Members of the PennLive prep football coverage team gathered Wednesday night inside PA Media Group headquarters to discuss the District 3 programs still surging in postseason play. Here are some unfiltered excerpts from those discussions.
Topic: Lower Dauphin Falcons
Time: 7:33 p.m.
Location: First Amendment conference room
Roll call: Eric F. Epler, Andrew P. Shay, Mike Bullock, Jeff Reinhart, John Tuscano
Tuscano: I always think there is a real thin line, a real gray area between confidence and arrogance. But having watched Lower Dauphin in their playoff wins over Exeter and Wilson, I can definitely tell the difference. LD has a real quiet confidence about them and you felt that on the sideline last Friday in the final drive against Wilson. There was no panic and no tentativeness, they really thought they were going to score and that's a quality you just can't measure this time of year.
And another thing, I no longer need a GPS for my phone. From now on, if I need to get somewhere, I'm having David Wuestner and Troy Spencer come with me. I'll never be late as long as Wuestner is leading the way because that kid could open a clear lane for anyone or anything. And if it's a difficult place to find, Spencer will find it for me, because if there is even the tiniest of running holes, he'll find it and get through it.
Epler: I think Johnny hit it on the screws. Yes, the sideline can be a messy locale on any given weekend, but the Falcons have a very “calm air” quality on the field. I'm not saying they're not aggressive or physical because that would be a ridiculous statement. But there's something very matter-of-fact about the way Spencer runs the show behind that very tactical offensive front. I can't really tell how much fun the guys are having, but you have to assume they are having a blast.
I also think about skipper Rob Klock, too. He's a high-quality individual that would never say it, but this is added validation that he gets max effort from his guys no matter how full the cupboard is. I find it ironic that many of the same voices that wanted Klock removed from his post a few seasons back are the same voices cheering this team on. There's a lesson to be learned from this, and the Falcons are driving it home with each victory they collect.
Shay: Agreed. When I think of this Falcons team, I immediately think back to the summer of 2012. Lower Dauphin was coming off back-to-back 1-9 seasons and the school district was exploring getting rid of head coach Rob Klock, who came very close to losing his job. They kept him, and now this happens.
These players have called themselves #moneyteam on Twitter. This isn’t a cocky or overtly arrogant group. Instead they are quietly confident in what they are doing, and completely comfortable in their own skin doing it.
The Falcons do what they do offensively. It’s simple and basic. So stop them. And only Bishop McDevitt for a half has managed to accomplish that this season. To me the maturation and development of the offensive line has been that hidden element that’s brought it all together. It’s Week 14 of the season and they are still getting better. QB Troy Spencer, an undersized high school player who is slick with the ball and not afraid to lower his shoulder, has been so consistent.
The defense held Cedar Cliff to a touchdown. That’s all you need to know. The rest is details.
Epler on Twitter: @threejacker
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