[2023] Billy Goat Blog: Season Preview

[SyndaKyt]

ANNAPOLIS, MD

June 2023

Season Preview

Head Coach SyndaKyt looks on to the practice field as rugby players work in cohesion to achieve a common goal: execution and efficiency to overcome their opponents. They are playing with a violent, rugged but technically sound approach. He remarks," Damn, they know what they want and they go for it with full confidence. I want that for my team and I want that moving forward as long as I am coaching this squad." They are a sports team used to making deep postseason runs and other teams could take after their discipline and commitment. There is one thing they have done that the football team hasn't: win a conference championship. This is a goal that not only he wants to achieve, but everyone involved with Navy Football also shares. The upcoming season is so exciting, let's get into it!

 

Spring Games

After much deliberation with the rest of the coaching staff, the captains have been designated; senior offensive tackle Shawn Adon for the offensive unit, senior cornerback Fred Barrett for the defensive unit, and senior kick returner Jamie Freese for the often overlooked special teams unit. Obviously being a senior means something for this team. They are all taking this in stride and looking to rally the troops in times of need. HC SyndaKyt is proud of the work ethic of his team and felt that he has seen the results in a practical setting of spring games.

Navy Football showcased their prowess and determination as they went three and oh in all three encounters as they went on a road trip to SDSU and Illinois and finished it off in a home showing against Colorado.

The first game took place at SDSU, where Navy was pitted against a tough opponent ranked in the AP preseason top 20. It was anticipated to be a highly competitive clash, with Navy aiming to make a statement. Despite SDSU's great coaching and superior roster, Navy managed to secure a hard-fought victory with a scoreline of 24-19. The game showcased the resilience and determination of the Navy players, who refused to back down against their highly ranked opponents with creating turnovers. However, the game did not go as planned for Navy's senior quarterback, Bennie Ramirez. Known for his accuracy and game IQ, Ramirez struggled to find his rhythm and faced difficulties against SDSU's strong defense, failing to even eclipse 100 passing yards. As a result, the coaching staff made a tough decision and benched Ramirez for the subsequent two games, opening the door for the emergence of a talented freshman quarterback: Kyung Hui.

In the next game against the University of Illinois, Navy continued their winning streak, securing a 20-12 victory. The game witnessed the debut of true freshman quarterback Kyung Hui, who showcased his skills and proved to be a rising star for the team. Hui had an average statline of 16/21, 163 yards with a pick. The story was running back Tevaun West, accumulating over 150 total yards. There was still a good amount of competition for the starting QB spot, giving HC SyndaKyt much to think about.

The final game in the series saw Navy facing off against the University of Colorado. Buoyed by their previous victories, Navy entered with confidence. Led by the young quarterback Hui, the Navy offense dominated the game, putting up an impressive performance. This was also the West show as he had over 200 yards of offense. However, Hui was the ticket seller, with 2 entertaining TDs and a 118 RTG. You had to be there; fans were chanting Hui's name and dubbing his tenure the Hui Dynasty. The fans have been waiting for a player that could reach the levels of Staubach many decades ago. With an impressive scoreline of 28-6, Navy secured yet another resounding win, capping off their nice showings.

These victories against strong opponents like SDSU, Illinois, and Colorado helped to see what worked and what didn't. It is interesting to see how the team will come together and how the coaching staff will maximize talent. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Navy Football continues to build upon their successes and further harness the potential of their talented freshman quarterback, Kyung Hui. The announcement will be made here and the pressure is on, Kyung Hui will be the starting quarterback as a true freshman. A solid foundation has been set and identities revealed: hard-nosed defense with smart, efficient offense.

 

Predictions and Objectives

The coach has had a few years to settle himself and does not feel as green as before. He states," My first year, I was wet behind the ears and made mistakes that I have learned from. My second year I made a jump in learning how to recruit and having a more intricate strategy allowing us to get some blue chip play makers. This year, I am looking forward to improving in the X's and O's, really trying to lead my guys and squeeze every ounce of talent I can out of them." The emphasis is to focus more on the gameplan from week to week and take advantage of certain matchups. The past two previous seasons the Midshipmen finished 5-7 twice, causing HC SyndaKyt to kick himself for not achieving a bowl game. "I definitely could have gameplanned better to eke out one or two extra wins, but I am expecting no less than 6 wins this season." It is clear that he and the team are feeling more determined than ever.

The objectives of the Navy Football team for the upcoming season, taking into account fan expectations and personal goals, could include:

1. Achieve bowl eligibility: One of the primary objectives for the team would be to secure the required number of wins to become eligible for a bowl game. This would make the AD happy and give them the opportunity to play other high-level competition.
2. Finish top 4 in the AAC: In a highly competitive conference like the American Athletic Conference (AAC), finishing in the top 4 would be a significant goal for Navy. It is good in solidifying their spot in the conference and can help use the momentum to become a mainstay within conference competition as well as attracting talent.
3. Become ranked at any point in the season: Being ranked in the national polls is a testament to a team's success and recognition within the college football landscape. Attaining a spot in the rankings would serve as an accomplishment and validate the team's performance. I believe Navy has never been ranked and it would be a great tone setter for not only the team but the fans too.
4. Have a player selected to the All-American team: Being selected as an All-American is a prestigious honor for any player. It would make them nationally recognized as an elite player, some players we like for this is 5 star phenom Roko Souza, Fred Barrett, and Jehu Ondrusek.
5. Finish top 10 in recruiting rankings: Aiming to finish in the top 10 in recruiting rankings signifies the team's commitment to bringing in highly talented athletes, ensuring a strong foundation for future success. Even with FCS teams in the mix, expect Navy to be making good moves and setting up the program for success in the future.
6. Have a player drafted: Producing NFL-caliber players is a testament to the program's ability to develop talent. The objective would be to have at least one player from the team drafted into the NFL, demonstrating the quality and potential of the Navy Football program.
7. Challenge for conference championship in the long term: Establishing a long-term goal of challenging for the conference championship demonstrates the team's aspirations for sustained success. It requires consistent improvement, recruiting, and coaching to become a perennial contender within the AAC and potentially secure a conference title.

 

Players to Watch

The Navy Football team boasts several standout players to keep an eye on during the upcoming season. Here are five players who are expected to make an impact:

1. Roko Souza (Sophomore SS): Souza, a talented sophomore strong safety, possesses the physicality and football IQ to excel in his role. With his hard-hitting style of play and ability to read offenses, Souza is a force to be reckoned with in the secondary. His tackling prowess and coverage skills make him a player to watch for his disruptive presence on defense. He could have the potential to make noise nationally but his stats will have to tell that story in order for that to happen. For now, he will be a constant in a talented secondary.

2. Jehu Ondrusek (Senior Pass Rusher DT) Ondrusek, a senior defensive tackle known for his pass-rushing abilities, brings relentless energy to the defensive line. With his explosiveness off the snap and disruptive presence in opposing backfields, Ondrusek is a key component of Navy's defensive strategy. His ability to generate pressure and disrupt opposing offenses will make him a player to watch. We hope to see him hold up in rushing defense okay and terrorize teams that live to pass the ball.

3. Tevaun West (Senior Speed RB): West, a senior running back with exceptional speed, brings a dynamic element to Navy's offense. With his quick acceleration and elusive moves, West has the potential to break big plays and contribute significantly to the team's rushing attack. His speed and agility make him a player who can change the game with his explosive plays. He is surprisingly nice in the pass game. We hope he can take on the same role as Donald Perkins did last year, serving as the engine of the offense, helping move the ball when tempo grinds to a halt.

4. Kyung Hui (Freshman Pocket QB): As mentioned earlier, Hui emerged as the starting quarterback during the spring games and showed promise as a true freshman. With his strong arm, accuracy, and ability to make smart decisions, Hui has the potential to lead the Navy offense effectively. As a young and talented quarterback, his development and performance will be closely monitored throughout the season. We need this kid to be the TRUTH!

5. Fred Barrett (Senior Ball Hawk CB): Barrett, a senior cornerback, is known for his ball-hawking skills and ability to make game-changing plays. With his instincts and excellent coverage abilities, Barrett has the potential to lock down opposing receivers and create turnovers for the defense. His ability to read quarterbacks and make crucial interceptions will make him a player to watch in the secondary. He is quite versatile in coverage but the goal for him is to erase a side of the field to make opposing quarterbacks have a difficult time.

These players represent a mix of experience and emerging talent within the Navy Football team. Their performances and contributions will play a significant role in shaping the team's success during the season. Fans and observers should keep a close eye on these individuals as they have the potential to make a significant impact on the field. Navy Football coming for that ass.

[SageBow]

So excited for Kyung Hui. Dude looked great for a true freshman, lives up to his Elite 11 billing where he was one of the most impressive contestants this past season.