The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Bulldogs happy with scrimmage performance
Olmsted Falls head coach Tom DeLuca’s triple option offense was on full display against Willoughby South’s defense during a scrimmage Aug. 22.
The Bulldogs came out of the gate firing on all cylinders as they marched down the field and scored a touchdown using several run plays. Olmsted Falls’ offense fell stagnant after their opening drive, however, as they threw an interception and went threeand-out twice.
The Bulldogs added a special teams touchdown when the Rebels mishandled a hand off and Olmsted Falls fell on the ball in the end zone. Olmsted Falls’ offense finished the scrimmage on a high note by scoring a late rushing touchdown after methodically moving the ball down field.
“I thought we did a pretty good job with turnovers tonight, which is a big deal for us,” DeLuca said. “Defensively, I thought we did a pretty good job against their run on run downs. We saw some things that are correctable that we need to correct. I thought we were flying around. We did a good job against their fastpaced offense and we took a good step forward again this week.”
The scrimmage posed a golden opportunity for the Bulldogs to work on establishing new leadership within the team, something DeLuca said his team was working on after they lost 18 senior starters from last season.
“I feel like that’s going to come on Friday nights,” DeLuca said. “I know tonight is a game-type experience but that’s not going to be developed until the bulls start flying on Friday night. Unfortunately, that’s just how it goes and we have a lot of guys where it’s going to be their first time at it and they are going to have to learn on the fly.
“I think we are definitely capable. We have some good senior leadership in the fact that they are doing everything the right way but when the light’s turn on it’s a little different so we will see where we are at.”
On the opposite side of the field, there was a new face on the Willoughby South sideline.
That new face is Jerry Hazzard, who is in his first season as offensive coordinator for the Rebels. Hazzard was previously the head coach at Lake Erie College for a little over two seasons and has 15 years of collegiate coaching experience.
Willoughby South head coach Matt Duffy likes what Hazzard brings to his team.
“The great thing is he’s a very optimistic guy, the kids are really engaged with him and like playing for him,” Duffy said. “We were able to take what we’ve done for a number of years here and mold it into what he’s brought from Lake Erie and kind of making our own little version of our zone spread offense. It’s really been a nice match for everybody, he gets along with the coaches and the players which is the most important thing.”
The Rebels moved the ball down the field with ease during the scrimmage against the Bulldogs’ defense. South showed a balanced attack on offense as they scored three touchdowns, two rushing and one passing.
“I thought we executed very well,” Hazzard said. “The three drives we had with the ones, we scored all three times so that’s excellent.”
Olmsted Falls opens their season on the road against Brecksville-Broadview Heights on Aug. 30 while Willoughby South hosts Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin.