Success Cannot Be Obtained At Home

            For The Xenia High School (XHS) Buccaneers, Week 3 of The Ohio High School Football Season was a very intriguing one. Which type of Buccaneers’ Team would we see? Would we see the Buccaneers’ team which was clearly, way-overmatched in Week 1 by Cincinnati Princeton? Would the Buccaneers surprise its home crowd with a win, like the previous week (Week 2) at Bellbrook? All three of those questions were very interesting. On Friday, September 13, 2013, they all would be answered. All members of The XHS Buccaneers Universe came out in full force. As always, they came to Cox Stadium in complete support of their much-beloved Buccaneers. On a consistent basis, at every home and away football game, The Buccaneers’ fan base emphatically & proudly exemplifies the true meaning of “The 12^TH Man.” No matter the circumstances, the Buccaneers’ supporters are going to show up. They have one purpose in mind. To the very last second of the game, they are going to try their very best to cheer the Buccaneers on to victory. Their expressions of support can be heard not only by those within the friendly confines of Cox Stadium. Anyone within close proximity of Cox Stadium is able to hear the loud roars of the home crowd.

            With less than an hour to go before game time, the stadium was quickly filling up with spectators. Pre-game activities included another excellent performance by The XHS Marching Band. However, this week’s performance was different. It was not the typical XHS Marching Band performance. Week 3 was Band Alumni Night. Therefore, visiting band alumni from past years joined the current 2013-2014 XHS Marching Band. As a result, the on-field activity created nothing but “Musical Harmony.” The home crowd was very appreciative of the unification of past generations. Every single member of that night’s band (whether young or old) was given a loud, standing ovation. There were even a few wet eyes in the crowd. XHS’s Band Alumni Night is an annual tradition. At one home game every season, this tradition takes place. The performances always take place before the game and at halftime. These performances are always very special for the home crowd to witness. By the looks on their faces and their behavioral reactions, it is clear for anyone to understand that the Buccaneers’ supporters thoroughly enjoy the show put on. This annual tradition allows spectators to see the past come together with the present, and see how the two correlate with one another. The younger generation can witness the musical ability of past band members. Current members of the XHS Marching Band can use Band Alumni Night as an educational tool. The event allows them to learn from the past. They can utilize the skills of past band members to sharpen up their very own arsenal.

            After the marching band left the field, it was game time. I was so interested to see how the Buccaneers would respond to two things. Those two things were a loss at home in Week 1 and a win in Week 2 at Bellbrook. Instead of allowing the Troy High School Trojans to set the tone of the game, I wanted to know if the Buccaneers could accomplish that feat. Whichever team that was successful at setting the game’s tone from the very beginning would possibly be able to control the flow of the entire game. By doing that, victory could be obtainable. In the form of defense, the Buccaneers were able to please the crowd rather quickly. The Buccaneers came out strong. The Trojans started the game first on offense. They immediately began to utilize the running game. However, after three running plays, the Trojans’ quarterback made a major mistake. At 10:14 of the 1^ST Quarter, one of the Buccaneers’ defensive backs Eddie McGee came up with a huge, defensive play. He intercepted a Troy pass. Unlike their previous home game, the Buccaneers were able to get their running game immediately going. On 2^ND down and 4 from the Trojans’ 38-yard line, Buccaneers’ running back Avondre Jackson explodes for a 26-yard run to the Trojans’ 12-yard line. Unfortunately, on this drive, the Buccaneers were unable to get into the end zone. On 4^TH down and 4 from Troy’s 4-yard line, Xenia had to settle for a Kole Patterson Field Goal kick. With the field goal being complete, Xenia put the game’s first points on to the scoreboard. They led Troy 3-0.

            In my opinion, the second quarter was very pivotal to the rest of the game and its eventual, final outcome. Much like what plagued them against Princeton, the Buccaneers had trouble with their run defense. From the second quarter until the end of the game, the game became “The Miles Hibbler Show.” Hibbler proceeded to garner touchdown runs of 35 yards, 5 yards, 39 yards, and 5 yards. The Buccaneers could do nothing to stop him. Whenever he was not scoring, Hibbler still had gains of long yardage. If Hibbler did not have long runs, he still was successful at advancing by short-yardage rushes. There were only a very few times when the Buccaneers’ defense was able to stop Hibbler for either no gain or for loss. They just had no complete answer for Hibbler’s ability to eat up chunks of yardage. The Buccaneers were great at defending the pass. Their pass coverage was so good that it basically made the Trojans’ passing game non-existent. The game got to the point where the Trojans just basically abandoned the passing game altogether. It was not working. The running game was. Therefore, why do anything else, but run the ball down the Buccaneers’ throats?

            Rushing for the Buccaneers has improved from what it was in Week 1 against Princeton. The Buccaneers’ offensive line did its best to provide protection. They provided much protection against the Trojans’ defensive pressure. The Buccaneers were able to obtain some rushing attempts of significant yardage. However, for the most part, the Trojans’ defense held the Buccaneers’ offense to multiple, short-yardage, rushing attempts. The Buccaneers’ passing game somewhat mirrored that of its rushing game. While the Buccaneers’ overall passing game was not that successful, Quarterback Danny Naylor did enjoy limited success. Of course, most of that limited success did not equal out to long gains. Most of Naylor’s passing completions only ended up being short yardage gains. For most of the entire game, Naylor was the Buccaneers' OFFENSE! Whenever he had to run, he did. At times, his runs were successful. However, there were times when Naylor’s offensive line protection broke down. When that happened, Naylor was either sacked, ran for short yardage gains, or he scrambled around the pocket with hopes of making something happen with his arm. I honestly believe that Naylor is the Buccaneers’ “Best Player.”  In the area of future success, I see so much potential for the sophomore quarterback. When given time, Naylor can make positive things happen. He is a very mobile quarterback. Therefore, whenever his protection breaks down, Naylor has the ability to utilize his legs to either scramble around and pass, or he can just run the ball himself. Naylor just has to do a better job of picking up the defensive pressure. Too many times in the pocket, he gets hit from behind. He has to be able to know when that pressure is coming. Therefore, he can make quicker decisions on what to do. As long as injuries never get into the way, the future will definitely be bright for Naylor. By the end of his senior season, it is going to be very interesting to see what type of player which Naylor develops into.

            In terms of team discipline, the Buccaneers definitely have to get better. Against the Trojans, the team’s discipline issues continued. The Buccaneers had trouble getting the ball into the end zone. Also, too many committed penalties negatively affected the team. Last but certainly not least, a Buccaneers’ offensive fumble eventually led to a Trojans’ touchdown. During this game, on multiple occasions, the Buccaneers moved the ball deep into the Trojans’ territory (within the red zone). However, instead of converting touchdowns, the Buccaneers were only able to convert Kole Patterson’s field goals. They were so close to getting the touchdowns. However, they always managed to come up short. The Buccaneers did a great job of moving the ball downfield. They just have to be able to seal the deal with touchdowns. Had the Buccaneers been able to convert the field goal completions into touchdowns, then this game may have turned out much differently. Penalties were a major roadblock for the Buccaneers. On too many occasions, the Buccaneers committed penalties. As a result, those penalties negated the good progress which the Buccaneers’ offense was making. Good plays were wiped out. Also, the Buccaneers' defensive penalties enabled the Trojans’ offense to put multiple touchdowns onto the scoreboard. An early fourth-quarter fumble by a Buccaneers’ running back eventually led to Hibbler’s fourth and final touchdown of the game. That touchdown was also the Trojans’ final score of the night. All of these mistakes by the Buccaneers must be immediately corrected. Their season cannot continue in such a negative fashion. If the mental mistakes are not fixed, then the Buccaneers have no shot whatsoever of having a successful 2013 Football Season.

            Although the Buccaneers did not win this game, I was impressed with how they ended it. After Bobo Jones scored the Buccaneers final touchdown of the night, a Sabrina Gregory extra point pulled the Buccaneers within seven points of the Trojans. The score was 30-23. At that very moment, the Buccaneers were faced with the only choice which they had to make. The Buccaneers had to try an on-side kick. If it was successfully recovered, then the game’s final seconds would become quite interesting. Unfortunately, the on-side kick went out of bounds. That resulted in a penalty against the Buccaneers. However, had the Buccaneers recovered the on-side kick before it went out of bounds, they would have been prevented from maintaining possession. The kick was short of the necessary ten yards which it must travel. Before the game ended, the Buccaneers were able to get the ball back on offense. However, that occurred with only :19 seconds remaining in the game. The Buccaneers were unable to put together a short, successful drive. The Buccaneers ended the game with a tough, hard-fought loss. At times when it looked like the Trojans had finally put the game away, the Buccaneers continued to fight back. They refused to give up, and quit. For that type of attitude & behavior, I fully respect the XHS Buccaneers’ Football Team.