Was at the game and my thoughts so far -
Palma offense is much improved from last season. QB Richardson has lots more confidence and throws the ball with authority and more accurate than last season. Nice spin. He hot 5 or six different receivers and the receivers this year only dropped one pass from what I saw and it was closely covered - would have been a nice catch. Palma WRs run really nice routes. They were open on a couple deep routes but timing just a little off. Sure this will be ironed out. Rushing attack - Martinez runs at another level compared to last season- he's bigger, stronger and so elusive but doesn't elude contact. He is a load to tackle. He is such a fun RB to watch. Also very quick to hole and when there is not much a hole gets low and somehow gets through seams. He should have a huge year if he stays healthy and has another year. The FBs blocked really well, and after next week get another RB (Sr Torculas) back that also plays defense that is an impact type player. It might not be until after mid season that junior Telford gets back hopefully (very bad hamstring) that will open some eyes at RB and defense when he gets back playing. I was hoping Martinez was given a shot at playing defense (he could be the top defender on the team as well), but looking like he is being kept fresh and they want to keep him healthy. Maybe if they get more depth he will be given a shot at DB or safety. He could play LB as well.
Palma o-line is ahead of last year at this time of the year. They looked pretty good and physical. Palma's ability to throw the ball and rush keeps defenses honest. Palma defense played much better at this stage than I thought. They did have 8 in the box most of the game and played man at the corners. Palma LBs looked good and d-line looked pretty good. Lots of juniors on defense. They rotate alot of people in to keep them fresh. I think they have room to get better. Special teams - they have a good kicker (soccer player). I am not kidding that he was 5-8 205lbs last season and in one year is 6-1, 175. What a transformation in a year. He's an accurate kicker from around 30 yards out. Not test yet any further.
They made lots of penalties in their first game - holding, blocking, poor snaps, but that should be ironed out with it being their first game. Sutter was a good team. Very deceptive rushing attack -they run the Wing T really well and their QB really was really excellent selling kake hand-offs. They had a couple really good RB with one a breakaway threat and the other quick and a load to tackle. They other skill players were good as well. On defense they were relentless and disciplined. Palma passing attack gave them some problems and they had to ry to contain Palma's RB. Line wise Sutter's o-line looked pretty good. I think defensive line had a little trouble with Palma's o-line. Sutter does play hard the whole game. Sutter could very well run the table on the rest of their schedule. Will be tested again by Bear River, but also have tough road schedule.
I'm looking forward to the St Francis and Palma game this coming week. Looks like both have explosive offenses and good defenses. Should be a battle.
Some high lights of game -
Richarsdon -
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1727023/highlights/285976602/v2
Martinez -
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3005343/highlights/285969627/v2
Dalman -
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3005327/highlights/285976676/v2