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September 2, 2010
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Grayson looking to tune-up for playoffs
Published October 23, 2009
The final three teams on the Grayson schedule have combined for exactly one win this football season. The top-ranked Rams easily disposed of Berkmar (37-0) last week and will close out the regular season tonight on the road against an 0-7 Meadowcreek squad and next week at home against winless Central Gwinnett.
Grayson head coach Mickey Conn isn’t oblivious to the potential pitfalls awaiting his undefeated team if it goes into either of the next Friday affairs less than completely focused.
“I was really proud of our kids last week for going out and taking care of business early,” said Conn, whose Rams led 23-0 at the end of the first quarter. “They came out and played hard from the opening whistle. And I’ll tell you, they are practicing hard this week, too. They seem to be really focused.”
Grayson has played probably the toughest regular season schedule in school history, starting with wins over defending state Class AAAAA champion Camden County and following up the victory with a win over a strong Warner-Robins team. Since that time, the Rams have gone through the ultra-strong Region 8 line-up without a truly serious threat. Now, it’s time to work out some kinks in the armor as Grayson readies itself for a run at the state title.
“We’ve increased our intensity in the weight room,” Conn said. “As far as practice is concerned, we haven’t changed much. We know who we are and what we’re going to do, but it does give us a chance to refine some things that we have not done well. There are some things we installed in some of the earlier games where we’ve made some mistakes like a running back ran the wrong way or a receiver ran the wrong route.”
Conn said he’s seen some dropped passes and attention has been paid this week to trying to avoid such miscues.
“However, we’re playing a team that we’re expected to beat, but practice this week has been no different than it was when we played South Gwinnett or Parkview,” the coach said.
Having clinched a playoff spot so early has made it tempting for the Rams to put things into cruise control and potentially presenting a challenge to rediscover the necessary intensity when the postseason rolls around.
“I hope that’s not the case. I guess we’ll find out,” said Conn. “We had this same schedule last year and it worked out pretty well for us. Plus, those kids we’ve lost due to injury will be making their way back though we’re not quite sure as to what speed.”
The Rams kick off at 7:30 p.m. this evening at Meadowcreek, a program that perennially struggles to compete at the state’s highest level. The Mustangs are being led by their second coach in three years and this has been the trend for decades.
“I know it’s not fair for coaches or the kids over there to go through so many changes,” said Conn. “That’s one of the strengths of our program. We’ve enjoyed some continuity within our staff and it makes a world of difference.”
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