I could keep my mouth shut, but .

Tuesday, November 02, 1999

I could keep my mouth shut, but …

It’s worth remembering that the Austin football team that finished its season 3-7 on Saturday started the season with just one returning starter.

By season’s end, the team could have held its own against any team in the state.

The feeling here is that if the same group of players were around for another season, the Packers would contend for a Big Nine title.

But that’s not going to happen.

Austin loses almost a dozen impact seniors.

You’d think that would force the Packers to groom another cast of players in the heat of Big Nine battle next season.

But the 2000 season won’t be near as fiery a baptism.

A number of high-quality juniors and sophomores cut their varsity teeth this season, namely David Lorenzen, Ryan Binder, James Knoebel, Todd Krupicka, Dan Smith, Joe Sand, Asham Bell, Jaime Zavala and Chad Mentel.

All started or made major contributions to the Packers this season.

It’s a promising core that would do well to take this advice: Be the Austin team that stops killing itself with unsportsmanlike conduct and personal foul penalties.

Austin has the reputation of being one of the hardest-hitting football teams around.

In football, that’s an honor. It’s something to be proud of and I wouldn’t want to watch them play any other way.

The hard hitting is something that coaches Steve Knox and Randy Smith foster in practice.

It’s a trait that has been handed down from one Austin football team to the next.

And it’s the hit-’em-hard mentality that allows the Packers to compete with much larger athletes from schools like John Marshall.

But the Packers would be wise to add a shut-up-and-play attitude to their hard-hitting exterior.

The secret is out.

The Packers rattle easily when taunted or pushed, and retaliate too often.

They draw too many unnecessary flags and excuse those flags to aggressive behavior.

They take on a victim’s mentality when the flags begin to mount against them.

A handful of 15-yard flags can ruin a game just as easily as not having the right horses.

Unlike this season, Austin enters 2000 with a solid, experienced core.

It’d be a shame to offset such a postitive by continuing to play the current-brand of Packer football.

This reality check will likely tick off a good number of players and people – the same players and people I respect and love to write about.

But instead of speaking up and attacking this messenger, practice something for me right now.

Walk away to the mirror and say nothing.

It’d be a good start to what may be a stellar 2000 season.

Brady Slater’s column appears Tuesdays