WEEK 6: MARSHALL (3-2), (1-0) Vs. HALLSVILLE (3-2), (0-1)

I think we should win this week.  But we will struggle to beat elite teams with no passing game.

I don't think we've thrown for 400 yards yet in five games.

We may struggle to beat Hallsville, but we should.  But beating Texas High with no passing is not very realistic.

No threat to throw means teams are stacking the box on us.  That will make running even harder.

That's why I say start letting Bird get some Qb reps in. It would be one thing if Slone was able to throw dimes and have a high completion percentage, but he's mostly good at managing the game and not making many mistakes.

He looks good passing the ball at times and the wrs have dropped some passes, but I'd be willing to bet Bird could have a similar completion percentage. Most of our routes are in the slot or short out routes. The benefits of having his mobility would greatly outweigh the small difference in the passing game.

Having to account for his legs would help open up the running and passing game. That's assuming you can get him somewhat accurate in the short passing game. He doesn't have to be the starter, but having it as a package would give you another option if things aren't clicking.

He's throws 16 passes a game and he's completing 8 a game.  A 50% completion isn't great.  He's 40-82 for the season.  Less than 50%

Maybe we're a running team because we don't make completions at a very good rate. 

With the type of passes he is throwing (short/quick bubbles/hitches and sideline jump balls)he should have a very high completion %. Our O-line hasn't protected well enough to add in the intermediate-deep balls. Which is why it makes sense to add a package with a more mobile Qb. The type of routes we are able to get off are high percentage for nearly any Qb. Except now you can throw in some zone reads, bootlegs, options, designed Qb runs/draws etc. Imagine having Bird, JQ, and Gatson in the backfield together, while still being able to throw the same quick route combinations we use anyways.

Slone has done very well in managing the game and I'm sure he could eventually do more in the passing game if he wasn't getting clobbered everytime he holds the ball longer than 3 seconds. I'm sure we could even win most games with Slone under center the entire game. However, it's going to take more options to match up against defenses like Texas High,Carthage, Longview and whomever we may face in the playoffs.

Hey Guys and Gals, Coach Alvarez has done a pretty good job of Game Planning so far, considering he has less than 40 Players on the varsity team.  The Mavs have beaten every opponent handily, so far, except Longview and Carthage.  By the way, Nobody else has beaten Longview or Carthage either.  Lets face it, the Mavs aren't going to win the 5A Dll State Championship this year.  They can however, put up a respectable winning season.  Remember these kids have been coached by three different head Coaches.  I think they are a very talented team. if they weren't, we could be 0 - 5 instead of 3 -2.  Could the Mavs have performed better?  Maybe, but they should be proud of their record so far.  I doubt if Texarkana could beat Longview or Carthage either.  Texarkana is our toughest opponent in district 8-5A Dll. We should be able to beat every other team in the district. Can we beat Texarkana? Yes, if we play to our maximum capability, and if they don't respect our players abilities, that will make winning a little easier. I'm not counting on them making that mistake.  The truth is there is only one game that matters now, and that is the one this week, against our next opponent, who ever that is. Lets just go to Hallsville Friday night and win that game. The point spread only has to be 1 point in our favor to count as a win.

Support The Players! Give the Coaches some time to build the team! We could win another State Championship in another year or two!!!

GO MAVS!!!

I don't know where the players are, but every team we have played, so far this year, has a larger roster than the Mavs.

Even Henderson!

JV won over Hsllsville 28-0

9th grade A team lost 13-6

9th grade B team won 16-6

Time for the varsity to make is 3/4!!!!!

Our play selection in this game was mind blowing.  Particularly in the first half.  

We would have third and fourth and long and we'd call these slow developing plays in the backfield.  Hallsville was keyed in on that stuff.

We would run like crazy between the 20's and then we'd close the playbook when we got close to scoring.

And how do you expect a QB to complete long passes downfield when we've barely thrown it all season?  A couple of those 3/4 down passes deep down the field made zero since.  We should have shoved the ball down their throat on third and fourth down.

The offensive coordinator called a crap game the entire first half.  ZERO points in the first half?  We should have had at least 17 points at the half.  21 if we're honest.  

Totally different team in the second half, but once we got pinned in our own end zone the dumb backfield plays showed up again.  Just a total lack of awareness of where we were on the field.  We practically game Hallsville the touchdown with that possession.

I guess if anything positive game out of this game is that Collier Slone can be an effective passer if the offensive line will block...which they really struggled with tonight.

There's no reason that we cant pass the ball enough to make the oposing defenses spread a little bit.  They are stacking the box and killing our run blocking.

They guys played flat in the first half.  Got the feeling they weren't taking Hallsville seriously.  That's on the players.  Can't overlook teams.

But our offensive game plan in the first half stunk and that was 100% on the coaches.  And that poor first half is what cost us the game.

And I'll be honest.  I think Hallsville will lose another district game.  Maybe 2.  We need that to happen.