I cannot say enough about the efforts that this Senior group put in to trying to make the 2009 season a success. In a year where from an injury perspective Murphy’s Law took over, that group provided the leadership to overcome some very difficult situations. We will miss the talent, but more importantly the next class will have to step up in the locker room and replace a group of kids who were team oriented and disciplined. This group stood for the right things, and it was one where not only the front line kids, but also the role players made first string preparations regardless of the depth chart. A performance like Brad Jones had in his last game was testament to that. It was also fitting that Vince Reese scored a touchdown. Being the back-up QB is the toughest job in football and he did it well and unselfishly.
Even if the Hokies win out, we will be able to say that in the first decade of the 21st Century, Bridgewater has the best college football winning percentage in the State of Virginia. All of the players who contributed to that should take great pride.
Congrats to Hampden-Sydney, and I will pull for them to make a Play-off run. They represent us all in the ODAC now but I would play them tomorrow, eliminate turnovers and it might be us the next time. “Why Not Us” was a challenge a group of kids responded to almost 10 years ago. I think it applies again to BC football and we will hit the recruiting trail hard to get the numbers a Championship level team must have.
Thanks for all those who stayed and took part in the victory celebration at the Memorial Hall Bell and the Stone Station tailgate. The “Sharing 100 Campaign” was a success, and there is still room to give and I have some hats left. Long term, I would like former BC players to develop a spirit and habit of giving back to BC football so the next generation can share and add to the tradition. I do believe I work for, and you will be supporting, a great cause.
Go Eagles,
MClark
*(Click HERE to send questions or comments about the BC football program to Coach Clark.)
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Post-Randolph Macon Blog
We're coming off of a disappointing loss on Saturday and the film review on Sunday added to the pain. We are aware of what we are without due to injury, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, but need to avoid falling into the excuse trap to justify lack of performance. Turnovers will always hurt and the three on Saturday led to scoring drives of 7, 9, and 30 yards for RMC. When a defense is struggling the offense cannot give them that type of field position. Our kids play hard, but they have to learn that playing hard and playing well are two different things. This week will be a real challenge and it is a game that has more to do about BC than Catholic University who we play. We will take a play-off like approach to the game and hope to send the seniors out with a final meeting being at the Victory Bell at Memorial Hall. They deserve it, and the underclassmen who are playing need to see again the results that concentrated effort through the week can bring. Injury has nothing to do with interceptions, fumbles, dropped passes, poor tackling, and busted coverage which were all contributors to the loss on Saturday. Give credit to RMC, they withstood a good 2nd quarter charge, took advantage of the breaks, and used their running game very effectively.
For the record, the FG fake that Smoot ran was called. He had to field a low snap but Ryan Richmond did a nice job of sealing the Safety who was sliding to check the edge. That was our first punt block in over 2 years and Jacob Hutchinson who was a back-up on that team and playing due to injury to Brandon Mitchell blocked the kick. During the week as the season progresses, we do not have time to rep the back-ups on these teams during practice. Jacob looked at the diagram on sideline and went out and blocked the kick. It was a big play that unfortunately flew 20 yards out of the end-zone for safety rather than us falling on it for a TD. It was also a game where we lost all three deep returners on kick-offs with Teley Tate, Rudy Jackson, and Patrick Asconi going down hurt. Sometimes you scramble. But as I told the kids after the game, our situation will not change regarding the injury stuff, but we must change. When you are shorthanded the margin for error is zero; we must except that as fact and try to play up to it. That is this week’s challenge.
We won a JV game 17-14 vs. Shenandoah on Sunday. Some great efforts by the young kids that we will study in the off-season.
Ralph Robinson, John Baker, and John Spencer who were the Defensive Coaches on the Stagg Bowl team have all committed to come back this week for the “Sharing 100” celebration at Stone Station Post Game. I hope all my former players who contributed to these wins can come back for this special post game tailgate. Contact me so I can give that group an accurate head count to prepare food and drink. I am challenging the 2009 team to do their part not to dampen the party. Go BC!
Coach Clark
(Click HERE to send questions or comments about the BC football program to Coach Clark.)
For the record, the FG fake that Smoot ran was called. He had to field a low snap but Ryan Richmond did a nice job of sealing the Safety who was sliding to check the edge. That was our first punt block in over 2 years and Jacob Hutchinson who was a back-up on that team and playing due to injury to Brandon Mitchell blocked the kick. During the week as the season progresses, we do not have time to rep the back-ups on these teams during practice. Jacob looked at the diagram on sideline and went out and blocked the kick. It was a big play that unfortunately flew 20 yards out of the end-zone for safety rather than us falling on it for a TD. It was also a game where we lost all three deep returners on kick-offs with Teley Tate, Rudy Jackson, and Patrick Asconi going down hurt. Sometimes you scramble. But as I told the kids after the game, our situation will not change regarding the injury stuff, but we must change. When you are shorthanded the margin for error is zero; we must except that as fact and try to play up to it. That is this week’s challenge.
We won a JV game 17-14 vs. Shenandoah on Sunday. Some great efforts by the young kids that we will study in the off-season.
Ralph Robinson, John Baker, and John Spencer who were the Defensive Coaches on the Stagg Bowl team have all committed to come back this week for the “Sharing 100” celebration at Stone Station Post Game. I hope all my former players who contributed to these wins can come back for this special post game tailgate. Contact me so I can give that group an accurate head count to prepare food and drink. I am challenging the 2009 team to do their part not to dampen the party. Go BC!
Coach Clark
(Click HERE to send questions or comments about the BC football program to Coach Clark.)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Thank You For Sharing 100
To the Sharing 100 Contributors:
Thank you for your participation, contribution, and for playing a special part in sharing our 100th win! During the Randolph-Macon game on November 7th, in front of the press box area, there will be a booth where contributors can pick up your “I Shared in 100” hat. There will also be a chance at this time for others who have not donated to join the campaign and there is always room to support this celebration of the Eagle Football family either in person or online with the Development Office.
Also, I would like to invite you to a tailgate at Stone Station before and especially after our last home game vs. Catholic University on November 14th. There will be food provided and a fun atmosphere with the chance to celebrate, and come together as fans, teammates, and coaches once again. I will challenge the 2009 squad to make sure their final home regular season home game meeting is front of the victory bell. I would love for you to congregate with us outside of Memorial Hall as the tradition hopefully continues. If we manage game day business, we will open the Hall to give former players another tug on the bell to commemorate a special victory in your era or of your choice. If you plan on attending the tailgate and celebrating with us, please send me an email at mclark@bridgewater.edu or to my assistant at tmt003@eagles.bridgewater.edu so that we can get a head count before the big day.
It is the sharing of these wins that gives them such great value!
Sincerely,
Coach Michael Clark
Thank you for your participation, contribution, and for playing a special part in sharing our 100th win! During the Randolph-Macon game on November 7th, in front of the press box area, there will be a booth where contributors can pick up your “I Shared in 100” hat. There will also be a chance at this time for others who have not donated to join the campaign and there is always room to support this celebration of the Eagle Football family either in person or online with the Development Office.
Also, I would like to invite you to a tailgate at Stone Station before and especially after our last home game vs. Catholic University on November 14th. There will be food provided and a fun atmosphere with the chance to celebrate, and come together as fans, teammates, and coaches once again. I will challenge the 2009 squad to make sure their final home regular season home game meeting is front of the victory bell. I would love for you to congregate with us outside of Memorial Hall as the tradition hopefully continues. If we manage game day business, we will open the Hall to give former players another tug on the bell to commemorate a special victory in your era or of your choice. If you plan on attending the tailgate and celebrating with us, please send me an email at mclark@bridgewater.edu or to my assistant at tmt003@eagles.bridgewater.edu so that we can get a head count before the big day.
It is the sharing of these wins that gives them such great value!
Sincerely,
Coach Michael Clark
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