The one and only time grid outfits have the opportunity to test themselves against an opposing set of players is the scrimmage in the weekend preceding opening day. The consensus among most coaches is to get through that day injury free, while also evaluating players. “We kept it pretty basic on offense,” said Greene coach Tim Paske. “We switched some personnel around and did better in certain places than others. Our evaluation process is to find the top 11 kids that should be on the field.”
The doors have opened in scrimmages this year for scouting and filming, a change from standard protocol. It was an unwritten rule in the past to not film or scout an upcoming opponent during a scrimmage. “We didn’t what to show any more than we had to or tip our hand in any way,” said Unadilla Valley head coach Jack Loeffler. “We knew people were there taping us, so we ran our most basic stuff on offense and defense.”
For Oxford head coach Mike Chrystie, it was his first experience as a head coach where his players had full contact against someone other than another Blackhawks player. “We just wanted to get our live work in and come home healthy,” Chrystie said. “We don’t have the depth this year, so we need to stay healthy.”
On the flip side of Chrystie is Chenango County’s most veteran coach, Norwich’s John Pluta, who has two decades on the sidelines with the Tornado in addition to his previous tenure at Harpursville. Pluta has a number of younger players that are expected to play key roles on his team. Facing Walton, primarily, it was a great opportunity for Pluta’s boys to see what varsity football is truly about. “(The scrimmage) gives the younger kids an idea of what they need to work on and the idea that they are coming into a whole new level,” the Norwich coach said. “There are some things you want to work on and things people know you’re going to run. With the new rules allowing taping of scrimmages, I don’t think coaches are apt to show as much.”
After nearly three weeks of practice and a scrimmage under their belts, tonight opens the 2007 season with three Chenango County teams playing host. B-G visits UV-Edmeston, Sherburne-Earlville entertains Ilion, while Greene looks to upend two-time defending Class C champion Sidney.
Saturday, Norwich plays a rare home matchup against Johnson City at Alumni Field, while Oxford matches up with visiting Thomas A. Edison at night.
For a look at each of our weekend grid features, please read on...
Sidney at Greene, 7 p.m.
Few holdovers in key positions remain from last year’s Sidney club. Anthony Mister at receiver is back as is Parker Curley, who moves from a less-featured tight end position to starting fullback. The Warriors, though, are proven winners with 21 wins over the past two seasons including a Class C state title in 2005.
“Once you start winning, the community and kids start believing in it,” said Greene coach Tim Paske. “In a tight game, they know how to win.”
The Trojans also graduated their fair share of players, but have at least half the starting positions filled by returning players, and the rest are able-bodied newcomers up from a winning JV team, or reserves from last year who are more than ready to shine. “We’re a different team from last year,” Paske said. “Overall we have good team speed, and we have to be quick to the football.”
Game keys: Greene finishing off drives in the red zone.
Bainbridge-Guilford at UV-Edmeston, 7 p.m.
B-G scored on a long touchdown run late in the first half, and then dominated the rest of the way in a 19-0 win on the Storm’s home field a year ago. UV-E has improved significantly since this time a year ago, and figures to pound the interior of the B-G defense with its running game. “That one big play was the difference in the game last year, and we can’t let one play take us out of the game,” UV-E’s Loeffler said.
No reports came in from B-G’s scrimmage last weekend, although S-E coach Mick James, who saw the Bobcats, said his a saw a team that played physical.
