CALIFORNIA, Mo. - For head coach Marty Albertson, the offensive line is the key to his team's success. That success wasn't there last Friday night against Boonville.
Albertson mentioned offensive line play three separate times when asked about glaring mistakes he saw on last week's game film, fumbles on handoff exchanges and the lack of first downs.
"The offensive line has to do a lot of a better," he said. "We were catching blocks instead of drive blocking, and that's typical for young kids that maybe aren't confident yet in their communication up front. So they were thinking a lot instead of reacting and drive blocking."
Lack of consistency on offense really hurt the Pintos, despite being in the game until the last minute.
California only totaled six first downs to go along with four three-and-outs. One of the three-and-outs was really a four-and-out, as California tried an unsuccessful fake punt.
Another problem for the Pintos' offense was the lack of passing game. Combined, senior quarterback Landon Mouse and sophomore Jacob Wolken was 3-for-8 for seven yards and an interception.
"We have to do a better job there," Albertson said. "We got to throw the ball downfield. If you can't throw the ball downfield, they'll put seven, eight, nine guys up there, then you can't block them all."
Mouse suffered a knee injury in the second quarter of Friday night's game, causing him to sit out on offense, but he still played his free safety position throughout the game. The injury prompted Albertson to put Wolken in at quarterback, who showed some flashes of good plays, and some bad.
But Albertson still points to the offensive line when asked about the two fumbles on the quarterback and running back handoff exchanges.
"That was because of their penetration," Albertson said. "Their tackle was hitting our quarterback and running back mesh point. That's two yards deep on our side of the line of scrimmage. Our offensive line wasn't getting off the ball."
At Tuesday's practice, California's offense was working out of a shotgun formation to help give the quarterback more time. The two fumbles were caused when Wolken received snaps from under center.
Mouse will be a game-time decision on offense, but will still play defense. He participated in defensive drills this week, but Wolken got first-team snaps at quarterback. Albertson has no problem holding Mouse out for another week, giving Wolken the starting nod.
"(Wolken is) only going to get better," Albertson said. "He made a few mistakes the other day, and he was getting a lot of heat from the offensive line. He's going to get better week-by-week."
Starting senior running back A.J. Kendrick is another player sidelined with injury. While not leaving the game last Friday, Kendrick didn't practice Tuesday with a shoulder injury. Albertson was waiting word from the doctor on the severity of the issue.
Kendrick led the team on offense with 43 yards on 10 carries.
On the defensive side of the ball, California is going to have its hands full with Mexico's rushing attack, led by senior fullback Karsten Ekern.
Ekern and eight other players for Mexico rushed for 304 yards last week on 36 carries. Ekern totaled 137 yards on 10 attempts and four touchdowns, and senior wingback D'Milo Nunnelly rushed for 51 yards on five carries to lead the team.
"They're really big and fast," Albertson said. "They've got one big back, a fullback, that's an all-state kid. He's a stud. (Nunnelly) is a fast wingback. Then the quarterback has got speed in the option."
They also return senior quarterback Spencer Thomas, but he only threw the ball once in Mexico's 39-6 win against North Callaway, because he didn't have to with the success of his team's rushing attack.
"Hopefully, we're going to try and get them in third-and-long so they have to throw, and see how they throw," Albertson said. "Make them do things they don't want to."
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