http://rutlandherald.com/article/20140821/SPORTS02/708219916
Published August 21, 2014 in the Rutland Herald
Turning the page in Springfield
By Tom Haley
Staff Writer
Just a couple of observations on Tuesday’s football scrimmage between Otter Valley and Springfield at Markowski Field in Brandon:
— We’re all getting tired of that phrase about “changing the culture.” It now has more wear on it than a Decatur Staleys football on display in Canton.
But given what the Springfield High football program has been through in recent years, changing the culture is such a big piece of retreading the program. It has to be.
Watching that scrimmage against the Otters left no doubt that the culture is being altered in a positive way in Cosmo Land. The players are hungry, disciplined and having fun. It has already translated to greatly improved play.
New coach Gary Harris has it going.
“They have a whole new attitude,” Otter Valley coach Jim Hill said. “They are bringing a physical play to the field and they have a bit of nastiness that should help them.”
— Otter Valley quarterback John Winslow can make all the throws. He has outstanding arm strength, but just as impressive is his touch on the ball. He connected for some long throws over the top for scores but also dumped the ball over defenders into receivers’ arms on sideline passes.
“He had a great year for us last year, but I don’t think people realized how good he was,” Hill said.
They will this year. The Otters will throw the ball more, but Hill stressed the running game will still be an important component of the offense.
Hill was impressed by the Cosmos saying that they could be “a surprise team” but he also liked what his own kids did in the scrimmage.
“I thought on defense we flew to the ball pretty well,” he said.
Now, South Burlington, Mount Abraham and Spaulding will get a look at Winslow and the Otters. The four teams meet in South Burlington for a scrimmage on Saturday morning.
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