Schlagle head coach Cernyn Macon promised to shake up things after the Stallions' shutout loss to Washington last week. He held true on his word.
Macon has taken over play-calling duties after a lackluster 0-2 start to the season. Schlagle has been outscored 57-0 through two games, including a 22-0 setback at Washington last Friday to open play in the Kansas City Atchison League.
"We have gone back to the basics," Macon said in the lead up to the latest Dipasquale-Moore Law Metro Matchup of the Week between the Stallions and Shawnee Heights Friday at Schlagle. "Tackling, blocking, etc."
The Stallions are young, Macon said. Some seniors haven’t played football since the sixth-grade and a few others have never played.
"It is truly a building year for us," he said. "The guys have responded great to the added intensity. This is a new experience for me with so many kids that don’t know the basics of the game."
Shawnee Heights has yet to win a game in three tries. The T-Birds have lost three games by a total of 11 points. They were beaten 20-13 by Leavenworth to open the season and lost 35-34 to Bonner Springs. A 17-14 defeat against Lansing followed.
"I know those guys have been in some close games this season and they're looking to get in the win column and we are as well." Macon said.
Each of Shawnee Heights' three losses have come down to the last play of the game. Coming that close to victory can test a person's faith as a team, head coach Jason Swift said. But the T-Birds haven't shown much quit, Swift said.
"We have had a great week of practice which is a testament to our kids," he said. "We have had three losses go down to the last play of the game each time and that will test a person's faith as a team. They are attacking the weight room and competing even more this week."
Injuries have taken a toll on Shawnee Heights' depth. Players have been moved to different positions, but they have embraced the change.
"The attitude and effort of this team has been our strength and I am proud of how they have handled adversity," Swift said. "We still need to find a way to execute and win a game against an athletic Schlagle team, but we have not quit. We are impressed with Schlagle and know we have to play well to have success."
