First round playoff win=Thanksgiving practice!
Friday night's 56-35 victory over Jesuit means not only are the Indians one step closer to the Section Championship but now we have Thanksgiving practice! On a totally selfish note, I LOVE waking up on Thanksgiving morning and being at the stadium in my sweats, watching practice. And eating donuts. I like that too.
Since it was that win over Jesuit that allows us to engage in those holiday festivities, let's do a little recap.
Not only was it a recording breaking night for the Indians, but to quote Coach Mott, "there were some big time plays from several players." David Gladieux had a TD & 2 huge interceptions (and I hear from a pretty reliable source that the performance of the DBs earned them a dinner) but he also made several key blocks on the perimeter. Kostecka, Boyett, Croxdale and LeMasters didn't play too shabby either.
"These guys made big time plays all night, but don't forget about the O-line and the backs, with their pass protections and the 2 gut check drives at the end of the game," Mott said.
Napa surged in the second half, looking much more energized than Jesuit. "You can attribute the win to our weightroom and conditioning," Mott said. "We wore them down and we came away with a big win because of the hard work put in all year round, down there in that quonset hut."
The Blackshirts played well and were putting hits on Jesuit, especially in the second half. "The defense found a rhythm in the second half, but they were also able to make some things happen on broken plays. They were able to create something out of nothing," Mott said. "Hayden Campo made a big contribution in our cover 2 package and it's nice to see him healthy and playing back to his standards."
And while we're on the subject of the team's health, Mott says this could very well be the healthiest the team has been all season. Linden Fowler and Gabe Guastucci played a fair amount of the game and it was nice to see them mixing it up. Hopefully with another week of rehab, those two will be able to contribute even more this coming week.
"Jason Westerberg was able to come back after turning an ankle he showed a lot of heart in the second half and will need some mending this week. We have bumps and bruises which is normal this time of the year. We need to get rest and ice our booboos," Mott said. (Yes, he really said booboos.)
Unfortunately for the kids, icing comes in the form of an ice BATH. One word--YIKES!
Over the past couple years, Turkey Day practice has become a great tradition and Mott, along with the of the Indians invite everyone to come see the team practice at the stadium Thursday morning @ 9 AM and the team prepares for Elk Grove the next night.
Elk Grove is a Wing-T team who is very effective at running the football.
"They are a very good football team, but who isn't this time of the year?" Mott said. "We will have to play physical and smart-- cut out some of our mental penalties and continue to hold on to the football. Tackling is of the utmost importance. We have to have guys willing to stick their nose in there and make good tackles. We need to get 11 to the football and help each other be great defenders."
So, Friday night in Elk Grove and directions will be up shortly. The Jesuit game was just plain fun to watch, minus the referees. Who knew that the team from the MEL would be treated like the red-headed stepchild of the section last night? The game also had a few moments of note off the field. Like for instance, when Jesuit--the all-boys school--started chanting "We've got God!" which was met with the NHS rooting section chanting back, "we've got girls! " I got a few laughs from that. And I hope the band comes to Elk Grove on Friday night. Hint hint.
I will put some pictures up from the game early this week for our viewing pleasure so check back.
And with that, I hope to see everyone on Thursday morning. Throw on your Napa Football sweatshirt (you know you all have like five) and don't worry about getting all spruced up because I'm just wearing my pajamas.
Go Indians!
Since it was that win over Jesuit that allows us to engage in those holiday festivities, let's do a little recap.
Not only was it a recording breaking night for the Indians, but to quote Coach Mott, "there were some big time plays from several players." David Gladieux had a TD & 2 huge interceptions (and I hear from a pretty reliable source that the performance of the DBs earned them a dinner) but he also made several key blocks on the perimeter. Kostecka, Boyett, Croxdale and LeMasters didn't play too shabby either.
"These guys made big time plays all night, but don't forget about the O-line and the backs, with their pass protections and the 2 gut check drives at the end of the game," Mott said.
Napa surged in the second half, looking much more energized than Jesuit. "You can attribute the win to our weightroom and conditioning," Mott said. "We wore them down and we came away with a big win because of the hard work put in all year round, down there in that quonset hut."
The Blackshirts played well and were putting hits on Jesuit, especially in the second half. "The defense found a rhythm in the second half, but they were also able to make some things happen on broken plays. They were able to create something out of nothing," Mott said. "Hayden Campo made a big contribution in our cover 2 package and it's nice to see him healthy and playing back to his standards."
And while we're on the subject of the team's health, Mott says this could very well be the healthiest the team has been all season. Linden Fowler and Gabe Guastucci played a fair amount of the game and it was nice to see them mixing it up. Hopefully with another week of rehab, those two will be able to contribute even more this coming week.
"Jason Westerberg was able to come back after turning an ankle he showed a lot of heart in the second half and will need some mending this week. We have bumps and bruises which is normal this time of the year. We need to get rest and ice our booboos," Mott said. (Yes, he really said booboos.)
Unfortunately for the kids, icing comes in the form of an ice BATH. One word--YIKES!
Over the past couple years, Turkey Day practice has become a great tradition and Mott, along with the of the Indians invite everyone to come see the team practice at the stadium Thursday morning @ 9 AM and the team prepares for Elk Grove the next night.
Elk Grove is a Wing-T team who is very effective at running the football.
"They are a very good football team, but who isn't this time of the year?" Mott said. "We will have to play physical and smart-- cut out some of our mental penalties and continue to hold on to the football. Tackling is of the utmost importance. We have to have guys willing to stick their nose in there and make good tackles. We need to get 11 to the football and help each other be great defenders."
So, Friday night in Elk Grove and directions will be up shortly. The Jesuit game was just plain fun to watch, minus the referees. Who knew that the team from the MEL would be treated like the red-headed stepchild of the section last night? The game also had a few moments of note off the field. Like for instance, when Jesuit--the all-boys school--started chanting "We've got God!
I will put some pictures up from the game early this week for our viewing pleasure so check back.
And with that, I hope to see everyone on Thursday morning. Throw on your Napa Football sweatshirt (you know you all have like five) and don't worry about getting all spruced up because I'm just wearing my pajamas.
Go Indians!
posted by Napa Injun at 8:33 PM
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