The Coach Bert Bathiany Show - Playoff Football Game 2 - Lakota East - Episode 14

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Success in life.

Speaker 2 (00:01):
Come what is it you want? Give your best effort,
show me what you got. If you want to be
a success, you gotta have.

Speaker 3 (00:09):
It's the Burt pathy Andy Coaches Shoe presented by Kobe
and Shepherd Realtors and First Community Mortgage, a competitive combo
championship results and here's your host. Jeff Siede and border
head football coach Hurt Paty and.

Speaker 2 (00:27):
W Moe and the Molar Broadcasting Network present The Burt
Bathyani Show, which features the head coach of the GCL
champion Moler Fighting Crusaders. That's Bert bathy Annie Show is
sponsored by Comy and Shepherd Reeltors. I'm Jeff Schneidel class
of nineteen eighty four and also with Komy and Shepherd Reeltors.
And we'll say this is a playoff edition as the

(00:47):
Crusaders won their first game in the playoffs last week.
And coach, it's like real time. First of all, welcome
to the show.

Speaker 1 (00:55):
Hey, thanks for having me back. I'm glad you.

Speaker 2 (00:57):
Uh, you're not going anywhere, I know, but the way
you said is welcome to the show. It's like, oh, hey,
well thanks, coach, You're not going anywhere. We're not letting,
so anyway, it's all good anyway, coach, you know, we
get that first round win, not unexpected. But I just
kind of look at it right now that it's like

(01:17):
it is absolute get real time right now for the
football season.

Speaker 1 (01:22):
Yep.

Speaker 2 (01:22):
As you know, obviously the playoffs we kind of moved forward.
You know. I always tell people, geez, I almost wish
they would do what the college playoff will be this
year with the twelve and earned maybe earn a bye
and let the other teams kind of sort themselves out.

Speaker 1 (01:39):
I mean, it's just, yeah, at least at the Division
IE level in Ohio, that might be something to consider.
I was talking to coach Ditillo about that before, you know,
I mean, just you have a conversation because back in
the day, it was just like the top eight made
it right, and then after COVID that's when they went
to sixteen, and in some parts of the state like
that's legit because there's over twenty teams within that region,

(02:03):
right or maybe maybe more so that makes it more
legit with the sixteen, But there's probably some pockets where
they could do twelve, they could do sixteen. But I mean,
you just look at the game that we have with
the Sycamore, Like, no one wants to be a part
of a game like that where.

Speaker 2 (02:17):
It's no offense to them. I mean, it's just had
a tough season and it's like they're going to play
the one seed.

Speaker 1 (02:21):
They're one and nine. It's a tough like that. That's
just probably a brutal week of practice for everybody involved,
you know, like on both sides, because it's just a
it's like a lose lose situation to a certain agreement,
you know what I mean. In some places it might
be a little bit different where maybe there's over twenty
teams in that region and the sixteen is a little

(02:43):
bit closer to the one.

Speaker 2 (02:44):
There's twenty five teams and they have to earn it.

Speaker 1 (02:46):
But if there's eighteen teams, that's a little bit different.
So that's conversation for another day. But you know, we're
we're on to the next game, and you know, you
just play who you get, right, like, you don't get
to control of the.

Speaker 2 (02:57):
Schedule, unexperienced a staff Bush coach, and I mean I
just my thought probably, I mean, how do you say that, Man,
we're gonna go shock the world, knock this team and
it's you know, you might get some type of angle
or maybe a great start, but but go and start
to finish. I mean, it's just almost like the impossible
challenge and get getting kids to buy into that. I mean,

(03:18):
it's just kind of hard. It's tough situation. So but
like you said, well we'll turn the chapter and coach,
we're getting into that more football weather as we're getting
games that are going to be in the fifties. And
you know, I always talk about the weather, and we'll
talk about the upcoming game in the second segment. But
you know, we're gonna be blessed again with you know,
like whatever fifty four degrees and clear skies that kickoff.

(03:40):
So that's that's just utopia.

Speaker 1 (03:43):
Yeah, I think everyone involved loves that. As players and coaches,
you enjoy that because you don't have right like the
heat that you have to worry about earlier in the year.
And then it's a it makes a more enjoyable experience
for all the fans and get to come out to
the game.

Speaker 2 (03:55):
And watch it, and and that they will because it'll
keep gaining momentum as we move into another layer of
the playoffs. So let's take a break here, and then
we'll come back and we'll talk about that first round
victory against the Sycamore Aviators. As you're listening to the
Bert Bathyanni Show featuring the head coach of the Football Crusaders,

(04:15):
Bert BATHYNI sponsored by Comye and Shepherd Reltors and heard
here on w MOE and the Molar Broadcasting Network. The
Bird bathy Andy Show is sponsored by Comy and Shepherd Reeltors. Purchasing, selling,
or even holding. Contact me Jeff Schneedl Molar class in
nineteen eighty four and the voice of the Crusaders Reach

(04:36):
me directly. Five one three four eight four zero six
sixty six. Five one three four eight four zero six
sixty six. We're proud to sponsor the Bert Bathyani Show
and go big mo Welcome back to the Bert Bathyani Show,
which features the head coach of the Moler Crusaders. It's

(04:57):
Bert bathy Anny Show is sponsored by co Me and
Shepherd Realtors and heard here on w MOE and the
mowl Are Broadcasting Network. I am Jeff Schneiedel class of
nineteen eighty four and coach. Going back to last Friday Night,
we took care of the Aviators sixty three to seven.
You know, honestly, our first three drives we just went

(05:18):
down and kind of just marched and punched the ball in.

Speaker 1 (05:21):
Yeah, I think Matt had five throws.

Speaker 2 (05:25):
He was disappointed no touched. I mean, what do we
do with no touchdowns? Five for five?

Speaker 1 (05:30):
He was five for five. I don't think he threw
the ball past the line of scrimmage, and he ran
the offense exactly what we wanted to the thing I
was most happy about is we have four running backs
who are insanely good, and they all scored touchdowns. They
all had productive plays. I think Deacon Simmons led the
way again with like over ninety yards in the first
and second half and had two touchdowns, so he did

(05:52):
really well. And then Grant Emery got to go in
the game, who is a Sycamore kid. He's from that area,
so there's a lot of kids on that team. He
did a good job managing the offense and through two
touchdown passes. So really happy to see all those guys
get in, like Jocelyn scored, Gray Low scored, Dante scored,
Deacon ed two, and then.

Speaker 2 (06:10):
I'd be a pretty happy running back room right there.

Speaker 1 (06:14):
Exactly. Coach Dwyer, our running back coach that he he
does a great job getting those guys prepared and they
compete like crazy against each other. So the coolest thing
is seeing those guys celebrate the other one's success as well.
That's what I get the most out of games like that.
Like we had a young receiver Maddox Nelson scores first
career touchdown and you just see the sidelines of roup

(06:36):
like Romans going nuts, Javon celebrating, Foglers celebrating. All those
guys are celebrating their teammates. You know, we just love
seeing that.

Speaker 2 (06:45):
Coach. So when you have a younger guy go in
and get some playing time and then score touchdown, I mean,
that's that's just really got it and uh, you know,
add fuel to the fire for down the road.

Speaker 1 (06:56):
Yeah, absolutely, Yeah, So you want to build depth and
that's what's all about. So we're fortunate enough to get
some of those guys in. We actually traveled a couple
freshmen in the game as well, who got the travel
because they are demo dogs in the week from the
week before. So freshman Nick Monterey got to go in
after Grant and he had two completions that were really
going through that slant to the field from the left
hash which I thought was an awesome throw, and Maddix

(07:17):
Nelson was the one who caught it, who has become
a really solid receiver for us. And then you had
Miles Besseenbach, the other freshman receiver who he had a
twenty two yard catch on a third down, caught the hitch,
made some tackles, and he did exactly what he did
in his freshman games is he's a big physical player.
And then t J. Walker are our freshman alignment who

(07:39):
is going to be a tremendous player as well. Got
to go in and get his hands dirty ice and
he's a great weight room kid, does a great job
on the field. So it was fun to see these
guys that you know, did a great job their freshman
year kind of get their shot at varsity and the
future's pretty bright from that Sandpoint.

Speaker 2 (07:58):
Coach, you're kind of making yourself sound old going in
and getting your hands dirty.

Speaker 1 (08:01):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (08:03):
Yeah, with all the turfy almost like they get grass
stains or dirt on your uniform. It's it's a rarity,
but four or four on our first true drives for
touchdowns seven offensive touchdowns. But of course you flip number fourteen,
Roman Mason over to the defensive side, and man, you
talk about just Johnny on the spot making an impact.

(08:26):
I mean, and and the thing is, once he gets
the ball in his hands, it's not like some quarterback
cornerbacks that you know, it's like, oh my goodness, let's
go here. No, he knows what to do. Well.

Speaker 1 (08:36):
Yeah, he's a two time first team gCO wide receiver, right,
and he's the he's the point guard for the basketball team.
So if there's a guy that we trust, it's Roman Mason.
I mean, he does everything for us. And I I
mean two pick six is in one game. I mean,
no one can predict that. But at the same time,
not surprised well and back.

Speaker 2 (08:57):
To back, Yeah, I mean just that was just it
was just kind of bizarre. We kept hoping he was
gonna go for the hat trick.

Speaker 1 (09:03):
So yeah, I think the only the only person who
may be mad about it was probably pain of Tawski
on the sideline because that was taking him off the
field and he's like he's trying to It's like the quarterbacks,
I want to get back, they want to get back
in rhythm. They want to keep their arm loose and everything.
So and then like Will Atkins and our other defensive players,
they were getting their conditioning in running back and forth
on the field for pat and stuff like that. So

(09:25):
it was it was a cool night. It was fun
to see it, fun to celebrate it. But now you
know that's behind us, and now we're onto the next opponent,
and that's all we're focused on.

Speaker 2 (09:34):
Coach Matt Is, you know, he came into the game. Again.
We know about the touchdowns and and all that and
the yardage, but he was like sixty nine point one
two percent coming in and he goes five for five
and he's still just under seventy percent, which just says
I mean, if he was throwing at fifty percent went

(09:55):
five for five, he'd probably jump up a point and
a half. Yeah, but because of his effectiveness, complete is
what I'm getting. It's kind of like a guy who
you know for batting average. I mean, guy was three
for four, great day, and his batting average because he's
such a good player, versus he's batting one hundred and eighty.
All a sudden he jumps up to two hundred or
something like that. So I just thought that was kind
of interesting. Orld just love to see him get over

(10:15):
that seventy because that's just I mean, that's just mind boggling,
really seventy percent.

Speaker 1 (10:21):
Yeah, give him a lot of credit for being careful
with the football and being accurate, but also at the
same time our offensive line for protecting him and giving
him a clean pocket so he can make those throws.
And then someone's got to catch the ball. And I
think we have really good wide receivers, tight ends and
running backs that can do that.

Speaker 2 (10:35):
It's total package.

Speaker 1 (10:36):
Yep.

Speaker 2 (10:37):
All they should all join in with that. So all right, coach,
we took care of business in round one, and we'll
come back in our second segment to talk about a
very talented team we're going to be playing. As you're
listening to the Bert Bathyani Show featuring the head coach
of the Moler Football Crusaders, Bert Bathyany and GCL Champions.
Got to get that in there as well, and the

(10:58):
show was sponsored by Komy and Sheppard and heard here
on w MOE and the Molar Broadcasting Network. It's time
for another great season on Molar Football and it's always
a good time to buy and sell real estate. Contact
me Jeff Schneiedel, the voice of the Crusaders but also
Molar class of nineteen eighty four. I can be reached

(11:19):
at five one, three, four, eight, four zero six sixty six.
Go big Mo. You're listening to w MOOE and the
Molar Broadcasting Network and more specifically, you are tuned into

(11:41):
the Bert Bathyani Show, featuring the head coach of the
GCL football champion Molar Fighting Crusaders, and of course that
is coach Bert Bathyani. Show is sponsored by Comy and
Shepherd Reeltors. I'm Jeff Schneidl class of nineteen eighty four
Molar High School and with Komy and Shepe realtors and coach.

(12:02):
This week we get to take on an eight and
three Lakota East Thunderbirds and as I look at a
very talented team, yeah, I mean, you know they have
they basically have three losses to three very good playoff teams.
They lost first game this season at Centerville, which you know,

(12:22):
sometimes that first game is is kind of strange because
you really, I mean, I know, we have the scrimmages
and we do like we did against mass On where
we try to play a real type game, but you
really don't have like preseason quote unquote games, So that
first week gets a little bit it just gets a
little bit interesting because it's the true the true stuff

(12:46):
is not really coming out that first week.

Speaker 1 (12:49):
Oh I know. Yeah, And to be honest, I always
think that we never really find our identity really until
about week four. That's usually kind of my thought process
with that. So even like you know, we're still trying
to find out who we are on offense, who we
are on defense, what's our best combination of players, what's
our best combination of plays, even after those first couple
of games, and then every team still evolves throughout the season.

(13:12):
The same thing goes for them, right, like they are
completely different from game one to now, and I would
say the same about us on offense and defense. So
now that's the challenge of like as you watch film
and you you critique yourself and you game plan against
the opponent. You know, what are you going to get,
how do you think they're going to attack you? And
then how do you want to attack that opposing team?

(13:33):
So it's a lot of information you guy digest it,
and then you got to be able to put out
a product that's put your yourself in a position to
win coach.

Speaker 2 (13:40):
By the numbers. You know, in our eleven games, we've
scored four hundred and fifty five points for over forty
one points per game. We've given up one hundred and
eighty eight points, given up seventeen point one a game.
Lakota East. I mean they come in. They've scored three
hundred and seventy five points this year, averaging over thirty
four points a game, and they have given up two

(14:02):
hundred and forty four points for just over twenty two
points a game. So I mean, kind of looking at
these numbers, I mean this could be a light up
the scoreboard type game. As you know, Lakode East has
certainly put some numbers on the board, and they're basically
like a two headed monster. They have a running back
that scored thirteen thirteen touchdowns twelve hundred and seventy five

(14:24):
yards averaging seven point six per carry. That's number twenty
four rider hooks. And then you have a quarterback number four,
Jamison kittn On. Of course, unless you're living under a rock,
you realize that that's John Gitting, the son who did
good work with the Bengals. But you know, he's throwing
for twenty four hundred yards, twenty four touchdowns and just

(14:46):
for interceptions. So we got a task ahead.

Speaker 1 (14:48):
Of us, Yeah, without question. Mean, this is a highly
talented football team that's been in every single game that
they play, and just the way they play on film,
you can tell they expect to win every game as well.
Complete turnaround from last year. They bring a lot of
players back from last year. I think they're really aggressive
on defense. They're very sound on defense, and then on offense,

(15:09):
they're explosive. I mean they can they can beat you
in the run game, they can beat you in the
pass game. There anytime you have a kid that is
controlling the football that can sling it and run around,
you know, that's a big problem no matter what. And
they got one right Like so he does a really
good job. He's really smart with the football. You mentioned
his stats, like he's he's been able to protect the
football quite a bit. He can scramble, he can run,

(15:31):
he can you know, every throw on the field is open.
And then they got a really good running back that
can take it to das as well. He had a
big game against West Claremont, who West Claremont had a
really good year.

Speaker 2 (15:40):
This year.

Speaker 1 (15:41):
They were seven and three I believe heading into the playoffs,
and I think he went for like two seventy and
four touchdowns in the playoff game. So they are a
very potent and explosive offense, and on defense they're really
really good as well, so not to mention their special
teams are phenomenal as well. So this is a really
good football team, and there's no surprise that they're eight

(16:02):
and three.

Speaker 2 (16:03):
Coach. Of course, we know Matt's numbers. He's thrown for
about four hundred yards more, twenty eight ten thirty nine touchdowns,
two interceptions. But if you look at the stat line
putting both quarterbacks together through I guess you would say
twenty two games because you know each played eleven but
fifty two hundred yards passing, sixty three touchdowns and six interceptions,

(16:26):
and those are that is just those are crazy numbers.

Speaker 1 (16:29):
Yeah, and that's probably why they're both geting looked at
it at the higher level.

Speaker 2 (16:32):
So and again that's as I mentioned in the beginning
of the show, I mean, I mean, this is a
really really good team. I mean it's you know, this
isn't like a Week one type game where you kind
of hate to make the assumption. I mean, I think
we're going to be in for a dogfight, especially if
if the scoreboard starts lighting up.

Speaker 1 (16:50):
Yeah, I mean, it's the playoffs. This is what you expect.
You're gonna play against good teams that are well coached,
that worked really really hard, and you know, no one
wants to go home, so they don't want their season end.
So it's gonna be a dog fight no matter what.
From this game. It doesn't matter like you're in the playoffs,
you gotta expect to be in a dogfight because you're
gonna be playing against really good teams with really good
players and really good coaches who've done a great job
this year to get them to this point.

Speaker 2 (17:11):
Well, and it's there's you know, you get in the
playoffs and and really the magic formula is both both
your lines play and and the turnover battle just get
you got to do well, and you know, unfortunately, I mean,
you can be the better team, but if all of
a sudden, we start having some turnovers, or any team
starts having turnovers, that's gonna make it a very uphill battle.
So taking care of the ball and winning the trenches

(17:33):
no secret formula. But that's what gets you wins in
the playoffs.

Speaker 1 (17:37):
Yeah, our formula to win never changes.

Speaker 2 (17:41):
You know.

Speaker 1 (17:41):
We gotta win the exposive play battle, which means we
have to eliminate them on defense and create them on offense,
and then we have to protect the ball on offense,
take away on defense. We gotta do a great job
in the kicking game to maintain field position and put
ourselves in a position to then score and keep them
out and make them drive the field and you know,
ye have you go third down and gave you good
in the red zon. So those are the five you know,

(18:03):
metrics that we always look at and that never changes.
So the games that we've won big, we've been successful
in all five. The games that were closed, we probably
didn't do as well in some of those areas.

Speaker 2 (18:13):
So those are always the key.

Speaker 1 (18:14):
Points of emphasis each week to keep our mind focus
on the right things and.

Speaker 2 (18:19):
Coach, you know, the three areas offense, defense, and special forces.
You know, we are we are just very solid. So
we just we have to just go do our game
and uh and take care of the ball.

Speaker 1 (18:31):
Yeah, no one's got to play outside of themselves or
do anything different to this point, you know, whatever your
process has been, keep doing your process and stick to
the game plan, and you know, believe in yourself and
believe in your teammates, believe in your coaches, and you know,
whatever's got us to this point, keep doing those things.
And you know, usually the squadboard takes care of itself.

Speaker 2 (18:50):
So now we're kind of in the playoff rhythm. Friday nights.
Just just get through the week, do our thing and uh,
you know, we know, we know, the drill just got
to go. And then and you know what, it is
nice that we're playing on our quote unquote home field,
or at least getting back to where we know where
we played this past week, and we played earlier in
the year. So a little bit of consistency's got to help. Yes.

Speaker 1 (19:11):
So last week was the first time we've played in
the same stadium twice. This will be the first time
we've played in the same place consecutive weeks, right, so
we're familiar with it. I guess that's a positive.

Speaker 2 (19:22):
I mean, any advantage like that you got to take it.
It's the playoffs, you know, here's the thing.

Speaker 1 (19:26):
It's like, let's play in the parking lot, Let's play
in a Cornfield.

Speaker 2 (19:29):
Let's play.

Speaker 1 (19:29):
It doesn't matter, like, roll the ball out. They got eleven,
we got eleven. Someone's got to win, and both sides
expect their team to be successful. So roll the ball
and play well.

Speaker 2 (19:39):
And this is I mean, this is the time of
year everybody's worked for yep, I mean for you know,
ten eleven months. I mean there's no there's no fooling.
And same with the other side. I mean, this is this.
You know, get to November and and and then make
it happen.

Speaker 1 (19:54):
Absolutely, So this is what high school football is about.
You start in January for this moment, and now you
get to capture it.

Speaker 2 (20:00):
The only weird thing is is that you know, we're
well over a fourth of the way through let's say
the school year. It's like, if you think about it,
it's like, Okay, we're getting near the end of the season. Okay,
well not cheez. I mean, you know, Thanksgivings on the
horizon and the Christmas break. At least from a school standpoint, man,
I don't know. Maybe I'm maybe I'm getting way too it.
I just I monitor those things and I'm like, wow,
that's quick.

Speaker 1 (20:21):
I think the years go by faster and faster, I think.
And here's the thing is, like this team is so
much fun to coach. I enjoy going to practice every day.
I enjoy being around the guys every day. When you
have those seasons where you just enjoy their company, you
try to capture it and you try to hold onto
it and bottle it up as long as you can.

(20:41):
But in reality, when you're having that much fun, it
just goes by that much faster. And the same thing
happened last year, like that senior class, and that team
was just so special. You were trying to bottle up
and just hold on to it as long as you can,
almost like watching your kids grow up, like you don't
want to lose these moments, and it just flies by
faster than you can blank. So in that thought process,

(21:02):
we still, you know, every single day we hit the field,
we're thankful to be there and we enjoy our time,
and then hopefully we're fortunate enough to have another week
together and keep that thing going.

Speaker 2 (21:12):
Coach. Two things, this group really seems to be workers.
They really seem to work hard. And the other point
that you just made, it really seems like they enjoy
like the brotherhood of you know, not just molar, but
just you know, the football team, and you know, looking
at the reality is you got a month left, so
you know, soak up as much as you can and

(21:33):
enjoy it because you know, hopeful, hopefully we have a
full month left and we go from there.

Speaker 1 (21:39):
Yeah, I mean, I think you said it well. They
enjoy being around each other, their their buddies, their friends,
They joke around the locker room, they have fun on
the field. They're they're a loose group. They're pretty loose,
and I think they played their personality really well. But
when it's time to lock in and go, they lock
in and go. And I think the best thing about

(22:00):
this team has been the competition between each position group
because they all make each other better. And you know
it says iron sharpens iron. I don't think this team,
of all teams i've coached, like kind of measures that
or exemplifies that better than any team I've been a
part of, where every single position group has guys that

(22:21):
they compete like crazy, They enjoy being around each other
and they just make each other better.

Speaker 2 (22:26):
And the working aspect, that seems like when the younger
guys get in, guys have kind of paid the way
they've kind of showed them the way and they go
in and do their thing, and there's just that genuine
excitement for everybody.

Speaker 1 (22:38):
I think coach coach Chip Kelly talked about it at
Ohais Sate Moodita genuine enjoy for someone else's accomplishments. And
that's what you love to see when someone else goes
in and they do well, even if it's at your
position group, that's your teammate, that's your brother, you want
to see them do well because when they do well,
Mueller does well.

Speaker 2 (22:54):
Coach. There's no guarantees in any of this, so we
got to be ready from the time step off the bus,
so you know, and just do our thing, be consistent
and make it happen. So keep everything going as it is, amen,
all right. That is Bert Bathyani and he is the
head coach of the Moeler Football Crusaders GCL champions as

(23:17):
they're getting ready for their second round game as they
take on the Lakota East Thunderbirds, and that'll be Friday
night at seven o'clock and that will be at Mount
Saint Joe. So if you can't make it there, we'll
bring the game to you on w MOE and the
Moller Broadcasting Network. That's myself and Rob Foltz and Joe
Strucker will be running the show. Gavin Gray and Nate

(23:38):
Atten class of twenty twenty five. We'll be putting together
the video, so this might be our last chance to
do the video part of it, but we'll be there
ready to enjoy and bring the game to you. It's
going to be a beautiful night. Get out there support
the Crusaders. But if you can't join us, as you've
been listening to the Bert Bathyani Show and it is

(23:59):
spot answered by Komy and Shepherd Realtors. I'm Jeff Schneidel
class of nineteen eighty four, looking forward to a great
Friday Night and on w MOE and the Molar Broadcasting Network.