OJordan,
After hearing some insights, did you think their was some hestitation on the part of the crusaders. The bells strategy was very conseritive. It era assessed that the multifunctional offense failed at different levels, nerves, focus or effluence of Bells defense? I have not seen a poster state the later,
Best case scenario is the Crusaders our currently Co-Champs of the best in class league of NorCal
Many take shots at the Bells program for implementing a "dated" run-heavy double wing, even when they may have some stud quarterbacks in seasons past...Much respect to their offensive philosophy as the same plays used last night are the SAME used at ALL level starting at the Frosh. Add in a some wrinkles in the offense as well as a well-scouted defensive strategy against its opponents = winning formula. How can anyone argue with that?!?
Last night was no different as the Bells ran their double wing to near perfection. Was very impressed with #10 @ qb as it appeared the offense did not skip a beat and he ran off the option very well too. Crusader coach Curtin was furious after the first series at his lineman for being flat and not playing aggressively.
Gotta give credit for the Bells coaching in adding in extra DBs. As I stated previously, the Crusader offense seemed to play into their hands. They appeared impatient to stick with its read option run coupled with their power running formations as they were moving the chains. In the second half they became one-dimensional by going to the pass far too often, especially with the extra DBs in, they should have relied more on the "trench mob" to control the game through the run.
It seemed every game up until last nights, coach Fordon added some type of wrinkle into the offense that was never seen previously, (I.e. wildcat, fly sweep, flea-flicker, etc.) There appeared there was nothing new the Bells had not seen and would have been interesting if this could have made a difference...
By all accounts, the play of the game was the interception made in the late 1st half by Riordan's Cedric McAfee in the end zone that would have given the Crusaders possession at their 20. Instead, the ref ruled the int incomplete and the Bells scored on a sensational scrambling pass to McCauley on the very next play.
Again, lots of football left. This is shaping up to be an exciting and wild finish in the WCAL.
For those who were not at the game, here is a pic of the INT by Riordan's Cedric McAfee that was overruled by the ref.
http://www.michaelconti.info/arhs03#9