Aker preaches teamwork in second home loss

Eagles jump forward to make a tackle after a Bruin toss and catch. South Putnam plays Monrovia next Friday. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT

After a tough loss in week 1, the Eagles' football team hosted its second home game, on Friday, However the Tri-West Bruins were too much for the home team and they took home the win, 59-0.

"We've got a lot of things to work on," South Putnam coach Nathan Aker said. "It's nothing scary. We've got to be better at tackling. We've got to be better at playing through the whistle and blocking through the whistle. We've got to play together."

The Bruins started the game with a passing attack. They drove to a first quarter score early and never went away from the passing game.

Andrew Ballard (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

"We're not real good at playing 11-man football right now," Aker said. "We're not buddying up. You've got to play with the guy behind you. We're not doing a very good job of that right now."

South Putnam was able to hold the Bruins to a field goal on the next Tri-West possession but the offense, run by quarterback Grady McHugh and running back Lucas Lorian couldn't get a drive going.

The game got away from the Eagles after a 54-yard Tri-West pass made the score 17-0. Aker said that while the problems in practice are fixable, more focus will be on the team's ability to come and stick together after the tough start.

"We're too high as a team and that starts in the weight room. That's something we can work on there and on the practice field," the first year head coach said. "Our main goal this week when we are 0-2 and someone scores 59, is we are going to start hearing some grumblings. We've got to get tighter and we will. Our kids are bringing that up as we are in the huddle leaving the game. So that's good. We've got to have each other's backs. We've got to get even closer together. That's our focus and we are going to do it. That's our big test this weekend."

South Putnam's next game is at Monrovia at 7 p.m. next Friday. The Bulldogs will be coming off of a 74-7 win against Cascade.

At South Putnam

Tri-West 17 14 21 7 -- 59

South Putnam 0 0 0 0 -- 0

Passing: (SP) McHugh 7-11 102 yds, (TW) Hendershot 360 yds 5 TDs, Hill 38 1 TD

Rushing: (SP) Lorian 20 att 46 yds, McHugh 3 att. 22 yds, Shaffer 8 att. 30 yds, Ballard 4 atts 8 yds