Mohawk looks to learn
from loss, bounce back
Written: Sep 04, 2008
  By JOE SAGER
ncsports@ncnewsonline.com
The Mohawk High football team has learned a lot since practice began on Aug. 11.
However, head coach Jason Long hopes the knowledge gained from analyzing last week’s 36-8 loss at Center will be the team’s most-valuable lessons yet as the squad prepares to battle New Brighton tomorrow in a Midwestern Conference contest.
Mohawk led 8-0 last week before the Trojans scored 36 unanswered points.
“I think maybe some of them grew up a little bit. Even going into the week, I liked their preparation. I think they will learn from mistakes and do better,” Long said. “I really like our young guys and our senior leaders. This is a big week to see if we improve. Week 1 is in the books and the question is if we can get better for Week 2. That will tell us a lot about the direction we’re heading.”
Long saw plenty of good things from the Warriors (0-1 conference, 0-1 overall) against Center.
“There were a lot of positives to come out of that game and some things we’re trying to fix,” Long said. “We’re trying to shore up things up front, as far as blocking schemes. We have to tackle and finish. When we have opportunities to make plays, we need to make them. We have to protect the ball. If you want to have a chance to win — at any level — you have to protect the ball and then take the ball away, too.
“I thought we were in position to make plays and didn’t get it done. If we can continue to be in position, we need to make the plays or finish tackles,” he continued. “I am happy with how physical the kids played.”
The Lions are coming off a first-week loss, too. Beaver pulled away for a 43-13 win.
“That score was a little misleading,” Long said. “They were right there the whole time. They are a good football team.”
He’s right. New Brighton trailed, 21-14, at the end of the third quarter, despite allowing Beaver’s Jake Nardone to run for 340 yards.
“They were much bigger and more physical,” New Brighton coach Mitch Carver said. “That team is good. Nardone is a heck of a running back. They handled us up front pretty well and wore us down in the fourth quarter. I was proud of our kids. They fought to the end. That’s key in this game.
“Everybody is excited to get their first win,” he continued. “Mohawk played Center tough. The score wasn’t indicative of that game. I think we match up better size-wise and athletic-wise with Mohawk. I am sure it’s going to be a good game.”
Long knows the Lions have some talented personnel, especially receiver/defensive back D.J. Pearson, who returned a fumble 99 yards for a touchdown last week.
“They have some athletes, for sure. They like to get the ball to their athletes, whether running or throwing and they show some misdirection. Defensively, they will show a couple different looks, but they will come after you,” Long said. “They make plays, for sure.”
Mohawk boasts some solid performers as well. Running back Travis Schubert racked up 125 yards on 15 carries — the second-highest total in Lawrence County last week.
“Defensively, we need to get it together a little better. We are spending a lot of time on defense this week,” Carver said. “Offensively, we played pretty well. We just couldn’t get on track. We didn’t have the ball for one play in the third quarter. We have to be stronger defensively up front and in our linebacker crew. Mohawk has a good running back and a couple good receivers. They have really good linemen, too.”
The game will mark the debut of the renovated bleachers and new band shell at Mohawk’s stadium.
“We’re glad about the stands. Hopefully, in a year or two, we can renovate the press box and get some improvement in the field,” Long said. “It’s a little bit of a process. In the next couple of years, I’m assuming things will really shape up. This was the first step.”
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