G.B. West focuses on fundamentals and fun
GREEN BAY – Trust.
It’s the No. 1 thing the Green Bay West football team wants to build this year.
“The players came up with a math equation for it,” West coach John Saharsky said. “We need effort from everybody; we need the right attitude and that’s going to equal trust for us out there. It’s when you start to trust each other you become a team.”
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Saharsky sees a team that has made great strides entering his second season as head coach.
The Wildcats have about 50 players on the roster, which is about 15 more than it had last year.
Several players were active in the weight room during the offseason, resulting in a bigger and stronger line.
The most important thing Saharsky sees from his team each day, though, is a group of players who enjoying having fun playing the game.
“Let’s figure out how we’re going to have fun on the field and keep them moving the whole time because the kids asked for that,” Saharsky said.
“They said we don’t need to talk. We can spend film time talking. We can spend weight room time talking. But to get out on the football field and say how does this drill really work? Can it be fun? Can we all do it at once rather than the old, traditional standing in line? We did that.”
West is working on doing the small things in practice with the hope that it will translate to big improvements in games as the players seek to get Saharsky his first win as head coach.
“Every day in practice lets think about your assignment, your alignment and your technique,” Saharsky said. “If you can get into your first two steps, and get it right, then we can let you play football after that, so we’re looking at that as our big three for them to do.”
After using the shotgun and pistol formations last year, the Wildcats will be running their option offense under center this season in order to reduce turnovers sustained on bad snaps.
Junior Jack Hemery returns for his third season as the starter at quarterback. Meanwhile, junior Cason Robinson will be a primary ballcarrier out of the backfield after playing mostly on defense last year.
West will also benefit from senior linemen Philong Lee and Jason Wright returning to the sport again. Wright is a two-time WIAA state qualifier for track and field in the shot put and was a second team all-Bay Conference defensive lineman as a sophomore.
“They’re getting really good at the everyday drills,” Saharsky said. “I think they are ready to take that next step and start getting real deep into the scheme we want them to start running on offense and defense. It’s an awesome transition that we’re getting into in Year 2.”
Green Bay West at a glance
Coach: John Saharsky, 2nd season
Last year: 0-9
All-conference players to replace:
Kislam Robinson, DL, HM
All conference players returning:
None
2019 Schedule
Aug. 23 at Appleton Xavier
Aug. 30 at Seymour
Sept. 6 West De Pere
Sept. 13 at Denmark (NC)
Sept. 21 G.B. East
Sept. 27 New London
Oct. 4 Menasha
Oct. 11 at Waupaca
Oct. 18 at Shawano