Well after 4 weeks of play we come to the mid-summer break with a 2-2 record. With a rough 0-2 start things were not looking good early but we eventually gained some momentum and put together two solid games to bring ourselves back to 500. With some positive strides over the past few weeks, we still feel there is much for improvement.
Game Recaps:
Trojans @ Crocodiles- (L) 0-6
* As it was the first game of the season for both squads, positive signs on the offensive side of the ball were lacking. With little to show in the first half, we proved that the cliche holds true, offense takes much longer to gel than the defence. Therefore this game turned into a defensive battle.
Many mental mistakes and unnecessary penalties, resulted in several stalled drives. However in the second half we showed signs of life by stringing together a couple extended drives. Unfortunately it was too little too late.
On the defensive side of the ball the Trojans, played tough and stood their ground. As for the Crocodiles, their front seven proved to be one of the strongest in the league.
Butchers vs. Trojans- (L) 44-6
* The story was much the same on the offensive side of the ball versus the Butchers as it was the week before against the Crocodiles. Again, there were many minor mistakes that cost the Trojans valuable field position, which resulted in several unsustained drives. In the second half there were some bright spots as we moved into our hurry-up offense and drove into Butchers territory, however the point deficit was just too much to recover from.
The Butchers showed why they are considered one of the best teams in the league as their offense was effective in both the running and passing phases of the game. Defensively we showed that there was room to improve in our pass coverage.
Trojans @ S.C. Storm- (W) 61-0
* With a much needed victory, this game was that and some. Scoring on the first play from scrimmage, our confidence started high and never looked back. We dominated all aspects of the game and put together 2 solid halves. Some highlights included, watching our heart and sole of the defence Janne Salonen single handily dominate the Storm by disrupting or spoiling countless plays on their offensive attack.
And of course on the offensive side of the ball everything seem to be working. The o-line played tremendous driving huge holes in the Storm's defence for our run to be successful and as for our passing attack, we both agree that the Canadian Connection was clicking that day.
Rajaritarit vs. Trojans- (W) 9-24
* The game against Rajaritarit was dominated by the Trojans run game. Running back Teemu Paukkula was outstanding against a good front seven which played very aggressive all game. The offensive line showed consistency as they carried their play over from the game against the Storm. Our pass offense was average at best, but tight end Nicholas Madsen had a solid performance scoring his first Maple League touchdown.
The Trojans defense proved to be more than a match for the opposing offense. The front seven more than adequate as they held Rajaritarit to a mere total of 37 yards rushing. Our secondary played well intercepting two passes in the victory.
However, Rajaritarit was missing their American quarterback for the game, and when he returns they should prove a tough opponent down the stretch.
Roosters vs. Trojans- (L) 34-28
* The outcome of the game was severely disappointing. As a team we felt that we let the game slip out of our hands. We held the lead in the game up until late in the fourth quarter. Our offense moved the ball well throughout the game but unfortunately we came up short on a fourth and goal late in third which swung momentum in the favor of the Roosters. Down the stretch we failed to make big plays when we needed them the most.
This loss puts us in the hole as essentially every game left on the schedule is a must win in order to make the playoffs. However with one game left till mid-season mark, our playoff fate is in our own hands.
Trojans @ Helsinki Wolverines- (L) 38-23
* Unfortunately it seems that we are falling into a trap of reoccurring themes with negative outcomes. Again this was another disappointing verdict. We had some big plays on the offensive side of the ball, but we simply destroyed any hope of winning by shotting ourselves in the foot time after time. With just under 150 yards in penalties versus the Wolverines mere 35, this killed any momentum that we had going. Defensively we could have been a lot stronger but our overall lack of discipline seem to hurt us the most.
With a well timed bye week, we now have a chance to fix and repair any mistakes both physically and mentally. This should do us well by allowing us to regroup and prepare for the second half of the season.
Mid-season report card: Football
OFFENSE
RUN: B-
The Reason: Our first two games were not very productive, but when our run game is going strong it is one of the best in the league. Regardless we have proven to be inconsistent.
PASS: B-
The Reason: Similar to our run game we have had some strong points in our passing attack, but again inconsistency is hurting us. A combination of mental mistakes and unforced errors have hindered us from reaching our full potential.
OVERALL OFFENSE: C+
The Reason: Unfortunately our offensive grade falls even further due to our undisciplined play. At key moments penalties have cost us yardage and momentum. On the positive side these are all issues that can be fixed.
DEFENSE
RUN: B+
The Reason: Our front seven has been strong all season. In several games they have forced our opponents to be one dimensional by taking away their run game. Down the stretch we need this component of our team to continue their strong play.
PASS: C
The Reason: Our pass coverage has been average. Although their have been some bright spots, as a group we have given up too many big plays. This group needs to step up their play to complete our defensive unit.
OVERALL DEFENSE: B-
The Reason: We have a physical presence on the field, but the fact that we have given up too many big plays has hurt us. Though agression and physical play has taken us this far, we need to focus to eliminate our mental mistakes and start to play error free football.
SPECIAL TEAMS: C+
The Reason: Our lack of a return game has hurt our overall special teams play. On the other hand our coverage teams have been very good so far this season. Also our strong punting game has helped us in the battle for field position.
OVERALL TEAM: C+
The Reason: Up to this point we have yet to defeat any of the top four teams in the league. Although we have had some close battles and the outcomes of certain games could have gone in our favour, these are the teams we have to face and beat if we wish to compete for the championship.
Sea City Storm vs Trojans- (W) 69-6
* This was a good win for our team, as the taste victory is back in our mouths. Special teams played a big role as our offense had great field position all game and we also had a score on a great kickoff return from Janne Stennberg. Our defense played well again as they forced several turnovers and smothered the opponent. Our next game versus Rajaritarit is very important and we need to play well in every game left in the season.
Trojans @ Rajaritarit- (L) 55-49
* Wow!!! Well at least the fans got their money's-worth.
It would be easy to place blame on the defence for this loss but we're not about to do that as in reality sometimes the game just goes that way- A Shootout!!!!
In the game of football we constantly strive for perfection and although our offence was close to achieving that yesterday, we fell short when we needed it the most.
Unfortunately, it didn't take long to realize that this was going to be a battle of the offences. Essentially we needed to score on every drive because our opponents were doing the same. We continued exchanging blow for blow up until the last quarter when we failed to convert on a 4th and long. Some may think that this was not the turning point of the game and it probably wasn't but the fact still remains that we didn't convert this drive to a score and our opponents ensueing drive did.
The great thing about football is that its the ultimate team sport. It takes a combined effort from all facets of the game to be champions. Offence, Defence and Special Teams! If one team is not holding its own the others need to be that much stonger, to fill the void. Some days, the offence will overpower and lead a team to victory, and on other days the defence will battle to the end to assure a victory for the team, and even in some cases a big special teams play can be the difference.
That being said, yesterday we failed to win all of these battles. The likely turning point in the game, came from an on-side kick recovered by our opponents, catching us off guard and giving them the momentum they needed to take their first lead of the game. Therefore we could have been better in special teams. And though our offence did produce more total yards than our opponents, we shot ourselves in the foot again by taking another100 yards in penalties. These reasons were why we lost this game.
On the positive side, our offence seems to be getting stronger and stonger every game. In the past 4 weeks we have proved to be one of the best in the league. And though our defence had a glitch yesterday, we know that we our capable of much more and have proved this already.
In the big picture, our backs are against the wall to make the playoffs but we still have a chance. It will take our strongest effort from all three components of our team, offence, defence and special teams. We have yet to see a complete game from all three of these teams but on the bright side, now is our chance.
Trojans @ Butchers- (L) 42-18
* Well, we lost another one. Our offense played much better than the last time we faced the Butchers and we made some improvements from the last week in regards to penalties. However the fact stil remains that we are not winning football games. This is our last ditch effort to make the playoffs, so its time to cowboy up.
Trojans @ Roosters- (L) 49-35
* Where do we start. Offensively we did some good things, but we couldn't establish our run game. When you can't run the ball and you become one dimensional it is very difficult to keep things moving, however we were able to move the ball through the air and put up 35 points. As we said before though, our job as an offense is to score more points than our opponent, and we did not do that. Defensively, our secondary played much better. In fact over the last three games they have done a pretty good job against several good passing attacks. In particular, Tuukka had some bone crushing hits and made some big plays. But to sum things up, props D. Allen. He single handedly killed us.
Crocodiles @ Trojans- (L) 39-0
* Another loss and this one stung. Officially we are out of the playoffs. We are frustrated with the way things have gone thus far, but all we can do now is play our last game with some pride and help the guys get focused on the next season with a win.
Wolverines @ Trojans- (L) 29-28
Game by Game Stats- http://www.sajl.org/selaus/otteluohjelma.php?sarja=1&kausi=2006 - Scroll to game and click "Tilastot"
League Leaders- http://www.sajl.org/vaahteraliiga/2006/confldrs.shtml#conf.wi2
Game Pics- http://www.turkutrojans.com/kuvagalleria - Click on "Seuraava kuvaruututo" to third and fourth page of thumbnails
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