Following are some thoughts after the first two weeks of high school football action:
I gathered two distinct views of the new spread offense, one from the offensive side and one from the defensive side:
From West Allis Central coach Dax Rodriguez, whose team switched to the spread this season and has scored 74 points in two games: "At times, we play well and at times, you can tell it's a first-year thing. It's so new to all of us; we have to refine it. You can tell it's getting ingrained."
From New Berlin West coach Jeff Grabo, whose Vikings have faced two spread foes and have allowed 82 points in two games: "This spread option stuff is still so new to a lot of us. You'd much rather see something you're used to. Even though we spent a lot of time in the off-season looking at it, there are still some things that we have to get used to. There's a reason why that offense is sweeping the country and everybody's doing it. This offense is not going to go away."
No matter what your perspective, one thing is clear: the spread offense is having an impact.
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Speaking of scoring, New Berlin Eisenhower put up points at a dizzying rate early in last week's 74-28 romp over Wauwatosa West.
The Lions' first touchdown came 18 seconds into the game, and the second followed at the 50-second mark on a punt return. At the one-minute mark of the first quarter, it was 41-0.
Fans might not want to get involved in any traffic jams on the way to Lions' games this season.
Coach Jeff Setz, who believed the 40-point quarter was a first in his career, said, "We're a good football team in all phases, and that showed it. Our defense was outstanding, our special teams made big plays and our offense used a lot of weapons. It came together so fast."
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West Allis Hale appears to be in the envious position of having two good quarterbacks this season.
The main man is senior Tommy Koch, last year's starter, but when Koch went down with a concussion in the opening game against Hartland Arrowhead, junior Josh Riche filled in well, hitting 2-of-3 passes for 39 yards and running for 19 more.
Koch sat out last week's contest agains Wilmot as a precautionary measure, and Riche shook off an early interception and passed for 67 yards and a touchdown while leading the Huskies in rushing with 85 yards.
"He's a good quarterback," coach Scott Otto said. "We're in good hands. Tommy should be back this week (against Wauwatosa East), but if he's not, Josh is ready to go."
That must make Otto feel good as the Huskies open play in the rugged and balanced Greater Metro Conference.
