The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
The Belt goes to the winner of the South Alabama v. Troy game
October 15, 2024 - Mobile - South Alabama played well defeating Troy in Mobile in the Battle for the Belt 2024. The Troy-South Rivalry had a national TV audience via ESPN+. Troy officially is "tied" for the youngest team of starters in NCAA D1 football. Same is offered as a basis to understand the individual play and Coaching factors with the uniqueness of the greatest inexperience.
Yet there should be no credit taken from South Alabama with regards to team play and exceptional sports play of its entire unit. The South Alabama Jaguars hosted the Troy Trojans in a second week on coveted national television only to lose at Hancock Whitney Stadium largely due to the thrills offered by QB Gino Lopez. Both Tucker Kilcrease and Matthew Caldwell shared snaps for the Trojans
In essence, the "speed of the game" remains a factor for just a player or two here and there as the Trojans were unable to tame the Jaguars. While the average lay person or fan may not appreciate the split-second differences as athletes progress in repetition within a game and specifically even within a type of offense/defense, then his/her position - but the combination of slip-second pause or slightly wrong step, or uncertain hand moves. Those create the difference in winning the individual player battles and come with experience, "reps".
Whether it's the quarterback who does not fake out, swivel his head before throwing to a passer which results in an interception because the DB was trailing his eyes. Or a lineman who fails to pick up a walked up backer. Or a tackler who fails to keep a free outside shoulder when playing contain. These mistakes add up and in football are the difference in winning and losing with evenly matched teams. Again, Troy is the youngest team in the country and there is no mercy in Football, while sportsmanship remains. Only "next play" thinking which rolls week by week into the very next snap at practice, then next Saturday's game.
Back to the Basics - Doing the basics really well takes steady coaching pressure. Vision, which is like prayer, and a "soft power" of directional encouragement. The ongoing positive, growth tension coaches are paid to bring based on their inner morality and faith are being tested this season. This will build and define character so the process would say.
Troy will need to improve "team play" as individual mistakes are mitigated in repetition. As usual #7 for the Trojans, DeVonte Ross, provided a stellar individual performance illustrating natural speed and leadership charisma. For the Trojans a real highlight of improvement was the effort and select play performance of the nose guard Jamel Fils-Aime. Fils-Aime #98 at 6'3" and around 335 lbs has strength and was nimble in trespassing the line of scrimmage, appeared improvement on controlling the A gaps with square shoulders and body separation presses. Fils-Aime has a Warren Sapp type of quickness in pursuit. "They say" he plays like a Grizzly Bear which weighs 600 lbs. but can move 35 mph. We shall see. Certainly, performed well overall.
As typical of the Trojan defense, stand out #7 Stringer roamed the field causing disruptions to blocking patterns, busting through with unexpected tackles, fitting form tackles properly and verbally leading on special teams and offense. Stringer is one of the young Trojans natural squad leaders due to his athleticism and finesse play. Attitude for each play from the points of seasonal despair forward are opportunities for moral forging.
South Alabama's squad was predicted a favorite. And delivered in the mechanics of the game. In a way, no individual effort per se over and above that of Gino's exceptional QB play stands out because the South squad played well as a unit. The basics of no "busted assignments" and individual unit, then player responsibility are always focus points for young, improving teams.
South Alabama since moving their program to Division IA in 2013 has proven that football in the Southeast has bit of an advantage based upon (1) no competing contact sports such as hockey, lacrosse or rugby proving a higher percentage of athletes among the populus, (2) fewer NFL teams, (3) more social support of the sport and (4) generally more friendly football weather. "The South Alabama Jaguars gained full Division I FBS status for the 2013–14 season in the Sun Belt Conference." Expect the Jaguars squad to continue to compete in exceptional sports play among national, well-developed programs. Good work Jaguars in building another respected, competitive national athletic football program here in Alabama. "
The young offensive line continues to work through experiential "hand offs" of defensive players who cross their path in the flow of the scheme. And must continue to develop "in play talk" and overriding calls of one another wherein defensive linemen shift after initial alignment. These are mistakes due to lack of experience and cohesion, given "quick calls" by the Center for the Guards and even the Tackles down to the Guard is necessary for a "well oiled machine" to function as a unit. Point being leadership remains in development which is often first reflected in who takes charge for overriding calls after shifts, twists and stunts between the tackles.
As to equality, the game went unaffected by the Zebra Squad. Well called and the field was well shuffled with no Line Judge causing a physical interference at any point. One personal foul at around 2:03 remaining in the second quarter appeared isolated, isogeted and did not appear justified as called by the Field Judge (unnamed) upon Trojan #3. While the Personal Foul among any penalty carries certain duties when witnessed - carrying a 15 yard penalty and often involving multiple players misbehavior generally carries more caution than a standard "pull of the banana" for other rule offenses. Point being, it is adverse to the rapport of the game when an isolated Personal Foul is called upon a retaliatory player or one engaged in exchanged shoves after the whistle. Other than that one call, the Referee Squad lead by Trennis Livingston fulfilled the duties calling a square game having no appreciable impact upon the "play".
"The Jaguars will now enjoy some well-earned rest before hosting ULM on Saturday, Oct. 26 for the school's annual homecoming game. Kickoff against the Warhawks will take place at 4 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+." While the Troy Trojans get battle ready for Arkansas State in Jonesboro, Arkansas. In a time of great chaos in the world and much lawlessness, the young student-athletes on both teams should be commended for representing the morality of competitive play well. The State of Alabama as a whole enjoyed another night of national spotlight college athletics. Go Trojans! Go Jaguars!
Sources:
https://troytrojans.com/sports/football/stats/2024/south-alabama/boxscore/10074
Game Pictures: https://troytrojans.com/galleries/football/troy-vs-south-alabama/2647
Trenton "Trentesimo" Garmon is a Christian civil activist, a seasoned trial lawyer, and father of five. He believes in natural law, the Constitution and inalienable civil rights. He enjoys his faith, family, fishing, campfires and football.
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