Photos from Fairfield

Remember last week when we rolled over Faifield? That was fun. Let's do it again this week.
Speaking of Fairfield, I may have taken (and when I say may have taken, I mean I definitely did take) close to 300 photos. Here are some visual highlights from last Friday.

The Indians take on Fairfield Friday...

...and here's how to get there. Keep in mind that traffic through Jameson Canyon on a Friday can sometimes make you feel like poking your eyes out, so make sure to leave early!

Merge onto CA-29 S via the ramp on the LEFT toward VALLEJO / SAN RAFAEL. (7.4 miles)
Turn LEFT onto JAMESON CANYON RD / CA-12. (5.8 miles)
Merge onto I-80 E. (7.2 miles)
Take the AIRBASE PKWY / WATERMAN BLVD exit toward TRAVIS AFB. (0.1 miles)
Merge onto AIR BASE PKWY. (0.7 miles)
Take the NORTH TEXAS ramp toward BUSINESS DISTRICT. (0.1 miles)
Take the NORTH TEXAS ST ramp. (<0.1 miles)
Turn LEFT onto N TEXAS ST. (0.2 miles)
Turn RIGHT onto CEMENT HILL RD. (0.1 miles)
Turn RIGHT onto E ATLANTIC AVE. (<0.1 miles)
End at 205 E Atlantic AveFairfield, CA 94533-1626, US
Total Est. Time: 30 minutes Total Est. Distance: 22.81 miles

Directions to Will C Wood for the freshmen game tonight

The Freshmen play Will C Wood tonight. The field is on the campus of Vacaville High..just follow the stadium lights!

Merge onto CA-29 S via the ramp on the LEFT toward VALLEJO / SAN RAFAEL. (7.4 miles)
Turn LEFT onto JAMESON CANYON RD / CA-12. (5.8 miles)
Merge onto I-80 E. (13.3 miles)
Take the ALAMO DR NORTH exit toward MERCHANT ST. (0.4 miles)
Merge onto ALAMO DR. (0.1 miles)
Turn RIGHT onto MERCHANT ST. (0.4 miles)
Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto WEST ST. (0.4 miles)
Turn LEFT onto W MONTE VISTA AVE. (<0.1 miles)
End at 100 W Monte Vista AveVacaville, CA 95688-3829, US
Total Est. Time: 36 minutes Total Est. Distance: 28.92 miles

League opener wrap up

Despite it being Monday and the beginning of a new week for the Indians, there are a few things the team should feel pretty good about in regards to the Wood game.

Coach Mott was very pleased with the team's approach to the game on Friday night.
"Our players were walking on air," Mott said. "We had several big hits and we played a physical football game."

Mott recognized the play of the special teams squad, whose efforts led to a huge blocked punt and the opening kick return. There was also a punt return for a TD and Linden Fowler kicked
the ball very well.

The offense had some big plays in the passing game. "I've been waiting for this to happen," Mott said. "Our run defense was superb. We gave up some in the air including a broken coverage that has to be cleaned up but that is what this week is for."

In looking for Friday night's contest at Fairfield High School, Mott emphasized that the team needs to keep rolling. "We will need energy for the game Friday night. It is going to be cold and windy. The atmosphere won't match a Friday game at Memorial so all you parents bring blankets but don't forget the horns and cow bells either!"

Fairfield has some great athletes-- they have solid receivers and a key running back with some speed. "We must get hats to the football and stop big plays. We must be disciplined. Fairfield had two players kicked out of the Vintage game last week. Our kids will talk with their play and not their mouths," Mott said.

Fairfield runs some wing-T offense but will also spread out and throw the ball downfield to their big play WRs. They are fast and athletic on defense so Napa will have to play well for four quarters to win. "They are better than their 1-4 record indicates. Again it's league and we cannot have a bad night," Mott said.

Big Homecoming Win!

Napa definitely handled Wood in Friday night's homecoming game! A 63-32 victory was a good opportunity for lots of kids to get some PT.
It was Coach Mott's hope that the team wouldn't overlook Wood despite their 3-2 record going into Friday night. "It is important for us to continue to progress we can't afford set backs while in league," Mott said. "Because it is homecoming, our players' focus will be tested with parades, rallies and halftime entertainment."
Gabe Guastucci was back in action this week but in a new role. The coaching staff moved him to defensive end, a position they hoped will put less stress on his hamstring and a place where they felt they needed some speed and quickness.

We will have more post game notes later in the week. Fairfield is up next and we will be traveling to the Falcon's Nest on Friday night. Directions will follow shortly.

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM COACH MOTT:
We have grade checks before the Vintage game (November 9) so parents-- stay on your kids to excel in the classroom.

A look back at Skyline

Before we get into the boat race that was the homecoming game against Wood, Skyline deserves a little attention, since there was so much hype surrounding that contest.

This was definitely our first taste of the cold football weather! Friday night in the Oakland Hills yielded excellent results for the Indians but Coach Mott sees past the W in the win column.
"The best thing about the win in Skyline was how our team came together. It is exactly what I was looking for. Skyline is a team that is a lot better than their record would reflect. To go into a such an environment and for the kids to come together really shows their development."
Despite the win, there were some areas for improvement. "Our defense played well and our special teams made a positive impact, but their were some areas we want to examine in practice. Our offense got beat by quicker and stronger players because our pad level was high. The coaching staff hopes to fix that because when we go against bigger, faster teams we have to win our battles with technique."

As for pictures, the lights at Skyline were worse than at Memorial (didn't think that was possible) so pictures were hard to come by.

More on the Will C Wood game next...

A few thoughts on Woodcreek and a look at Skyline

Before we move on to tomorrow night's contest against Skyline in Oakland, let's take a quick look at Woodcreek. Putting that many points up against a team like that deserves some attention, no?
It was all about defense, according to Coach Mott. The blackshirts held a pretty good RB to just seven yards going into the second half and he finished the game with only 47 total yards. Not too shabby! The defense played great and they were physical. Mott pointed out that after a performance like that, they were especially deserving of their blackshirts.

On offense, the Indians had two 100-yard rushers and the credit goes to the play of the O-Line, according to Mott. Scott Johnson blocked an amazing 77%. Ryan Kostecka and Ted LeMasters were on the same page, changing two pass routes at the line and turning them into big plays. Ryan Barragan played great at nose guard. John Boyett led the defense with 19 tackles. Once again, special teams played a part with a blocked kick from Stuart Chester and two 2-point conversions. One while running the infamous waterpick play and another on a fake P.A.T.

What we're facing tomorrow night:
The Indians are beginning to get healthy with the return of Linden Fowler and David Gladeiux. They are still trying to get Gabe Guastucci healthy and Jeremiah Luke is questionable for this week's match up. Skyline is big and fast and much better than their 1-3 record.

Coach Mott is really loving the season. "I am enjoying watching some of our players grow up before my eyes. Tommy (Wilcoxson), Stuart (Chester), Brett (Fraiser), Carlton (Garza), David (Smith) and Justin (Ruffino) are playing like they can help put us in contention at the end. I can't wait to see how good we can be in another 3 weeks."

And on that note, Go Indians!

Directions to Skyline

Here are directions to Skyline High School in Oakland...kick off is at 5:15 for the JVs and 7:30 for Varsity, so make sure to leave yourself plenty of time. With Friday Bay Area traffic, you never know!

And remember, the Freshmen take on Vacaville at home on Thursday...kick off is 6:00!

Merge onto I-80 W toward SAN FRANCISCO. (24.7 miles)
Take I-580 E toward ALAMEDA / SAN JOSE / DOWNTOWN OAKLAND / HAYWARD / STOCKTON. (1.4 miles)
Merge onto CA-24 E toward WALNUT CREEK. (3.3 miles)
Merge onto CA-13 S toward HAYWARD. (4.3 miles)
Take the REDWOOD RD exit toward CARSON ST. (0.1 miles)
Turn LEFT onto REDWOOD RD. (1.3 miles)
Turn RIGHT onto SKYLINE BLVD. (0.3 miles)
Turn LEFT onto BALMORAL DR. (<0.1>Total Est. Time: 59 minutes Total Est. Distance: 51.66 miles

The Woodcreek Game in Photos