From the Desk of...

Matt Burnett

Coach Burnett Talks About Week 11

November 7, 1999

Nederland Game

     The Nederland game was a dream come true for us. Our game plan worked just about to perfection. Things like that don't always happen in a big game.

     We had a simple plan defensively to stop the things they do, and as things worked out, it was all we needed. We did not do a lot of changes. Some people may think to stop good offenses, that the defense needs to do a lot of stunts and blitzes, but we felt going in that if we played good tough football we could contain them. As things unraveled, our thoughts were correct. It makes for an easier game...there's not regrets at the end of the game, having second thoughts as to whether we should have done that stunt or blitz, and in a losing cause. We were prepared. We contained their potent offense. You have to give Nederland credit for all the points they've scored on people. The only thing I can say is I think our kids were right on the money in everything, and Nederland may have underestimated our defense. A lot of times when you get to a contest of that sort, it's hard to adjust, but to give Nederland credit, they kept up the fight to the end.

     Offensively we were able to move the ball on the ground. That helped move the clock, and put some physical play back into the game. Sometimes when you throw too much you don't get the trapping and power blocking, and we were fortunate we could move the ball and our kids could latch into them and get physical.

     Bo Wortham ran like a man possessed. He ran with a lot of passion. Our offensive line latched 'em up and Dustin Long had a good game throwing.

     It was a good night to be an Indian, and I'm lucky I have a group of boys who know how to get ready for a football game. A lot of getting ready for a football game is believing in the game plan and believing in what we're telling them will work, and they had confidence in what they were being taught. The other thing is the kids took responsibility for being  emotionally ready for the game. I challenged them to get not into the pep rally rah rah emotion, but the business emotion...and they were in the business emotion, and once they got out there they let the crowd get them going. You know the fans, pep rallies, and pre-game speeches are all part of the game, but if you don't learn the Xs and Os for Friday night you're going to come up short. I was happy we were able to mesh it all together emotionally.

On Silsbee

     Silsbee is real well coached. The McGallion brothers coach there. Bubba is the head coach, and his brother Craig is the defensive coordinator. They both played at the University of Houston, and both graduated from Silsbee. This is their second year there, and they've instilled enthusiasm in that program. They do a great job of coaching. They run the Houston Veer, and they know how to run it. It presents a log of worries to a defense. They can run and throw.

     Defensively they're lining up in a bunch of defensive fronts and attacking the line of scrimmage. They're real sound in what they do. Another thing is we beat them already this year, and we're aware of the fact they have that extra incentive to get after us. So we have to make sure we can match them emotionally. They will be mad play with a lot of emotion in the game.

     We have to keep out game plan in check, and our emotions, and get ready to compete with them on Friday night.

Injuries

     Indians came out of the Nederland game injury free.

Defensive Leaders

     Defensive leaders against Nederland were: