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Falcons in GCL state  of mind

‘We go into games expecting to win,’ Fenwick coach says;  7-on-7 workout July 21.

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By John Bombatch, Staff Writer 1:42 AM Thursday, July 16, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — Can familiarity with a league breed contempt? We’ll see.

For the first time since Fenwick has been a member of the talented Greater Catholic League, every Falcon football player wearing the crimson and gold has already been exposed to league play at one level or another.

As the players go through summer drills, coach Fred Cranford thinks that an “all GCL all the time” mentality could be a factor in the team’s fortunes this fall.

“For the first time, we’re thinking about nothing but GCL football,” Cranford said before conditioning drills Wednesday, July 14. “Every member of this team, from the freshmen on up, has been exposed to GCL competition already in some form.”

Cranford says the awe the team involuntarily experienced while making the transition from the now-defunct Mid-Miami League into joining the GCL is wearing off.

“We go into games expecting to win, where before we might’ve just hoped to stay competitive,” he said. “The mental game is crucial in football, and we’ve turned that into a positive for us.”

The Falcons played well during Tuesday’s 7-on-7 drills, matching up with the likes of host Lebanon, Bellbrook and Springfield. They’ll host Madison for a 7-on-7 workout at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 21.

“Working with one other team like that, it’s going to give myself and my staff more of an opportunity to fine-tune things with the team,” said Cranford, now in his fourth year with the team. “We’re already excited about this season.”

The attitude appears to be there, but after graduating 17 players from last season’s 3-7 team, Cranford needs some leadership from key players such as returning quarterback Tyler Murphy, offensive lineman Luke Compton, backs Joey Robertson and Sam Keegan, linebackers Jake McCabe and Dylan McCulley and defensive lineman Patrick Hudepohl and anyone else willing to step up.

“We lost a lot of kids, but there might be more talent on the team this season,” he said. “From watching them in summer drills, I’ve got a good feeling about this bunch.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2851 or jbombatch@coxohio.com.

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