Stout encouraged by second half play

GILLESPIE – While the glaring improvement going forward for the Vandals will be to not allow teams to score on several straight possessions, there were smaller improvements that were made during last Friday’s season-opening loss.

And while some of the second half didn’t feature starters from either team, coach John Stout said there were some areas that were improved in the final two quarters while both teams’ starters were still on the field.

Most notably, he said, came in containing Gillespie’s run game, which gained 281 yards in the game, but only 73 in the second half.

“Gillespie had good skill people out there (on offense), so we need to get off of blocks better,” Stout said. “We were catching the blocks and letting them get tight on us in the first half, so the backs could make a cut or a move, but our offensive line sustained the blocks better in the second half.”

Additionally, he said the offense looked better in the third and fourth quarters.

Sophomore Tucker Willms replaced junior Collin Nestleroad after Nestleroad suffered a concussion, and was able to attempt several passes.

And though he didn’t complete any of his six attempts, Stout said the containment of the defensive line was good to see.

Not that all of those issues will be resolved when the Vandals travel to Carlinville this Friday night, but if

Vandalia is able to iron out some of its problems by the middle of the season, when it is facing some of the weaker teams in the conference, wins should come.

“Going out there with two starters coming back should mean that we get better,” Stout said. “I expect us to get better, because I saw some things in the second half that were better.”