Did you win or lose?

High School Football

Many HS teams are two games into the season. Some have won, some have lost. For those teams that have their first game this coming Friday, remember, the first two games of the season can set the tone for the rest of the season.

Did you win both games? Lose both? Split the difference? Its tough. You win the first game and you are fired up! We are on our way. Then you lose the second game. Damn! What happened. Maybe we aren't as good as we thought. Or maybe you played a weak team opening night and a top team the second game? Maybe you won both games and you are on track and on standard. OR...you lost both. I'm sorry. That sucks. But someone has to lose.

Let me ask you. How did you and your team and coaching staff respond? So many teams over react positively or negatively to their win or loss. Worse, if you lost your first two games, you can get into a bad funk and think, well I guess the best we can hope for is a 6-5 winning season, or we suck, or we just have a weak/young team, play offs may be way off now, etc. excuses, excuses, excuses.. OR, you can refocus - win or lose.

I have always said after a loss, "now we know what we need to work on." You know what I said said after a win? Yup. "now we know what we need to work on". This early in the season, a loss is not fatal. Use it as an opportunity to make adjustments, fix issues and come back better and compete. Everyone wants an undefeated season. Not everyone is willing to do what it takes to earn one. On top of that...its incredibly hard to do. Trust me! I have had several undefeated seasons in my career as a player and coach. Wicked hard!

If you have won all two games great! Caution! Don't believe your own BS. Unless you are Mater Dei or Bosco or some other elite program, you may have just gotten lucky, made a few less mistakes or were more disciplined, or played a weak/young team or your darn pretty good. The real tests are coming. Injuries, undisciplined play, kids academically ineligible for the week (thats your fault coach!), a tougher schedule towards the end, etc.

For those teams that haven't played yet...see above. Remember, winning football games comes down to a few simple things: blocking, tackling, discipline and execution. Without these four pillars, you can't pass, run, tackle, score, or stop the opponents offense. Essentially, you won't and can't win football games.

So, whether you have played two games and going into your third or just about ready to kick off on Friday night, remember to focus on the four pillars. Play to your standard. Be disciplined in everything you do. Give 100%, 100% of the time and ultimately, have a short memory. Next play, next game mentality. This goes for coaches and players. There is a reason the rearview mirror is smaller than the windshield. What's behind you is in the past and not important. Its whats in front of you that matters.

Do you know what Saturday's are for? To celebrate your win or mourn your loss. Sunday? Day of rest. Monday? Back at it 0-0. In the wise words of Coach Belichick, "we're on to Cincinnati" or in your case, Central, Saint ABC, or X,Y,C school. Forward! How many times as coaches have we said "we never go backwards on a football field. Only forward to score!" Forward and on to...well, you get the idea.

Congratulations to all the teams that are 2-0. To the others...fix whats broken and come back 100% better. Don't let the first two games of the season set the tone for the rest of the season. Elite football teams have a standard. You practice and play to the standard. Sometimes you fall short. Just like in life. Pick your but up and get back to the standard. In the end, if you played to your standard, that's all you can do. Continue to compete. Continue to improve. If you do that, your a winning program regardless of the record.

Finally, never play down. Some teams that are good, talented, etc. and will play down to a weaker team. Undisciplined, mistakes, half assing it, etc. This is the death of a good program. Play to your standard whether your playing Mater Dei or the team that is always bad. If you are a team that has a standard, play to it...ALWAYS! If you don't have a standard, I suspect you are 0-2 about now. The team is a living breathing machine. All 11 guys. 100%, 100% of the time playing to your standard regardless of the opponent or the score.

2 games in is a great opportunity to take a team assessment. Where are we, how are doing, what can we fix, what worked and what didn't, what can we do better as a team, coaches, players, etc. Whether you're winning or losing, 2 games in is a good self check and diagnostic. Use it wisely because before you know it, you will be near the end of the season. Thats not the time to make major changes.

If you are getting ready for the first game, same questions. Coach, you have four days. What are you going to do with them to put your team in the best position to win and succeed?

Good luck and onward. You got this!

Coach Frederick