Press-Republican

Sports

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
comments powered by Disqus
September 3, 2010

AuSable works to eliminate mistakes

By NICK ST. DENIS Staff Writer

CLINTONVILLE — The theme of the AuSable Valley Patriots' football program this season is simple — eliminate mental mistakes.

Avoidable errors, turnovers in particular, plagued the Patriots last season.

AuSable Valley saw many big plays go to waste, as leading rusher Ben Prentiss averaged four yards a carry and Josh Ashline had a stellar 11½-yard average. Untimely interceptions or fumbles, however, left AuSable Valley with a 12.6 points-per-game average.

That, according to AuSable Valley coach Heith Ford, needs to change. And he thinks it will.

"Our goal is to play with little to no mental mistakes," Ford said. "I think this team is a complete changeover from what we've had in the past. The team is gelling quickly.

"We have a great mix of newcomers and returners. Our JV team saw a lot of success last season, and they're carrying that attitude over. We've also talked a lot about how we finished the season with a win last year (41-0 over St. Lawrence) and how we want to build on that."

Austin House will return at quarterback for the Patriots, and his main targets at wideout will most likely by Conner Manning and Sawyer Taro.

Ford expects House's backfield to be "tailback by committee."

Jorden Boyea, John Sikandar and Hank Whisher will be taking the bulk of the handoffs this season.

Ford said each player brings their own style to the backfield, so he expects to keep a good rotation going during all the games throughout the year.

"I kind of like that because it keeps teams off-balance," he said. "Maybe we'll go more with the hot hand some games, but I expect us to mix it up at that position."

The Patriots' success on the ground will heavily rely on a solid run-blocking offensive line.

"That was something we did very well last year," Ford said. "We want to continue where we left off."

Linemen Justin Hart, David Thompson and Brennan Parrish will be critical to the offense.

Hart and Thompson have been establishing themselves as the leaders of the team, as the two play crucial roles on defense, as well.

Parrish and Whisher are also among a defense that Ford expects to be well-rounded.

"We try to be a no-name defense," Ford said. "I think a lot of different guys will contribute. We play a team-scheme, so it changes constantly."

Ford said he will be happy if the team improves steadily through the season, but that it will require a game-by-game approach.

"We would like to not only be a playoff team, but try to be a team that can play well in the playoffs."

—

AuSable Valley Patriots

Record: 1-8

Peru 36, AuSable Valley 19

Gouverneur 33, AuSable Valley 7

OFA 52, AuSable Valley 6

Ticonderoga 35, AuSable Valley 15

Beekmantown 34, AuSable Valley 8

Plattsburgh High 7, AuSable Valley 3

Saranac Lake 32, AuSable Valley 0

Saranac 18, AuSable Valley 14

AuSable Valley 41, St. Lawrence 0

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local Sports