September 30, 2007
Re: Piedmont gets 2nd consecutive win with new A-11 offense and tough defense
On Friday night September 28th, 2007 at Witter Field in Piedmont, in a Bay Shore Athletic League (BSAL) opener, the Piedmont Highlanders football team won their second game in a row, defeating St. Mary’s High 21 – 14. The Highlanders now stand 2-2 overall, and 1-0 in league play. The Highlanders new A-11 offense featuring eleven potentially eligible receivers and two quarterbacks in shotgun continued its growth, as they rolled up 335 total yards of offense against a solid Panthers squad.
Primary Highlanders quarterback, Jeremy George led the attack, finishing with 17 completes on 31 attempts, with two touchdowns and one interception – his first of the year. The second Highlanders quarterback, Ryan Lipkin, was a steady 4 for 7, for 74 yards. On the night, Piedmont passed for 243 yards, and rushed for 101 yards on 25 carries, with George leading the way with 11 rushes for 60 yards.
“It’s good to see our offense mature each week,” said Piedmont Head Coach Kurt Bryan, “but our defense was tough against St. Mary’s and they dictated the tempo throughout most of the night.”
Piedmont’s defense held St. Mary’s to 176 total yards, and if not for a fluke fumble on an attempted punt by Piedmont, easily would have held the Panthers to only 7 points.
To open the game Piedmont’s A-11 offense came out firing and marched down the field to take a 7 – 0 lead, when George found wide receiver Joey Holland in the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown pass. St. Mary’s answered by putting together a nice drive culminating with a 13-yard touchdown pass from their quarterback Rivera, to Shields.
However, the Highlanders offense was just warming up, as they built a 21 – 7 halftime lead by marching up and down the field and eating up huge amounts of time – thereby allowing the Piedmont defense to stay fresh. “It’s one of the benefits about our new system.” Said Bryan, “When the execution of our A-11 offense is good, our opponents defense must pursue our guys all over the field and they get fatigued. Respectfully to St. Mary’; it was self-evident midway through the 2nd quarter that their defense was tired.”
The Highlanders took the lead again 14 – 7 after a long drive, when George scampered 13-yards up the middle for a touchdown. Piedmont got the ball back after a St. Mary’s punt and they marched down the field on a 16 – play drive. George hit Lipkin for a 4 yard touchdown pass to make the score 21 – 7 just before halftime. Bryan explains, “We’re getting there, in the first half we played very well but we committed too many penalties in the 2nd half, and that cost us points and lots of yards. We need to sharpen up and execute even better for a full game.”
Piedmont hosts Oakland High at Witter Field in Piedmont on Friday, October 5th, at 7:00PM.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
WEEK 3 PRESS RELEASE
September 24, 2007
Re: Piedmont High gets first victory with its new A-11 offense.
On a rain soaked Saturday night September 22nd, 2007 on the road against Trinity High in Weaverville, CA, the Piedmont Highlanders football team got their first win of the season and made history as well. The Highlanders new A-11 Offensive system featuring eleven potentially eligible receivers and two quarterbacks in shotgun formation clicked for most of the night in tough elements against a very physical team.
“We have played three very big and physical teams to begin the season,” explained Head Coach Kurt Bryan, “but have stressed to the players the importance of exponential improvement in the new system on a weekly basis. On Saturday night, the team made another giant leap in the execution of our new offense, and the defense, and special teams played very well. It was a team effort.”
On the wet evening, Piedmont Quarterback, Jeremy George continued his efficient handling of the A-11 offense against Trinity, by going 14 of 26, for 180 yards and a touchdown, and he has yet to throw an interception this season. The touchdown pass was a 60-yard strike to wide receiver, Joey Andrada to seal the victory for the Highlanders in the 4th quarter.
George also rushed for 45 yards on 8 carries, and the Highlanders moved the ball well regularly against Trinity, twice settling for field goals in the first quarter, and missing two other field goal attempts and a red zone conversion.
“It was nice to get our first win,” said Bryan, “but we still have work to do, things to tinker with and adjustments to make. Our protection of the quarterbacks has been excellent, but we need to sharpen up our red zone efficiency.”
Piedmont begins BSAL league play on Friday night, September 28th at 7:00PM against league rival St. Mary’s of Berkeley by hosting them at Witter Field in Piedmont.
“They’re fast and big, and it will be a great test for our team. It would be great to get our first win at home if we can continue to improve at a good clip.” Said Bryan.
Re: Piedmont High gets first victory with its new A-11 offense.
On a rain soaked Saturday night September 22nd, 2007 on the road against Trinity High in Weaverville, CA, the Piedmont Highlanders football team got their first win of the season and made history as well. The Highlanders new A-11 Offensive system featuring eleven potentially eligible receivers and two quarterbacks in shotgun formation clicked for most of the night in tough elements against a very physical team.
“We have played three very big and physical teams to begin the season,” explained Head Coach Kurt Bryan, “but have stressed to the players the importance of exponential improvement in the new system on a weekly basis. On Saturday night, the team made another giant leap in the execution of our new offense, and the defense, and special teams played very well. It was a team effort.”
On the wet evening, Piedmont Quarterback, Jeremy George continued his efficient handling of the A-11 offense against Trinity, by going 14 of 26, for 180 yards and a touchdown, and he has yet to throw an interception this season. The touchdown pass was a 60-yard strike to wide receiver, Joey Andrada to seal the victory for the Highlanders in the 4th quarter.
George also rushed for 45 yards on 8 carries, and the Highlanders moved the ball well regularly against Trinity, twice settling for field goals in the first quarter, and missing two other field goal attempts and a red zone conversion.
“It was nice to get our first win,” said Bryan, “but we still have work to do, things to tinker with and adjustments to make. Our protection of the quarterbacks has been excellent, but we need to sharpen up our red zone efficiency.”
Piedmont begins BSAL league play on Friday night, September 28th at 7:00PM against league rival St. Mary’s of Berkeley by hosting them at Witter Field in Piedmont.
“They’re fast and big, and it will be a great test for our team. It would be great to get our first win at home if we can continue to improve at a good clip.” Said Bryan.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
WEEK 2 PRESS RELEASE
Piedmont’s new A-11 Offense continues to improve.
On Friday night September 14th, 2007 in their home opener at Witter Field in Piedmont, CA, the Highlanders football team had much to prove to themselves, to their fans, to football purists and to the Truckee High Wolverines. The Highlanders continue to develop and refine their new A-11 Offensive system, which features a groundbreaking eleven - potentially eligible receivers every down, and two quarterbacks in shotgun formation, dependent upon the situation.
Truckee has won the Nevada 3A State Championship twice in the past three years, and last year at Truckee the Wolverines defeated Piedmont by a score of 33 – 7.
On Friday night things were much different as the Highlanders proved their new A-11 Offense will be something to be reckoned with. Truckee defeated Piedmont by a score of 15 – 7, and the game was as close as the score would indicate. Several times the Highlanders were able to penetrate deep into Truckee territory; only to have their offensive drives thwarted by a costly penalty or key mistake.
Piedmont made history on Friday night, when Quarterback Jeremy George found wide receiver Joey Andrada in the right corner of the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown pass to make the score, 12 – 6 Truckee, a successful PAT made the score 12 – 7 and Piedmont was in business. It was the first offensive touchdown ever scored in football history in their new A-11 Offense.
In their combined aerial attack, both Highlander Quarterbacks, George and Ryan Lipkin, were an impressive 20 of 27, for 186 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
“That was a huge score for us, big for the kids, the program and the new system. We have been close many times and finally got the monkey off our backs.” Said Piedmont head football coach, Kurt Bryan.
On the season, the Highlander’s quarterback duo has completed 64.5% of their passes, by going (31 of 48) with one touchdown and one interception, an impressive start in their new system.
Piedmont travels to Weaverville, CA for their next game to take on a physically tough Trinity High School team on Saturday night September 22nd. “We’re coming together nicely and I have a good feeling about our next game,” said Bryan. “It should be a real barnburner and our offense is starting to gel.”
On Friday night September 14th, 2007 in their home opener at Witter Field in Piedmont, CA, the Highlanders football team had much to prove to themselves, to their fans, to football purists and to the Truckee High Wolverines. The Highlanders continue to develop and refine their new A-11 Offensive system, which features a groundbreaking eleven - potentially eligible receivers every down, and two quarterbacks in shotgun formation, dependent upon the situation.
Truckee has won the Nevada 3A State Championship twice in the past three years, and last year at Truckee the Wolverines defeated Piedmont by a score of 33 – 7.
On Friday night things were much different as the Highlanders proved their new A-11 Offense will be something to be reckoned with. Truckee defeated Piedmont by a score of 15 – 7, and the game was as close as the score would indicate. Several times the Highlanders were able to penetrate deep into Truckee territory; only to have their offensive drives thwarted by a costly penalty or key mistake.
Piedmont made history on Friday night, when Quarterback Jeremy George found wide receiver Joey Andrada in the right corner of the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown pass to make the score, 12 – 6 Truckee, a successful PAT made the score 12 – 7 and Piedmont was in business. It was the first offensive touchdown ever scored in football history in their new A-11 Offense.
In their combined aerial attack, both Highlander Quarterbacks, George and Ryan Lipkin, were an impressive 20 of 27, for 186 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
“That was a huge score for us, big for the kids, the program and the new system. We have been close many times and finally got the monkey off our backs.” Said Piedmont head football coach, Kurt Bryan.
On the season, the Highlander’s quarterback duo has completed 64.5% of their passes, by going (31 of 48) with one touchdown and one interception, an impressive start in their new system.
Piedmont travels to Weaverville, CA for their next game to take on a physically tough Trinity High School team on Saturday night September 22nd. “We’re coming together nicely and I have a good feeling about our next game,” said Bryan. “It should be a real barnburner and our offense is starting to gel.”
Friday, September 14, 2007
WEEK 1 - A-11 ARTICLE
EVERYONE GO OUT FOR A PASS
September 14 2007
By Jimmy Durkin
Oakland Tribune
PIEDMONT -- No, it's not illegal.
That's the answer to your first question when you see hosting Piedmont High line up in its new offense against non-league opponent Truckee tonight at 7.
Fashioned by coach Kurt Bryan and director of football operations Steve Humphries, and cultivated by the entire Highlanders coaching staff, Piedmont is bringing innovation to the field this season with the A-11 offense.
The name A-11, short for "all 11 players potentially eligible" was changed from the original name of Planet Pluto, which was based on the fact that the concept was "so far out there."
With two quarterbacks, three lineman and six receivers, it's a formation unlike any other.Bryan first started developing the A-11 with his staff more than a year ago when he signed on for his second term as head coach at his alma mater (he also led the Highlanders from 1994-96).
"During last offseason, Humphries said, 'What do you think about a two quarterback offense?'" Bryan recalled. "I thought the only way for it to be worthwhile was to have all 11 (players) potentially eligible (as receivers). That way, the defense only has one to three seconds to react."
But before the staff could begin coaching the offense, it had to learn it.
"(It started) with Kurt and I standing outside his driveway with a little football," said quarterbacks coach Pete Schneider, a standout wide receiver for the Highlanders during the Drew Olsen era. "We had to learn how to receive the snap and when to receive the snap."
The key to making the offense legal is at least one of the quarterbacks lining up 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage, technically making it a scrimmage kick formation.
The base formation has three receivers on each side who will shift in any number of ways so there are seven players on the line of scrimmage at the snap. For one of the offensive lineman to be eligible, they must be wearing an eligible number (1-49, 80-99) and not have another receiver on the line of scrimmage outside of them.
"It's the next step in the evolution of the game," Bryan said. "And we said 'Why not do it at Piedmont?'"
Time will tell how successful the scheme will be. In last week's opener against Campolindo, Piedmont's offense was limited to 126 yards of total offense in a 31-2 loss.
"We made some key mistakes early in the game, which really hurt," Bryan said. "We are young, this is a new system and even though it is frustrating, we know there is a steep learning curve and it is part of the process.
"However, now that we further know and understand how teams will defend the A-11, it will make it easier for our program to adapt and game plan."
For the pessimists out there who question if one bad week is enough to make Piedmont scrap its plans, Humphries said this: "We're committed 1,000 percent. We're making a major commitment. From the lowest levels up to the varsity level, the system is in place."
September 14 2007
By Jimmy Durkin
Oakland Tribune
PIEDMONT -- No, it's not illegal.
That's the answer to your first question when you see hosting Piedmont High line up in its new offense against non-league opponent Truckee tonight at 7.
Fashioned by coach Kurt Bryan and director of football operations Steve Humphries, and cultivated by the entire Highlanders coaching staff, Piedmont is bringing innovation to the field this season with the A-11 offense.
The name A-11, short for "all 11 players potentially eligible" was changed from the original name of Planet Pluto, which was based on the fact that the concept was "so far out there."
With two quarterbacks, three lineman and six receivers, it's a formation unlike any other.Bryan first started developing the A-11 with his staff more than a year ago when he signed on for his second term as head coach at his alma mater (he also led the Highlanders from 1994-96).
"During last offseason, Humphries said, 'What do you think about a two quarterback offense?'" Bryan recalled. "I thought the only way for it to be worthwhile was to have all 11 (players) potentially eligible (as receivers). That way, the defense only has one to three seconds to react."
But before the staff could begin coaching the offense, it had to learn it.
"(It started) with Kurt and I standing outside his driveway with a little football," said quarterbacks coach Pete Schneider, a standout wide receiver for the Highlanders during the Drew Olsen era. "We had to learn how to receive the snap and when to receive the snap."
The key to making the offense legal is at least one of the quarterbacks lining up 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage, technically making it a scrimmage kick formation.
The base formation has three receivers on each side who will shift in any number of ways so there are seven players on the line of scrimmage at the snap. For one of the offensive lineman to be eligible, they must be wearing an eligible number (1-49, 80-99) and not have another receiver on the line of scrimmage outside of them.
"It's the next step in the evolution of the game," Bryan said. "And we said 'Why not do it at Piedmont?'"
Time will tell how successful the scheme will be. In last week's opener against Campolindo, Piedmont's offense was limited to 126 yards of total offense in a 31-2 loss.
"We made some key mistakes early in the game, which really hurt," Bryan said. "We are young, this is a new system and even though it is frustrating, we know there is a steep learning curve and it is part of the process.
"However, now that we further know and understand how teams will defend the A-11, it will make it easier for our program to adapt and game plan."
For the pessimists out there who question if one bad week is enough to make Piedmont scrap its plans, Humphries said this: "We're committed 1,000 percent. We're making a major commitment. From the lowest levels up to the varsity level, the system is in place."
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
PRE-SEASON PRESS RELEASE
Piedmont launches brand new A-11 Offense (All Eleven Potentially Eligible)
Respectfully, throughout its 86-year history, Piedmont High School football teams have been labeled as “undersized, overachievers, hardworking, gritty, creative and smart.” Piedmont is a public high school, participating in the CIF – North Coast Section 2A Classification with a coed enrollment of just over 900 students. And now, the Highlanders will try to keep their spirited football tradition alive by implementing a brand new offense on September 7th, @ 7:00PM in their opening game at Campolindo High School in Moraga, CA.
The Highlanders’ new system is called, “The A-11 Offense” which stands for (All Eleven Potentially Eligible), and it’s a unique offensive system never before seen in the history of football.
“Necessity gives birth to invention,” says Piedmont Head Football Coach, Kurt Bryan, a twenty-two year coaching veteran at the high school and collegiate levels.” And Bryan explains, “We are a very small school regularly competing against teams drawing quality athletes from schools nearly twice our enrollment, so we had to try and create a system that somewhat negated sheer brute strength and size from the offensive side of the ball.”
Exactly, what is the A-11 Offense and how did it come to be?
“The A-11 Offense utilizes offensive principles from other systems such as, the spread, triple option, west coast and traditional I formation schemes.” However, there is one major difference between the A-11 and every other offense: in the A-11, all of the offensive players on the field will be wearing eligible receiver numbers. The players’ jerseys will display either # 1 – 49 or 80 – 99; therefore traditional Offensive Lineman numbered 50 – 79 will not necessarily be on the field during the A-11, although they will be used as well, dependent upon the situation and formation.
“It took us more than a year to develop the A-11 and get it approved,” said Bryan. “We are well within the rules of the game. The feedback from other coaches, our players and the officials has been great. It is the next step in the evolution of the game. Our Director of Football Operations & OL/DL Coach, Steve Humphries, and the entire coaching staff have worked hard to create this system.” Says Humphries, “We are excited to see what happens and hopeful it allows us to be more competitive on a weekly basis. It should be fun to watch, there will be a lot of speed on the field and we believe the A-11 will help our cause. It is worth the investment for our kids and the program.”
For more about Piedmont’s A-11 Offense and the Highlander football program, please visit www.piedmontfootball.com and pick a game to watch them play. It should be interesting.
Respectfully, throughout its 86-year history, Piedmont High School football teams have been labeled as “undersized, overachievers, hardworking, gritty, creative and smart.” Piedmont is a public high school, participating in the CIF – North Coast Section 2A Classification with a coed enrollment of just over 900 students. And now, the Highlanders will try to keep their spirited football tradition alive by implementing a brand new offense on September 7th, @ 7:00PM in their opening game at Campolindo High School in Moraga, CA.
The Highlanders’ new system is called, “The A-11 Offense” which stands for (All Eleven Potentially Eligible), and it’s a unique offensive system never before seen in the history of football.
“Necessity gives birth to invention,” says Piedmont Head Football Coach, Kurt Bryan, a twenty-two year coaching veteran at the high school and collegiate levels.” And Bryan explains, “We are a very small school regularly competing against teams drawing quality athletes from schools nearly twice our enrollment, so we had to try and create a system that somewhat negated sheer brute strength and size from the offensive side of the ball.”
Exactly, what is the A-11 Offense and how did it come to be?
“The A-11 Offense utilizes offensive principles from other systems such as, the spread, triple option, west coast and traditional I formation schemes.” However, there is one major difference between the A-11 and every other offense: in the A-11, all of the offensive players on the field will be wearing eligible receiver numbers. The players’ jerseys will display either # 1 – 49 or 80 – 99; therefore traditional Offensive Lineman numbered 50 – 79 will not necessarily be on the field during the A-11, although they will be used as well, dependent upon the situation and formation.
“It took us more than a year to develop the A-11 and get it approved,” said Bryan. “We are well within the rules of the game. The feedback from other coaches, our players and the officials has been great. It is the next step in the evolution of the game. Our Director of Football Operations & OL/DL Coach, Steve Humphries, and the entire coaching staff have worked hard to create this system.” Says Humphries, “We are excited to see what happens and hopeful it allows us to be more competitive on a weekly basis. It should be fun to watch, there will be a lot of speed on the field and we believe the A-11 will help our cause. It is worth the investment for our kids and the program.”
For more about Piedmont’s A-11 Offense and the Highlander football program, please visit www.piedmontfootball.com and pick a game to watch them play. It should be interesting.
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