| BataviasBest.org
Thursday, September 18, 2014
The Blue Devils really put it together last week, completing a 57-20 thrashing of the Wellsville Lions to move to 1-1 on the season with Hornell awaiting them in Week 3. After speaking with several members of the team this week along with their head coach, I have gained inside access into the locker room and where Batavia is at emotionally as they approach their matchup with the Red Raiders.
Last night, while communicating with Batavia head coach Brennan Briggs, I asked him what his team had been focusing on this week.
“Really, we’ve just focused on getting better at what we do,” Briggs said. “we aren’t an overly complicated team schematically. We just need to perfect what we are doing on both sides of the ball.”
A week ago, Briggs’ team showed massive improvement on offense, specifically the running game. During our conversation, I asked him how important of a role the ground attack will play for the Blue Devils going forward as they enter the meat of their schedule.
“Very important,” he said, “I believe all good football teams have to be able to establish the run in order to be successful.”
Echoing Briggs remarks, was quarterback Greg Mruczek. He also spoke to the role the passing game has had in assisting the running game.
“Having the ability to throw in this offense (like we did against Livonia) helps open up the running game by spreading out the defense,” said the second-year QB. “Defenses cannot stuff the box with 8 guys. If spreading out the defense enables us to run the ball, I’ll take a back seat to the running game any day. Week by week we will keep taking what teams give us offensively.”
In order to run the ball with success on a more regular basis, however, the Batavia offensive line will have to continue to progress as the season goes along.
“They definitely did a better job this week,” said Briggs. “I think there were multiple factors that contributed to it. We were on them all week about a poor performance vs Livonia, we changed their stance, and they may have realized a lot of our success will be determined by their willingness to be relentless every snap.”
The unrelenting attitude on part of the offensive line is something Briggs has preached all year long to his entire team. Displaying this attitude in Week 2 versus the Lions, the Blue Devils’ leadership within the locker room played an important role.
“I think a lot of the leadership in the locker room is key to our success this year,” said Mruczek last night. “(James) Cryer and Gunner (Rapone) have really been keeping us on task and working hard in practice. Those are two people that stick out and are always on our backs every day.”
In addition to Mruczek’s comments, Cryer had plenty to say about his role as a catalyst of the team.
“I think leading by example is what works best for me,” he said, “Showing the team that I’m trying my hardest to better the team will hopefully motivate them to do the same.”
When I asked Cryer what it would take to beat Hornell this week, he had one thing to say:
“Our attitude when it comes time to play.”
Stay tuned tomorrow for a scouting report and prediction for the game! I will also be providing live updates of the game on Friday night which can be found @BataviasBest on Twitter.
Other articles you may like:
Meet the Blue Devils: My one-on-one with Batavia OL/DL Gunner Rapone
Week 2 Results: Batavia and Elba walk away with one-sided victories
Blue Devil Weekly: Batavia is ready for Wellsville on Saturday
Batavia’s Best is your 2014 High School Football Headquarters
