If you don't blame the facemask penalty for the loss, you surely can not blame the onside kick. The Russell staff obviously thought there was a threat of a good return and hindsight is always 20/20. I personally feel as though the facemask penalty was more costly than the onside. The player didn't even need to touch the Simon Kenton player, he was trying to get out of bounds. He came up and made an unfortunate mistake that put Simon is position to win the game.

 

So your saying blame a kid for trying to make a play, rather than a coach for a bad call? I don't care either way, to me that kid should not have had to have been in that position, if they were worried about a big return then pooch it like they did the majority of the night. Either way you look at it, it was a great game and pretty much a miracle that SK was able to win.

As far as the kick goes, I know Coach McGlone is probably now thinking he made the wrong decision. However, in his defense, the kickoff team already had shown all game they couldn't tackle anybody short of the 45 yard line and they had already given up an 85 yard return. Also, if you kick it out of bounds, then all Simon Kenton has to do is take a re-kick. That is a no win situation.

As far as the kick goes, I know Coach McGlone is probably now thinking he made the wrong decision. However, in his defense, the kickoff team already had shown all game they couldn't tackle anybody short of the 45 yard line and they had already given up an 85 yard return. Also, if you kick it out of bounds, then all Simon Kenton has to do is take a re-kick. That is a no win situation.

 

Right or wrong I can assure you this loss helped Russell grow more than they would have if they won. When you win you are happy and rarely review the things you did wrong in the game. Loose and thats all you think about. What could I have done as a player to win that game. I'm telling you. This loss hurt Mason County more than anyone. I don't know who will win this Friday. But you can be assured that Russell will leave it all on the field.