Edison Wildcats wrap up an up and down season
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RICHMOND -- The Edison football team put forth a strong effort from the first whistle of the season until the last whistle. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the results did not always reflect how hard the team worked this season.
Edison battled Jefferson County rival Indian Creek Friday night, however, the Redskins were able to pull away en route to a 28-7 victory at home at Kettlewell Stadium.
"They converted on some down and distances," Edison (3-7) head coach Mike Collopy said asked what made the difference in the game. "They had a fourth down where (Bruce) Mazar scored. They had a couple long runs. They executed. We did not execute when we needed to.
"It was the last game of the season, and everything starts and ends with me. We have a lot of things we need to do, and we will get started on that in 30 days. I'm proud of their effort.
"We had a small group of seniors this season. For them, I'm extremely disappointed with the season we had. I'm directly responsible for that. I wish the season could have ended better."
The boys from Jefferson County won three games this season, however, three of the team's losses came by a combined eight points, and the Silver-and-Black trailed Toronto by just one point early in the fourth quarter before the Red Knights tacked on two touchdowns to win the game, 40-25, at home at Clarke Hinkle Field.
"There was definitely improvement at each position," Collopy said. "I could go position by position. There was definite improvement. The most substantial improvement is going to have to come from me. I have a lot of things to figure out. I am responsible for the way the season unfolded. When you are in charge of something, the issues and the deficiencies that you have, it i your job and it is your responsibility to fix them. I have to do a better job.
"The seniors were a good group. Some of them I have known since they were in the seventh grade. They all wanted to work hard and contribute to the program. I just wish I could have done a better job for them."
The Wildcats had a small senior class this season, but the team received leadership from players from all four grades.
"We had a collective group of leaders," Collopy said. "You have a few who standout, but in the past we had a group of leaders in every class. It was the same way this year."
Edison had to rely on some younger kids this season, and those players progressed throughout the season.
"They definitely improved," Collopy said. "The kids who do not have varsity experience you see more growth from them because there is more growth to be had. The kids progressed throughout the season. I am proud of them for all the work they put in."
The Wildcats are expecting to get some talented players coming into the program next season from the junior high.
"We should have 14 or more freshmen next year," Collopy said. "Numbers are numbers. We should be well over 50 kids next year. We had a small senior class. I think the 2002 senior class was the least biggest class prior to this one"