Devils Must Match 1st-To-2nd Week Strides By Indians
After OFA's 40-6 season-opening football win over Malone on Friday night, Coach Matt Tessmer spoke about the importance of the week between the first and second games of the season.
"We had a big win tonight but we all know that we have a lot of things to work on. Football teams often make their most improvement between the first and second week," said Coach Tessmer.
"We start our Class B Division season at Peru next week and we have to be ready for a very tough game."
His estimation of the challenge in Peru did not change after watching the Indians lose their opening Class B game 9-0 at Gouverneur on Saturday.
Once again he alluded to strides that can be made between the first and second weeks.
"Gouverneur played very well but Peru showed me a lot of team speed. They have a good fullback (Alex Cederstrom) and two very good linebackers (Josh Avanzato, Brian Loveless)," said Coach Tessmer after the Wildcats limited Peru to less than 50 yards of offense and overcame a rash penalties which nullified two touchdown runs by Zach Cummings.
"They have some young people who are going to get better and the strong wind in Gouverneur made it difficult to throw. We fully expect a very tough game in Peru."
The Devils will look to continue the tough, physical play which led to seven turnovers against the Huskies and complemented their big play capabilities on offense. An offense by senior quarterback Jared Morrow which produced 28 second quarter points.
Morrow was honored as the Offensive Player of the Game for Week 1 while senior linebacker Kris Folsom earned the Defensive Award. The Hard Worker of the Week Award went to junior defensive tackle Andrew LeBeau.
Morrow (6x8-128 yards in first half) threw for two touchdowns and ran (10-45) for one score and consistently scrambled away from pass rush to create big play opportunities.
"Jared is having a John Elway type of the game," said Tessmer on Friday after Morrow improvised a broken field touchdown run on a fourth and eight play.
Following up on an outstanding preseason Folsom collected five tackles and was cited for emerging as a true leader on defense. He also ran for a pair of touchdowns.
"Kris Folsom was extremely physical and flew to the ball all game, he gave us tremendous leadership," said OFA Defensive Coordinator Charlie McCormick who cited LeBeau for contributions in the defensive line rotation. "Andrew LeBeau played well especially considering that he has been away from football for a few years after playing just one year at the modified level."
Fee's Presence Felt
In Mustangs Camp
The OFA Football Family and the community as a whole lost a great supporter of all local athletes in retired Ogdensburg City Police Seargent Kevin Fee. Sgt Fee lost a valiant battle against cancer earlier this week.
One of Sgt Fee's goals after being diagnosed with cancer in the Spring was to be on the sidelines with son Chris Fee, a former OFA and St. Lawrence University standout, who is two games into his first season as the Head Football Coach at Sahuarita High School in the Tuscon, Ariz. area. His positive energy is very evident in the Mustangs' camp in the way Coach Chris Fee develops a young team which has struggled to an 0-2 start without scoring a touchdown.
"Sahuarita Sun" columnist Nick Prevenas writes: "Chris Fee has been dealt a tough hand this season, but I love how he's handled it thus far. He's brought a much-needed level of enthusiasm and energy to the program, and these kids believe in him. He's a tremendous teacher, and he truly cares about his players. After the season-opening 6-0 loss in Nogales, Fee was the first one to console his heartbroken starters. There is a bond between Fee and his players that we haven't seen here in the last few years."
