Thoughts on the kickoffs... The only reasons that make sense for the shorts kicks are: 1) you want to keep the ball out of the hands of a dangerous kick returner, 2) you cover team is too slow to get down the field, 3) there is a decent chance that the short, high kicks will be mishandled, or 4) your kicker does not have enough leg to kick it deep with enough hang time to give coverage time to get down the field. If 1,2 and 4 are true and you're going to give up good field position anyway, at least 3 gives you a chance at getting the ball.
The offense was incredible last night. The defense hung in there and played tough, but were at a disadvantage in the speed and quickness category. The defense was sliced and diced by two good runners. That's basically a tough problem every year for PNG teams in the playoffs that is seldom answered.
The difference was the momentum shift of the two fumbles. If you keep the ball and score at least once, use some clock, and keep the momentum, it might have turned out positive.
[font=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]It hurts because this was a good team with some special seniors. It frustrates us fans because they were a juggernaut on offense, and scrappy on defense. And it kills all of us because that elusive deep playoff run is tough to find in the last 15 years. [/font]
[font=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]We should celebrate that and congratulate them for what they accomplished. [/font]If Morse and Sparks aren't at least HM All-State it will be a travesty.
[/size][font=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Sparks, Halfin, Hughes, Walker, Murdock and the rest of the seniors will be missed. The core is back next year to finally break through. Defense, kicking game and offensive line will be the areas to improve over the offseason.[/font][font=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Thanks for the great memories Indians![/font][size=small]