By Nate Beutel/beuteln@gnnewspaper.com
Greater Niagara Newspapers
October 26, 2007 01:55 pm
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Senior Kevin Ogiba might be a returning all-area and all-league performer, but he understands the concept of team and that’s why he’s taken junior Paul Smith, his next-door neighbor, under his wing. And with Niagara-Wheatfield faltering and struggling to score points the second half of the season, there’s been a number of occasions where the pair have been on the field at the same time.
When Smith enters the game at quarterback, that gives N-W coach Al Pogel the opportunity to move Ogiba to either running back or wide receiver. That, in turn, opens up the playbook and allows for potential trick plays.
“With both in, either can throw or run,” the coach said. “They are both unselfish.”
Smith’s experience this season will also do nothing but help his development for next year.
• For periods of last week’s contest against Lockport, the Falcons performed the way most have been accustomed to seeing them play the past two seasons. N-W trailed 7-0 at the half and according to Pogel felt “good” coming out of the locker room. That feeling quickly faded away as the Lions returned a punt for a touchdown and then recovered an N-W fumble all within the first minutes of the third quarter. Lockport then road the momentum and legs of running back David Fluellen to a 42-6 win.
Fluellen’s legs churned for well over 200 total yards as the sophomore earned high praise from Pogel.
“He already has good size and speed and reads the field well,” Pogel said. “As he matures and gets stronger he will be even better.”
• Last week, N-W had 13 players — a handful starters — out with various injuries. The number could grow to as many as 14 this week, according to Pogel. Still, he said that’s not an excuse for his team’s recent slide and that he’s still proud of the way his seniors have shown great pride throughout the year.
“The seniors have been playing hard and are preparing the way they should,” he said. “They continue to show great character.”
• As for today, when N-W travels to Frontier in the Class AA Consolation Bowl semifinals, Pogel said his team faces a great task.
“They are an excellent team,” he said. “They could have beaten Orchard Park and Lancaster and have put up a ton of points. They have some great athletes.”
At the same time, N-W is somewhat familiar with their style of play as it includes an option game that draws from both North Tonawanda and Kenmore West’s schemes. Pogel also noted Frontier’s “unique” special teams.
“We have seen this style before — we need to execute and manage the clock,” he said.
— Nate Beutel
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