COLUMN: Tiger Cubs' roster stretched thinner in August heat

Monday, August 26, 2013

Greencastle's offense spread the field with short passes to the edge, then rammed the ball up with powerful runs through its massive offensive line against Monrovia on Friday.

Senior quarterback Tyler Scott, passing to senior wide receiver Seth Brown. Runs by senior Alec Pettit through an offensive line built by seniors Tanner Wood, Jordan Froderman, Grant Mundy, Dustin Williams and junior Austin Mitchell.

After each score, the team kicked off the Tiger Cubs went out for their five-front defense to stop the Bulldogs rush attack.

Wood, Froderman, Williams, Mitchell and Munday down on the line. Brown and Scott at cornerback. Pettit at linebacker.

"That's the life of 3A football in the state of Indiana," GHS coach Josh Buis said after.

GHS has an immensely talented group and a plan designed to wear down its opponent. Spread the field, pound the ball, get plays in fast and do it all again.

The plan worked on Friday as the team scored on three straight drives late in the second half, but in the 90-degree heat and marathon play for a large chunk of its roster, it worked against GHS as well.

Protection started to slip, forcing Scott to scramble more. Late in the fourth Monrovia was actually able to move the ball, something that hadn't happened at all in the third quarter.

The two teams entered halftime tied at 14, then the seniors got fired about, played inspired and took over the game. It was grueling to watch as players crumbled all over the field, cramping up in piles of sinew and desire.

The Tiger Cubs rotated in and out, leaving the field, spending a few minutes stretching and hydrating on the sideline, then begging to get back in.

No one was immune to the pain, or the heart. The seniors were worn out, but they refused to give in, eventually winning 34-21.

GHS has a talented team, one that could go far in the playoffs, but if the squad can't figure out a way to create depth it might be too beat up to reach that potential.

The Tiger Cubs need to find a way to get its starters rest. If not their advantage of wearing down their opponents might end up being their downfall. They'll become the Tired Cubs.

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