(Geronimo) — Last week, Navarro football got the ball rolling with anticipation for Head Coach Glenn Hill’s second year in charge.
Though merely a morsel, Navarro’s preseason trip to Fredericksburg revealed a team playing with real “Panther Pride”.
“It was definitely a good start to the season,” Hill said. “Communication and knowledge of assignments were [a few things] that stuck out. Now, there’s always a million things watching film that we can improve on.”
When asked where he thought the Panthers could commit some extra attention, Hill didn’t have to look too far away from the rock for a spot to chisel away some trouble.
“Both sides of the line of scrimmage, just some really fine details defensively, different stunts and movements that we need to continue improving. Offensively, we’re not overly complicated in the run game. We’re just making sure all five [lineman] across the board are on the same page.”
Man, if there are some kinks to work out on offense, Panther opponents might be in for some long nights this year.
The Panthers’ first-team offense made quick work of the Fightin’ Billies with three of their four TDs landed on passes that flew at least 41 yards. Projected starting QB Eli Baker’s shift from the secondary to the pocket got off to a flying start. Baker tossed touchdowns on three consecutive plays to three different perimeter threats.
“We’d like to be an offense that can be multiple,” Hill spoke. “We can spread the ball out to a lot of different players. If we have different guys making plays [then] that means we’re fortunate and blessed to have some good playmakers out there.”
Defensively, Hill’s defense created chaos consistently in their first scrimmage. The biggest key that unlocked the blitz? An understanding of how they fit together on the field.
“Their knowledge of assignment is at a point right now to where they can just kind of pin their ears back and go. They trust their keys and each other. [That goes for] the back half as well. Fredericksburg could pass the ball around, have a really good quarterback [who’s] dynamic when he’s out of the pocket. So just being able to stay in coverage for some of those extended scrambles was impressive.”
After that promising first step, how can Hill’s Panthers push forward when they host Devine’s Warhorses tonight?
“It’s just continuing to add little bits and pieces offensively,” Hill said. “We’re still installing a few things, and all of it is growth on things we can master. Every week, if they show that they’ve mastered a concept or scheme, we can continue to tweak that and add on to it. We’re just trying to get [our] playmakers the football. How can we be creative enough to not just do the same thing week after week?”
That’s a great question. How does a guy like Hill unlock true creativity?
“I don’t know if I’m intelligent enough to label myself as creative, so I think we’re safe there. I think being able to adapt. Everybody goes into the week with stuff they think is going to be great, then you show up Friday night, and [your opponent has] something totally different. So, who can adapt on the fly and communicate effectively with teenagers? I think that’s where creativity comes from.”
Whatever the cause, Hill and his staff seem to be unlocking something in this Navarro program. If the returns keep rolling in hot, then Navarro could prove capable of rising back into playoff position.