Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
A success in life. Come fan, what is it you want?
Give your best effort, show me what you got.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
If you want to be a success, you've gotta have.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
It's the Burt Fathyany Coaching Shoe presented by Kobe and
Shepherd Realders and First Community Mortgage.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
A competitive combo championship results and here's your host.
Speaker 4 (00:22):
Jeff Seedle and Moulder head football coach Burt Pathy.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Andy W. Mooe and the Moler Broadcasting Network present The
Burt Bathyani Show featuring the head coach of the Moeler Crusaders,
Bert Bathyani. The show is sponsored by Coomy and Shepherd
Reeltors and I am Jeff Schneedle with the class of
nineteen eighty four. Always my pleasure to check in here
(00:46):
with Coach Bert Bathyani on the eve of the beginning
of the season. Coach, how are we doing today? I
know you said we've had some good practices this week.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
Well, hey, first off, this is the third week in
a row I've gotten to see you. That means it's
football seams good and it's it's coming around the corner man.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Not many people tell me that, so I will take
that as a comp I'm.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
Looking forward to see it, but like once a week
is good enough for me. Once a week is good,
but it's good to see.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
You sometimes the missus says that, So yeah, yeah, got question.
It's all good. So no, it is. And you know,
we kind of, you know, kind of the Molar Nation
kind of starts getting engaged with this, you know, people
showing up to the scrimmages and practices. I know people
are asking, you know, hey, how are we gonna be
how we can you know what's gonna happen now that
(01:31):
we lost the gatorad Player of the Year. I'm like, well,
we're gonna find out.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
I guess we'll find out. I mean, I feel really
good about our team. I think we have a really
talented roster and we have a ton of leadership on
this team. I mean we have eight captains, which has
only been happened one other time in Molar history with
coach Rodenberg. And I think it says a lot about
our team and how they respect so many guys on
(01:55):
the team. Because I'll be honest, I've never seen a
captain vote like this in my life where it was
so read out, so it was so it was the
top eight vote getters, without question, and it was just
so spread out you couldn't like find that cut because like, man,
like you have this guy and this guy's like man,
these guys. It really says a lot about our team.
(02:17):
And and we we say this all the time to everybody,
like every single person in our program is a leader
within their own right. And you influence someone else, and
that's what a leader is. You provide influence, positive or negative,
and and that is your responsibility. Now, the captain title
is a title, and it's responsibility that is been entrusted
(02:37):
on eight of our guys, and that's been voted on
buyer players. And these are the guys that our team
has selected to be the voice and the bridge from
the players to the coaching staff. And every great team
is player driven and we try to make that empower
our players to have that responsibility. So even when those
guys are announced, it was kind of metaphorically like, guys,
(02:59):
this is the but of us coaches giving it to you, guys,
go run the team. So I'm really excited about it.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
You know, from the outside, you say eight captains, and
someone could interpret that, well, geez, they can't really figure
out who their leaders are you know what I mean.
But that's that's the way people will perceive that, and
that's just really cool if it's And again I appreciate
that clarification because I know it's done exactly. I'm sure
that coach. The other thing you said, which I think
(03:25):
is really cool, and it's even outside of football. You said,
every guy on the team is a leader to some capacity.
Question And the key is is when they're not in
their football uniform and they're out in life and they
are a leader. And that's what that's the goal of
what Moler does is teaching the young men without molar
(03:45):
So it's not just because hey, you're a captain, you're
something special here. They're all captains.
Speaker 4 (03:50):
And get I get frustrated with the word leadership sometimes
because I think it's always kind of misconstrued. But in
my mind, everyone is a leader in some way, shape
or form, because a leader is someone has followers and
people want to be like you. They get influenced by
your decision making, they get influenced by your behaviors, by
what you say, and that could be positive or negative.
(04:12):
And I think that's really important to understand. But every
single person in our program is responsible for their own
twenty square feet right, like their effort, their energy, like
the aura, their body language that they give off. They're
responsible for that because that will influence someone in some way,
shape or form. So it's really important for all guys
that are saying, like everyone is a leader within their
(04:33):
own right. These are the guys that are team selected
to be captains. And even though we have eight I
tell you what, man, we had sixteen guys that were
on the ballot this year, and we provide an application,
so everyone who applied got the chance to speak to
the team every single one way. We didn't ask anyone
not to, Like we thought every one of the guys
that applied was ready for that role and we would
(04:54):
have entrusted them in that role. And there's some guys
that didn't apply that I kind of wish would have
because I think they have that skill set as well.
And these are the guys that they select. And there's
some guys that are on it that I still think
are man like they would be like they're phenomenal leaders,
phenomenal dudes. So it's kind of like a balancing act
going back and forth, like you're proud of these guys
(05:15):
so much, and then you shall have the rest of
the team. You're like, guys, you are still influencing the
team and you do so many good things. So I
think it's a positive overall because now we have more
outreach to the rest of the team with those eight guys,
and we can connect to more players, which I think
is most important.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
And the other cool thing is coach is you know,
especially like a games, you see the younger kids and
and they just see someone, you know, number ninety one,
and it's like wow, it's like this is you know,
they're leaders, and that's question. You know, it's not because
they get to walk out and call the coin flip, yep,
But they just see that and they idolize that, and
that's the way it's always been, and that that's what's
(05:53):
really cool, yep.
Speaker 4 (05:54):
And I think our players do a phenomenal job with
that no matter what it is, whatever event, if it's
our youth camp, if it's victory day, just being a
good citizen outside these walls. In general, I'm really proud
of the guys that we haven't.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Team and the captains aren't the guys that are the
loudest in the hooping and hollering guys. It's the guys
that sometimes just they handle their business better than anybody. Yep,
that's your leaders sometimes with that. All right, coach, let's
take our first break and then we'll come back and
we'll talk about our upcoming opponent and some of the
history with that. As you're listening to the Bert Bathyani
(06:27):
Show featuring the head coach of the Molar Football Crusaders
on the eve of opening Day, and you hear it
here on w MOE and the Molar Broadcasting Network and
the show is sponsored by Komy and Shepherd Realtors. We'll
be right back. That's very good, good stuff. People want
(06:47):
to hear that.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
Yeah, So we have eight and four offense for defense,
and without question, it's our top eight vo getters. And
I don't mess around that stuff. Like our players pick
their leaders. And how about this Thomas Kirky, Like it
was evident that the team wants him to lead. Pretty
cool being a transfer coming in.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Yeah, and he earned that right there. You go, that's awesome.
That's awesome. All right, here we go three two one.
You're tuned in to w MOOE and the Molar Broadcasting
Network and specifically you're listening to the Bert Bathyani Show,
featuring the head coach of the football Crusaders of Moller
(07:27):
High School. That's Bert Bathyani. The show is sponsored by
Koby and Shepherd Realtors, and I am Jeff Schneedle with
the class of nineteen eighty four here with Coach Bathynni
and Coach you know, I know you grew up across
the river, but you were probably very aware of a
storied history between the Moeller Crusaders and the Princeton Vikings
(07:49):
that goes way way back to the early days with
Coach Faust and you know, we've had some memorable games.
We had the Princeton fuel goal that kind of probably
took us out of a third straight, you know, state
champ or.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
I was actually talking to uh Phil Schneider, the alumna
of that team, just the other day just about that's
still rings it, like yep, you still remember that, yes, right,
It's just unbelievable how impactful just playing within these rivalries,
how it is you know later on, But yeah, I
knew all about it growing up because of my uncle,
(08:27):
my dad, and you know, even when I got the job,
like the first thing that my uncle's talked to me
about is king of the block, right, like them shutting
down I seventy five to be able to watch Moler
play Princeton, so.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
They ca they couldn't get tickets.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
Yeah, and and that's that's what's so funny is like
my dad graduated in the seventies, my uncle graduated in
the seventies, and they were they remember that, which is
pretty cool. And my my Grant, like all the people
that I've come into contact with over lifetime, like they
they remember that those games.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Coach, We've had great teams in the past. Of course
Princeton has as well. Both won state championships. We have nine,
they have three. You know, my graduating class nineteen eighty
four when when we played in nineteen eighty three tenth game,
we played Princeton, the tenth game of the season at
that time, we beat them twenty eight to twenty one.
(09:15):
Had to turn around because we didn't have the expanded playoffs,
and we lose to Princeton twenty eight twenty one and
they go on and win the state championship. So again,
you know, those type of things. There's been games along
the way, you know, I know we had a couple
of rough years several years ago and after the COVID year,
(09:37):
you know, Coach Elder and the Crusaders, we played Princeton
in the playoffs and within the first four plays we're
down fourteen to nothing. And I remember doing that game
and everyone's kind of like stunned. Luckily, the coaching staff
and the players were not because they held their own
and as Coach Elder said, hey, there's there's no fifteen
point play in football. So they held their gun and
(10:00):
scored twenty eight in a row and then you know
advanced and again the first of the three regional Final
four appearances, if we can say. But again, just that history.
You know, this is such a hotbed for high school football,
but this is one of the key components, really Moler
in Princeton because of the history and what we have.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
Yeah, and like you said, Cincinnati is one of the
best cities in the country that comes to high school football,
in high school sports, and people want to see these
type of matchups. I mean, what a weekend you got
Princeton and Moler, and then I think you have West
and X right playing as well. So it's gonna be exciting,
It's gonna be exciting. So you're excited for the fans.
You're excited our players get the opportunity to showcase all
(10:44):
the hard work that they've put in from January to August.
And that's been the message this whole time. Right like
the football season is a long season, the off season
is a long season. Right Like in basketball in the
off season, you play basketball. In baseball in the off season,
you get to play base you don't get to play
football in the offseason. And that's what makes it great.
At the same time, is from January to August, you
(11:07):
are just thinking about putting the pads back on and
playing football, hitting someone with a different color jersey and exactly.
And both teams get finally get that opportunity. So that's
what the player should be excited about, the go showcase
all the hard work they've put in.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
So coach, we're right on the eve of the beginning
of the season. Now, what's really interesting is both Princeton
as well as US we had strong years last year
twenty twenty three. Both had a good playoff run. Ours
was obviously a better, but both teams have a lot
of returning talent. Both teams have returning starting quarterbacks, that
(11:44):
are juniors. That doesn't always happen, but in a way,
they can kind of see some about our players. We
can see some about theirs. But again it's a brand
new season and there's people that come and go, but
here we are.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
Yeah, they got a really talented roster as well. I mean,
they had a heck of a year. They went twelve
to zero, lost the Lakota West and it was a
tough loss too. I remember they had a putt return
call back that even when I saw the replay, I'm
kind of like, oh, I don't know if that should
have been called back, right. But they they have a
really good offense and have a really good defense. Their
coaching staff does a really good job, and they believe
(12:19):
in what they're doing. I think that's like the biggest
thing is I think you just watched their their film
and you're like, that's a good football team.
Speaker 1 (12:25):
Coach Andre Parker, he's gotten us a couple of times
when he was at Winton Woods, so so he's no
stranger to try and up end the Crusaders. So coach,
you know our team having obviously it helps having a
returning quarterback. We got a nice stable of receivers, tight hands.
I know we'll probably figure out the running back position.
But to have a lot of not just talent coming back,
(12:48):
but really really good talent has got to be comforting.
Speaker 4 (12:51):
Yeah, I think there's there's a lot of depth there,
and you get it's a good problem to have, right,
Like the hardest thing is trying to figure out, you know,
how you get the all these guys and then what's
the best combination for getting guys out on the field,
and the same thing on defense, right, Like, we're really talented,
I think in a lot of different areas where there's
guys who like, there's just a lot of talent at
(13:11):
those positions, right and at some point like eleven enough
to go on offense, eleven enough to go in on defense.
And in my mind, we don't have eleven starters on
offense and defense. I think we have closer like fifteen
to sixteen that say, like there's a larger number than
eleven of guys who are deserving to be like have
that label, and that's all it is. It's a label.
(13:32):
It really doesn't mean anything, Like we have a lot
of players are going to go in like one will
go in first, one will go in second, right, and
guess what, I expect them both to give the same
result and they're gonna go execute their assignment. They're gonna
play really really hard And it doesn't matter who we
put in the game. The standard is the standard. It
doesn't matter. You're expected to give maximum effort four to
(13:52):
six AD to be have great attitude and then compete
your tail off like that's the expectation. So I feel
really good with our roster and I it will be
a fun game. We're excited for coach.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
I know. I always talk about, like coach a seat
on the defensive line doing the broadcasts, and it seemed
like every game there was someone new on the defensive line.
But this is where that really helps because so many
guys were in key situations let's just say defensive line
that all of a sudden, we come to a new season.
We got a lot of guys who are who are experienced,
so it's not like the first time they get to
(14:23):
step on and go go play and the lights are
on and you know get it's like, hey, we've done
this before. Here we go. Let's go.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
Yeah, and the same thing on offensive line, right like
we had we committed to playing eight guys last year,
and there was a rotation how five guys went out
first and then three of the guys played a ton
In our mind, we had eight starters on the offensive
line that year, and I think we there's a lot
of depth in that position as well. But both of
those position groups between the line and d line definitely
benefited from having a lot of bodies there last year
(14:53):
to gain that experience. And they played because they deserve
the play. And that's I think that's the message is
if you deserve the play there, you're you're gonna get
on the field. And and that's the message there.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
Coach, we're gonna we're gonna wrap up this segment and
segment two will be Uh, I'll talk to both coach
Blum and coach Sharp on you know, about their sides
of the ball. So, uh, you kind of get off
the hook here as I know, Uh, we're all getting
a little antsy to get get there and and uh,
get get to get to the game, get to Game one,
get it under our belt. But you can always appreciate
(15:25):
your candidness, your time with this and uh, let's have
a great season, Let's have a healthy season, and let's
let it rip ye all right. That is the head
coach of the Crusaders, Coach Bert bathy Andy, as you
hear him here on the Bert bathy Andy Show, and
it's sponsored by Comy and Shepherd Realtors, and it's heard
here on w m OE and the Moler Broadcasting Network.
(15:47):
We'll be back with Coach Blum and Coach Sharp home. Entarily,
it's time for another great season I Moler football, and
it's always a good time to buy and sell real estate.
Contact me Jeff Schneedle, the voice of the Crusaders, but
also Molar Class of nineteen eighty four. I can be
reached at five one three four eight four zero six
(16:08):
sixty six. And for all your lending needs contact Rob
Didrichsen with FCM it's first community mortgage making the American
Dream happen. Contact Rob at five one three seven two
zero two two seven nine five one three seven two
zero two two seven nine.
Speaker 5 (16:30):
Go big bum.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
Listening to the Coach Bert Bathiani Show heard here on
w MOOE and the Molar Broadcasting Network. The show is
sponsored by Comy and Sheppard Realtors, and we're gonna have
a conversation with both Coach Michael Blum on the offensive
side of the ball and coach Nick Sharp on the
defensive side of the ball, the defensive coordinator for the Crusaders.
So as this is uh pregame, the last pregame show
(17:02):
before we kick things off against the Princeton Vikings on
Friday night, seven pm at Viking Stadium. So here is
Coach Michael Blum and coach Nick Sharp from the offensive
side of the ball, and he runs the offensive line,
amongst other things. That is Coach Michael Blum and the
show sponsored by Koby and Shepherd Realtors. Of course that's
(17:23):
what I do. And I'm Jeff Schneiedel class of nineteen
eighty four. Coach Blum. Welcome to the preseason.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
Thanks for having me back. Another season underway, quick summer.
It's it's flown by, but when you look back, you're
you realize how much time the players have all put in,
the coach have all put in in the weight room,
on the field meetings. You know this this offseason, but
it does go by fast when you're in it.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
I know a lot of the emphasis is, you know games,
games are won in the in the you know, in
the winner into the spring. Don't just show up in
August and think you're gonna put things together absolutely well.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
Coach B like that.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
That's his philosophy for sure. Of you know, he believes
in the weight room, and so so does his coaching
staff and having I'm going to new year nine now back.
But I don't want to upset any any previous staffs
or anything like that. But from a from a conditioning,
from a weight room standpoint, I will have to say
this is probably one of the more mentally and physically
challenging off seasons for our players since I've I've been
(18:23):
at Mohler. From the it been working out lifting and
agilly drills back in January four days a week, and
you know that just kind of kept going through the
spring and ramping up and changing your different styles of
program and from running and whatnot. Coach B was running
the weight room and the winter months as we were
going through a strength coach transition, and Coach Gray came
(18:43):
in running full speed, and he the guy's really boughten
into his way of doing things in the weight room
as well, real fast, and he challenges him and holds
him the very high expectations along with Coach B.
Speaker 1 (18:54):
So a lot of excitement with it.
Speaker 3 (18:56):
It seems like, yeah, guys've gotten definitely bigger, stronger, and faster.
So I have high hopes for at least for the
team from a physical and mental standpoint this this season.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
So well, Coach Blum, I you know, I really want
to give a tip of the cap to you. You mentioned,
you know, your ninth year. I mean, you have you've
been here. I mean again, this might sound strange, would
have thought we we've had like multiple head coaches in
that time period, but you know, you being here as
far as consistent and has there been other coaches that
(19:26):
have been here as well as as long as you
are with you well, coach going.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
Back to UH Rossfeld year and then he was on
coach Crables before that, so he's been around. Coach Adam McLain,
he's been here since UH coach Runenberg's last season too,
so a few of us have been around for a while.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
Well.
Speaker 1 (19:47):
But that's some of the you know, the kind of
some of the consistency and certainly consistency on the offensive
line that's pretty important, which you know you've done a
great job with that, and and you know, coach like
last year, this kind of kind of mirrored what happened
several years before as far as all of a sudden,
you start with a whole new offensive line, a lot
(20:07):
of underclassmen, but those under classmen play and now they're seniors,
So that's got to be Hey, we already know kind
of what a lot of the drill is going to
be and just got to keep that improving, right.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
Yeah, absolutely, So we got a strong senior class up front.
There's a total of eight seniors on the O line
and six returning starters from last season, so they bring
back a lot of experience and they've all had great
off seasons of like I said, in the weight room
and doing what they needed to do to prepare for
Princeton week one. And then our junior class, just in
(20:42):
the from a body count, is smaller upfront. So there's
a lot of sophomores that are have been given a
lot of opportunities this summer of rolling with the two's,
and so those are guys that have really bought in.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
Say they're smaller, smaller as far as numbers.
Speaker 3 (20:57):
Right now, like three juniors on the uh the offensive line,
So there's a lot of just you know, from that
standpoint of just you know, of guys in the room,
so a lot of sophomores have been given some opportunities
to try and fill some of.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
Those high school football Absolutely, it's just sometimes it's not,
you know, the same amount every year. You gotta kind
of work with it. But they but they're they're they're built.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
The juniors and sophomores are learning a lot from these seniors.
So I've been really proud of of this senior class
of just how they've worked every day and how they
come with a great mindset of trying to challenge one
another and getting better on the field and off the field.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
And coach, I'm sure one of the important things while
you have a senior core that's coming back, these guys
got to be ready because I mean, in this game,
anything can happen and in a moment's notice.
Speaker 3 (21:46):
Yeah, absolutely, So it's it's just the time they've spent
together and this this offseason and from you know, previous
seasons of building those relationships of trusting the guy that
are left and right. And there'll be moments and in
games this season that are are definitely testing our our
our our toughness too. Can we overcome adversity? And I
(22:07):
trust that our guys will rise to the challenge and coach.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
The other thing is it doesn't it just doesn't look
like we have much. Uh there's no real cupcakes on
the schedule. So and right out of the shoot we're
going to be playing against a real good team with
a lot of a lot of talents. So, uh, you know,
as far as for an offensive line, I'm sure that
that having that challenge weekend week out on ten different
fields that we play, So it's gonna be kind of
(22:31):
a little bit unique because we kind of well we're
kind of like in our gypsy mode as we've always
kind of been. But it's going to be ten different
fields and against real good teams.
Speaker 3 (22:40):
Absolutely, But uh, you know, once once you get guys
in a routine. So even past the past few years,
we we treat every single game the same of how
we get to the stadium. We try to get to
the stadium a couple hours before kickoff, and the routine's
the same. So whether we're home or away, our guys
aren't two faced by that because they're their their preparation
(23:01):
for that game is consistent.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
Does does it help, I'll say, in a general sense,
to be back in school, wherever, you kind of know
what your the rhythm is. You know, as far as
just day to day, you know what is expected versus
like you know, in the summer, I mean, okay, if
you practice at three o'clock, you know you got the
morning or or whatever even after you.
Speaker 3 (23:24):
I think so because the start of school means the
start of the season as well, and these guys are
ready to start hitting more guys in different different uniforms
in our own and so they they've trust what they've
done and they're there. I think we have a strong,
good confidence going in this season, especially uh you know,
just from the the offensive side of the ball of
(23:45):
returning a lot of starters and a lot of guys
with game experience of just you know, wanting to get
out of the off season now in camp and and
get into Week one against Princeton, and it will be,
like you said, a great test.
Speaker 1 (23:56):
For us coach. I know, we got some really really
good school players, but as we know, it's in the trenches.
That's that's where it's won and lost. It's blocking and tackling,
It's what the game was built on. So I know
you're up for the challenge, and I know you'll get
the guys ready to go. So exciting ninth year, it.
Speaker 3 (24:14):
Is, it is. I'm excited for this season and see
what this team's able to accomplish. And I'm proud of
of everything this team has done so far and just
you know, again hopeful for the season that you know,
we can go as far as as far as I
tell the o Lion that we can go as far
as you guys take us. So if we trust the
talent on the offensive ball and the skill positions from
(24:36):
the tight ends the running backs to the quarterback, and
if we give give them time to make plays and
get downfield and open up holes and you know, have
high effort on the field, is that well, we'll move
the chains and finish with touchdowns in the red zone.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
So that's the goal of every drive and.
Speaker 1 (24:51):
Coach you're you as well as Coach Sharp are always
very gracious to do a little uh little snippet for
the pregame with the upcoming opponents, which we will continue
to do and if I can say so selfishly, hopefully
we have to do sixteen of those this year. God
will there we go? Yes, that is the offensive line
coach offensive guru with the Crusaders that's Michael Blum entering
(25:14):
his ninth season. Wow, this makes me feel older.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
Getting gray hairs.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
Coach, appreciate your time and you know, thanks for thanks
for sitting in with us, and best of luck on
the season. Thank you, looking for It's time for another
great season. I Molar football and it's always a good
time to buy and sell real estate. Contact me Jeff Schneedle,
the voice of the Crusaders but also Molar class of
(25:41):
nineteen eighty four. I can be reached at five one
three four eight four zero six sixty six. And for
all your lending needs, contact Rob Didrichsen with FCM. That's
First Community Mortgage making the American dream happen. Contact Rob
at five to one three two zero two seven nine
(26:03):
five one three seven two zero two two seven nine.
Speaker 5 (26:09):
Go big money.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
You got in the defensive coordinator for the Crusaders, Nick
sharp coach and now you're also a dad again recently,
So uh, first, first and foremost congratulations with that.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
Thank you. Yeah, just keep adding to the Molar family.
Speaker 1 (26:40):
So if you're not worrying about the defense, I mean
you're you're up you're up with with the newborn. So
that's uh, that's kind of what happens.
Speaker 6 (26:48):
Right, Yeah, we're always busy, but you know, just a
little bit more time to get film in.
Speaker 1 (26:51):
Yeah, get that film cueued up, and if you're gonna
be up, might as well max out on it. Well,
there you go, coach. Uh, you know, we'll talk about
the defense. You know, as things got going last year,
obviously kind of you know, as the defensive coordinator, we
come out, you know, our first game and actually you know,
(27:13):
that game just turned on a really weird play right
before half as we were trying to bring it within seven,
and it kind of got a little bit out of reach.
But it just seemed like as the season went on,
the comfort level and everything with the defense really just
took on a Havoc mob as it's named of its own.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
Yeah. So yeah, the Havoc mob is our culture.
Speaker 6 (27:34):
And like you said, you know, I've been shy the
fact last year that you know, we did not start
off the way we wanted to. But that's part of
the growing pains of being you know, a new staff,
bringing in a new scheme, new culture, and just those
growing pains that we went through. But yeah, as the
season went on, they really bought in and I think
it showed in the playoffs where we.
Speaker 2 (27:52):
Got to was that.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
I mean some of that obviously was just getting players
in the right position and and kind of like just
get them comfortable and get everything kind of working. Uh,
you know. Unfortunately, just like every year, I mean, you're
gonna have a lot of change, but it's just getting
the parts in the right place correct.
Speaker 6 (28:08):
Yeah, and that's something that we did after you know,
those first three or four weeks of the season. You know,
again coming in as the new staff, I hadn't been
around these guys for a year. I had never seen
them with the pads on until we got to camp.
And you know, after we get going in game like situations.
Even a game is very different than practice. So you
got to find, you know, where guys excel, and we
move some guys around and it's a lot to process.
Speaker 1 (28:29):
I mean, and then times by many kids. So with that,
so coach, you know, we lost some really good players
last year, but you know, we we have good talent.
That's that's in the ranks. And again coming in as
far as year two, it's you got to be more
comfortable because you kind of know what you uh, for
the most part, have coming back and probably aware of
(28:51):
the stuff that of the kids that were coming up
and be a part of the Havoc mob.
Speaker 6 (28:55):
Yeah, that's been huge, just you know, having this whole
year to build those relationships you see the kids growing up. Yeah,
we lost a lot of leaders last year, but now
these kids have been around me. I know them, they
know me, they know the expectations, they have a better
idea of the system. So I'm excited to see how
we can start off this season and still continue to
grow from there.
Speaker 1 (29:15):
A coach, I know you don't really listen probably to
the broadcast, but you know we have a couple of
things that we say, like, you know, as if there
is some type of drive by the other team, I'll
make the comment, we need to go to the bakery,
which means we need to turnover. So I know some
people tell me about that comment that most people like it.
I've had a few people say stop the bakery thing.
(29:36):
But you know that's what we're looking for. I mean turnovers.
Name of the game.
Speaker 6 (29:40):
Yeah, well yeah, I want to say turnovers because I
always say takeaways. They're not giving us anything. We have
to take the ball away. So you know, you can
keep making your joke. But I'm gonna say takeaways, all.
Speaker 1 (29:49):
Right, we'll say takeaways. And I noticed, did we have
it last year? The basketball hoop? That is that something new?
Did we have that last year? We had that last year?
To have it coop? We had thirty five takeaways year.
We got to use it thirty five times. Have a coop? Yeah,
And I just noticed it at the scrimmage.
Speaker 2 (30:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (30:05):
Everybody that takes the ball away gets to get a
dunk on the sideline as soon as we come off
the field.
Speaker 2 (30:10):
So a pick.
Speaker 6 (30:10):
The guy that gets to pick if it's a fumble recovery,
the guy that forces a fumble, and the guy that
recovers it, any kind of takeaway, they get a dunk
on the havoca.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
And folks, what we're talking about is it's it's it's
I'll say, a smaller board with a true basketball hoop
on it and a chain a chain net on That
is that by design?
Speaker 6 (30:28):
Yeah, that's by designer, a little bit of toughness, tough
and nasty.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
Yeah, tough and nasty. Someone's gonna get scraped up. Now,
who gets to when?
Speaker 5 (30:35):
When?
Speaker 1 (30:36):
When a takeaway happens? Is it the first one who
gets their hands on that gets to hold it or
is there is there a designated person.
Speaker 2 (30:45):
It's typically just the closest guy to the hoop.
Speaker 6 (30:47):
The biggest thing is just making sure someone's always aware
of it and where it's going. But yeah, we did
have to change it up a little bit this year.
This year it is just you know, a board with
the hoop. It had a full backboard last year, but
we broke it from a dunkin a bit a little
bit too many times. But I'll take it.
Speaker 1 (31:00):
Gosh, it's like I wasn't even at the games. I
might even see that. I guess I was so focused
on the field. But I guess maybe I'll have to
watch the kids come off. So so again the name
of it, I know, it's the Havoc Mob, but the.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
Havoc hoop, Havoc coop.
Speaker 1 (31:14):
All right, so thirty five times?
Speaker 2 (31:16):
Yeah, so I got to raise that again this year,
do you?
Speaker 1 (31:20):
I mean, as you hate to have that as a barometer.
I mean there's a whole bunch of barometers, probably as
you're looking at how the defense progresses, but certainly that's
one of them.
Speaker 6 (31:30):
Yeah, and even that isn't enough. You know, my goal
was always three a game. So last year with those fifteen,
we didn't quite reach our goal, so we got to
continue to raise that well.
Speaker 1 (31:38):
So all right, so as we are barreling down to
the beginning of the year and a little bit more
comfort level, and you know, we got a good, good
group of kids, and you know, I'm happy that we
have a lot of the same kids on defense. I know,
maybe their numbers might change, or as I understand, some
might have multiple numbers. Does that have any bearing on
(32:00):
you what number they are? You're just going you just
you just see him as they are.
Speaker 2 (32:03):
Yeah, I just see him as they are. You know.
Speaker 6 (32:05):
That's we had a picture day a couple of days ago,
and I didn't even know what numbers guys were until then.
That's just kind of is what it is. You know,
whatever makes them happy, So.
Speaker 1 (32:14):
You and especially they got to be in the right
place at the right time. Yeah, as far as what
they're doing. So so, I know one thing, I know
I've commented on this before coach Ofcido. It just seemed
like last year, one defensive lineman after the other. I
mean like we're in games where like you know, who's
this young man, Like where'd he get unleashed from? And
(32:35):
all of a sudden, now there's someone else in the rotation.
That's got to be pretty cool when you even get
you know, guys in and for whatever given situation, but
just you know, even give them guys a breather.
Speaker 2 (32:46):
Yeah, that's huge. You know, I'm a d lineman at heart.
Speaker 6 (32:48):
That's what I played up through college, and that's you know,
just being able to rotate as many guys as we
can get in there. I'd rather have a guy go
one hundred percent for sixty percent of the snaps and
then the next guy go for forty percent of the
snaps compared to one guy playing the whole game and
he gets tired, he falls off. So as many big
bodies we can get in there cause and have it.
That's what we're trying to do.
Speaker 1 (33:09):
Human nature at some point, if you're in there for
so much, not that you take a playoff, but some
plays you're going to go harder than others.
Speaker 2 (33:17):
Yeah, and that's a huge thing.
Speaker 6 (33:18):
Like not only on the D line, on the defense,
we don't have eleven guys, we have to have at
least twenty two guys where we can continue to roll in.
Speaker 2 (33:25):
It doesn't matter who steps on the field. The standard
doesn't change.
Speaker 1 (33:28):
Is that a combination of you, you know, what the
rotation is, or do guys like say, hey, I'm a
little bit gask give me a playoff? I mean, is
there a I mean do they signal that or do
they do.
Speaker 6 (33:39):
That or well, the good thing about our guys is
that they don't ever want to come off the field.
I would say they want to do that. But you know,
we have a great defensive staff, so I kind of
lean on those guys. They have a great feel for
their specific position and you know they're kind of mentioning
it to me on the headset, so I can be
aware of you know, who's in and what I know,
what their strengths are to and how I'm going to
call it based off that.
Speaker 2 (33:58):
But yeah, I let the coaches roll with that with
their rotation and coach.
Speaker 1 (34:02):
I mean, you know our scrimmages, we've we've played you know,
good teams, and that's that's gotta be good to not
only just get different looks. I mean, it's gotta get
old just seeing your same offense, you know, no offense,
but it's just I mean, you gotta have something fresh,
something new and different.
Speaker 2 (34:20):
Yeah. Absolutely, that's a huge thing.
Speaker 6 (34:21):
You know, we spent the past two months only going
against our offense. We need a different color jersey, not
only just to see the different scheme, but just to
hit somebody that's not your teammate.
Speaker 2 (34:30):
That's a big thing.
Speaker 6 (34:31):
Like, yeah, we're gonna be physical out there on the
practice field, but you also have to take care of
your brothers.
Speaker 1 (34:35):
There you go. All right, well, coach, best of luck
this year is we're gonna you know, just it's it's
here opening day, so it'd be nice to get in
a little bit of a rhythm and uh and and
get your newborn on schedule as well. Right, a couple
of schedules we've got to keep in line here, right.
Speaker 6 (34:50):
Yeah, yeah, a long time coming, but excited for this season.
Another season big mo football.
Speaker 1 (34:54):
All right. That is the defensive coordinator for the Crusaders,
coach Nick Sharp, and he is going to get it
taken care of. Is the Crusaders are going to be
set to kick things off against the Princeton Vikings on
Friday night, the twenty third coach, thanks for joining us,
thanks for having me go big moo, and that's going
to put a rap on our last coach, Bathyanni pregame
(35:16):
pre season show heard here on w MOOE and the
Molar Broadcasting Network as the Crusaders will kick it off
Friday Night against the Princeton Viking, So tune in to
w MOOE and the Molar Broadcasting Network. Myself, Jeff Schneiedl
class of nineteen eighty four, and my sidekick Rob Foltz
will bring you the action from Viking Stadium. If you
(35:38):
don't have a ticket, tune in let the Crusaders roll on.
Thanks for listening to w MOOE and the Mowler Broadcasting
netw
A success in life. Come fan, what is it you want?
Give your best effort, show me what you got.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
If you want to be a success, you've gotta have.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
It's the Burt Fathyany Coaching Shoe presented by Kobe and
Shepherd Realders and First Community Mortgage.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
A competitive combo championship results and here's your host.
Speaker 4 (00:22):
Jeff Seedle and Moulder head football coach Burt Pathy.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Andy W. Mooe and the Moler Broadcasting Network present The
Burt Bathyani Show featuring the head coach of the Moeler Crusaders,
Bert Bathyani. The show is sponsored by Coomy and Shepherd
Reeltors and I am Jeff Schneedle with the class of
nineteen eighty four. Always my pleasure to check in here
(00:46):
with Coach Bert Bathyani on the eve of the beginning
of the season. Coach, how are we doing today? I
know you said we've had some good practices this week.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
Well, hey, first off, this is the third week in
a row I've gotten to see you. That means it's
football seams good and it's it's coming around the corner man.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Not many people tell me that, so I will take
that as a comp I'm.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
Looking forward to see it, but like once a week
is good enough for me. Once a week is good,
but it's good to see.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
You sometimes the missus says that, So yeah, yeah, got question.
It's all good. So no, it is. And you know,
we kind of, you know, kind of the Molar Nation
kind of starts getting engaged with this, you know, people
showing up to the scrimmages and practices. I know people
are asking, you know, hey, how are we gonna be
how we can you know what's gonna happen now that
(01:31):
we lost the gatorad Player of the Year. I'm like, well,
we're gonna find out.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
I guess we'll find out. I mean, I feel really
good about our team. I think we have a really
talented roster and we have a ton of leadership on
this team. I mean we have eight captains, which has
only been happened one other time in Molar history with
coach Rodenberg. And I think it says a lot about
our team and how they respect so many guys on
(01:55):
the team. Because I'll be honest, I've never seen a
captain vote like this in my life where it was
so read out, so it was so it was the
top eight vote getters, without question, and it was just
so spread out you couldn't like find that cut because like, man,
like you have this guy and this guy's like man,
these guys. It really says a lot about our team.
(02:17):
And and we we say this all the time to everybody,
like every single person in our program is a leader
within their own right. And you influence someone else, and
that's what a leader is. You provide influence, positive or negative,
and and that is your responsibility. Now, the captain title
is a title, and it's responsibility that is been entrusted
(02:37):
on eight of our guys, and that's been voted on
buyer players. And these are the guys that our team
has selected to be the voice and the bridge from
the players to the coaching staff. And every great team
is player driven and we try to make that empower
our players to have that responsibility. So even when those
guys are announced, it was kind of metaphorically like, guys,
(02:59):
this is the but of us coaches giving it to you, guys,
go run the team. So I'm really excited about it.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
You know, from the outside, you say eight captains, and
someone could interpret that, well, geez, they can't really figure
out who their leaders are you know what I mean.
But that's that's the way people will perceive that, and
that's just really cool if it's And again I appreciate
that clarification because I know it's done exactly. I'm sure
that coach. The other thing you said, which I think
(03:25):
is really cool, and it's even outside of football. You said,
every guy on the team is a leader to some capacity.
Question And the key is is when they're not in
their football uniform and they're out in life and they
are a leader. And that's what that's the goal of
what Moler does is teaching the young men without molar
(03:45):
So it's not just because hey, you're a captain, you're
something special here. They're all captains.
Speaker 4 (03:50):
And get I get frustrated with the word leadership sometimes
because I think it's always kind of misconstrued. But in
my mind, everyone is a leader in some way, shape
or form, because a leader is someone has followers and
people want to be like you. They get influenced by
your decision making, they get influenced by your behaviors, by
what you say, and that could be positive or negative.
(04:12):
And I think that's really important to understand. But every
single person in our program is responsible for their own
twenty square feet right, like their effort, their energy, like
the aura, their body language that they give off. They're
responsible for that because that will influence someone in some way,
shape or form. So it's really important for all guys
that are saying, like everyone is a leader within their
(04:33):
own right. These are the guys that are team selected
to be captains. And even though we have eight I
tell you what, man, we had sixteen guys that were
on the ballot this year, and we provide an application,
so everyone who applied got the chance to speak to
the team every single one way. We didn't ask anyone
not to, Like we thought every one of the guys
that applied was ready for that role and we would
(04:54):
have entrusted them in that role. And there's some guys
that didn't apply that I kind of wish would have
because I think they have that skill set as well.
And these are the guys that they select. And there's
some guys that are on it that I still think
are man like they would be like they're phenomenal leaders,
phenomenal dudes. So it's kind of like a balancing act
going back and forth, like you're proud of these guys
(05:15):
so much, and then you shall have the rest of
the team. You're like, guys, you are still influencing the
team and you do so many good things. So I
think it's a positive overall because now we have more
outreach to the rest of the team with those eight guys,
and we can connect to more players, which I think
is most important.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
And the other cool thing is coach is you know,
especially like a games, you see the younger kids and
and they just see someone, you know, number ninety one,
and it's like wow, it's like this is you know,
they're leaders, and that's question. You know, it's not because
they get to walk out and call the coin flip, yep,
But they just see that and they idolize that, and
that's the way it's always been, and that that's what's
(05:53):
really cool, yep.
Speaker 4 (05:54):
And I think our players do a phenomenal job with
that no matter what it is, whatever event, if it's
our youth camp, if it's victory day, just being a
good citizen outside these walls. In general, I'm really proud
of the guys that we haven't.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Team and the captains aren't the guys that are the
loudest in the hooping and hollering guys. It's the guys
that sometimes just they handle their business better than anybody. Yep,
that's your leaders sometimes with that. All right, coach, let's
take our first break and then we'll come back and
we'll talk about our upcoming opponent and some of the
history with that. As you're listening to the Bert Bathyani
(06:27):
Show featuring the head coach of the Molar Football Crusaders
on the eve of opening Day, and you hear it
here on w MOE and the Molar Broadcasting Network and
the show is sponsored by Komy and Shepherd Realtors. We'll
be right back. That's very good, good stuff. People want
(06:47):
to hear that.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
Yeah, So we have eight and four offense for defense,
and without question, it's our top eight vo getters. And
I don't mess around that stuff. Like our players pick
their leaders. And how about this Thomas Kirky, Like it
was evident that the team wants him to lead. Pretty
cool being a transfer coming in.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Yeah, and he earned that right there. You go, that's awesome.
That's awesome. All right, here we go three two one.
You're tuned in to w MOOE and the Molar Broadcasting
Network and specifically you're listening to the Bert Bathyani Show,
featuring the head coach of the football Crusaders of Moller
(07:27):
High School. That's Bert Bathyani. The show is sponsored by
Koby and Shepherd Realtors, and I am Jeff Schneedle with
the class of nineteen eighty four here with Coach Bathynni
and Coach you know, I know you grew up across
the river, but you were probably very aware of a
storied history between the Moeller Crusaders and the Princeton Vikings
(07:49):
that goes way way back to the early days with
Coach Faust and you know, we've had some memorable games.
We had the Princeton fuel goal that kind of probably
took us out of a third straight, you know, state
champ or.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
I was actually talking to uh Phil Schneider, the alumna
of that team, just the other day just about that's
still rings it, like yep, you still remember that, yes, right,
It's just unbelievable how impactful just playing within these rivalries,
how it is you know later on, But yeah, I
knew all about it growing up because of my uncle,
(08:27):
my dad, and you know, even when I got the job,
like the first thing that my uncle's talked to me
about is king of the block, right, like them shutting
down I seventy five to be able to watch Moler
play Princeton, so.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
They ca they couldn't get tickets.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
Yeah, and and that's that's what's so funny is like
my dad graduated in the seventies, my uncle graduated in
the seventies, and they were they remember that, which is
pretty cool. And my my Grant, like all the people
that I've come into contact with over lifetime, like they
they remember that those games.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Coach, We've had great teams in the past. Of course
Princeton has as well. Both won state championships. We have nine,
they have three. You know, my graduating class nineteen eighty
four when when we played in nineteen eighty three tenth game,
we played Princeton, the tenth game of the season at
that time, we beat them twenty eight to twenty one.
(09:15):
Had to turn around because we didn't have the expanded playoffs,
and we lose to Princeton twenty eight twenty one and
they go on and win the state championship. So again,
you know, those type of things. There's been games along
the way, you know, I know we had a couple
of rough years several years ago and after the COVID year,
(09:37):
you know, Coach Elder and the Crusaders, we played Princeton
in the playoffs and within the first four plays we're
down fourteen to nothing. And I remember doing that game
and everyone's kind of like stunned. Luckily, the coaching staff
and the players were not because they held their own
and as Coach Elder said, hey, there's there's no fifteen
point play in football. So they held their gun and
(10:00):
scored twenty eight in a row and then you know
advanced and again the first of the three regional Final
four appearances, if we can say. But again, just that history.
You know, this is such a hotbed for high school football,
but this is one of the key components, really Moler
in Princeton because of the history and what we have.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
Yeah, and like you said, Cincinnati is one of the
best cities in the country that comes to high school football,
in high school sports, and people want to see these
type of matchups. I mean, what a weekend you got
Princeton and Moler, and then I think you have West
and X right playing as well. So it's gonna be exciting,
It's gonna be exciting. So you're excited for the fans.
You're excited our players get the opportunity to showcase all
(10:44):
the hard work that they've put in from January to August.
And that's been the message this whole time. Right like
the football season is a long season, the off season
is a long season. Right Like in basketball in the
off season, you play basketball. In baseball in the off season,
you get to play base you don't get to play
football in the offseason. And that's what makes it great.
At the same time, is from January to August, you
(11:07):
are just thinking about putting the pads back on and
playing football, hitting someone with a different color jersey and exactly.
And both teams get finally get that opportunity. So that's
what the player should be excited about, the go showcase
all the hard work they've put in.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
So coach, we're right on the eve of the beginning
of the season. Now, what's really interesting is both Princeton
as well as US we had strong years last year
twenty twenty three. Both had a good playoff run. Ours
was obviously a better, but both teams have a lot
of returning talent. Both teams have returning starting quarterbacks, that
(11:44):
are juniors. That doesn't always happen, but in a way,
they can kind of see some about our players. We
can see some about theirs. But again it's a brand
new season and there's people that come and go, but
here we are.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
Yeah, they got a really talented roster as well. I mean,
they had a heck of a year. They went twelve
to zero, lost the Lakota West and it was a
tough loss too. I remember they had a putt return
call back that even when I saw the replay, I'm
kind of like, oh, I don't know if that should
have been called back, right. But they they have a
really good offense and have a really good defense. Their
coaching staff does a really good job, and they believe
(12:19):
in what they're doing. I think that's like the biggest
thing is I think you just watched their their film
and you're like, that's a good football team.
Speaker 1 (12:25):
Coach Andre Parker, he's gotten us a couple of times
when he was at Winton Woods, so so he's no
stranger to try and up end the Crusaders. So coach,
you know our team having obviously it helps having a
returning quarterback. We got a nice stable of receivers, tight hands.
I know we'll probably figure out the running back position.
But to have a lot of not just talent coming back,
(12:48):
but really really good talent has got to be comforting.
Speaker 4 (12:51):
Yeah, I think there's there's a lot of depth there,
and you get it's a good problem to have, right,
Like the hardest thing is trying to figure out, you know,
how you get the all these guys and then what's
the best combination for getting guys out on the field,
and the same thing on defense, right, Like, we're really talented,
I think in a lot of different areas where there's
guys who like, there's just a lot of talent at
(13:11):
those positions, right and at some point like eleven enough
to go on offense, eleven enough to go in on defense.
And in my mind, we don't have eleven starters on
offense and defense. I think we have closer like fifteen
to sixteen that say, like there's a larger number than
eleven of guys who are deserving to be like have
that label, and that's all it is. It's a label.
(13:32):
It really doesn't mean anything, Like we have a lot
of players are going to go in like one will
go in first, one will go in second, right, and
guess what, I expect them both to give the same
result and they're gonna go execute their assignment. They're gonna
play really really hard And it doesn't matter who we
put in the game. The standard is the standard. It
doesn't matter. You're expected to give maximum effort four to
(13:52):
six AD to be have great attitude and then compete
your tail off like that's the expectation. So I feel
really good with our roster and I it will be
a fun game. We're excited for coach.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
I know. I always talk about, like coach a seat
on the defensive line doing the broadcasts, and it seemed
like every game there was someone new on the defensive line.
But this is where that really helps because so many
guys were in key situations let's just say defensive line
that all of a sudden, we come to a new season.
We got a lot of guys who are who are experienced,
so it's not like the first time they get to
(14:23):
step on and go go play and the lights are
on and you know get it's like, hey, we've done
this before. Here we go. Let's go.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
Yeah, and the same thing on offensive line, right like
we had we committed to playing eight guys last year,
and there was a rotation how five guys went out
first and then three of the guys played a ton
In our mind, we had eight starters on the offensive
line that year, and I think we there's a lot
of depth in that position as well. But both of
those position groups between the line and d line definitely
benefited from having a lot of bodies there last year
(14:53):
to gain that experience. And they played because they deserve
the play. And that's I think that's the message is
if you deserve the play there, you're you're gonna get
on the field. And and that's the message there.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
Coach, we're gonna we're gonna wrap up this segment and
segment two will be Uh, I'll talk to both coach
Blum and coach Sharp on you know, about their sides
of the ball. So, uh, you kind of get off
the hook here as I know, Uh, we're all getting
a little antsy to get get there and and uh,
get get to get to the game, get to Game one,
get it under our belt. But you can always appreciate
(15:25):
your candidness, your time with this and uh, let's have
a great season, Let's have a healthy season, and let's
let it rip ye all right. That is the head
coach of the Crusaders, Coach Bert bathy Andy, as you
hear him here on the Bert bathy Andy Show, and
it's sponsored by Comy and Shepherd Realtors, and it's heard
here on w m OE and the Moler Broadcasting Network.
(15:47):
We'll be back with Coach Blum and Coach Sharp home. Entarily,
it's time for another great season I Moler football, and
it's always a good time to buy and sell real estate.
Contact me Jeff Schneedle, the voice of the Crusaders, but
also Molar Class of nineteen eighty four. I can be
reached at five one three four eight four zero six
(16:08):
sixty six. And for all your lending needs contact Rob
Didrichsen with FCM it's first community mortgage making the American
Dream happen. Contact Rob at five one three seven two
zero two two seven nine five one three seven two
zero two two seven nine.
Speaker 5 (16:30):
Go big bum.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
Listening to the Coach Bert Bathiani Show heard here on
w MOOE and the Molar Broadcasting Network. The show is
sponsored by Comy and Sheppard Realtors, and we're gonna have
a conversation with both Coach Michael Blum on the offensive
side of the ball and coach Nick Sharp on the
defensive side of the ball, the defensive coordinator for the Crusaders.
So as this is uh pregame, the last pregame show
(17:02):
before we kick things off against the Princeton Vikings on
Friday night, seven pm at Viking Stadium. So here is
Coach Michael Blum and coach Nick Sharp from the offensive
side of the ball, and he runs the offensive line,
amongst other things. That is Coach Michael Blum and the
show sponsored by Koby and Shepherd Realtors. Of course that's
(17:23):
what I do. And I'm Jeff Schneiedel class of nineteen
eighty four. Coach Blum. Welcome to the preseason.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
Thanks for having me back. Another season underway, quick summer.
It's it's flown by, but when you look back, you're
you realize how much time the players have all put in,
the coach have all put in in the weight room,
on the field meetings. You know this this offseason, but
it does go by fast when you're in it.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
I know a lot of the emphasis is, you know games,
games are won in the in the you know, in
the winner into the spring. Don't just show up in
August and think you're gonna put things together absolutely well.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
Coach B like that.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
That's his philosophy for sure. Of you know, he believes
in the weight room, and so so does his coaching
staff and having I'm going to new year nine now back.
But I don't want to upset any any previous staffs
or anything like that. But from a from a conditioning,
from a weight room standpoint, I will have to say
this is probably one of the more mentally and physically
challenging off seasons for our players since I've I've been
(18:23):
at Mohler. From the it been working out lifting and
agilly drills back in January four days a week, and
you know that just kind of kept going through the
spring and ramping up and changing your different styles of
program and from running and whatnot. Coach B was running
the weight room and the winter months as we were
going through a strength coach transition, and Coach Gray came
(18:43):
in running full speed, and he the guy's really boughten
into his way of doing things in the weight room
as well, real fast, and he challenges him and holds
him the very high expectations along with Coach B.
Speaker 1 (18:54):
So a lot of excitement with it.
Speaker 3 (18:56):
It seems like, yeah, guys've gotten definitely bigger, stronger, and faster.
So I have high hopes for at least for the
team from a physical and mental standpoint this this season.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
So well, Coach Blum, I you know, I really want
to give a tip of the cap to you. You mentioned,
you know, your ninth year. I mean, you have you've
been here. I mean again, this might sound strange, would
have thought we we've had like multiple head coaches in
that time period, but you know, you being here as
far as consistent and has there been other coaches that
(19:26):
have been here as well as as long as you
are with you well, coach going.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
Back to UH Rossfeld year and then he was on
coach Crables before that, so he's been around. Coach Adam McLain,
he's been here since UH coach Runenberg's last season too,
so a few of us have been around for a while.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
Well.
Speaker 1 (19:47):
But that's some of the you know, the kind of
some of the consistency and certainly consistency on the offensive
line that's pretty important, which you know you've done a
great job with that, and and you know, coach like
last year, this kind of kind of mirrored what happened
several years before as far as all of a sudden,
you start with a whole new offensive line, a lot
(20:07):
of underclassmen, but those under classmen play and now they're seniors,
So that's got to be Hey, we already know kind
of what a lot of the drill is going to
be and just got to keep that improving, right.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
Yeah, absolutely, So we got a strong senior class up front.
There's a total of eight seniors on the O line
and six returning starters from last season, so they bring
back a lot of experience and they've all had great
off seasons of like I said, in the weight room
and doing what they needed to do to prepare for
Princeton week one. And then our junior class, just in
(20:42):
the from a body count, is smaller upfront. So there's
a lot of sophomores that are have been given a
lot of opportunities this summer of rolling with the two's,
and so those are guys that have really bought in.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
Say they're smaller, smaller as far as numbers.
Speaker 3 (20:57):
Right now, like three juniors on the uh the offensive line,
So there's a lot of just you know, from that
standpoint of just you know, of guys in the room,
so a lot of sophomores have been given some opportunities
to try and fill some of.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
Those high school football Absolutely, it's just sometimes it's not,
you know, the same amount every year. You gotta kind
of work with it. But they but they're they're they're built.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
The juniors and sophomores are learning a lot from these seniors.
So I've been really proud of of this senior class
of just how they've worked every day and how they
come with a great mindset of trying to challenge one
another and getting better on the field and off the field.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
And coach, I'm sure one of the important things while
you have a senior core that's coming back, these guys
got to be ready because I mean, in this game,
anything can happen and in a moment's notice.
Speaker 3 (21:46):
Yeah, absolutely, So it's it's just the time they've spent
together and this this offseason and from you know, previous
seasons of building those relationships of trusting the guy that
are left and right. And there'll be moments and in
games this season that are are definitely testing our our
our our toughness too. Can we overcome adversity? And I
(22:07):
trust that our guys will rise to the challenge and coach.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
The other thing is it doesn't it just doesn't look
like we have much. Uh there's no real cupcakes on
the schedule. So and right out of the shoot we're
going to be playing against a real good team with
a lot of a lot of talents. So, uh, you know,
as far as for an offensive line, I'm sure that
that having that challenge weekend week out on ten different
fields that we play, So it's gonna be kind of
(22:31):
a little bit unique because we kind of well we're
kind of like in our gypsy mode as we've always
kind of been. But it's going to be ten different
fields and against real good teams.
Speaker 3 (22:40):
Absolutely, But uh, you know, once once you get guys
in a routine. So even past the past few years,
we we treat every single game the same of how
we get to the stadium. We try to get to
the stadium a couple hours before kickoff, and the routine's
the same. So whether we're home or away, our guys
aren't two faced by that because they're their their preparation
(23:01):
for that game is consistent.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
Does does it help, I'll say, in a general sense,
to be back in school, wherever, you kind of know
what your the rhythm is. You know, as far as
just day to day, you know what is expected versus
like you know, in the summer, I mean, okay, if
you practice at three o'clock, you know you got the
morning or or whatever even after you.
Speaker 3 (23:24):
I think so because the start of school means the
start of the season as well, and these guys are
ready to start hitting more guys in different different uniforms
in our own and so they they've trust what they've
done and they're there. I think we have a strong,
good confidence going in this season, especially uh you know,
just from the the offensive side of the ball of
(23:45):
returning a lot of starters and a lot of guys
with game experience of just you know, wanting to get
out of the off season now in camp and and
get into Week one against Princeton, and it will be,
like you said, a great test.
Speaker 1 (23:56):
For us coach. I know, we got some really really
good school players, but as we know, it's in the trenches.
That's that's where it's won and lost. It's blocking and tackling,
It's what the game was built on. So I know
you're up for the challenge, and I know you'll get
the guys ready to go. So exciting ninth year, it.
Speaker 3 (24:14):
Is, it is. I'm excited for this season and see
what this team's able to accomplish. And I'm proud of
of everything this team has done so far and just
you know, again hopeful for the season that you know,
we can go as far as as far as I
tell the o Lion that we can go as far
as you guys take us. So if we trust the
talent on the offensive ball and the skill positions from
(24:36):
the tight ends the running backs to the quarterback, and
if we give give them time to make plays and
get downfield and open up holes and you know, have
high effort on the field, is that well, we'll move
the chains and finish with touchdowns in the red zone.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
So that's the goal of every drive and.
Speaker 1 (24:51):
Coach you're you as well as Coach Sharp are always
very gracious to do a little uh little snippet for
the pregame with the upcoming opponents, which we will continue
to do and if I can say so selfishly, hopefully
we have to do sixteen of those this year. God
will there we go? Yes, that is the offensive line
coach offensive guru with the Crusaders that's Michael Blum entering
(25:14):
his ninth season. Wow, this makes me feel older.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
Getting gray hairs.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
Coach, appreciate your time and you know, thanks for thanks
for sitting in with us, and best of luck on
the season. Thank you, looking for It's time for another
great season. I Molar football and it's always a good
time to buy and sell real estate. Contact me Jeff Schneedle,
the voice of the Crusaders but also Molar class of
(25:41):
nineteen eighty four. I can be reached at five one
three four eight four zero six sixty six. And for
all your lending needs, contact Rob Didrichsen with FCM. That's
First Community Mortgage making the American dream happen. Contact Rob
at five to one three two zero two seven nine
(26:03):
five one three seven two zero two two seven nine.
Speaker 5 (26:09):
Go big money.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
You got in the defensive coordinator for the Crusaders, Nick
sharp coach and now you're also a dad again recently,
So uh, first, first and foremost congratulations with that.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
Thank you. Yeah, just keep adding to the Molar family.
Speaker 1 (26:40):
So if you're not worrying about the defense, I mean
you're you're up you're up with with the newborn. So
that's uh, that's kind of what happens.
Speaker 6 (26:48):
Right, Yeah, we're always busy, but you know, just a
little bit more time to get film in.
Speaker 1 (26:51):
Yeah, get that film cueued up, and if you're gonna
be up, might as well max out on it. Well,
there you go, coach. Uh, you know, we'll talk about
the defense. You know, as things got going last year,
obviously kind of you know, as the defensive coordinator, we
come out, you know, our first game and actually you know,
(27:13):
that game just turned on a really weird play right
before half as we were trying to bring it within seven,
and it kind of got a little bit out of reach.
But it just seemed like as the season went on,
the comfort level and everything with the defense really just
took on a Havoc mob as it's named of its own.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
Yeah. So yeah, the Havoc mob is our culture.
Speaker 6 (27:34):
And like you said, you know, I've been shy the
fact last year that you know, we did not start
off the way we wanted to. But that's part of
the growing pains of being you know, a new staff,
bringing in a new scheme, new culture, and just those
growing pains that we went through. But yeah, as the
season went on, they really bought in and I think
it showed in the playoffs where we.
Speaker 2 (27:52):
Got to was that.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
I mean some of that obviously was just getting players
in the right position and and kind of like just
get them comfortable and get everything kind of working. Uh,
you know. Unfortunately, just like every year, I mean, you're
gonna have a lot of change, but it's just getting
the parts in the right place correct.
Speaker 6 (28:08):
Yeah, and that's something that we did after you know,
those first three or four weeks of the season. You know,
again coming in as the new staff, I hadn't been
around these guys for a year. I had never seen
them with the pads on until we got to camp.
And you know, after we get going in game like situations.
Even a game is very different than practice. So you
got to find, you know, where guys excel, and we
move some guys around and it's a lot to process.
Speaker 1 (28:29):
I mean, and then times by many kids. So with that,
so coach, you know, we lost some really good players
last year, but you know, we we have good talent.
That's that's in the ranks. And again coming in as
far as year two, it's you got to be more
comfortable because you kind of know what you uh, for
the most part, have coming back and probably aware of
(28:51):
the stuff that of the kids that were coming up
and be a part of the Havoc mob.
Speaker 6 (28:55):
Yeah, that's been huge, just you know, having this whole
year to build those relationships you see the kids growing up. Yeah,
we lost a lot of leaders last year, but now
these kids have been around me. I know them, they
know me, they know the expectations, they have a better
idea of the system. So I'm excited to see how
we can start off this season and still continue to
grow from there.
Speaker 1 (29:15):
A coach, I know you don't really listen probably to
the broadcast, but you know we have a couple of
things that we say, like, you know, as if there
is some type of drive by the other team, I'll
make the comment, we need to go to the bakery,
which means we need to turnover. So I know some
people tell me about that comment that most people like it.
I've had a few people say stop the bakery thing.
(29:36):
But you know that's what we're looking for. I mean turnovers.
Name of the game.
Speaker 6 (29:40):
Yeah, well yeah, I want to say turnovers because I
always say takeaways. They're not giving us anything. We have
to take the ball away. So you know, you can
keep making your joke. But I'm gonna say takeaways, all.
Speaker 1 (29:49):
Right, we'll say takeaways. And I noticed, did we have
it last year? The basketball hoop? That is that something new?
Did we have that last year? We had that last year?
To have it coop? We had thirty five takeaways year.
We got to use it thirty five times. Have a coop? Yeah,
And I just noticed it at the scrimmage.
Speaker 2 (30:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (30:05):
Everybody that takes the ball away gets to get a
dunk on the sideline as soon as we come off
the field.
Speaker 2 (30:10):
So a pick.
Speaker 6 (30:10):
The guy that gets to pick if it's a fumble recovery,
the guy that forces a fumble, and the guy that
recovers it, any kind of takeaway, they get a dunk
on the havoca.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
And folks, what we're talking about is it's it's it's
I'll say, a smaller board with a true basketball hoop
on it and a chain a chain net on That
is that by design?
Speaker 6 (30:28):
Yeah, that's by designer, a little bit of toughness, tough
and nasty.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
Yeah, tough and nasty. Someone's gonna get scraped up. Now,
who gets to when?
Speaker 5 (30:35):
When?
Speaker 1 (30:36):
When a takeaway happens? Is it the first one who
gets their hands on that gets to hold it or
is there is there a designated person.
Speaker 2 (30:45):
It's typically just the closest guy to the hoop.
Speaker 6 (30:47):
The biggest thing is just making sure someone's always aware
of it and where it's going. But yeah, we did
have to change it up a little bit this year.
This year it is just you know, a board with
the hoop. It had a full backboard last year, but
we broke it from a dunkin a bit a little
bit too many times. But I'll take it.
Speaker 1 (31:00):
Gosh, it's like I wasn't even at the games. I
might even see that. I guess I was so focused
on the field. But I guess maybe I'll have to
watch the kids come off. So so again the name
of it, I know, it's the Havoc Mob, but the.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
Havoc hoop, Havoc coop.
Speaker 1 (31:14):
All right, so thirty five times?
Speaker 2 (31:16):
Yeah, so I got to raise that again this year,
do you?
Speaker 1 (31:20):
I mean, as you hate to have that as a barometer.
I mean there's a whole bunch of barometers, probably as
you're looking at how the defense progresses, but certainly that's
one of them.
Speaker 6 (31:30):
Yeah, and even that isn't enough. You know, my goal
was always three a game. So last year with those fifteen,
we didn't quite reach our goal, so we got to
continue to raise that well.
Speaker 1 (31:38):
So all right, so as we are barreling down to
the beginning of the year and a little bit more
comfort level, and you know, we got a good, good
group of kids, and you know, I'm happy that we
have a lot of the same kids on defense. I know,
maybe their numbers might change, or as I understand, some
might have multiple numbers. Does that have any bearing on
(32:00):
you what number they are? You're just going you just
you just see him as they are.
Speaker 2 (32:03):
Yeah, I just see him as they are. You know.
Speaker 6 (32:05):
That's we had a picture day a couple of days ago,
and I didn't even know what numbers guys were until then.
That's just kind of is what it is. You know,
whatever makes them happy, So.
Speaker 1 (32:14):
You and especially they got to be in the right
place at the right time. Yeah, as far as what
they're doing. So so, I know one thing, I know
I've commented on this before coach Ofcido. It just seemed
like last year, one defensive lineman after the other. I
mean like we're in games where like you know, who's
this young man, Like where'd he get unleashed from? And
(32:35):
all of a sudden, now there's someone else in the rotation.
That's got to be pretty cool when you even get
you know, guys in and for whatever given situation, but
just you know, even give them guys a breather.
Speaker 2 (32:46):
Yeah, that's huge. You know, I'm a d lineman at heart.
Speaker 6 (32:48):
That's what I played up through college, and that's you know,
just being able to rotate as many guys as we
can get in there. I'd rather have a guy go
one hundred percent for sixty percent of the snaps and
then the next guy go for forty percent of the
snaps compared to one guy playing the whole game and
he gets tired, he falls off. So as many big
bodies we can get in there cause and have it.
That's what we're trying to do.
Speaker 1 (33:09):
Human nature at some point, if you're in there for
so much, not that you take a playoff, but some
plays you're going to go harder than others.
Speaker 2 (33:17):
Yeah, and that's a huge thing.
Speaker 6 (33:18):
Like not only on the D line, on the defense,
we don't have eleven guys, we have to have at
least twenty two guys where we can continue to roll in.
Speaker 2 (33:25):
It doesn't matter who steps on the field. The standard
doesn't change.
Speaker 1 (33:28):
Is that a combination of you, you know, what the
rotation is, or do guys like say, hey, I'm a
little bit gask give me a playoff? I mean, is
there a I mean do they signal that or do
they do.
Speaker 6 (33:39):
That or well, the good thing about our guys is
that they don't ever want to come off the field.
I would say they want to do that. But you know,
we have a great defensive staff, so I kind of
lean on those guys. They have a great feel for
their specific position and you know they're kind of mentioning
it to me on the headset, so I can be
aware of you know, who's in and what I know,
what their strengths are to and how I'm going to
call it based off that.
Speaker 2 (33:58):
But yeah, I let the coaches roll with that with
their rotation and coach.
Speaker 1 (34:02):
I mean, you know our scrimmages, we've we've played you know,
good teams, and that's that's gotta be good to not
only just get different looks. I mean, it's gotta get
old just seeing your same offense, you know, no offense,
but it's just I mean, you gotta have something fresh,
something new and different.
Speaker 2 (34:20):
Yeah. Absolutely, that's a huge thing.
Speaker 6 (34:21):
You know, we spent the past two months only going
against our offense. We need a different color jersey, not
only just to see the different scheme, but just to
hit somebody that's not your teammate.
Speaker 2 (34:30):
That's a big thing.
Speaker 6 (34:31):
Like, yeah, we're gonna be physical out there on the
practice field, but you also have to take care of
your brothers.
Speaker 1 (34:35):
There you go. All right, well, coach, best of luck
this year is we're gonna you know, just it's it's
here opening day, so it'd be nice to get in
a little bit of a rhythm and uh and and
get your newborn on schedule as well. Right, a couple
of schedules we've got to keep in line here, right.
Speaker 6 (34:50):
Yeah, yeah, a long time coming, but excited for this season.
Another season big mo football.
Speaker 1 (34:54):
All right. That is the defensive coordinator for the Crusaders,
coach Nick Sharp, and he is going to get it
taken care of. Is the Crusaders are going to be
set to kick things off against the Princeton Vikings on
Friday night, the twenty third coach, thanks for joining us,
thanks for having me go big moo, and that's going
to put a rap on our last coach, Bathyanni pregame
(35:16):
pre season show heard here on w MOOE and the
Molar Broadcasting Network as the Crusaders will kick it off
Friday Night against the Princeton Viking, So tune in to
w MOOE and the Molar Broadcasting Network. Myself, Jeff Schneiedl
class of nineteen eighty four, and my sidekick Rob Foltz
will bring you the action from Viking Stadium. If you
(35:38):
don't have a ticket, tune in let the Crusaders roll on.
Thanks for listening to w MOOE and the Mowler Broadcasting
netw
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