Chris Ferrick-Manley
Staff Reporter
The Green Terror football team heads into Family Weekend coming off back-to-back blowout losses at home to Moravian, and on the road at Catholic. They currently stand at 1-2 (0-1 CC).
McDaniel Head Coach Tim Keating was very critical of his team coming off the loss to the Moravian Greyhounds.
“I think the score was indicative of our effort,” said Keating, “it’s a damn shame.”
Keating also had harsh words for the officiating in the Moravian game. In that game, McDaniel had two touchdowns called back because of holding penalties. According to Keating, there was no hold visible on the game film on an apparent touchdown run by junior RB Eric Zwilsky.
Also, he believes the game film proves a defensive pass interference call that went against McDaniel was also unfounded.
The McDaniel offense struggled to move the ball against Moravian, managing only a 38-yard Jay Leonard field goal after the game had been effectively decided. Part of the problem, according to Keating, was the relative inexperience of the McDaniel quarterbacks.
Keating said that Moravian blitzed the three McDaniel QBs used: juniors Joe Lapkowicz, Zach Swope, and freshman Vinny Corona; around 80 percent of the time.
“Reading the blitz has to change or the team will be blitzed like crazy,” said Keating.
The run defense continued to be a problem as Moravian totaled 388 yards on the ground for a 6.6 yards per carry average and three rushing touchdowns. According to Keating, the breakdowns on defense occurred within the linebackers and not the defensive line who he believes played well despite the final outcome.
Against Catholic, the opposite was the case however. Catholic senior QB Keith Ricca, a four year starter, passed for 353 yards and two touchdowns on the way to a 31-7 Catholic Cardinals victory.
Despite the back-to-back losses, Keating believes that if the team can just believe in themselves, it will greatly enhance their chances.
“It’s going to take time, these guys are inexperienced,” said Keating, referring to the quarterback play.
The next home game is Saturday, September 27 against the Dickinson Red Devils. Game time is 1pm.