By: Ken Weingartner
Ken WeingartnerThe Packet Group
Handle with care.
That phrase might be imprinted on every football used by Monroe High the remainder of the season. The Falcons have committed 15 turnovers as they’ve opened the campaign 0-3.
"The offense moves the ball, then shoots itself in the foot," Monroe coach Jim Griffin said. "Some folks aren’t going to see the ball much until they prove they can take care of it. It’s that simple. The bottom line is the running backs and quarterbacks are making mistakes they can’t make. It takes the wind out of your sails."
Griffin said some players would be moved to new positions for Saturday’s game against Colonia. He said the changes would be minor adjustments to better use the squad’s talent.
"Everybody gets their shot. We need performance, and they know that," Griffin said. "It’s not been a lack of trying. The kids have been giving us a good effort. It’s not a question of them being lackadaisical. We might be asking them to do things they’re not able to do. Fundamentally, they’re not big changes. We’re moving people to new spots where maybe they can do better.
"I feel pretty confident. We look better in a number of areas."
Last week, the Falcons lost 29-0 to Carteret, a squad Griffin believes is the best in the Greater Middlesex Conference White Division. He was pleased with the way Monroe played against the Ramblers, who were a much larger team.
"We went toe-to-toe with them for 48 minutes," Griffin said. "When it comes to physical play, nothing less will be tolerated. We know we can do it. We know we can hit with the best team, at least the most physical team, in the division.
"It just came down to turnovers on our part. We gave it away. The defense played pretty well; you can’t keep giving a very good team a short field."
On Saturday, the Falcons host Colonia (3-0). The Patriots are coming off a 44-7 win over John F. Kennedy. Quarterback Derek DuBois leads the attack.
"He can take a good play by the defense and set it on its ear," Griffin said. "It’s not what they intend to do, but what they make out of it. Typically, they’re very aggressive on both sides of the ball. We’ve got to stop them running the ball."
And take care of the ball.
"We haven’t fumbled much in practice, that’s the frustrating part," Griffin said. "In the games we’ve just been flat out careless with the ball. But I expect we’re going to play better. After Carteret, we don’t have to fear anybody."
