EVERYTHING EVERGREENS (FOX SPORTS WAUSAU-WSAU) – It was a happy homecoming. The parade was well-attended. The crowd was large and enthusiastic. And the Evergreens came away with their most lopsided win in years, 48-6, over Tomah.
But we should look at Friday night's game as a tune-up for next week's key road game at Marshfield. That game will write the story of this season. A win will make the Evergreens likely division champions. A loss leaves the Evergreens one win short of playoff eligibility, and means they'll have to scramble to earn a birth in the final week of the regular season.
So, was Friday night's game against Tomah good enough to beat Marshfield?
In some areas, yes. In other areas, the team will need to move forward in practice this week to hit its peak.
Everest's defense, especially the defensive line and linebackers, were very good. Reese Ostrowski brought back two interceptions for touchdowns, jumping passes to the sidelines both times. Everest's blitz was effective. Each time they sent extra pass rushers, they were disruptive.
Special teams has played at a high level all season; Everest's punt and kick game is the best in the division. The Evergreens blocked punt in the 1st quarter against Tomah was an outstanding play. Orion Boe snatched the ball from mid-air a moment after a low snap for a touchdown.
The offensive line, which I thought was an area of concern after the pre-season scrimmage, has played better week by week and has become one of the team's strengths. Pass protection has been good, and run blocking has been outstanding.
Here are four areas for improvement over the next week for the Evergreens. If the team cleans up, they'll be primed for a win:
- Missed assignments in the defensive secondary. Everest plays a lot of one-on-one coverage on passing plays. If your defensive backs are on an island, they must keep opposing receivers in front of them. There are too many cases where receivers open by two or more strides, or where receivers are uncovered. Marshfield is the most pass-oriented team in the division; each missed assignment could turn into points.
- Everest's offense must be productive in the red zone. Really the only complaint about the Tomah game was that the offense was 1-for-3 in the red zone in the first half. The Evergreens failed on 4th down at the Tomah 18, and Ethan Ostrowski threw an interception that bounced to a defensive back in the end zone. Elite teams come away with points every time they get to the red zone. At halftime, Everest had four touchdowns, but only one came from the offense. To their credit, Everest's starters played better in the third quarter.
- Everest needs to prevent big kickoff returns. Once (sometimes twice) in every game Everest allows a big kickoff return, sometimes for touchdowns. The Evergreens need to make sure their opponents face a long field every time they have the ball. The defense has a much better chance of getting stops and generating turnovers if each drive includes more snaps and needs to cover more yardage.
- The Evergreens must avoid silly penalties. Marshfield is the most penalized team in the division. Everest has a bad habit of retaliating in after-the-whistle situations; they need to be disciplined. Everest had back-to-back touchdowns taken off the board in the first half against Tomah on penalties for holding and an illegal block. In a big, close game penalties that cost your team points are impossible to overcome.
Everyone had a good time on Friday night. Homecoming should be fun. Imagine how much more fun the bus ride home from Marshfield could be next week.
Chris Conley
10.5.19
