After watching the video replay, and reviewing the 4th and 1 play a few times, here are my thoughts.
This perspective is strictly as a fan who understands the game. As I said before, I'm not a paid strategist so my analysis is far from perfect. Just repeating what I saw in the video.
Summary: It was a well designed and well executed play with a couple of costly exceptions that swayed the outcome.
PN-G brought out a heavy formation and overloaded the left side with Mangini #56 playing left guard, Hanratty #61 at left tackle, Hanley #76 at tight end, Lane #32 in a tight flanker position, and Wardlow #36 in the backfield as a blocking back.
Nederland recognized the heavy formation and lined up with the strength of their defense on that side including the two tackles Malveaux and Washington. The Indians had them where they wanted them.
For the most part the offensive line and backs did a tremendous job of blocking.
For PN-G On the strong side Lane #32 lined up at TE and blocked the opposite side DE Stewart #8. Hanley #76 at left tackle got enough of a block to slow #6 Washington's pursuit from the opposite DT position, but could have maintained a wider base and held that block longer. Hanratty #61 and Mangini #56 stood Malveaux #5 up and drove him off the line of scrimmage. Benoit #52 at center pancaked #64.
On the weak side, Orozco #70 crushed and walled off the inside, #55 Soriano picked up the LB/SS that slid over when Wardlow went into motion, Wardlow #36 sealed off the DE #88 Hughes, and fullback Milan #49 picked up one of the backers that was moving in for the tackle.
Everyone was blocked and a 1 to 2 yard gain or more was there for the taking. Malveaux #5 and Washington #6 were lined up on the strong side and were basically non-factors in the play, although Washington's pursuit could have blown up the play if PN-G's left tackle had not gotten as much of a block as he did.
The running back #27 just didn't make the adjustment and cut to either the inside where the hole was, or bounce it out to the outside where he may have had enough speed to go the distance. He ran into the back of the blocking fullback #49 Milan and the pursuit tackled him.
That's not a slam on #27. To be fair, the entire play took place in about one second and it's chaos on the field. And these are high school players. I've seen NFL players make even worse quick decisions.
I think this came down to the play just not executing to perfection. Given the way Nederland adjusted to that formation, which the coaches had probably seen, it was not a bad call.
It was a high percentage play. If they had spread out and tried a pass or even a run to the outside, the defensive pressure would have blown up the play before it started. Malveaux, Washington and Stewart were making stops in the backfield all night. They were not even a factor. PNG neutralized Nederland's defensive strength very well on that play but it just didn't work out.
It's football. It doesn't always work out as planned. Beat Vidor next week, win out, and it's a new season in the playoffs. These players and coaches have what it takes. :helmet:
