2014

I write this after the first two games, both Hart losses and both games in which the Hart defense had a really tough time late in the game, appearing to wear down.  I suspect the ship will right itself this week.  The Indians had much the same problem last year giving up 103 points in the first two games but then really clamping down after that (other than the Canyon game).

Hart 2012

I've updated the Hart Dad website with the Tesoro game and added my thoughts for the season.  Any comments or corrections?  Post 'em here.

2011 -- Headed up?

I added the question mark because on the one hand, Hart should be headed up with a lot of returning starters, particularly on offense. But one also has to consider this group was disappointing in that they were 4-1 in the pre-league portion of the season when they were very inexperienced and then 1-4 in league. Just when they should have been hitting their stride, the Indians stumbled at the end of the last four games.

Offense: 9 of 11 starters return. My thought right now: probably 2 of those starters, maybe more, will be playing a different position, possibly on the other side of the ball next season. I would not be surprised to see one or more get benched. There was some serious talent on both the JV and Freshman teams last year and I would not be surprised to see several of those kids get into the mix from the gitgo.

Defense: several returners plus some potential coming up. I think a couple of next season's seniors may be hard-pressed to hold on to positions.

Question: will we see some new dynamics on offense or defensive schemes. Hart Dad remains very skeptical about the efficacy of Hart's base 4-3 defense against spread schemes. Take a look at the scores from 2003 (a championship year) forward. That's when we started to see just about everyone run a spread all or a portion of the time. Hart has been giving up a lot more points since that time. I'm thinking one almost has to have two defensive schemes, one to face a traditional running non-spread type offense (where Hart's 4-3 is usually very effective) and one to face a spread. Hart's conservative schemes allow the spread and/or mobile quarterbacks far too much freedom. When Hart started running a spread, run and gun offense back in 1989, a gambling mentality was pervasive on offense. Probably need the same aggressive gambling mentality on defense now.

Offense: It's gotta happen quicker. I was using the stopwatch function on my phone when I was watching Hart and Canyon, both spread offenses but with much different philosophies. On average, Canyon had the ball beyond the line of scrimmage -- running or passing -- substantially faster than Hart, typically 1.5 to 1.9 seconds faster. That's huge. And with a fairly immobile QB. Valencia's offense may have taken more time to develop a play but had an extraordinarily mobile QB and built that mobility into the play design. The point: either construct the offense around schemes that develop far more quickly (Canyon), or build around a very mobile QB. But slow-developing plays built around a fairly stationary QB (the Hart model not necessarily unique to last season) allows the defense to control, hence a far lower offensive output.

2010 -- Spring practice will soon be upon us

Some solid linemen on both sides of the ball. The prospective of an excellent group of line backers. A couple of very good returning D-backs. One big and sure-handed returning receiver and some others from the defensive side of the ball that will probably do double duty. So how do things shake out at QB and RB. We'll start to get an idea in the next few weeks.

So -- will things improve this year?

I've not had much time to check out the 2009 version of the Indians. My friends tell me that the coaches are very high on the possibilities on offense with a very good bunch of skill people looking very solid. The question is how the offensive line will pan out.

Not heard a lot about the defense.

Hart Dad

After Three Games -- 2008

Thought I'd make some comment now and see how it compares with my perceptions in a few weeks.

The first three weeks have been -- ummm -- disappointing/depressing/alarming.

It seems like there are a number of good athletes out there but defensively, they have been slow reacting. Not slow-footed. Slow reacting. Once they get it in gear, they move well. I found the Westlake game particularly alarming because the defense did very little to slow down Westlake in the second half yet Warriors were doing nothing unexpected for a Westlake team. Our kids seemed a little perplexed. That's not very Hart-like.

Offensively: Just about the time something went well against Westlake, like there was a turnover, a missed exchange, a dropped pass or a missed receiver. The offense cannot afford too many more goofs. Last season, the starters had a total of 6 interceptions and 6 fumbles in 14 games. After three games, this group is halfway to those same totals with 3 interceptions and 3 fumbles lost.

2008 -- Spring Practice

I understand that Hart is working on new offensive and defensive primary schemes. Any comments?