8/23/2016

Stevenson football




Stevenson Pirates (4-5, 2-5)
 Two plays could have changed the Pirates season. Two plays could have turned a 4-5 season into a 6-3 campaign and a likely playoff spot.
 Stevenson feel by two points in the waning seconds to Mission Trail Athletic League tri-champion Soledad, and by a single point to tri-champion Pacific Grove.
 Both were heartbreaking losses, particularly the setback to Pacific Grove, as Stevenson went for two instead of kicking the extra point for a tie late in the game.
 "Would I go for two again? Absolutely,'' Stevenson coach Bruce Dini said.
 The trust and belief that Dini showed in his squad in making a decision to go for the win was bold and applauded by his players -- several of which are back.
 Dini has a nucleus to build around, starting with quarterback Casey Mornhinweg, who threw for a school record 2,104 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.
 "I really think after what occurred last year, we as a team understand we can compete with the elite teams in our league,'' Mornhinweg said. "That can translate to success on the field this year.''
 Unlike last year when Mornhinweg was developing chemistry with his receiving core, that’s not an issue this season with the return of Will Lansbury and Kenny Pich.
 Last fall the pair combined for 79 receptions for nearly 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns in the Pirates up-tempo attack.
 "Last year we changed our offensive style 100 percent, going from ground and pound to an aerial attack,'' Dini said. "We've got the right combinations of players to where we can do that.''
 Defensively Alexander Meredith and his 10 sacks are back while linebacker Ben Mudd compiled 94 tackles as a sophomore.
 An outside pass rusher last year, Meredith will spend time inside this fall as well, looking to create havoc on different packages the Pirates will run on defense.
 "That's really to get me to the spots where I can be more effective, get to the ball easier and disrupt offenses,'' Meredith said.
 Stevenson started fast last year with three straight wins. It outscored opponents 101-34 in the first quarter in nine games.
 Yet, the lack of depth in numbers seemed to catch up with them as it only produced 37 points in the fourth quarter, and was outscored 74-34 in the third quarter.
 Several players will likely see action on both sides of the ball, including Meredith. As sharp as the Pirates were in throwing the ball, they struggled to establish a ground game.
 That has to change, particularly when Stevenson is trying to grind time off the clock in the second half. So does its struggles at home, were it was just 1-3 last season.
 "Our personnel has to be in the correct spots,'' Meredith said. "We want to make sure we take the next step and don't have those one and two point losses this year.''


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