Big Steps

I know that football is a crazy game. A lot of folks believe three years is enough time to become a great team. Those people are not alone. Players and coaches feel the same way. However, we are still very young and need to remember that success is measured in "baby" steps. After two tough losses against Huntingdon and Union, the Eagles took some of those steps Saturday against #11 Shorter.

Last season, Shorter blanked us 49-0. Coming into Saturday, everyone expected more of the same. For the first time, Faulkner showed how well they can play as a "TEAM". From offense, defense, and special teams Faulkner pulled together to show the home crowd that we have taken steps in the right direction.

Defense, once again stepped up to lead the way. Shorter has a very strong offense, but the Eagle defense rose to the challenge.

The defensive line was very active on Saturday, including scooping up a fumble and came close to "housing" it.


J.T Barker does what he does best in the secondary. Picking balls and crushing wide-outs.


One of the biggest improvements, was the Eagle ground game. The running back trio of Edwards, Taylor, and Cheatham ripped off chunks yards on their way to one of the best Faulkner ground attacks in school history.

This is something that Faulkner has to have if we expect the spread offense to work. When you can run at will, the pass will open up. There was no doubt that it did just that.

Special teams stepped up all day. From Corder punting the ball to, new comer Triston McCathern's 99 yard kick return for a touchdown. This also led to Triston grabbing the Mid South special teams player of the week.

There is no doubt that football is a team sport and in new programs this is the hardest thing to teach. Steps were taken Saturday that showed these guys have bought into Coach Bakers goals and ideas. From a coaching stand point, I was proud to see our guys fight for a chance to win. I won't take anything away from Shorter, they are a great team and won this game. However, we were in this game. If we had scored on that fumble recovery from Willie Mixon, it would have made that a 8 point ball game in the 4th quarter. It sounds like I'm grasping at straws, but these are the little victories that players, coaches, and fans need to grab and build on. Now, the key is, building off of this game. Can we carry it over into the next game. That's another step we need to teach these guys. I can't wait for Saturday and I hope you all feel the same way.

GO EAGLES!

Huntingdon Week.

For a lot of folks, they just now started thinking about the Huntingdon game. For the Eagles, we started thinking about the Hawks as soon as we got back on the buses after beating Webber. Words or blogs can not express how big this game is for Faulkner. For the past two years, Huntingdon has let the state of Alabama know that Montgomery is Hawk territory and I assure you, they have earned it. Have the Eagles turned the corner? I believe it is very possible they have.

I have been with this program since the very start, and I saw things in the Webber game that I have never seen before. I saw "maturity"! I believe this is something that this team has been lacking for the past two seasons. There were several times during the Webber game when the "old" Faulkner would have folded up, but not this team. They fought every down. This is something that we have lacked.

You better hold on to your hat. This is going to be a brawl. Turk ALWAYS has those boys ready and they play like it's their last. Well, so do we. I'm looking for an old fashion throw down. So if you want to see a great college football game, head on over to Huntingdon this Saturday and watch two class teams go at it.

1-0

Wow, what a great weekend. For the first time in Faulkner football history, the Eagles have started the season 1-0. I've been with the program since the start, and I can tell you that this team has a completely different attitude. When we boarded the bus we had a very business like attitude and I believe it showed on Saturday.

Let me start by saying that in the past two years Faulkner has some good defense, but nothing like we saw on Saturday. The Eagle defense was insane. Time and time again the defense stood strong. With three pass breakups, one interception, two forced fumbles, and two blocked kicks I believe they did their jobs. Oh, did I forget the four sacks? Yes, the Eagle defense played the best I have ever seen.

The offense is still a work in progress, however it showed just how fast it is capable of playing. True freshman, Joe Scott was called on to lead the team and he did a great job. Again, being since 2007, I can see a complete transformation. I'm expecting great things from the offense this year.

I think the biggest thing I was proud of was how mature our players were under pressure. Our guys battled all day against all kinds of obstacles. I believe that the Eagles may have turned the corner. Now it's back to work and prepare for the Hawks. Hope to see you there. If you were not able to be at the game, check out this link from Ryan Bartels. He did a GREAT job on filming. Enjoy.

http://faulknereagles.wordpress.com/

GO EAGLES!