Next up, Iowa Park
By Lew
November 22, 2005
Attention Mustangs....
Please pay no attention to this season's Iowa Park record. It doesn't matter. There have been so many changes on the Hawk's team, you would drive yourself silly trying to compare the team of today, to the team in September.
Check out the size of some of their linemen:
# 70 Chris Smoak 6'2" 171 Sophmore
# 71 Ryan Tykler 6'3" 191 Senior
# 74 Tom Collins 5'11" 265 Senior
# 75 Ryan McLaughlin 5'10" 237 Senior
# 76 Ross Shults 5'11" 205 Senior
# 77 Andrew Maekawa 6'2" 234 Senior
# 79 Tyler Duggins 6'7" 270 Senior
How's that for some linemen? Speaking of Duggins, here is his player profile from Scout.com:
http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=378&p=8&c=1&nid=1817036
Duggins has already committed to Texas Tech for next year. I've been talking to some Hawk fans on various football boards and they say Iowa Park is the real deal. Last week, the Hawks only attempted one pass. They like to just pound the ball behind their big lineman from the single wing formation. Pound, pound, and pound some more. I noticed in last week's box score...they had 8 different rushers.
In the last three games, Iowa Park has allowed just 130 yards for the opponent's offenses.
The running backs are fresh, and they also play linebackers. This should be a great game. I don't know if it's true or not, but this Iowa Park fan says they run a 3-4 defense.
He was curious about Sweetwater, and says that the coaches didn't exchange any game film...I don't know if that is accurate or not, just what he said.
All I can say is the Mustangs should have a handfull this week.
Go Mustangs!
Comments
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shadow
November 22, 2005 3:44 AM
Sweetwater and Iowa Park did change game film
KR
November 22, 2005 9:02 PM
Hi Lew:
I'm really enjoying your blog. I found it looking up info on the upcoming game. I'm an '83 Iowa Park graduate; I have no expertise (I didn't play football there) - I'm just an interested alumni observer.
There is a weekly newspaper - the Iowa Park Leader - but they don't have a comprehensive website yet. It's a nice town - definitely a bedroom community to Wichita Falls. There is 1 large industrial plant there (Cryovac) but I imagine a large percentage of folks commute to work in WF & Sheppard AFB.
This was a strange season - I think it really took a few games for the team (esp. the O-line) to gel. Also, Coach Ellis noted in the WF paper that a lot of lucky breaks/close calls that went their way last year went against them early in the season. They lost 14 players to graduation (incl. a good QB), and Duggins (Tech signee) had a nagging injury that kept him from playing any defense until late in the season.
The biggest surprise (which you alluded to) is apparently they can put several different people in at RB & they come away with yards. Sam Raines is a good example - I think he was mainly an interior LB during the regular season (he led the team in tackles), but in the playoffs he has run the ball very well and even scored on a kickoff return. I know Drew Fulfer has also run well this year, but was banged up the last 2 weeks.
If I remember correctly, one of the big changes that happened was, after a few losses, Coach Ellis pared down their playbook and simplified things alot. I think he played his HS ball at Brownwood under Gordon Wood, so it's not surprising that - when things weren't working - he returned to fundamentals.
Overall, I don't think the Hawks have the speed and talent of your backfield, but they're very strong up front, & seem to be disciplined, don't turn it over much, and eat up the clock. It could be one of those games where time-of-possession is heavily in IP's favor, but Sweetwater gets quick scores because of the Mustangs' speed.
It should be a great game. I wish I could be there. Good luck to all involved.
Lew
November 22, 2005 9:32 PM
Thanks KR for your great comment.
I frankly think this will be a classic ball game. One point that you made is the time of possession factor. I agree IP may have the edge there, but I also wonder what the fatigue toll will be in trying to block such huge lineman that IP has.
Thanks again for your post. It's great to have your views.
Lew
J.B. Laughlin
November 25, 2005 2:31 PM
O.K. Mustangs. Here it is again. Gameday in the play-offs.This is a good team you are playing. They didn't get here by laying down and letting people beat them. You will have to enforce YOUR will. What are your plans for Monday? Either you will be back on the practice field following the dream, or you will be stacking gear for next year. I know what you want. Let's get it done. Go big red machine!!!!!!!
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