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‘I love rough and tough football’: Despite Week 2 loss, Mapleton forging hardened identity

ASHLAND — If you happened to get a glimpse of the Mapleton football team during offseason football camp, it was hard not to focus on the side of the field where head coach Mitch Young was operating at. Working with both the offensive and defensive lineman, Young was nonstop preaching the basics of proper technique for the O-lineman and tackling for the D-lineman.

The message was clear: Mapleton were going to try and win the line of scrimmage battle every game.

More: Mapleton football fights it out with Wellington but loses tough battle in Week 2

Through two games, Mapleton sits with a 1-1 record and despite losing a 15-12 scuffle at home against Wellington on Friday, the Mounties are forging an identity on the field. It’s apparent watching them. An identity of outworking the other team up front, on both the offensive and defensive line, by being more physical, scrappier, tougher and most importantly winning in the trenches versus whatever opponent they go up against.

“We knew it was going to be a battle in the trenches,” said Mapleton running back/linebacker Colton Wittman after Friday’s defeat. “No matter what, we’re taking our guys any day of the week. We just have to trust our guys and do it every week. We’re going to continue to get better in the trenches.”

“I coach the O-line up front. We have tough kids,” said Young. “They’re starting to understand how good they can be. I love rough and tough football. Our kids are starting to understand the brand of football we’re instilling in the program. We got a lot of work to do but I’m excited about the final product.”

Mapleton offensive lineman Caleb Siburt (51) and Lukus Jenkins (60).

That dogged identity Mapleton is exhibiting through two games was never more on display than against Wellington. Take the second quarter. With Mapleton down 9-0 late in the second quarter…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/love-rough-tough-football-despite-090925736.html

Author : The Times-Gazette

Publish date : 2024-09-02 09:09:25

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

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