Indians, Mustangs looking for momentum
FAIRFIELD — When the Armijo and Rodriguez High football teams meet tonight at Coach Ed Hopkins Memorial Stadium, it’ll be a meeting of two teams that have struggled through the first four games of the season.
Both are 1-3, Rodriguez’s win coming in Week 3 against Fairfield, and Armijo’s in Week 2 against Valley.
After tonight, one will have two losses and a little momentum heading into league play.
First-year varsity coaches Aaron Toliver of Armijo and Jason Ott of Rodriguez are trying to get their teams headed in the right direction as the nonleague portion of the schedule comes to a close tonight.
Rodriguez leads the all-time series 5-4, winning five straight dating back to 2006.
“I’m pretty happy with where we are,” said Toliver, whose team is coming off a 28-9 loss to cross-town rival Vanden. “I think our biggest accomplishment is losing a very small number of kids to grades this year. In the seven years I’ve been here at Armijo, this is (the best we’ve done) academically.”
Toliver knows a thing or two about the Indians’ history, coaching the junior varsity team before taking over for the recently retired Mike Singer.
“Football-wise, we’re making progress every week. I’m happy with where we are,” he continued. “I’d like to see more offensive consistency, but we’re right on pace with what we have. . . . We’ve moved some people around. Hopefully, we can find a good home for them before league starts.”
For Ott, he’s still trying to get his offense headed in the right direction, but keeping his whole team on the field has been an issue.
“We’re improving every day. The kids are understanding the offense and defense,” Ott said. “We’re getting better with our technique. But having to overcome injuries has been our biggest thing.”
Ott said he has yet to have his starting offensive line in consecutive weeks.
“We’re just plugging guys in and getting them coached up,” Ott said. “Overall as a program we’re definitely improved. The coaches have stepped up, and the kids are able to understand what we’re doing and respond.”
The Mustangs are coming off a painful 51-13 loss at Monterey Trail in which the team managed just 116 yards of total offense. All of that was on the ground as quarterback Jordan Riggins didn’t complete one of his eight pass attempts to a teammate. He was picked off once by Monterey Trail.
As for tonight, Toliver said the key for the Indians is to find consistency.
“The key will be offensive consistency,” he said. “The key will be if we can sustain drives down field and stop their speedy team. I know they’re really fast. We have to control the edges.”
That speed is exactly where Ott is hoping to put his team’s focus.
“We’ve got to take advantage of our speed and the deception of our offense,” he said. “Hiding the ball, making them figure out who has the ball. Our biggest key will be getting off to a fast start and being comfortable at home.”
Ott said he felt like the team was out of its comfort zone in its lone home appearance, the 13-12 win over Fairfield.
“It’s also important that our seniors lead from beginning to end,” Ott said.
Reach Mike Corpos at 427-6979 or mcorpos@dailyrepublic.net.
Short URL: http://www.dailyrepublic.com/?p=92131
Posted by Mike Corpos
on Sep 29 2011.
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