Football: Coaching makes a difference

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For those who still believe that talent alone wins games, go spend a moment on the sideline of a high school football game. Watch and listen. Then you’ll find out how good coaching makes a difference.

I was on the sideline in the second half of Alemany’s 28-17 victory over Encino Crespi, and there was a moment that told me all I needed to know.

Alemany quarterback Vernon Adams was rolling left, his head down, just trying to escape pressure. Suddenly, his coach, Dean Herrington, shouted from the sideline, ‘Head up.’

Adams listened, then threw a long pass down field that led to a pass interference penalty.

That’s the perfect scenario in execution, a coach reminding his pupil what to do. And it’s why Alemany is off to a 7-0 start.

-- Eric Sondheimer