Published August 30, 2008 12:44 am - Just like Norman High coach Greg Nation, Norman North coach Lance Manning was upset with his team’s mental errors after its most recent scrimmage.
Manning wants more
By Jeff Johncox
The Norman Transcript
Just like Norman High coach Greg Nation, Norman North coach Lance Manning was upset with his team’s mental errors after its most recent scrimmage.
The preseason ended for both squads Thursday night, with the Timberwolves hitting the field in Mustang for the annual Pepsi Pigskin Preview.
North was on the field in the afternoon for a scrimmage-type situation against Lawton MacArthur and Lawton Eisenhower, then hit the turf again at 9 p.m. for a simulated half with Midwest City.
“We didn’t really play very well at all,” Manning said. “I thought we were a little flat, wore down, uninspired.”
The Bombers outscored the T-Wolves 14-0 in the half.
“Midwest City played like they had a lot to prove, with a lot of excitement,” Manning added.
It was the mistakes that hurt North the most.
After a drive down to the Bomber 3-yard line, the T-Wolves were called for offsides, then fumbled the ball.
“We didn’t make some plays,” Manning said. “I’m really not worried. I think we have a really good football team. Watching film reinforced that. It’s just the mistakes we made.”
Still, Thursday’s problems didn’t happen in a regular-season game. It’s not that dire a situation.
“It was just a scrimmage,” Manning said. “But it got our attention. I’ve told them we have to be more disciplined and pay attention to details.”
Working hard
Manning said one reason his team might have made some mistakes Thursday night is because the players have been working so hard.
After faltering toward the end of last week’s scrimmage at Edmond North, Manning and his coaching staff focused heavily on conditioning this week, especially since it was finally hot outside.