The (8-0) Whitney Young Dolphins won 34-0 against the (2-6) Mather Rangers on a cold Friday at Lane Tech Stadium.
The Dolphins completed their season average of two touchdowns, but according to Whitney Young Coach Tim Franken, the team still came out flat as they missed break downs and failed to fill in gaps during the first half.
With the inconsistent play of the Dolphins in the first half, Franken questioned how mentally focused his team was.
“I thought we played better in the second half because when I look back at both halves, I felt that we weren’t mentally in tune in the first,” Franken said.
But after an intense halftime speech to his team, the Dolphins came out in the second half ready to play as they scored 21 points to close out the game.
Franken said the team only won because of the impact their offensive line had in the second half – which was just enough.
Players from the team acknowledged their slow start but also took away the positive outcome of the game as well.
“I think we came out a little sluggish in the first half but we picked up the pace and closed out the second with a win,” said sophomore running back Miles Baggett.
Sophomore running back Kendred Belk said the team needs to keep the mental mistakes out of their heads.
Belk said in order for Whitney Young to improve they must learn to adjust to the break-downs, fill in their gaps and just stay on their feet.
As the Dolphins look to prepare for the (7-1) Taft Eagles 4:15 p.m. Thursday at Lane Stadium, players from the team said to win they have to not only be prepared physically but mentally too.
“This was a good game to prepare us for Taft,” Belk said. “We sometimes tend to lose focus but our focus will be on point come here on out.”
Franken expressed his concerns on how he felt his team was looking too far ahead into the Eagles’ game which he think help play a crucial part in their game against the Rangers.
“The season isn’t over until next Thursday, and I think that might have been the problem in the first half,” Franken said. “We might have been looking past this game and too much into Taft’s game, but now we have to get ready for Taft. That’s all we’re concern about now.”
The Dolphins will end their regular season and look to push through the playoffs after they play the Eagles Thursday.
