CMS focuses on basics ahead of SH matchup
Looking to bounce back after two heavy losses, Cutter Morning Star takes on Spring Hill tonight in Hope.
Although the Eagles (0-2) lost 52-8 to Hall last week, head coach Matt Kinsinger noted his team showed promise and was able to drive down the field, but CMS lost the ball at critical moments.
In practice this week, the Eagles have really zeroed in on scoring once they get in those promising offensive positions as they prepare for the Bears (1-1). Running plays from the 40yard line, the team has worked on getting into the end zone and being successful.
“At this point we’re still focusing on all the little things and the basics because that’s a reason why we’re struggling,” Kinsinger said. “Being out of shape, putting the ball on the ground at untimely times and not being able to convert a third or fourth down. Those are all things we’re trying to emphasize and the way the game works and teach them the game so they know when we get in this area we have to reach down deep and find a little something extra.”
With low numbers on the team, Kinsinger is still trying to figure out where certain players fit into the squad.
“Who plays what positions and trying to get some consistency through attendance and through playing time to try and figure out who’s going to be the guy at these positions,” he said. “Last week we had a few people sick during the week. Anybody deals with that, but for us at our critical state that we’re at, it’s really tough for us sometimes.”
Ball security issues and a few mishaps have kept the Eagles from scoring more points in their first two games of the season.
“We’re just like one block away on a lot of plays, one cut, one particular thing,” Kinsinger said. “So we’re there. We’re getting there.”
Tackling has also been a big problem for the Eagles this season, and Kinsinger said he’s moved some players around on defense to help the team. The team still practices tackling techniques every day.
“It is a tough deal,” he said. “It’s tough as a kid to be able to do that and tackle in the open field. Defensively we were in position, in the right position a lot, and we were just missing the tackles. Part of that was personnel and moving kids around where they’re going to be best successful.”
Spring Hill competed in a successful 2020 season before falling to Mountain Pine in the state championship, and because of the Bears’ high numbers, conditioning will play a role in how the Eagles perform.
CMS sports just 17 players on its roster, and Kinsinger said he expects to have 15 players dressed for the game tonight. Missing a starting running back due to a concussion, the Eagles have made an adjustment in the backfield.
Kinsinger looks to play as many players one way as he can against Spring Hill so they get the rest they need.
“Even with a few amount of guys, we’re trying to play everybody that’s there,” he said. “Trying to fit them in on special teams, trying to fit them in on defense, on offense. We’re trying to get everybody on the field, so we can possibly eliminate some of the fatigue we’re seeing.”
The schools’ junior high teams start the night with a 5:30 p.m. kickoff before the senior high teams take the field at 7:30 p.m.
“I know Hope is a little bit a ways away, but I would like people to come down and support the kids because it means a lot to them. It really does,” Kinsinger said.
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