Big Creek 21, Hurley 8

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Capitilizing on numerous turnovers and penalties, Big Creek's homecoming could be labeled a success as the Owls won 21-8. The Rebels did not execute well all night, partiularly the offense, and special teams.

 

The defense played alright tonight. This bend but don't break defense is working to certain degrees, as Big Creek had a number of big yard plays, but never really sustained any drives and didn't score many points (all of BC's points came off of turnovers, and the great field position gained thereafter). The pass defense was weak as the Big Creek recievers did a good job of getting open, catching the ball, and getting first downs. The rush defense got killed by poor tackling and not being set before Big Creek snapped the ball. The D did produce some turnovers, and a Safety.

 

Biggest turning point in the game came when Hurley got the safety on BC. On the ensueing free kick, Big Creek recovered the ball when nobody but the deep returnman wanted to catch the kick, which led to the returnman taking a helmet to his knee (sidelining the starting TE/SOLB for the rest of the game). Hurley was only down 7-2, was set to get the ball back, and had been driving pretty good until a Interception (which put the ball on the 3 yard line; moments later, the safety occured).

 

The offense never clicked all night. Whatever could possibly go wrong went wrong. Red zone efficiency remains a vital issue as Hurley had two or three drives end with 0 points after getting inside the 20. The running game was hit and miss, never getting into a flow at all. The passing game saw many catchable balls dropped, but for the most part the WRs had trouble getting separation from a defender.

 

Special teams miscues were crucial as well. A botched punt led to Big Creek's first TD within the games first two minutes. An onside kick to open the 2nd half went unrecovered, and Big Creek converts a long 4th down off a Fake Punt.

 

This was a team loss. Players, coaches, they all had a part in it. You win as a team, you lose as a team. Some nights, the ball doesn't bounce your way. You have to adjust, roll with the punches, and hope your capable of still winning.

 

Big Creek was well prepared for this game, and there boys came out excited and ready to win. Hurley is still yet to play a full game in which they are excited and executing properly, but they still played BC very close until the late 4th quarter, something that the players and coaches should be proud of. I know its hard to accept morale victories, but if Hurley is still looking for a playoff spot, this is not the time to self-destruct. Its time to build off what is there (3-2 record, 4 of the final 5 games @ Hurley), and focus solely on Betsy Layne (for some reason, I got the feeling we all overlooked the Owls; we payed for it too).

 

Moving the ball, scoring points, improved execution, and defensive stops should be the goals set for this coming week. The target, to beat Betsy Layne while playing a complete four quarter game with no letdown or slack off.

 

Go Rebels. Beat the Bobcats.