UNDEFEATED ARMY SOLDIERS AND NAVY SAILORS WINNING MORAL BATTLES ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD - 20241008

In one of the most value-laden and morally rewarding stories in sports it should be noted that the Military-Student-Athletes of both Army and Navy Football programs are undefeated. That is as of week six in college football division IA play - totally a combined 10 and 0 record. Yes - Army football is undefeated. And the Navy football program is undefeated this 2024 season so far. Peacefully pounding their opponents while bombs drop on conflict fronts throughout the world. Modern Gladiators?

Now understand that these young men entered Military Service after being sent a training program for the summer before. Most are likely third and fourth year Cadets playing, with some first and second year players all of whom would have likely waived scholarships to civilian programs. So in a unique way, these young men during Global Conflicts on twenty-two different battle grounds - they have remained motivated sufficient to be a good college football player, a good student and an informed, in training military Cadet. Truly this is a majestic story to consider.

Per USA Today this is the first time since 1945 that the programs have remained undefeated this deep into the season. "On Saturday, Army thumped Tulsa 49-7, while Navy snapped a four-game losing streak to rival Air Force to win 34-7 in Colorado Springs. For the Midshipmen, it was their largest margin of victory at Air Force since 1978." Many football "experts" have mocked the philosophy of "grid control" football wherein the assigned lineman and wing blocker understand synchronized movement and ball progression.

Most division IA programs today have spread out the receivers and emphasized quick short throws with the idea of creating mesmerizing movement in the "flats" or short field, then breaking long streak passes off of quick breaks by the wide receivers. Yet truth be told the service academies likely do not have overall sufficient speed dominance at the receiver positions to consistently out-cut and out-run other division IA defensive backs. Hence, the service academies - but for Air Force - have stuck to the Power I or the Wing T. And yes, having personally played for Army which ran a Power I then shifted to the Spread offense as the "new" Head Coach brought in his system that ultimately failed. In essence, that Head Coach the year after I transferred to Troy went Zero and 13. Why? Because he did not have the speed and quickness of players with the size of offensive linemen to meet the demands of a Spread Offense.

Yet well disciplined, strong, unified and passionate teams at any level with reasonable athletes can still compete playing "smash mouth football". The philosophy of controlling the game 3 yards and 1 gap at a time with the surges being in the A and B gaps until the defense is demoralized. These "death by a hundred run play" offenses pound not only the shoulder pads of the defense in surges up and down the field, but wear on the psyche as any successful Power I offense over time like a machine demeans the spirit of the defenders. It is an "out man you" offense compared to an "out strike" or "out speed" you offensive philosophy. So congrats to Army and Navy Football!

"Both Army and Navy rank in the top 30 in FBS in scoring offense. Instead of grinding opponents into dust with ball control, both are trying to reach the end zone quickly and often. Since both Army and Navy are both 5-0 - and since there is an expanded College Football Playoff this season that will have at least one Group of Five participant - it's time to start thinking about the Mids and the Black Knights playing for a potential conference championship and playing in back-to-back weekends in December." (https://ftw.usatoday.com/2024/10/army-navy-college-football-playoff-2024-undefeated#)

Let us pull for our Service Academy Programs. Often overlooked these young men - each and every starter - will go through an average of 2,000 "hits" during an annual season considering 3 padded practices per week, season games and a full spring. That means that their bodies have engaged in 3-7 second "full contact" collisions with at least their hands and most often their chest, shoulders, and entire bodies - thus in a way - these Cadets do actual physical hand-to-hand combat. Granted - they are not considered in actual "War" or on "Active Duty - In Combat" - but physically there is little doubt the short term damages and long term effects upon the body are likely more often than not more taxing on the Service Academy Athlete, than the average sailer or soldier. These are specially committed young men who will fight real battles on other fields on other days, so the training hopes to entrench. True warrior-student-athletes. Go Army! Go Navy!! +Trentesimo #USMA2003 #ProtectorsoftheFree