Sorry but I call bs on all this fire the coach crap. They weren’t winning this game no matter what. They actually tackled a Massillon player like five times in the first half, it was either end zone or pray to get them out of bounds. No matter how they managed field position, they couldn’t stop Massillon. It would have just been more time off the clock. Maybe they lose by 35 instead of 48. Who cares?
Dryer’s been there 7 or 8 years, has been successful throughout, battled through 3 years where WW and Kings had golden classes at the top, and nobody else had a shot, and as has been noted, took a 5-5 team to the Region finals last year, damn near won it using that philosophy. This year the field opened up and it came together for them. His team got thumped in the Semis, just like Massillon last year, and look where the Tigers are now.
They’re returning a ton next year, will be the favorites to win the ECC, which makes them Region 8 favorites, and that philosophy is a major reason why. It strikes terror in the defenses they play. It’s a psychological weapon that gains them a major advantage. Sure it’s going to blow up sometimes, but that doesn’t mean not doing it won’t blow up. Playing more conservatively robs them of their best shot at beating teams with tons more talent like they’ll face year after year if they keep making it to the Massillon/Hoban/Avon Invitational.
If they change, I’ll be sad, even though I’d love to see them punt every fourth down against Kings. This is the beginning for them. They’ll be back, and if breaks go different, and they’re not playing a once in a generation team, he might look brilliant for not compromising some day.