The New Trier News Sports February 8, 2019 7 How the Patriots won the (again) used a very common defensive tactic: and do. Instead of sending Van Noy, he can’t function with defenders in showing a blitz from one side and they actually drop him into coverage his face. What happened next was carefully designed bringing one from the other. and bring safety Duron Harmon the norm, not the exception. And the blitz packages to (21), overloading the offense’s right. Patriots knew it. Because the protection scheme It is reasonable to suspect that shut down the Rams anticipated a different pressure than his hot read was Josh Reynolds by Jack Soble they got, nobody could possibly (circled in red, right), who was the account for Harmon, as shown below only receiver running a quick route make, and if they could manage to For many, Super Bowl LIII was The image above is how the with the red arrows. for an easy throw. force him into making them enough, a complete dud. Zero touchdowns Patriots lined up, and the red arrows The Patriots’ secondary was in they would win the game. were scored until New England show where the Rams thought that cover zero, which means each non- This is much easier said than Patriots running back the Patriots’ attackers (safety Devin rusher is in man coverage with no done against prodigy 33-year-old found pay dirt in the fourth quarter. McCourty, 32, and linebacker Kyle deep safety help, and were giving head coach Sean McVay and the His team ended up beating the LA Van Noy, 53) were coming from. a large amount of space between Rams. If it were easy, they wouldn’t Rams by a score of 13-3. To counter this standard six-man The result: a completely free themselves and their men so they be in the Super Bowl. That’s what However, what may have rush, the Rams used this protection lane for Harmon and thus a free shot wouldn’t give up a big play. makes it so impressive that the seemed like an offensive disaster for scheme: at Goff. Because of this, Reynolds was Patriots - like our Chicago Bears the Rams was actually an exhibition wide open for an easy five-yard before them, but with far inferior in defensive scheming and execution completion - or even more if he was defensive talent - completely cracked for the Patriots, led by legendary able to get past his defender. the code. head coach Bill Belichick. In contrast to what he should And this is why I thoroughly A perfect example of this is have done, Goff inexplicably never enjoyed Super Bowl LIII. It may not when cornerback It’s a gap scheme on the Now, Goff is in deep trouble. He even looked in Reynolds’s direction. have been the offensive extravaganza intercepted Rams QB Jared Goff offense’s left and a man scheme on its cannot take time to find a down field He instead tried to throw a go route that many anticipated; rather it was deep in Patriots territory and late right. The center, left guard, and left receiver, so instead he has to go to his to Brandin Cooks, and due to All-Pro a fascinating defensive chess match. in the fourth quarter, all but putting tackle take whoever shows up in the hot read, or designated receiver to hit CB Stephon Gilmore (24) playing off Belichick flustered Goff and coached the game away. I took a look at how gap to their left, and the right guard, in case a free blitzer comes in. coverage, Cooks never had a prayer, circles around McVay as he led New Belichick forced Goff into a massive right tackle and running back Todd This is where a key fact that and Gilmore easily picked it off. England to their sixth Lombardi mistake. Gurley are locked onto an individual Belichick was counting on comes It’s easy to say “Goff just trophy. Even before the snap on this rusher, shown by the red lines above. into play: Jared Goff is terrible when screwed up.” And to be fair, he did. fateful play, the Rams were in big This, however, is exactly what pressured. He is arguably elite when But the mistakes he made were ones All images via NFL Game Pass trouble. New England displayed New England wanted LA to think he has time and space to throw, but that New England knew he would Hall of Honor opens at New Trier Sports over the holidays? Athletes debate the their own. “At first, some people Eight honored for don’t understand it. However, as you contributions to NT pros and cons of get older, people begin to realize its importance.” athletics events during break Baker said that breaks can by Lily Vance by Marne Sullivan interrupt their training and cause Participating in high school major issues. He believes that On Feb. 1, the Athletic athletics is a big commitment- practices are necessary to get Department inducted its first class including regularly scheduled everyone back in shape, so the team into the Hall of Honor. Between practices and long competitions. doesn’t go backwards in training. He the boys and girls basketball game Some students who are involved in understands how sometimes “it can against Glenbrook South, the eight sports are even expected to attend be annoying to wake up and run, but honorees were announced in front practices during school-mandated it can also be fun to explore a new of the crowd and each received their vacations. place.” own plaque and watch. These sports, especially Junior Cat Flood, on the Girls The Hall of Honor display is varsity athletics, consist of hours of Varsity Volleyball team, said sports’ finished and will be updated next year practices daily and long tournaments demanding practices affect her and then biennially. In the corridor throughout the weekends. personal time with her friends and outside of G108 at the Winnetka Lee Kennicke prepares to enter the Hall in front of cheering fans Twitter For some athletes, practices family. She has practices three times and competitions over designated a week and long tournaments on the Campus, the Hall of Honor is located throughout their careers.” To be also, for community members who holidays can be frustrating. For weekend, starting early morning and down the hallway. The backdrop nominated, the individual has to be have made a great impact on athletics. others, these breaks are seen as ending late afternoons. represents historic locations on retired for at least three years. Lee Getschow was also selected and more time for the team to continue Flood argues that practices over both campuses including the pool, Applications can be found online is the founder of New Trier’s booster preparing for games and tournaments. break are not necessarily important, Gates Gymnasium and stadium at and anyone can nominate someone as club. Junior Emma Weaver of and should not be mandatory for Northfield. a community member. The committee Those may have mistakenly the Girls Soccer team argues the people who are gone. She said The pictures represent will then go through the applications. thought the Hall of Honor as the Hall that practices during breaks are she “barely gets to spend any time participants of all sports and athletic Fontanetta did not forget to of Fame. important. She says her team may with my family over the weekends activity at New Trier. mention, “Anybody nominated, According to Fontanetta, have long practices during break, but because I am either doing homework, Lee Kennicke, one of the selected or not selected, they stay the title, “Hall of Honor is more the training is beneficial. According playing volleyball, resting or with my inductees, commented about the on file for three years. Some people appropriate because we honor those to Weaver, the team needs to “stay friends.” display, “It looks wonderful, I’ve were nominated, but not selected. So who really committed their lives, in shape in order to perform at our Flood said she is used to this been gone for 17 years and the next year, we will go through theirs career, and students to NT.” He best.” schedule now. “As an athlete you building looks very different.” again, so their files don’t have to be believes the Hall of Fame is more The girls soccer team is not grow up and realize that practice time The Hall of Honor committee resubmitted.” On Feb. 1, the athletic related to professional sports and in season during winter break, but is important.” consists of Athletic Director and department had a reception and a college athletics. they are strongly encouraged to Some teams continue their Chairman, Augie Fontanetta, staff dinner to welcome this year’s The Hall of Honor only includes participate in lifting. As for spring rigorous schedules throughout the Assistant Athletic Director, James inductees. adults, because that the athletic break, they continue practices since majority of spring break. These Burnside, Athletic Coordinator, Paul Kennicke, has been an important department recognizes student- it is the middle of their season. prearranged practices can interfere Moretta, as well as a minimum of figure for New Trier Athletics. She athletes in other ways. Recently, Weaver explained that the with personal plans including six coaches representing both gender was a Head Coach for Badminton, next to the Hall of Honor, the athletic scheduled practices allow to team vacation time with friends or family. sports. The selected head coaches Girls Swimming and Diving, and department has implemented an all- prosper. Lifting helps the team Sophomore Ryan Kaestle, a New will serve a two-year term on the Girls Track and Field. She also served conference and all-state board. Any become stronger and help prevent Trier baseball player, explained how committee. They may continue to be as an Assistant Athletic Director and student-athlete who places with an injuries during the season. The the team is travelling during spring on the committee after the term or an Assistant Coach for volleyball. IHSA medal gets their picture in the training also helps the team feel more break, “it’s fun to go on a trip with someone else can fulfill their role. Kennicke also started New Trier’s display case. confident and prepared for upcoming the team but I’d rather have spring “There are minimum Student Athlete Leadership Team Fontanetta revealed that they games. break.” requirements to be considered as (S.A.L.T) will have another display in G109 “Practices and lifts are essential While some may believe that a Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Kennicke said, “I was here for and G110 hallway with former state especially when we get into playoffs,” scheduled practices or games during Administrator, or At-Large a very long time, I worked here for champions. They will each have a she said. break is unnecessary, while others candidate. We look at years of thirty years. I was fortunate enough name plaque with the year and the Senior Ford Baker, one of say it is essential to a team’s success service, contributions to their sport, to be there during the beginning of event that they won. Team trophies the captains of the Boys Track and during their season. as well as New Trier Athletics,” women’s athletics.” are another way of recognizing state Field team, agrees with this idea. He For many athletes, sports Fontanetta stated. Kennicke won the first-ever champions. explained how the track and cross create memories and strong bonds He added that head coaches IHSA Girls Volleyball Championship “The Athletic Department felt country teams have optional practices throughout high school. It’s this need 10 years of NT experience for while being the team’s assistant it was a good time,” said Fontanetta, during school breaks since training sentiment that keeps Weaver induction, and assistant coaches need coach. While she was the head “to recognize and celebrate the plans are necessary for success. coming back. “I can’t speak for my at least 20. coach for badminton, she won three accomplishments and contributions Athletes in town are encouraged teammates,” she said, “but I do know Fontanetta said, “All candidates state titles and was an IHSA State of those who have dedicated their to train with the team during breaks, that we cherish the time we have must exemplify the NT athletic Tournament manager as well. careers to help develop student- and those who are out of town are together, whether its during break or department mission statement This award is not limited to athletes at NT.” expected to perform their work on not.” and serve as a positive role model former New Trier employees, but