Coach's Corner

week nine

November 2, 2007

Family, Friends, Alumni, and Recruits-

I am a little late getting the Coach's Corner written this week. Hopefully some of you noticed (I figure that means you are checking in regularly). I was very happy to get some emails the last couple of weeks from parents and alumni. If you have an idea, suggestion, thought, critiques, or most importantly a compliment...... do not hesitate to send those my way. Don't worry, I have thick skin.

I want to use this weeks Coach's Corner to update everyone on some of the things that the boys have accomplished to this point during the season. By this time it starts to get hard to see the forest for the trees.

Our conference players of the week thus far have been the following:
Nick Lindsey (Homer, IL--Heritage HS), Zach McDade (Savoy, IL--Arcola HS), Matt Knake (Freeburg, IL--Freeburg HS), and Michael Moseley (Lubbock, TX--Monterey HS). This is a representation of some outstanding effort. Also there are some team stats that are worth mentioning. Our kickoff coverage team is ranked #2 in the nation allowing under 12 yards per return. This group is lead by Christopher Wakid (Danvers, IL--Eureka HS), Tim Dombrowski (Lansing, IL--T.F. South HS), Tyler Cobler (Bloomington, IL--Central Catholic HS), and kicker Jacob Wall (Cresent City, IL--Cresent-Iroquois HS).

We are holding steady at second in our conference in average time of possession. This has a lot to do with improved line play and good decision making at the quarterback position. Coach Mike McHugh should get a lot of credit for the fundamental and consistency of the offensive line.

The Red Devil team is also number two in the conference in turnover margin. This is truly a team stat. Our secondary led by Cody Troutman (Bloomington, IL--Normal Community HS) and Tony Martin (Lexington, IL--Lexington HS) have forced turnovers while our tailback Justin Dempsey (Fairbury, IL--Chenoa HS) has not coughed the ball up one time this season.
We are in the top half of our conference in defense in the red zone which proves the sometimes bend, but don't break, mentality of our defensive unit.

I know that this was a little longer than usual, but I think it is important to mention some of the things that our boys have accomplished. This Saturday is a big one for us and we have prepared hard all week. The proof will be in the pudding!

Keep checking the Coach's Corner this year and if you have any questions let me know. I can be reached at msmiley@eureka.edu.

GO RED DEVILS!

Coach Smiley

Week Eight - Coaches Corner

Week Seven - Coaches Corner

Week Six - Coaches Corner

Week Five - Coaches Corner

Week Four - Coaches Corner

Week Three - Coaches Corner