Faulkner learns from loss

From the start of Faulkner's game against Samford last Saturday night in Birmingham, Eagles' head coach Jim Nichols knew his squad was in trouble.
Nichols had said prior to the game that his team would need to play the perfect game to have a shot. On the first play from scrimmage, those dreams were dashed, as running back Ryan Williams fumbled.
And it only got worse from there, as Samford rolled to a 62-0 win.
"We took it on the chin," Nichols said. "There's no way around it. We didn't play well enough to win that game, but let's be honest, that was a very tough game for us to play at this point just two years in."
Despite the lopsided loss, both Nichols and starting quarterback Phillip Moore called the game with Samford a good learning experience. And Moore believes it will help the Eagles throughout the season.
"Seeing that kind of speed and that kind of size was good for us, because we won't see anything like it the rest of the season," said Moore, who was 3-of-9 for 35 yards and one interception against the Bulldogs. "Plus, it was a whole different setting up there than anything else we'll see this year. I think it helped us in a bunch of ways."
It didn't help so much from a coaching aspect, however.
Because the Samford players were so much bigger and so much stronger than any of the players Faulkner will face this season, Nichols said it was tough to judge just how well his players performed.
"You just don't know whether the reason this play didn't work or the reason that mis take was made was because they were so much faster and stronger than any of the teams we'll prepare for," Nichols said. "From that standpoint, we really didn't get a good idea of how well we executed. We could see some things, but not much. It's like I told (Huntingdon head coach Mike) Turk, 'Here's the film (from the Samford game), but I don't think you'll be able to tell much.' "
While he couldn't tell much about execution, Nichols learned a lot about his players.
"You don't want something like this to affect their psyche and it hurt the rest of the year, and I really don't think that's the case with this team," he said. "These guys seem to have put it behind them."
Moore said the upcoming rivalry game against cross-town rival Huntingdon helped speed up the healing process.
"It's good that this game comes now," Moore said. "When we all got to the field house on Sunday, it was an upbeat environment. Everyone was ready to work and get that game behind us. It was good to see. And we've been focused ever since. That game (against Samford) hasn't affected us."
If only the same could be said for the coaches.
"The coaching staff is taking it harder than the kids," Nichols said. "You know, those guys pour everything into getting the team ready, and a loss like that really hurts them. The kids are more resilient. The coaches hang on to it a little longer."
Note: Tickets for Saturday's game between Faulkner and Huntingdon are $5 for students and $10 for general admission (kids under 10 are free). Tickets can be purchased at the Faulkner athletic offices or at Cramton Bowl on the day of the game.