(Editor’s note: Coach John Beck looks at Montezuma’s 64-18 loss at Gladbrook-Reinbeck on Friday, Oct. 20, in the first round of the Class 8 playoffs).
By John Beck
Head Football Coach
We ran into a very good team in the first round. We played well at times, but just didn’t come up with some plays when we needed them.
Consistency has been the key all year long. When we are consistent with our assignments in all three phases of the game we are pretty good.
When we lack that consistency then negative yardage plays on offense happen and big plays on defense happen.
Offensively we moved the ball well at times but other times we struggled to get going.
Our first drive we moved the ball well but stalled out. Our next two drives were 3-and-outs. By the time we had a consistent drive that moved down the field it was the middle of the 2nd quarter and we were playing catchup.
We then had to start moving the ball through the air mixing in a few runs here and there to try and get back in. Snaps became an issue later on and when those happen it can really hurt a drive and cause turnovers.
Brady Boulton did a good job of making decisions and knowing when to sit in the pocket and make a throw or scramble to get yards.
He had the one pick that I know he would like to have back but it was also a time where were were trying to get back in the game and get momentum going into half.
Our line played well for the most part. They had an athletic group on the D-line and linebackers, so they were hard to move and stay in front of.
Considering we had to pass a bit more and they knew it, I thought the line pass protected well.
Running game-wise I should have done a better job of getting our downhill runs in the game early on instead of the outside runs. We blocked well on our zone scheme once we went to it. Our skill guys did a nice job on the outside. We just missed a few plays here and there that could have extended drives or put us in a better position early on.
Defensively, that stop early in the game was big and I wish we could have capitalized on that. We were pretty stout in the run game except for 1 or 2 plays.
They hurt us with their passing game. We were right there most of the time on the catch. We just needed to make the play. Again we did a good job of getting them in 2nd or 3rd and long situations. We just needed to capitalize on that.
Broox Stockman, I thought, had a really nice game. Our line also did a really nice job especially stopping the run and doing its assignments.
They were also able to get some pressure and forced some quick throws. I would have liked to see us keep our contain better as the quarterback was able to break the pocket and get a first down a couple of times.
In the secondary, we made some plays and did some nice things but again did not come up with the pass break-up when we needed it.
Luke Erselius and Garrett Watts did a nice job in their kicking duties and our special teams coverage was pretty good.
Overall, we needed to be more consistent with our assignments on offense and defense.
We did things well for 2-3 plays at a time but we need it all the time and we did not get that. In the 8-man game, one person not doing his job can be the difference between a touchdown and and tackle for loss, on both sides of the ball.
The boys did play hard and gave it their all and gave it a run in the 2nd and 3 quarters where we had some momentum but just couldn’t turn the tide.