OK, so I have stayed off the board from prior to the game until now, too nervous beforehand and too morose afterwards. Did not see anything from the game posted, so wanted to post my thoughts.
It was a great game between two very evenly matched teams. Overall there were very few flags, it was just pure FB. Were there some missed calls, sure, but, those seemed to be on whole to go both ways.
Batavia did a great job prepping for the game, had a very good offensive game plan and executed it. They picked up on a few defensive weaknesses prior to the game and went right after them, more importantly executed on those plays. In addition in truly horrendous conditions (snow squall to start, standing water after halftime, combined with 35 degrees and 20mph winds miserable) their QB made some excellent passes (very impressive), with excellent catches and they only put the ball on the ground once.
IMO there were a few plays that turned the game; the fumble on the kick return (led to 7pts). After not bobbling a EP or FG all year, the bobble on the 2nd EP and more importantly the bobble on the FG, both of which are attributable to the wet ball (see above on Batavia passing). Lastly in the failed fake punt. Not sure I would have called for it, but, it was only 3 yards and would have changed the game the other way, so understand how it could have been called.
However, the biggest play that turned the game was Benet blocking the punt at the 17 yard line at the end of Q2 and getting zero points. That was a huge stand for Batavia, could we have made different play calls? Sure, but, the calls we made were not necessarily bad plays, Batavia just defended them.
From the Benet perspective, some things caught up with us. All year our Offense would move in fits and starts, in this game we had a great Q1 and did not get moving again until towards the end, some of that was certainly due to Batavia's D, just needed to go some more.
In addition injuries finally caught up. QB1 (Senior) who broke the thumb on his throwing hand in game 5, was back, but, then hurt it again in Q2, enter QB2 (Soph) who then got dinged, QB1 comes back with said throwing hand taped, when that was not effective QB2 tried to go, was unable to QB3 comes in, with QB2 coming back for last 2 series of game.
Slot R who caught game winning TD against LWC, hurt 2nd play of game, on crutches rest of game.
CB (JR) hit on KR and fumbled, got a shoulder ding on that hit, played rest of game, but, hampered.
a few others starters dinged during game, all went back in. While they could not get anything more going, neither could Batavia really in second half.
It was a good game, one I wish we were on the other side of.
In the end, it was a great ride. After our boys Freshman year, never would have thought they would have made it this far. Congrats to all of them. In this game, every one of them (especially the Seniors) left everything they had on the field, it just did not work out. My son had success beyond our wildest dreams, just sad it is over.
If these two teams played 10 games think it would be 5/5.
Think Batavia has a great shot at LZ, but, don't think I can watch, too painful.
It was a great game between two very evenly matched teams. Overall there were very few flags, it was just pure FB. Were there some missed calls, sure, but, those seemed to be on whole to go both ways.
Batavia did a great job prepping for the game, had a very good offensive game plan and executed it. They picked up on a few defensive weaknesses prior to the game and went right after them, more importantly executed on those plays. In addition in truly horrendous conditions (snow squall to start, standing water after halftime, combined with 35 degrees and 20mph winds miserable) their QB made some excellent passes (very impressive), with excellent catches and they only put the ball on the ground once.
IMO there were a few plays that turned the game; the fumble on the kick return (led to 7pts). After not bobbling a EP or FG all year, the bobble on the 2nd EP and more importantly the bobble on the FG, both of which are attributable to the wet ball (see above on Batavia passing). Lastly in the failed fake punt. Not sure I would have called for it, but, it was only 3 yards and would have changed the game the other way, so understand how it could have been called.
However, the biggest play that turned the game was Benet blocking the punt at the 17 yard line at the end of Q2 and getting zero points. That was a huge stand for Batavia, could we have made different play calls? Sure, but, the calls we made were not necessarily bad plays, Batavia just defended them.
From the Benet perspective, some things caught up with us. All year our Offense would move in fits and starts, in this game we had a great Q1 and did not get moving again until towards the end, some of that was certainly due to Batavia's D, just needed to go some more.
In addition injuries finally caught up. QB1 (Senior) who broke the thumb on his throwing hand in game 5, was back, but, then hurt it again in Q2, enter QB2 (Soph) who then got dinged, QB1 comes back with said throwing hand taped, when that was not effective QB2 tried to go, was unable to QB3 comes in, with QB2 coming back for last 2 series of game.
Slot R who caught game winning TD against LWC, hurt 2nd play of game, on crutches rest of game.
CB (JR) hit on KR and fumbled, got a shoulder ding on that hit, played rest of game, but, hampered.
a few others starters dinged during game, all went back in. While they could not get anything more going, neither could Batavia really in second half.
It was a good game, one I wish we were on the other side of.
In the end, it was a great ride. After our boys Freshman year, never would have thought they would have made it this far. Congrats to all of them. In this game, every one of them (especially the Seniors) left everything they had on the field, it just did not work out. My son had success beyond our wildest dreams, just sad it is over.
If these two teams played 10 games think it would be 5/5.
Think Batavia has a great shot at LZ, but, don't think I can watch, too painful.
Last edited:
