8/24 Lincoln 10 - Green Bay Southwest 20

Yup.  I count Two and a Half.

That. One. Hurts. There's no way around it - effort alone cannot win a football game.  Execution is everything. When the QB audibles to a QB sneak on 1st and goal from the 1, you have to hear that call (or you have to say it louder).  If you're a TE and you're assignment is to block the outside linebacker on a 5-step drop pass play, you have to at least touch him, or the QB might throw an interception as a result of getting hit.  When the coaches take a timeout and tell you a screen is coming, you cannot lose the FB in the backfield.  And, above all else, you have to know your lane assignments on kickoff and stick to them.  Gentlemen, the effort was there. The game was exhilarating to watch.  But that is no way to lose a football game.  The good news is that you got that one out of the way.  The good news is that when you woke up Saturday morning, you realized you probably played your worst game of the season.  And, without a garbage pick-6 with 30 seconds left in the game, you lost to the conference favorites by just 3 points.  Which means that any one of the aforementioned plays could have changed the entire game in your favor.  You are right on the precipice, gentlemen.  This week you'll take the leap.  As frustrating as that loss was, I know greatness is coming.

We have a new staff photographer for this season.  His pretty pictures are after the jump.

The defense was stout all game long, surrendering just 6 points the entire day, while recording 4 sacks and 10 TFLs.

The offense had some difficulties moving the ball, but were able to put together some very good drives.

On 1st and Goal from the 4, Muscles missed a block, costing Lil' Dixon his first TD of the season.  The Ships scored a play later, however, on a QB sneak.  7-0, Ships.

It seemed like we were thiiiiiis close to breaking a big run about ten times Friday night.

A great kick block by Saubs, a perfect seal by The Department Store, and Lodes lead blocking... How was this not a TD!?!?  I had to go back to the film.  LODES! GO HIT SOMEBODY! IT'S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD.  DO IT!

Linebacker Rape. 

Legitimate Linebacker Rape. 

Young Fish was snaring Lefty's hitch passes all game long.  Though the gains weren't very long, they were steady.  He finished with 12 catches for 38 yards.  (All stats approximate).

Yeah.  Uhhh.  You aren't catching Lil' Dixon.

Mace.  MACE!!! A half step faster and this changes the game.  We're talkin' LT strip sack baby!

The Gentle Giant trying to block a DB?  Yes please.

Great pickup by Lil' Dixon.  Good ball.  Good catch.  This was open all day.

#27 Just crapped his pants.

Huge hole, but we just couldn't break one.

Nothing like a pat on the back for a job well-done.

I don't know if Saubs was supposed to pull on this play or not, but if he was gonna pull, you would think he'd want to block someone.  It's not like there weren't any targets.

The photo that captures the night.  Everyone did their assignment except one person.  In this case, The Department Store failed to even touch the OLB.  Lefty gets hit and throws an interception.  TDS - if you're going to build all that muscle, why not use it?  You don't want the coaches calling you PAB, right?

All in all, the mistakes are correctible.  It was a good learning experience.  And I hear you can still win a State Championship and have a loss or two during the regular season.  Just as you can go undefeated during the regular season and underperform in the playoffs.  Keep your heads up.  You'll do better this week.