DEFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS JUMP-START SEASONS

By mark rogers
September 1, 2009

Abilene High, Cooper and Wylie all came away with dominant wins over the weekend. The teams averaged 50 points, but it wasn't the offenses that got things fired up.

It was defense and special teams.

In real time, the Wylie Bulldogs were the first team to shake off the early season jitters and start to really play. It happened in the first quarter against Vernon on Friday night in their renovated stadium.

The Lions had a 1st and Goal inside the Wylie 5-yard line. And came away with zero points failing to score on 4th and Goal (from the one-inch line).

A play like that is absolutely huge. Especially in the first game.

Failing to score on 4th and Goal from the 1 is one of the worst things that can happen to an offense. You've just driven down the field on a good opponent. Things are clicking. The field is disappearing chunks at a time. You're feeling good about yourself. Then it all comes crashing down.

And a defense that may have been on the verge of losing some very important early-season confidence puts a jolt into the rest of the team and the crowd.

And that jolt proved to be too much for the Vernon Lions. The game was over after that play. Huge.

Cooper was next. In the second quarter of their 56-7 win over Wyatt on Friday, it was Tommy Bowman's electrifying 66-yard punt return that gave the Coogers the swagger they'll carry for the rest of the season.

The game was getting out of hand at that point, but a play like that can get a team going for a while. It's all about confidence. It's 10% physical and 90% mental.

Abilene High went into Saturday's game against Dunbar picked to lose by some credible media sources. They won 56-13.

It just goes to show what a big special teams play can do for you. Herschel Sims fielded the season's opening kick on the 3-yard line...and didn't stop running until he crossed the Wildcat goal line.

Game over.

The confidence was reinforced on the Eagle sideline, the crowd was into it, and they cruised to victory.

All about confidence.

And by the way, Sims averaged 11 yards/carry and had 77 cards receiving. Just another great RB in a long line of great AHS running backs.

Just goes to show that although offense gets all the glory, games are often won and lost with big plays on defense and special teams.

You ask any coach...they'll tell you the same thing.

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