Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Coyotes show small steps of improvement

For Potter-Dix football players, the season is going to be measured in small improvements.

"We're focusing on the little things," said Coyote Coach Dale Frerichs. "We're looking for improvement."

Down 37-0 after one half of play Friday, Potter-Dix saw its share of frustration, but coming out of the locker room into the third quarter, the Coyotes also experienced success, and in no small way.

After missed assignments and other mistakes resulted in discouragement and frustration through the first half, the Coyotes re-grouped and on Arthur's first possession, left the Wolves wanting for more by holding the visitors out of the end zone after a first-and-goal.

Potter-Dix made progress on its alignments in that second half and while it put up only one first down offensively, played with greater sharpness on both sides of the ball.

The Coyotes nearly avoided a shutout when Terrell Gray broke loose and scampered to the two yard line with two minutes remaining in the game, only to be denied by the Wolves' defense.

"We did do better in the second half," Frerichs said. "We began to execute and line up right."

Of all the elements Potter-Dix players showed, Frerichs said it was their physicality that impressed him most.

"Our play was much more physical than in the past."

Frerichs said while he understands the players would like to see more immediate success, he knows they'll see it over time.

"You can't go from a small team that didn't win a game last year into a powerhouse," Frerichs said. "But we're improving. And we'll keep improving and do those little things that add up to winning, then they will."