Harris seeks consistency in first season at Lincoln
Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2008
LINCOLN - For new Lincoln head coach Brad Harris, consistency is the key.
Heading a program that hasn't won a game in over two years, Harris knows that change won't come easy. And when he first took over, he found that old habits were hard to break.
"We were on a rollercoaster the first couple of weeks," Harris said. "We had our ups and our downs.
"We've really tried to get more consistent, and we've shown that over the past week of practice. " Harris said it was a goal for his staff to foster positive attitudes and get some momentum heading into the season. With the 2008 season opener now just a week away, Harris' new players are excited about how far they've come. "That's been a big deal for us, trying to get the kids to buy into everything that we're doing," he said. "When the kids start to buy into what you're doing, that's when you start to be successful. "Consistency comes from repetition, and that's just what is needed with the change in offensive philosophies Harris is try- ing to instill.
In opposition to the Diamond-T and I-formation offenses of previous regimes, the 2008 Wolves will operate often out of the shotgun, running misdirection plays from the Spread formation.
And Lincoln will probably put the ball in the air more than ever before.
"We're not where we need to be throwing the ball yet," Harris said. "It's a different concept, but they're starting to grasp it, and I think they enjoy it."
Much like the Arkansas Razorbacks' wide receivers, the Lincoln pass-catchers aren't used to running so many routes and having so many passes thrown their way. And like Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino, Harris believes his receivers will get better with rep after rep after exhausting rep.
"Much of our conditioning is done during practice because we're always running routes with our receivers and backs," Harris said.
Sophomore Justin Carr runs the ball well from the quarterback spot, but still has some passing mechanics things to work on, Harris said. While the young Wolves continue to learn the pass game, Lincoln has running backs like Bao Nguyen, Dillon Foshe and Ezquiel Hernandez to lean on.
In last week's intrasquad scrimmage, the first-team offense ran 21 total plays, 14 of which were run plays. The offensive line will be the team's strength, Harris said.
"We're still going to be a run-oriented team," he said. "We're just hoping to throw it around enough to keep people honest."
On defense, Lincoln will be multiple. The Wolves will play a lot threefront defense, with hard-charging big man Tommy Daugherty manning the nose.
"We want teams to honor him both ways - not be able to run away from him," Harris said.
Tonight the 1-3 A Wolves are headed to a three-team jamboree preseason game with Gravette and Berryville, both of the 1-4 A. Kickoff at Gravette is set for 5: 30 for junior high, with the senior high teams following at approximately 7: 30.
"We'll get to see what happens when we turn them loose in a game situation," Harris said. "We want to get some evaluation and see where we're at. I think we've made some good progress so far."
Lincoln's last non-loss was a 27-27 tie with Westville, Okla., on the Wolves' home field in the 2006 season-opener. Lincoln was routed at Westville last year, but the Yellowjackets have to return to Wolves Stadium for this season's opener on Sept. 5.
While his Wolves are not blessed with a great deal of size or athleticism, Harris said his team plays hard from snap to whistle.
"It's great that people are going to come out and support us," Harris said. "Hopefully we can get a win for them."
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