SIX QUESTIONS. ONE WEEK. INSIDE WILLIAMS FOOTBALL
A 19-play drive to close the game. An offensive line that made the difference. And a Trinity team with the ability to change a game in one play.
Coming off Saturday’s win at Colby, Coach Raymond takes us inside the week, from the moments that stood out on film to what the Ephs will need to do against Trinity.
The Rearview
Give me the one moment from Saturday you’ll show the team on film Monday, good or bad, and why that one.
Every Monday, we have good football and bad football highlights. Certainly, the last drive on offense and the last drive on defense are two things we’ll show them.
We were able to close them out on both sides of the ball.
We had a 19-play, 80-yard drive where, physically, we just were able to run the ball and score. It was just a great way to finish on offense.
Then, defensively, keeping them out of the end zone on that final drive just shows that we were stubborn, did our jobs, and were able to rise to the occasion and close them out.
Unsung Eph
Who’s a player who didn’t show up in the box score but earned your respect this week?
I have to say the offensive line as a whole, for sure. They were huge difference-makers in that game.
The Opponent
What’s the one thing about this week’s opponent that keeps you up at night?
They’re just a good team top to bottom. I think their big-play ability is probably the one thing that really keeps you up thinking.
We can’t let them hit us on the big ones. They’ve done that the last couple of years, so we have to prevent the big strike.
The Key
If we win Saturday, what will be the core reason?
Really good red-zone defense, establishing some balance on offense, and being really good tacklers and preventing the big play.
We have to make them drive the field, and we have to create some balance on offense.
Practice Pulse
What did Saturday tell you about this team’s mindset, and what are you looking for from them in practice this week?
I was really happy with the way they went up there and were focused.
We got behind early and didn’t play well on defense that first drive. We traded some punts, got on the board, and then started to get some rhythm going on both sides of the ball.
The biggest thing was the way they stuck together. They stayed with the game plan and really started to execute.
They didn’t panic. They didn’t complain. They just kept things going and started to get better on both sides of the ball.
Colby did some really good things on that first drive. They presented some new formations that we didn’t execute well. We weren’t in the right spots, and Colby’s got good players. If you’re not in the right spots, they’re going to beat you.
Message to the Alumni
What do you want the Eph football family to know heading into this weekend?
Trinity is a great game. I know the players have always circled this game on their calendar, and this year will be no different.
Our guys are in the office a bunch today, looking for film, looking for game plans, looking for everything.
They’re excited.
Question of the Week
Who’s the coach who shaped you the most, and what did they get right?
Each week, we’ll finish Coaches Corner with one question that gets Coach Raymond away from the week’s game plan and gives the Eph football community a little more insight into the coach, the person, and the program.
Coaches Corner is a weekly Williams Sideline Quarterback Club feature taking alumni, families, and friends inside the week with Williams Football.
Go Ephs!