Trending
CONNORVILLE -- The Buckeye Local football learned a lot this season as the youthful Panthers gained valuable experience.
The Panthers played a brutal schedule this season, and Buckeye Local concluded its season Friday night in the annual V.A.L. E.S Game against Harrison Central. The Huskies jumped out to a big lead and did not look back en route to defeating the Panthers, 68-14, via mercy rule out at Wagner Field.
"We tried to shake up our defense," first-year Buckeye Local (0-10) head coach Hayden Daley said. "We tried to give them a different look, but we executed it poorly. Looking back on it, I wish we stayed in our base look. We did well with it, but we tried to shake things up.
"By doing that, we put ourselves behind the 8 ball. They got off to a fast start, and we had a really-hard time of stopping their offense and they put a lot of points up on the scoreboard.
"Offensively, I thought we moved the ball well. We were able to control the clock, however, we were not able to finish our drives whether because of a penalty or a turnover, and they were able to turnaround and score fast."
Eight of Buckeye Local's 10 opponents ended the season with a winning record, while Oak Glen enters its final regular season game Nov. 6 at home looking to get back to .500. Seven of the teams the Panthers have played this season qualified for the playoffs in Ohio with Union Local falling just short despite the Jets winning seven games.
"I have said this every week that we have improved every week," Daley said. "Unfortunately, we were not able to get a win, especially for our seniors. The kids bought in. They showed up. They would take the coaching we would give them. Week to week and day by day they continued to fight. I am proud of them for the fight they showed this season."
The boys from Jefferson County played a lot of younger kids this season.
"They progressed a ton," Daley said. "I said to someone the other day that every game this season we were outsized physically, and we were outnumbered due to the number of players on the other team, but we improved every week and we continued to fight.
"We played a lot of younger guys. Six of our freshmen started on offense or defense at one point this season. Two of our freshmen started on special teams. Eight freshmen saw big-time minutes for us. We also played some sophomores and juniors. A lot of younger guys got a lot of football experience."
The Panthers hope that experience pays off for them down the road.
"It is something we can build on," Daley said. "Our younger guys gained a lot of experience. We are looking to use that experience to our advantage next season. They are going to turn into leaders. They gained a lot of experience."
Buckeye Local is looking to get a lift next season from an influx of talent from the junior high.
"I'm not sure the number, but I think there were 15 or 16 players on the eighth grade team," Daley said. "They seem to have a good amount of talent. We are exciting about them coming up. We are going to get them in the weight room in 30 days. We are excited to see what they can do."
This season was not only a learning one for the players, but it was also a learning experience for Daley.
"I learned something new every day," Daley said. "You can never say you have seen it all. I saw something new at every practice and at every game. I kept seeing something new. This was my first year as a head coach, and I learned a lot this season. I think you learn every year. You progress. You learn something, and this is something I can build off and use to become a better coach."