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Schools

Middleton Football Looking to Rebound

The Tigers have started the 2011 football season with a record 0-5, but as the team hosts the Blake Yellowjackets this Thursday, there is still belief in the team.

It's not the start to his head coaching career that Alonzo Ashwood envisioned.

Starting 0-5, Middleton High School's head football coach has grown frustrated with the disciplinary issues that have plagued his team. The Tigers have been competitive, giving Jesuit a difficult first half early in the season and pushing Lakewood to the brink last Friday, but in the end penalties and mistakes have killed them.

"If you ask me whether or not I'm frustrated I have to say I'm not frustrated with our record as much as I am with their effort and attention to detail," Ashwood said. "We've had so many penalties this season and I feel like it's week six and our guys are just getting it. I say get here at three o'clock and kids are walking in at 3:05. It all comes down to discipline and I have to still show them how we're going to be doing things."

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Battling the habits of previous regimes has been one of the most difficult aspects of Ashwood's time with the Tigers. Instilling a sense of accountability and responsibility to the team has been a priority for the coach and it's something that is still a work in progress.

"I've had to let kids go who still wanted to do things the old way," Ashwood said. "I figure if I'm going to lose, I'm going to do it with young guys who will do it the way I say. The transition has been tough on some of them but I've got the support of the administration. Right now it's not all about winning games as much as it's about building character. We may only dress 35 guys on game day, but I keep telling them it only takes eleven to play so they have to earn it."

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The fact that the Tigers have been competitive has been little consolation to both the coach and the team. The loss against Lakewood was particularly disheartening as the Tigers had numerous chances to win but were thwarted by penalties. In all 11 penalties, seven of which were encroachment calls, did the Tigers in.

"I don't believe in moral victories," Ashwood said. "Those don't show up on the stat sheet. I can tell my kids they played well and should have had that game, but they already know that. Our problems come from discipline and they know that too."

Patience is now the key for Ashwood as he tries to build a program he can call his own.

"I'm trying to get to these young guys so that they get on board with how we do things and can mentor the next group of young guys," Ashwood said. "I thought I could make it an immediate difference but the longer I do this the more I realize I have to be patient. I still believe in us though and when the damn breaks, it's going to flood."

For the players, the next game is the only thing that matters. With rivals Blake coming to Abe Brown Stadium on Thursday night, the players are looking to begin their revival.

"Little mistakes have held us back," Junior Anthony Carswell said. "It's taken us five weeks to realize just how bad we've been when it comes to discipline. But now, we're coming out here grinding and working hard get a win this week and finish the year strong. That's all we can do."

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