October 20, 2007
FOOTBALL: Knowing the score
Saturday's Pine Tree Conference game between Nokomis and Maranacook got a little testy toward the end after Nokomis coach Dave Evans felt the Black Bears were rubbing it in with the score 41-0.
Maranacook has been on the wrong end of a lot of these scores as it tries to rebuild its program but didn't show much sympathy toward the Warriors on Saturday. Two plays after recovering a fumble four minutes into the fourth quarter, the Black Bears ran a hook-and-ladder play with Pat Norwood taking the lateral to the Nokomis 30.
Norwood had already scored four touchdowns and rushed for 250 yards and Evans wonderd why he was still in the game. In fairness to Maranacook, Norwood only touched the ball three times in the second half, but probably shouldn't have been playing in the fourth quarter.
On the next play, Maranacook tried a halfback pass and Evans, clearly miffed, called timeout. The game went downhill fron there with Nokomis players taking a few shots at QB Mike Brennan and Maranacook retaliating. Eight penalties were called over the last five minutes as players nearly came to blows on one occasion.
After the game, coaches from both teams jawed at one another as Maranacook athletic director Al McGregor broke up the confrontation.
None of this needed to happen. First-year Maranacook coach Kevin Norwood didn't know what the cause of the problem was after the game. And Evans gave him a pass of sorts because of his inexperience.
"His subs need to be playing then so I can play my subs," Evans said of the fourth quarter.
Norwood had some of his subs in, but like many Class B teams there aren't a lot of bodies on his sideline. The play-calling was a mistake at that point of the game and really led to all the problems. Some fans and coaches don't see this as an issue at all but many do.
A good rule of thumb: When you're way ahead, keep it simple. Play hard and try to score but not with your starters involved in the plays.
I think the Nokomis coach needs to quite being a baby about the score teams will do that. We have been beaten 60 to 0 before that is running the score up. If you don't want the score run up then stope the other team dont do cheap shots I was there and I was hit a couple times by cheap shotting players so learn to coach and we will see ya next year #44.
Posted by
Brandon #44 Black BearsOctober 23, 2007 10:40 AM
We had many starters out for about 3 games, our coach along with the players that were out for a while, wanted to see what we could do. Possibly going into the playoffs we wanted to see if our plays that we had put in since norwood had been gone worked. One of those happend to be a hook and ladder. If the Nokomis coach has a problem with Norwood getting a few extra carries, that's too bad. Norwood hadn't been on a football field with his teammates for 3 games, giving him a few more reps before the season was over isn't bad sportsmanship. Bad sportsmanship would have to go to Nokomis for laying out cheap shots to my fellow teammates simply because we beat them up and down the field the entire game. It's hard to be talking smack if we've put 49 points on the board and held them to 0.
Posted by
Corey #83 Black BearsOctober 24, 2007 10:53 AM
You think we were running it up? I see in the paper Gardiner beating teams 66 to 0. You say we were running up the score just because you couldn't stop our offense! We could of scored 70 points if we wanted to. Welcome to class B football. Wait till next year when we play you on your home turf.
Posted by
Pat Norwood # 25 Black BearsOctober 24, 2007 01:19 PM
Why dont you hear our side of the story? if the league would explain how the playoff teams were detemined there wouldnt be a problem. We thought we needed to increse our margin of victory, so we ran up the score. Maranacook gets the crap kicked out of them every year and we dont complain. Your players deserved it, they were dirty smack talking poor sports. Nokomis needs to get some class.
Posted by
Ben Johnson # 47October 24, 2007 01:57 PM
I think everyone should hear are story. If we complained about running up the score thats what we would have been doing for three games when Leaitt, waterville and gardinier beatus for 60 plus points my frshman year. Being on the middle of the line i oculd see what was going on and i not saying our team is purfect but nakomis went to far by retaliating aginst our players. i hope you guys have a good season next year.
Posted by
Grovedigga #64October 24, 2007 06:27 PM
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