Week 7 00

Coach Burnett Talks About Week 7, 2000

October 15, 2000

West Orange-Stark Game

I think that we are kind of in the same situation we were in last year. We had lost to WO-S, and we cranked it up and won out and were able to go to the playoffs, but anytime you lose games it's not a good situation.

We felt like we made some good strides in a lot of areas as far as improving turnovers (1), our kicking game was strong, and our defense was strong. There were a lot of positive things. Our offense put us in position to win the game. We came out from our own 1-yard line in the fourth quarter, and drove to their 21-yard line and had four downs to put it in with 2:31 left. I felt the kids did everything we asked them to.

Our game plan was to match them physically and we did that. Our kids stood toe to toe with them. We ran at them and we ran the clock, but we couldn't close the deal. We were there. To our kids' credit we were conscious enough and courageous enough to put the Indians in a situation to win it.

The most important thing for us is to stay together as a team and know the fact that we are still in a good situation as far as the district race. I think our kids are aware of that. They know what they can do and they know the emotional part of the game and know they need to get to a certain level. We have to win out and take the games one at a time. I know we can.

On TJ

TJ has a tough defensive front. They're doing a good job of defense. They are very physical up front. They give several different looks defensively. They are a good football team.

Offensively they're explosive. They have a lot of speed. They can move the ball and score points. We're very concerned about them as a team. We're going to have to be sharp and have a sound game plan to beat them.

It's a Saturday night game so it gives us an extra day to prepare and rest. Sometimes those Saturday games are a blessing. At this time it's a good thing. It allows us one more day of extra preparation.

Injuries

FB Nathan Perez is questionable this week with a thigh bruise.

Defensive Leaders

Defensive leaders against WO-S were:

	OLB Jeff LeBlanc--7 first contacts, 2 assists, 1 caused fumble, 1 QB pressure, 3 sacks
	OLB Adam LeDoux--10 first contacts, 4 assists, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 2 quarterback pressures, 2 sacks
	LB Cody Clark--11 first contacts, 4 assists, 1 tackle for loss
	LB Tracye Boudoin--7 first contacts, 12 assists
	DE Justin Mercer--6 first contacts, 6 assists, 1 tackle for loss, 2 QB pressures
	DE Jared Gary--4 first contacts, 4 assists, 1 caused fumble, 3 QB pressures

--Matt Burnett, Head Coach