down marker. There were penalties after the action that were costly to the home team. There were unnecessary blocks in the back on a long offensive play. These are all examples of teachable moments, and things that can be corrected quickly. When asked about these types of plays Coach Talbert said, “Penalties during the play are part of football. Can clean that up. The one after the play has to be eliminated. Our team will get that message pretty clearly this week.
There were a large number of players competing in maroon uniforms that had never played on a Friday night before, and at times it showed. Coach Mark Talbert explained it this way, “Offensively, we had 7 players touch the ball for us that had never played a meaningful down of varsity football. The lights on Friday night are just a little bit brighter, and it’s not an easy transition. We know the talent that these guys have and are excited about our future. Teams with this little experience often get better very quickly.”
Coach Talbert was also quick to praise the defense and the job Defensive Coordinator Collins did in preparing the game plan and having the defense ready to play. He mentioned Jacob Shinkarevich, Eli Craft, Brayden Kent and Damari Barr by name during our communication as examples of guys that were “all over the field” and “relentless."
The 'Cats are back in action this Friday night on the road in Ava at 7:00.
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